Chapter 15
At least the side that gathered information and accepted requests was relatively quiet, since most of them were individualistic.
However, the opposite building served as headquarters and handled all other duties, so many people came and went. It was so rough there that fights frequently broke out—and sometimes, guild members even lost their lives fighting each other.
Mercenaries came looking for work, and assassins handling high-level requests passed through as well.
The problem wasn’t just internal—there were plenty of enemies outside targeting them too.
So even if it was an orphanage, it would probably be much better for him to just go back to where he came from.
“Lexiard, what’s that place?”
Lexiard came out of his thoughts and followed Rody’s pointing finger.
“That’s the banquet hall. Parties are held there on special occasions.”
But even if he went back, it wouldn’t necessarily be better.
In fact—he didn’t want to send him back at all.
“Wow, is there a lot of food?”
“Probably?”
If he didn’t want to let him go, maybe he should just help him settle here instead.
“Then I want to do that too—a party! Do they serve meat?”
It felt like a waste to just send him away.
“Yeah. Want me to arrange one?”
“…Is that okay?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
It was his first time meeting a child like himself.
“Then let’s do it! Let’s do it!”
“Alright. I’ll have one arranged for the weekend. Or should I have them do it tonight?”
If you want something, you should have it—that’s only natural, right?
“Not today.”
“Why?”
Lexiard had never failed to get something he wanted.
He had never even experienced the frustration of not getting what he desired.
“I have to learn letters. Ekision said he’d teach me.”
“Ekision?”
“Yeah, the red-haired man.”
“Then let’s do it on the weekend.”
If he wanted him to stay, he should treat him well.
At some point, Lexiard had completely shifted from worry to decision and smiled gently.
“Okay! Oh…”
“What is it?”
Rody pointed somewhere.
“That’s the person I bumped into earlier.”
“That woman?”
She was wearing striking red clothes, with long wine-colored hair swaying behind her.
“Yeah. She had lots of sharp needle-like things hidden in her clothes. And small knives.”
Rody had seen them when they collided earlier—needles and blades hidden all over.
But Iklis had a sword somewhere on him, and so did Gembil, Ekision, Padrid, Jin Jane—even Bender had at least one or two.
So it didn’t seem that strange.
He just assumed everyone in Cheils carried weapons.
In fact, Rody was planning to ask Iklis for a sword later.
But seeing that Lexiard didn’t carry one, maybe he didn’t need one after all.
“Needles and knives? Why would she carry those?”
“I don’t know. Others had them too. Boss has a sword.”
“Hmm, that’s because he’s made a lot of enemies.”
“Enemies?”
“It means he’s done bad things.”
“No, Boss isn’t bad.”
“Why?”
“He gave me bread and saved me. Oh! There’s a big door over there too. Where does that go?”
Rody’s attention had already shifted elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Lexiard hadn’t taken his eyes off the woman yet.
“Where?”
“Over there.”
After finally finishing memorizing her features, Lexiard turned back to Rody.
“That leads to another building. People call it the west building, or west wing. Want to go there too?”
Rody nodded as Lexiard explained:
The place they were currently in was the central building—the main hall.
The west wing was where information guild members and related documents were kept.
The east wing handled other operations and served as headquarters.
“Yeah. Is it far?”
“No, just cross one garden. There’s a fountain too.”
“A fountain…?”
Rody’s eyes sparkled.
“Hand over the documents. I’ll review them on the way.”
“Ah, is that alright? I was just about to organize them and head to the central building.”
“Give them.”
Gembil rubbed the back of his neck tiredly as he held out his hand.
He had just returned from outside through the west wing.
Since he was heading to the second floor of the main building anyway, he often stopped by other buildings to pick things up.
With his large build and intimidating appearance, people were afraid of him at first—but he wasn’t actually harsh, so they were always grateful for his help.
“Thank you. Is there anything I can do for you?”
“No. Good work.”
Holding the documents, Gembil opened the opposite door.
As he stepped into the outer corridor—
He heard chirping-like voices nearby.
Turning his head, he saw two small figures near the fountain.
Those two again.
Gembil stopped walking.
Should he leave them together?
He had seen them together on the first day, but that had been unavoidable since the kid was injured.
Lexiard wasn’t much older than Rody, so they could be considered peers—
But he was more dangerous than anyone else.
It was impossible to tell what he was thinking, and his power was unmatched.
He was calm and mature—but still less capable of controlling his emotions than an adult.
And because he blindly followed Iklis, he often acted impulsively and hurt people.
In other words—
Lexiard was like a ticking time bomb.
To everyone except Iklis.
So Gembil wondered if it was really okay to leave such a dangerous person with an innocent child.
Then again, they both have unusual abilities… Maybe that’s why they’re left together.
If separation had been necessary, it would’ve already happened.
After some thought, Gembil decided it wasn’t his place to interfere.
He turned to leave—
“Hey, mister!”
If only that voice hadn’t stopped him.
Rody ran up to him.
Seeing Lexiard follow, Gembil gave a short bow.
“I told you, why am I ‘mister’?”
Getting worked up at a child was ridiculous—but this needed correcting.
He was still young.
“Oh right—Gembil! Look, I changed clothes again. These are new too.”
“Yeah. Got it.”
Rody treated him warmly, as one of the first companions he met along with Iklis.
Despite Gembil’s intimidating appearance, Rody adapted and bonded easily.
“It doesn’t smell anymore—it smells nice now.”
“Uh… okay.”
What was he supposed to do with that?
Gembil didn’t understand why Rody told him every little detail.
But Rody looked up at him with sparkling eyes.
Feels like he wants something…
But what?
Even Gembil couldn’t figure it out.
Looking down at the small head, he felt the urge to pat it—
“Gembil.”
Lexiard’s voice interrupted.
“Yes, Lexiard-nim.”
“The second floor isn’t fully cleaned. I saw something dirty. Red hair too.”
Gembil immediately understood.
His expression turned cold.
Only select people could access the second floor.
And among them—
Only Ekision had red hair.
“…I see.”
“Uncle doesn’t like things dirty.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
“Huh? The second floor is really clean though?”
Rody looked confused.
Lexiard smiled.
“It is. But I saw dust in a corner.”
“I see.”
Rody nodded.
“I’m good at cleaning.”
Before he could stop himself—
“I’ll do it. Boss said if I work hard, I can earn a lot of money.”
Gembil and Lexiard froze at the same time.
