Aland approached the cowboy man and whispered in his ear with a threatening tone. "Consider this all finished. Never show your face on my Aunt's property again! If I hear from my Aunt that you came back here and caused trouble, I will find you and your family! You know exactly what I'll do next."
Patting the man on the shoulder while smiling. "You understand me, don't you, Uncle?" The man slowly nodded his head, his face trembling and drenched in sweat, causing his subordinates to panic as well.
This man's reaction suddenly changed drastically; his gaze was vacant. What did the young master say to him that made him so terrified? Bros wondered.
"Since you understand, Uncle. Please leave with your friends." The men immediately walked away, helping each other along.
"DON'T FORGET TO GET MEDICAL ATTENTION!" Aland shouted, waving his hand.
"One problem solved," Aland muttered with a flat expression. His gaze immediately turned toward Bros, who had been staring intently at Aland since the men left.
"Huh, what?"
"This gold!" He directed it toward Aland's face.
"I am absolutely certain, Young Master, that this gold wasn't in the car just now! Where did you get it?!"
"That's not important." He walked away, leaving Bros behind.
"Wait, Young Master! You have to explain..."
"... OR I'LL TELL MADAM ABOUT THIS!"
"THAT THE YOUNG MASTER STOLE FROM THE SAFE!"
"Quiet!" Aland muttered.
"YOUNG MASTER, WAIT!" He ran toward Aland, who was walking toward the house.
...
Inside the house, the couple was worried about Aland, who was dealing with the loan shark. But the husband remained quite calm, as he was still able to prepare dinner on the dining table.
"You don't need to worry, dear. Trust your nephew with everything."
"How can you talk like that, honey? This is our problem. What if Aland and my sibling get involved?"
"We already owe them so much!" She bit her thumb, imagining her sibling's reaction after finding out she had debt. Her wild fantasy intensified; now she assumed Aland would ask his father for help to solve the problem.
Soon after, the front door opened. They saw Aland smiling at them, followed by a running Bros from behind.
"Yo-Young Master..." Bros said, panting heavily.
"Hello!" Aland blushed, waving his hand gently.
*Why are they looking at me like that?* Aland thought.
Aland's aunt ran and hugged Aland, lifting him up. She glanced at him occasionally, then hugged him tightly again.
*I expected this. But I didn't think it would be this bad. Auntie is hugging me even tighter now,* Aland thought, maintaining a straight face.
"Thank goodness you're alright, my dearest nephew! Auntie was so worried about you!"
"Honey, don't hug him so hard. Aland might get hurt,"
"Don't underestimate my nephew, dear! He's strong!" She was still hugging Aland, but this time she also kissed his cheek and forehead repeatedly. "Ohhh... my sweet darling!"
"Since Aland is here, the problem outside must be solved. We should have dinner first."
They finally had dinner with simple side dishes. It was plain yet special; only here could Aland truly enjoy his food, because usually, at his grandmother's house, she insisted on spoon-feeding him like a baby.
After finishing their meal, Aland's aunt asked Bros for an explanation about what had happened outside. Meanwhile, Aland was playing with a beautiful baby not far from the dining area.
The innocent little baby was happily playing with Aland, a 6-year-old boy. "Let Bros explain it to them. I'm exhausted today!" he said, holding his niece's tiny hand.
"Hey, pretty lady! What do you want to be when you grow up?"
"Blahblahbleeah!"
"Yes, that's wonderful! Your ambition is fantastic! I fully support it! Hahaha!"
"When you grow up, let's combine our futures!"
"Blumbalahbllhblaah!"
I'm going to go crazy here, Aland thought, bored.
"Aland, my nephew!"
Damn it! I just got a moment's rest and someone's calling me again. "Yes, Auntie!" Aland returned to the dining table.
Bros looked at Aland with a smile. Aland returned the gaze with disgust.
Why is he looking at me like that? Aland wondered.
"Your uncle has told me everything."
"But... is Auntie's debt really settled with just a bottle of buffalo milk?" he asked softly.
This jerk told her honestly. He should understand a man's feelings! Add a dash of foolish lies! Aland thought, smiling cynically at Bros.
The young master must be hoping I say he paid his debt with gold bars? Oh, I can't! Bros thought.
"My nephew, if you did that, I'm afraid they'll get angry and come back with more of their men," Auntie's husband chimed in.
"Th-that was all anticipated, Uncle, Auntie. You don't need to be afraid of them coming back here. Because Uncle Bros threatened them harshly, hehe!" Aland chuckled.
I have a bad feeling about this... Bros thought.
Just you wait, this is only the beginning, Aland thought.
"IF YOU COME BACK HERE AGAIN AND CAUSE TROUBLE! I WILL CHOP YOUR MEAT INTO TINY PIECES UNTIL EVEN DOGS WON'T EAT YOUR REMAINS!" he declared with dramatic flair.
Aland's aunt and her husband stood frozen, not blinking, swallowing slowly. They looked at Bros with trembling faces.
"That's what Uncle told them. The milk bottle was also his suggestion! Haha, there's no way Aland would provoke them. I'm still a child! Haha!"
"Y-yes, that's what happened. I was too embarrassed to explain it earlier," Bros explained with a smile.
That brat! Bros thought.
"Well, thank goodness then. If everything is alright, thank you. But a debt is a debt. We still have to pay it, regardless of what they did earlier," Auntie said.
"Auntie doesn't need to worry about that. After we leave here, Aland will go to their place and pay Auntie's debt," Aland replied.
"B-but that's Auntie's debt-"
"Auntie... just consider this a gift from Aland to the beautiful baby. Aland didn't come here two months ago, so he felt guilty. Therefore, please consider this an apology from me, Auntie."
The aunt glanced at her husband. He signaled his acceptance of Aland's decision with a nod.
"Alright! Thank you!" she said, her eyes welling up.
"You're welcome, Aunt!"
Night had fallen; the clock showed 9 PM. Aland hurried home after picking up his mother's package. After saying goodbye to his uncle and aunt, he left Hansam village.
Before leaving, Aland asked for the loan shark's address, as he had promised to pay off his aunt's debt. The address was in downtown Azaru, the capital city for Hansam and Portego (Aland's village).
It was one of the most magnificent cities on the continent of Fertilesoil. Through the car window, Aland watched towering buildings stand solidly in rows. This was Aland's first time in the city, and the sight left him slightly stunned.
There were sparkling lights, luxury cars on every street, and people bustling along the sidewalks. Having lived only in a mansion in the middle of the forest, he was used to seeing nothing but trees and wild animals.
*Huh! This reminds me of London back then. Before I went blind in my previous life, I often carried out dangerous missions on the rooftops of buildings,* Aland thought.
"I'm so sleepy... are we almost there?" Aland leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.
"Just a moment longer, young master. We'll arrive after the next traffic light," the driver replied.
"Young master, if you're tired, just sleep. I'll take care of things," Bros said.
"Of course, I'll sleep if I'm tired! Why are you telling me something so obvious, Uncle?" Aland retorted.
*I only meant well, you jerk!* Bros thought.
"Oh, right. I don't know your name, Mr. Driver. You must be new here."
"Young master, he-"