Episode 3
“Hmm……”
In the Talin Kingdom, within the dark guild known as ‘Bin,’ Vivian, the guild master, rested his chin on one hand, staring intently at the entrance as if something were unsatisfactory. His fingers drummed nervously on the thick wooden table, betraying a hint of impatience. Beneath his jet-black hair, his cool red eyes glinted.
“Time has passed.”
Vivian’s gaze flicked to the clock on the wall. He absolutely despised when things went awry. Especially for someone as secretive and suspicious as he was, situations that didn’t go according to plan felt extremely awkward. He had just been informed that a search party had already been deployed near the baron’s residence to look for Melis.
The time Melis was supposed to arrive had long passed, and he was growing increasingly tense. Helping Melis escape meant going against the Fortier Baron family.
Well, he didn’t stand to gain anything from the so-called baron, but for someone like him who believed everything in the world could be solved with money, this was still a significant decision. Had Melis not clung to him pleadingly, he might have ignored the whole matter.
At that moment, Vivian sensed movement from afar and slowly lifted his head. He had gone so far as to prepare a rare scroll, yet here she was, breaking the appointment. He intended to confront Melis the moment she stepped through the door.
With a cheerful chime, the door opened, and Vivian, furrowing his brows, spoke in a low voice.
“Melis, why so late……”
“Finally arrived, have we?”
A strange voice came from Melis, her body completely wrapped in a black cloak. Upon closer inspection, her belly was excessively protruding. Vivian narrowed his eyes, and Melis responded with an awkward smile.
“Hehe, well……”
“Puhah, so frustrating. Oh, another human!”
Suddenly, a brown bundle popped out from Melis’ arms and gestured aggressively at Vivian. Clearly, it was a young beastkin child. Vivian’s expression turned cold as he grasped the situation, prompting Melis to hurriedly add an explanation.
“Th-This is what happened! The child was trapped in a net……”
“It’s not a child! My name is Garulus Lokan……”
“Garulus, be quiet!”
“Ha……”
Pressing his throbbing temple with one hand, Vivian pressed a button under the table. The entrance locked, and a dark blackout curtain fell. Still touching his forehead, he beckoned the bickering pair with a finger.
“Follow me.”
“…That’s how it happened.”
About ten minutes later, Melis entered Vivian’s room and recounted the entire series of events, leaving out nothing. Although the only real incident had been meeting Garulus briefly. Yet even after she finished, Vivian said nothing.
“Senpai, are you angry?”
“You always call me that only at times like this.”
Vivian stared at her impassively. Being from the same academy, he was both a good senior and the only friend she could confide in.
“Vroom- vroom-!”
One hand on his chin, he sat on the floor, watching Garulus play with a toy. He seemed deep in thought. Melis watched him closely, waiting for him to speak.
“…I’m not angry. I had no reason to be angry in the first place.”
“Phew.”
“I’m just a little annoyed because things got messy. I know you’re compassionate, and I like that about you… but I didn’t expect it to happen today of all days.”
Melis smiled awkwardly at Vivian’s piercing words. Judging by his tone, he really wasn’t angry. Of course, she couldn’t argue with his irritation over the mess. Being chased and still causing this trouble—yet she hadn’t brought Garulus along thoughtlessly.
“I’ll take responsibility. The schedule might be a bit delayed, but before we reach the Kendal Kingdom, I plan to stop by the empire briefly. Even if we can’t go directly to the Grand Duchy, we could hire trustworthy mercenaries nearby……”
“That won’t work.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll make sure you won’t be harmed, senpai.”
“That’s not it. It’s impossible to get to the Kendal Kingdom. Didn’t I tell you? Things have gone wrong.”
“…What?”
Melis couldn’t believe her ears. Vivian furrowed his brow, looking troubled, and ran one hand through his hair.
“A few days ago, a noble was killed in a border town of Kendal. The culprit hasn’t been caught yet, so they’re still searching. If we try to cross now, we’ll surely be stopped at the checkpoints.”
“But if the inspection record remains……”
“Even if it’s no problem immediately, it will help the Baroness track you.”
