Kevin and Azreal stepped out of the hotel, the door clicking shut behind them. Warm air washed over their faces like a wave.
"I swear this place is a furnace," Kevin muttered, using his collar to fan himself.
"Most stores are closed," Azreal noted quietly, his hand resting on the scabbard at his waist.
They walked along the edge of the plaza where wooden stalls were usually lively and crowded. Today, only a handful remained open,and those few were occupied almost entirely by rugged mercenary types. Loud voices. Clinking bottles. Heavy boots grinding against dusty ground.
It didn't feel like a village plaza at all.
More like the outskirts of a mercenary guild. Or an adventurers' guild.
"It's strange," Azreal murmured. "It's not a weekend. And it's not a holiday. So why are so many stalls closed?"
Kevin snorted. "Maybe everyone here collectively decided they hate money and sunlight."
"It'd be better if that were the case. We should ask around."
Azreal scanned the area again, eyes pausing on a small flower shop squeezed between two rowdy taverns. Its sign hung crooked. The door was shut tight. Only a few flowers were displayed outside.
Azreal lingered, gaze softening at the primrose blossoms. In a place suffocating with heat and noise, the flowers felt strangely out of place.
Kevin stepped beside him, noticing where his friend's attention had drifted.
"Hey, flower boy~"
"Hello."
Both of them jumped.
"{£883]!" Kevin blurted, nearly falling backward.
Azreal reacted instantly, slapping a hand over Kevin's mouth and holding him steady.
Standing just behind them was a blond boy,shorter than both of them, maybe 175 cm. His navy blue eyes were calm and unreadable, completely unbothered by their reaction. Despite his delicate, pretty appearance, something in his gaze made Azreal feel uncomfortable.
Kevin made a muffled noise behind Azreal's hand.
Azreal regained his composure with effort.
"A-Ah… sorry. Hello. Is there anything you need?"
The blond boy tilted his head slightly.
"Have you seen someone?" he asked softly. "He's around your age. Black hair. Unique eyes,yellow irises shaped like a star. And he has a star on his back."
Azreal's breath hitched.
Kevin went still.
The heat suddenly felt heavier.
The description was unmistakably Elijah.
"No," Azreal replied, forcing his voice to stay calm.
The blond boy blinked once, then nodded politely.
"Is that so?. Alright then."
He then turned and walked away, disappearing into a narrow alley.
Azreal and Kevin stared after him.
"You don't think the person he's describing is…" Kevin whispered.
"Elijah."
"But why? And where is he even going?"
"If I had to guess… it's probably that."
"The boun-"
"The bout, yes." Azreal cut him off sharply, glancing around. "Though it should already be cancelled, we should inform them.Let's head back."
Kevin noticed a few mercenaries were now eyeing them. He immediately nodded.
The two quickly walked away,but not toward the hotel.
As they moved, Kevin typed on his phone, messaging the girls about the encounter. He then looked up at Azreal, who was leading with long, purposeful strides.
"Where are we going, exactly?"
"To a quiet place."
Kevin understood instantly and quickened his pace.
Footsteps echoed across the empty path.
As Azreal reached the end of a narrow alley, he looked back over his shoulder and slowly drew his sabre from its sheath.
"Come out."
"…"
"Not listening?"
The blade gleamed faintly in the dim light.
Kevin also pulled out a dagger, stance tense.
"…You're better than I thought," a voice said calmly. "Worthy of being a hero's comrade."
Azreal's eyes narrowed. "What are you trying to say?"
The blond boy stepped out from the side of the alley, hands raised slightly. His calm expression hadn't changed.
"Don't worry. I have no intention of fighting you two."
"Then why did you ask us that question earlier?" Azreal demanded.
The blond boy tilted his head, as if taking a moment to think.
"That question? Oh. I only asked it to get your attention."
"Our… attention?" Kevin lowered his dagger a little.
"I already knew you two were close to the black-haired boy. I intended to follow you back to your lodging, but it seems you discovered my plan. My mistake."
Azreal gripped his sabre tighter.
"What do you want with him?"
"Me?" The blond boy pointed at himself, blinking innocently.
"Well, I plan to pledge allegiance to him."