Chapter 89
“Heeheehee.”
Even though they were in hiding, the mercenaries were startled and crouched down. The sound came from a place where a child and a man were present.
“This is fun, Alex. Higher!”
“You could fall.”
“Alex will catch me, won’t he?”
“Falling itself is the problem.”
The child on the swing laughed innocently. Her chubby cheeks, sparkling pink eyes, and fluffy pink hair left nothing about her that wasn’t adorable. She fit perfectly with the cherry tree from which the swing was hung.
“A child?”
The captain muttered absentmindedly. The sudden appearance of the child threw the mercenaries into confusion. It was because the combination of Kieran and the child seemed incompatible.
“Maybe they kidnapped her for a magical experiment?”
“She seems too happy for that.”
“Could Kieran have actually had a child?”
One mercenary’s comment caused the others’ eyes to widen in shock.
“That man is speaking politely to the child.”
“If she really is Kieran’s child…”
“Let’s capture them. Take them as a hostage and demand ransom. The important thing is most of the items are probably stored in the pocket dimension, so raiding the lab won’t be as rewarding.”
“Are you sure? If we make a mistake, we could all end up as geese.”
“Whether we raid the lab or kidnap the kid, we’d still have to fear Kieran’s retaliation.”
“That’s true, but—”
“Think carefully. If she is Kieran’s child, she could be his weakness. We might be able to get rid of Kieran. Then we’d truly be heroes.”
While opinions clashed, the captain, who had been silently staring at the child, coughed dryly. It was time to change the plan.
“You take the man. I’ll secure the child.”
The mercenaries locked eyes and nodded with determination. The captain moved first, followed by two with swords drawn. The other two stayed on guard, bows at the ready.
Then it happened. Alex, who had been pushing the swing, suddenly changed expression.
Everyone froze as if by agreement.
“Could it be… he noticed us?”
The swordsman swallowed hard. Alex, pushing the swing, seemed to have directly looked at the hidden mercenaries.
The captain steadied his breath.
“Must be a good sense. How much is that artifact worth? Approach slowly and aim for the neck. From the look of him, he’s a trained swordsman.”
“Got it. I’ll take the neck.”
One mercenary quickly claimed “neck.”
“I’ll confirm the kill. I’ll pierce the heart.”
While they were dividing roles, Alex smoothly kicked off the ground and sent Lou off the swing to stand behind him. There was no time to ponder how he had noticed.
Alex charged straight at the mercenaries.
“What the—! How can this lunatic see us…?”
Before he could finish his question, Alex swung his sword.
At the same time the artifact around the captain’s neck shattered, a series of dull noises followed. When they regained their senses, all five were rolling on the ground, holding broken arms or legs. Their limbs were fractured, but their lives remained intact.
It was fortunate for them that Lou was with Alex. To avoid showing blood to Lou, Alex had chosen a peaceful takedown, snapping bows and tossing swords aside.
Alex aimed his sword at the captain’s neck and asked,
“A thief?”
“How did you know we were here?”
Alex pointed at the half-destroyed artifact with the tip of his sword.
“It was designed for group communication. Its basic function of ‘stealth’ is terribly made. Even slight mana waves reveal your location openly.”
The mercenaries felt wronged.
‘It’s normal that we couldn’t sense any mana waves!’
The captain realized too late that they should have retreated the moment they spotted someone on the otherwise empty island.
Lou, who had been watching from afar, approached and grabbed Alex’s pants.
“Alex.”
“Lord Lou, you’re behind me.”
“It’s okay. Even if you fight, I think Alex would win.”
The child’s cute voice hit the mercenaries like a hammer. Then, full of curiosity, Lou asked an innocent question.
“Are these people thieves?”
“Seems like it.”
“Did they want to become geese? I heard all thieves are turned into geese.”
“This time is uncertain. Lord Lou, whom I’ve accepted as my disciple, is here. It’s best you step back a little. Even a mouse, when cornered, might try to bite a lion.”
Hearing the word “disciple,” the mercenaries were horrified. Something had gone very wrong. They had underestimated this child—she was Kieran’s very disciple.
‘Should I just faint?’
While seriously pondering, Lou slowly stepped back to put distance between them.
“That’s right. I’m still weak.”
Stepping backward, Lou slipped on some round pebbles and fell with a thud, making a sulky face.
Alex turned back, his expression stern.
“Are you okay?”
Lou spread out her palm, speaking in a spoiled tone.
“Alex. I scraped my palm. There’s blood.”
At that moment, a large door appeared in midair, and Kieran appeared. She saw Lou sitting on the ground, palm outstretched, with a single drop of blood.
Kieran’s purple hair rippled.
“How dare you enter my home and hurt my father!”
Did she just hear something strange?
The confusion lasted only a moment. The mercenaries scrambled to defend themselves. That kid—no, that young lady—had fallen by herself. We didn’t even get close.
But they couldn’t speak and were turned into pigeons. The pigeons peeking out from their clothes trembled as they looked at Kieran.
Lou tilted her head.
“Why pigeons, not geese?”
“Cute geese are too much. You’ll have to settle for pigeons, like Prince Regis.”
