Chapter 40
“Why are you following me?”
“So you noticed I was following you.”
“It would be nice if you answered my question first.”
Asher pressed the man with a firm expression. The man shrugged lightly, as if he had no choice, and got to the point.
“I thought you would be with the child.”
“Why are you looking for the child so desperately?”
“Before that, I have a question for you. What did you do to the child? Or are you close to the child?”
The man’s forest-like eyes stared intently at Asher, as if trying to pierce through his thoughts.
“I’m close to the child. The child follows me well because I care for him.”
“I see.”
“By the way, I heard you offered to take the child with you. I’d like to know what that means, along with an answer to my earlier question.”
At Asher’s words, the man let out a small, unexpected laugh. It wasn’t a situation to laugh, but the man’s reaction made Asher furrow his brows slightly as he stared at him.
“If you can say that, you must be very close to the child. Yes, I did offer to take the child with me.”
“Why?”
“Before that, could you put that sword away?”
Only then did Asher signal Toms to lower the sword pointed at the man’s neck. Toms nodded and took a couple of steps back.
“Now, will you talk?”
“If you let me meet the child.”
“Shouldn’t I hear your story first to know if you’re safe?”
The man, showing no sign of backing down, raised both hands as if conceding. Then he extended his hand to Asher.
“I’m Kan Ebolsh.”
The man introduced himself. Asher looked at the outstretched hand for a moment before slowly taking it.
“I’m Asher.”
As soon as Kan said his name, he slowed the flow of air around them, creating a situation similar to the one on the ship earlier.
“Don’t misunderstand. I did this in case there are other ears listening. It’s safer if only we know, right?”
“Is this a serious conversation?”
“Not really. But since I have to reveal my identity to have this conversation, I hope you understand.”
Kan asked politely for understanding. Asher felt that he might not be a bad person. If he had ill intentions, Asher would have been in danger by now.
“I’m a magician from the Western Tower of the Bulldog Kingdom. I came to buy magical materials from the Blade Empire and found the child.”
“……”
“But as soon as I saw the child, I sensed magic. As you know, those born with magic are rare.”
As Kan said, those born with magic were uncommon. Magic was precious, and finding talented magicians was difficult. But for Narta to be one of them… Asher suddenly remembered Narta saying he didn’t want to go to another place.
“I wanted to take the child to the Magic Tower and raise him. But the child was firm. He refused to tell me his name or come with me, drawing a clear line.”
“He knew it was dangerous to go with a stranger.”
“So I gave him the stone. I told him if he changed his mind, he could talk to the stone, and I would grant his wish. Of course, granting a wish was just an excuse—I would have brought him to where I am.”
So the stone wasn’t really a wish-granting stone but something like a teleportation device. Asher thought of the stone in his pocket and cautiously asked Kan,
“Can you prove you’re a magician from the Western Tower?”
If he really was from the Western Tower, it would be the best possible situation for Narta.
“Proof? Of course.”
Kan extended his finger, showing Asher the ring he wore. It bore the seal of the Western Tower. But why would a mere magician have such a seal? Asher looked at him questioningly, and Kan answered with a smile.
“Well, I must be one of the important figures in the Magic Tower.”
“……”
“This should be enough explanation about me. Now, can I meet the child?”
“I’ll return this stone to the child first. And I’d like you to let the child decide for himself.”
Of course, it would be better for Narta to go to the Western Tower than stay here, but Asher wanted the decision to be Narta’s own. He wanted fate to be determined by one’s own choices, not by someone else. Kan smiled softly as he watched Asher, lost in thought.
“You really care for the child.”
“Huh?”
“Anyone else would have decided for the child without asking his opinion. They might have even demanded money from me. The child is worth that much.”
“The word ‘worth’ doesn’t sound good. It’s not like we’re buying and selling people…”
Asher frowned, and Kan chuckled.
“This is a gift for you.”
“Why are you giving this to me?”
“Even so, this is a connection. You might need it someday. I don’t give these stones to just anyone. I’m giving it to you because I think it’s okay.”
Kan offered a pebble like the one he had given Narta. But Asher refused, saying,
“I don’t accept things without reason. I’ll just take your kindness.”
“Without reason… Then how about this: I’ll take the child’s place in your heart.”
Kan stubbornly placed the stone in Asher’s hand despite the refusal. Then he restored the flow of air and whispered softly, so only Asher could hear,
“I’ll stay at this port. If you ever need to see me, come anytime. I’d be more than happy if you came looking for me.”
Kan disappeared with a sly smile, as if he liked Asher. It truly seemed like he had vanished in the blink of an eye.
***
“Where did you go? I didn’t see you on the ship either.”
“I was worried I might get hurt with all the cargo, so I came down for a bit.”
Shaki, having finished his work, spotted Asher and approached. Asher gave him an awkward smile.
“What you asked for last time.”
“Oh? It’s already here?”
“Yeah. But since you went through all this trouble for me, don’t you have something for me? Like a hug?”
Shaki blatantly asked for a hug, and Asher laughed softly. At times like this, he looked just like a child.
“Thank you, brother.”
“Just words?”
Shaki, determined to get a hug, pressed on. Asher looked around. Fortunately, there were only a few people passing by.
“What are you doing? I’m waiting for a hug. Or should I settle for a kiss on the cheek?”
As Shaki’s demands escalated, Asher quickly hugged him. He was enveloped in Shaki’s broad chest, and a faint scent of roses wafted from him.
“Ah, this is nice. It feels like all my hard work is being rewarded.”
Shaki held Asher tightly in his arms, not letting go. Asher squirmed in embarrassment, but Shaki only pulled him closer, murmuring softly,
“When did you get so big?”
“I can’t breathe.”
“I really… like you the most in the world. So much.”
The sincerity in his words made Asher feel strange. He was family, yet there was something indescribably different about it. Asher pushed Shaki away slightly and asked him,
“By the way, brother, do you know a child named Narta?”
“Isn’t that the child you care about? Why?”
“This time, I heard that child is being moved somewhere else, not here. Do you know anything about it?”
“If he’s being moved somewhere else… that would be under Father’s jurisdiction.”
At the mention of jurisdiction, Asher’s expression showed surprise. He had suspected it might be related to the Alpha incident, and Shaki’s reaction confirmed his suspicions. Shaki, unable to answer carelessly, said to Asher,
“Asher, sometimes it’s better to pretend you don’t know. You know Father—if something bothers him, he won’t even see family.”
“But, brother—”
“From what I know, Father is putting a lot of effort into this project. Narta is probably going there to work. You don’t think Father is doing something bad, do you?”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