“Ah……”
Her mind went blank. Kendal was the closest neighboring kingdom and, like their own, a human territory, making it easiest to hide. To reach another kingdom, she’d need to cross Kendal or find a ship, but the ships had even stricter inspections.
Realizing the implication, Melis blinked slowly.
“Th-Then the only remaining option is……”
“The Aizen Empire.”
The Aizen Empire. She bit her lip in panic. It was common knowledge that humans were openly discriminated against there.
“How can I live in the empire!”
“You can. It’s still human land. And you said you planned to stop by there anyway.”
“That’s different! Senpai, you’re avoiding my eyes. Can you say that looking at me?”
With a bang, Vivian slammed the table, glancing at her for the first time in a while.
“…Good luck. We’ll accompany you to the empire, so don’t worry.”
“Ah! You took so much commission money and now this? You scammer senpai!”
“You, junior, are complaining now? I gave you a 30% discount, and even added an expensive scroll.”
Just as Melis prepared to complain about Vivian’s shameless attitude, someone tugged on her cloak.
“Melis, are you moving to the empire?”
“Ah, Garulus. It’s not that I dislike the empire……”
She suddenly remembered Garulus and smiled nervously. It wasn’t a conversation to have in front of a young beastkin living in the empire.
“Then how about living at my house together?”
“Huh?”
“Of course, I’m not the owner, but there are many empty rooms. I think having one like you stay with us won’t be a problem! Besides, Kerman likes me a lot; if I ask, he’ll agree.”
“No, Garulus, that’s……”
Melis looked at Vivian pleadingly for help. But Vivian touched his chin and nodded as if intrigued.
“That’s actually not bad.”
“Senpai!”
Melis, about to object, glanced at Garulus and stood up. Even after moving to a corner with Vivian, she lowered her voice so the child wouldn’t hear.
“Didn’t you hear me? Garulus lives in the Severus Grand Duchy! ‘That’ Grand Duchy!”
“Enough. You just spat.”
Vivian wiped his face in disgust. Melis emphasized once more, stamping her foot lightly.
“Don’t you remember? Two years ago, the Grand Duke executed all humans who trespassed in his duchy. Ten or more people at once! A complete human-hating psycho!”
Grand Duke Severus, famous as much for his reputation as for the rumors surrounding him. The empire’s rogue whom even the royal family had abandoned. A war prodigy who dominated countless battlefields from a young age. A tyrant obsessed with alcohol, women, and luxury, making his subjects weep.
Among all the descriptors, the most famous was probably “human-hater.” He blatantly ignored continental laws prohibiting discrimination against humans and beastkin alike.
“As long as we don’t get caught by Grand Duke Severus, it’s fine. His duchy is vast. You won’t meet him unless you go looking. And he’s the Grand Duke.”
“That’s true, but……”
Vivian, now wearing a relaxed smile, draped an arm over her shoulder and whispered.
“Judging by what Garulus said earlier, his house seems well-off.”
“And?”
“If you can live there temporarily, it’s even better. They have servants, so you could even get a job. Even if not, you saved Garulus’ life; if the parents are decent, they’d repay you somehow. A few days of help until you settle in won’t hurt.”
“……”
“Still, the commission is the cleanest solution, so try to negotiate properly.”
Vivian, shameless as ever, rubbed his thumb and forefinger together. Melis, frustrated, pressed her lips together.
“Senpai, you sound like such a materialist. I didn’t save Garulus expecting any reward.”
“But you’re not exactly in a position to refuse help, are you?”
“Tch……”
Unable to refute him, Melis clicked her tongue shortly. Vivian had a way of being irritating, and even more so because she’d never won an argument against him.
“If it bothers you, just leave Garulus and get out of the duchy. I don’t know how long someone without funds or connections like you can last.”
“……”
A month ago, when Melis left home for Kendal, she had asked Vivian for help. He had initially refused, citing her plan as too flimsy.
Of course, after desperately pleading, she had finally secured his help. Now, seeing her current predicament, she had nothing to say—his judgment had been correct.
Reading her expression, he narrowed his eyes mischievously.
“Annoyed that I was right, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
What annoyed her most was that Vivian knew this very well.