“Prince Regis is really bad. These people must have been just as bad to become pigeons.”
Lou nodded as if she understood.
“They dared to hurt my father, so I could tear them apart, but I’m restraining myself for my father’s emotional education.”
‘Hmm. That might not be good for Lord Lou’s emotional health either.’
Alex swallowed what he wanted to say and lightly dusted Lou’s dirtied pants.
“Miss, here they give two for the price of one.”
Sing called out cheerfully, pointing to a stall selling crystals, a specialty of the Tuna estate. The stall had various accessories and decorative items, with prices varying wildly.
Eluana whispered while examining the goods.
“If I buy at this price, will I be ripped off?”
“Yes. Usually the further into the corner, the cheaper it gets. Since it’s a tourist spot, you should bargain even here.”
Ring replied neatly.
Ann, who was listening, was shocked. A duke’s daughter bargaining was unheard of. While she stammered in surprise, Sing confidently said,
“I’m good at this. If you want something, just say it. I’ll haggle it down for you!”
“No, you can’t.”
Before Ann could stop her again, a familiar voice sounded.
“Cheap. Give me this, this, and this. Even though I pretend not to be, I like it when you buy me these things.”
Half in voice, half in tone, the husky owner was…
“Portio?”
Portio was there. Eluana felt awkward about the coincidence.
Portio glanced back at the call of his name, his eyes curved seductively. His drowsy face combined with a smile created a peculiar atmosphere.
“See you again?”
“Why is Pegimul Yeongsik here?”
“So… fate?”
Eluana was left speechless at his cheerful response.
“Why are you here?”
“I’m on a date.”
“Ah… that rumor.”
Portio looked around and said,
“Many couples fight and break up at tourist spots.”
“You don’t need to worry about me, Pegimul Yeongsik. My relationship with Kazar is truly fate.”
“Call me Portio.”
“Alright. How did Portio end up caught like this?”
“For nobles like us, getting caught a little by fools like these helps them survive.”
Eluana touched her forehead at that.
Then a small boy bumped into Portio and Eluana. He didn’t get far before Sing grabbed the back of his neck.
“Gotcha! You little rascal.”
“Let go!”
Sing watched the struggling boy in disbelief.
“You cheeky little thief, stealing our lady’s necklace?”
Only then did Eluana touch her neck. The necklace was gone. She was amazed she hadn’t noticed it being taken.
“No! Let go! Do you have proof?”
“Shake him and it’ll all come out.”
Sing flipped the boy upside down and shook him. Eluana’s necklace and a heavy pouch of money fell to the ground.
“Still going to deny it? Whose pouch is this?”
Ring squatted, picking up the necklace and pouch. Portio smoothed the boy’s neck.
“Looks like mine.”
Everyone’s eyes turned to the boy.
‘We’re doomed.’
The guilty boy shrank in fear.
‘Should I beg?’
Even begging wouldn’t work. Nobles are like that.
‘If only I could run to the alley, I could hide…’
He swallowed hard and planned his escape, but Sing’s cheerful voice came from above.
“What should we do?”
Ann felt pity imagining what was about to happen. The boy was young, probably under ten. Even so, he had touched a duke’s daughter’s belongings and would face punishment. No matter what, it would be deadly.
Yet Eluana’s response was far from Ann’s expectation.
“Let him go. That’s fine, right?”
She asked Portio, who shrugged.
“Do as you like.”
Eluana smiled knowingly.
Ring shook the pouch and handed it to Portio, who took out a gold coin and placed it in the boy’s hand.
“It wouldn’t feel right to just go home.”
The boy’s eyes trembled with uncertainty.
‘What? He’s really letting me go?’
It seemed unlikely. The boy suspected the noble was teasing him—pretending to release him, but maybe cutting his ankle if he ran, or striking him with a sword from behind.
‘Ah, whatever.’
It was now do-or-die. If he seized the chance, he might have a slim chance to escape.
“T-Thank you. I really can go?”
Eluana replied to the boy.
“It’s useless to tell you to stop pickpocketing, right? But if you change your mind, come to the Spess Duke’s villa on the hill. I’ll give you a job.”
Portio laughed heartily at that.
Ann was shocked by the turn of events. Simply letting him go was mercy enough. Moreover, the lady promised a job to a stranger. Portio, laughing at the thought of money, even seemed a little foolish.
Sing said,
“Today was just lucky. Don’t assume everyone will be as merciful as our lady.”
The boy sized up the situation, shook off Sing’s arm, and ran away. Portio watched the boy’s retreating figure and said,
“Unexpected. Didn’t think she’d let him go… and even promise a job. She was strict with that merchant last time.”
“Hasham was an adult. Once grown, you’re responsible for your actions.”
“And that kid?”
“How is it only his fault for stealing? The situation forced him. He deserves a chance to live properly at least once, right?”
“That’s true. You’re right. If there’s time…”
Portio fumbled in his pocket for his watch but found nothing. The magically moving pocket watch was a high-quality item.
“I’ve been had.”
Portio swept back his bangs and laughed slyly.
“Nothing else missing?”
“No watch. Shabia gave it to me as a gift.”
Just then, screams began echoing from the alley.
