PAID

“W-Who did you say he went to meet?”

The boy with neatly kept gray hair asked in a flustered tone, his expression betraying his surprise. Garland, on the other hand, looked slightly puzzled but, despite his fierce appearance, had a surprisingly kind side. Instead of responding curtly, he answered again with unexpected patience.

“I heard he went to meet Young Master Arno’s father.”

“……”

“What’s wrong, kid? Got a headache or something?”

“N-No, it’s just that I wanted to confirm something… Thank you for answering, Mr. Garland.”

The boy—Derrick—stumbled over his words slightly, but he recovered quickly, not allowing himself to be visibly shaken.

“Hmm?”

Had Garland picked up on the slight unease in Derrick’s demeanor?

The former mercenary cadet…

“Come on, cut the formal crap. Just talk casually, will you?”

“A-Ah, well, that’s…”

“Oh? Or is it because I used to be a mercenary? You looking down on me? Man, that kinda stings…”

“N-No! Absolutely not! That’s not it at all, I swear…!”

“Hahaha! I’m messing with you, kid.”

Thwack! Thwack!

“Ugh, my back… It hurts.”

“Quit whining. You’re built like a tank.”

“Ugh…”