TYHL 142

~Chapter 142~

Ch. 14

Capital city, Bamiles — a small alley.

Number 2 was walking unsteadily.

‘This is my limit…’

It was getting hard to stay in a place without magic. But she couldn’t just go back.

‘Now that Father is gone, this is my chance.’

It wasn’t often she got a chance to track Number 7 alone.

She came secretly to the capital, trying to find Number 7 without the Magic King knowing. She leaned against a wall, breathing hard.

She had already snuck into most noble families in the capital to check.

But she hadn’t found any child that seemed like Number 7.

‘I know that child’s face.’

So, no matter what disguise, she’d recognize Number 7.

‘It must be the Zebbert Duke’s family.’

Number 2 reached into her pocket and took out a piece of paper.
It was a letter from Number 4.

It was sent after searching the North Ipsen area.

The sound of crumpling paper.

Actually, Number 4 sent two letters.

The first one said:

North search result.

Target’s whereabouts unknown.

Main search subject: Rubian Zebbert.

Low chance of matching the target.

A letter about failing the search.

After that, she was ordered to report back to the Magic King and return.

But soon, another letter arrived:

There’s more to check about Lady Zebbert, so I will keep watching.

Of course, Number 2 was the one who got that letter.

But after sending it, Number 4 died in a magic tool explosion.

Number 2 didn’t report the second letter to the Magic King.

‘Why did Number 4 keep watching Lady Zebbert?’

Did she figure something out?

Number 2 was now suspicious. So she decided to check the truth herself, while the Magic King was away from the palace.

‘I’ll catch Number 7 myself.’

Number 2’s eyes shone.

‘I’ll check the Duke’s family again. If nothing, then I’ll check the Academy.’

She made up her mind and walked quickly.
She had heard that Leviathan Zebbert and his daughter were in the capital, but it was strange she hadn’t seen them at all.

Number 2 hurried to the Zebbert Duke’s townhouse.

It was a huge and fancy mansion.

She wore a robe and pretended to be a commoner, looking around near the Duke’s house. But because of the high walls, it was hard to see inside.

She walked around the walls, checking for any gaps.

“Who are you?”

A low voice stopped her steps.

“What are you, walking around my house like a sneaky rat, huh?”

It was an old man’s gruff voice.

Number 2 held her breath and turned around.

‘The Zebbert old duke…’

His fierce eyes were on her. He was big and very intimidating. Maybe he just arrived, because he was still carrying his sword.

‘Why is he here instead of at the front door?’

Number 2 felt sweat on her back and bowed.

“I—I’m sorry. I didn’t know this was a noble house.”

“Yeah right.”

Before she could react to his fancy speech, Barlok tapped his big sword.

“Let me tell you, there are no jewels in this house. If you want to steal something, go up North and try a castle there, you little thief.”

Thud, a coin pouch dropped at Number 2’s feet.

“Take it and get lost!”

He must have thought she was a beggar woman because of her shabby clothes and skinny body.

“Yes, yes… I’m sorry.”

Number 2 quickly bowed and left.
She felt his sharp gaze follow her until she was far away.

‘…Phew. That was close.’

Number 2 sighed in relief and slipped into the street.

What should she do now? Should she try to dress as a maid?

“Hmm?”

She stopped by a bulletin board.

There, in a corner, she found a small piece of paper.

“…Academy restoration staff wanted?”

“Hm, what’s that?”
Barlok watched the woman’s back as she walked away, then shook himself.

No time for this.

Right then, a very familiar face appeared at the wall’s corner.

“What are you doing here?”
Morris came running.

“Whoa, you scared me.”

“Do you love me or something? Why do you follow me everywhere?”

“Because it’s my job, sir!”

“You couldn’t even look me in the eye when you first joined the knights!”

“Why do you always bring up the old days? We’re growing old together now.”

The old butler answered with a straight face.

“I’ll say it again, you cannot climb over the academy wall. And you can’t sneak into the dorms! You’ll see her tomorrow anyway!”

“One day is too long! What if my little one is crying, missing her grandpa?”

“Then wipe your own tears first. Really, sir. Think about it.”

Barlok hated thinking, but he listened anyway.

“I’m sure the young lady has made new friends. Do you think she’d like her grandpa sneaking around like a thief, or showing up proudly and cool?”

“Cool… and proud…?”

“You know that, right?”

“A cool grandpa…”

Barlok stroked his white beard, staring at it.

“I understand! Morris, let’s go to a shop right now!”

He put his thick hand in front of Morris.

“Money!”

“What? Why a shop? And you have money, sir.”

“Oh, I saw some poor woman wandering, so I gave it to her.”

“What?!”

Why did he suddenly give charity?

Barlok added quickly, as if not wanting to be nagged more.

“Don’t worry! She didn’t seem bad. Maybe just a bit sneaky looking.”

Well, he did have good instincts.

Morris wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.

“That was a lot of money, though… Sigh. Fine, let’s stop at the mansion first.”

“But Morris.”

“Yes?”

“Isn’t that our little one over there?”

Barlok pointed near the front gate.

Rattle, rattle.

A boy with noticeable looks was dragging a loud cart of books, making him stand out more.

“That’s probably Young Master Liam. Why is he out?”

In the Academy, all elementary students had to live in the dorms, but middle schoolers could go out with permission.

Of course, Liam almost never left the library, so he never used that rule.

Liam and Barlok made eye contact.

“Hey, eldest bean, why are you here?”

“Why are you in the capital, Grandpa? Did Father come back?”

His sensitive-looking face seemed a bit different today. Barlok shook his head.

“No, not yet.”

“…I see. I was hoping maybe he did. I’ll wait inside then.”

Liam, looking deep in thought, dragged his book cart toward the mansion.

“What’s up with him?”

He looked a bit off.

His glasses were a little blurry, his hair was messy, and his ribbon tie wasn’t straight…

But the strangest thing—he had way fewer books in his cart than usual. Something was up.

“Is something wrong?”

Barlok quickly followed him.

Liam suddenly stopped.

He turned and looked at Barlok.

“…Well. No matter how much I think, I can’t get rid of this uneasy feeling.”

“Huh?”

“I worried all night but couldn’t figure it out. I came to ask Father, but… Grandpa, can I ask you instead?”

Uh oh. If it’s a study question, I’m not ready.

But Barlok tried to look calm and puffed up his chest.

“Sure. Ask your grandpa anything.”

“It might just be my imagination, but… Rubi…”

Liam frowned, thinking hard.

He was clearly worried about something that made him feel uncomfortable.

“Did our youngest fairy… experience war a lot when she lived in Eoshia?”

In that moment, Barlok felt like the air stopped moving.

He realized something.

“Before she met Father in Eoshia… with Khalid, I mean.”

It was the calm before the storm.