Chapter 79. An Unexpected Connection

How long has it been since I’ve visited a major city? How long has it been since I’ve been home?

As I walked the streets of Elmon, I took a deep breath.

Ah.

The air in a big city is so refreshing.

It had been half a year since I last returned. Even then, I had to leave for Sahar after just two days.

“I wonder how long I can stay this time.”

I hummed a tune, holding Sylphid’s reins in one hand, and moved my legs slowly. As I strolled through the crowd, I felt the vibrancy of everyday life fill me up.

Honestly, I’m not hoping for a whole month. Even two weeks would make me incredibly happy.

Of course, I need to successfully submit my resignation first.

Imagining the freedom I would soon have made my nostrils flare with excitement.

By the way, this street holds some unpleasant memories for me…

“Little thief.”

I remembered the thief who had charged at me like a rhinoceros years ago.

It’s been so long that I don’t remember his face, but the feeling of having my excitement dashed after receiving my first paycheck remained vividly in my mind.

“I don’t even remember Ba-eun’s face.”

All that remained was the impression that it was cool how he appeared like the wind to help me. I also remembered that the benefactor standing on the wall had red hair.

Well.

With my current skills, there’s no way I’d fall victim to such a petty thief, so I wouldn’t need Ba-eun’s help anyway.

“I’ll take an apple.”

I impulsively picked up an apple as I walked past a street lined with fruit stands.

“5 shillings.”

“The prices have gone up a lot.”

It’s normal for prices to steadily increase.

What’s strange is that my salary hasn’t increased by even 1%.

Well, I earn a lot to begin with, so I can’t complain too much.

I reached into my pocket to pay. Just then, someone next to me suddenly extended their arm to the shopkeeper.

“Here you go.”

“……?”

I turned my head in surprise.

Unless I was mistaken, this man had paid for my apple. It was a very sudden situation, and what was more peculiar was that his voice sounded strangely familiar.

I felt like I had heard it somewhere before…

“It’s been a while.”

“Oh…!”

I was on the verge of remembering.

“Where have we met?”

“That’s a classic pickup line.”

“But you’re the one who approached me, right?”

“Oh.”

As if realizing it just then, the man shamelessly smiled. He had red hair, just like the Ba-eun I had thought of earlier.

Recalling that connection, a memory from long ago surfaced like a fish jumping out of the water.

“Gentleman!”

An unexpected connection could be so delightful!

I was so pleased that I dropped the apple and grabbed his hand.

“I was almost disappointed, thinking you didn’t remember.”

“It’s been too long!”

“It’s been two and a half years.”

“Has it really been that long?”

Back then, I had just received my first paycheck, and now I’ve saved up my target amount, so that much time must have passed.

It made me realize how fast time flies.

“How have you been? Have you stayed in Elmon?”

“Well, I’ve been going back and forth between Sahar and here. I’ve been busy.”

“Wow, what a coincidence!”

It really seemed like the gentleman and I were somehow connected.

“I was in Sahar too.”

“I know.”

“Huh?”

“I saw it in the newspaper.”

“Ah…”

Only then did I realize that the gentleman knew my identity.

Well.

There were several times when my name, Purifier Seraphina, was prominently featured in the newspapers, so it wasn’t hard to recognize if one paid attention.

“I’m planning to stay in Elmon now.”

The gentleman said, looking at me.

He seemed to say it with peculiar emphasis, but well. Elmon must hold special meaning for him. Thinking that, I smiled.

“It seems like Miss Seraphina has been busy too.”

He probably made the comment based on information he got from the newspapers.

I suddenly felt gloomy, erased my smile, and muttered quietly.

“I’m going to quit soon.”

“…What?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Really.

Why am I saying such things to the gentleman?

“Are you saying you’re quitting being a purifier?”

I would have appreciated it if he just let it slide, but he asked with a strangely persistent tone.

I answered evasively.

“It’s a wish. It’s tough working on the front lines.”

“…I see.”

He nodded a few times and then let out a thoughtful hum.

Why are you so serious when it’s about me quitting my job?

Just as I was about to ask if there was a problem out of curiosity, the gentleman took out a pen and paper from his pocket and started scribbling something quickly.

I watched, wondering what he was doing, and then he handed me the paper.

“Come find me if you need help.”

“……?”

“This is my line of work.”

“Oh…”

Not fully understanding what he meant, I stared blankly at the paper he handed me. It had an unfamiliar address written on it.

“Is this your workplace, sir?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“In what way can you help exactly?”

I asked cautiously.

In fact, I was on my way to the Imperial Palace, taking a long detour to stall for time, as I was too nervous about submitting my resignation.

What if it’s rejected… I worried needlessly.

“Are you part of an organization that can influence the retirement procedures of the Imperial Palace?”

If so, that would be very helpful.

I looked at him with eyes full of anticipation.

“Rather than that…”

The gentleman hesitated, looking at me intently, then slowly continued.

“I can assist if you’re unable to retire.”

“……?”

“You’ll understand if you come by.”

“……”

I’m not some naive kid…

This situation reeks of something fishy.

It seemed I might have misjudged him. Though I’ve been calling him a gentleman, the thought suddenly crossed my mind that this man might not be a gentleman at all.

Surely, he’s not involved with some shady underworld organization?

I suddenly realized I knew nothing about this man.

He was cloaked in secrecy, so who knows.

He could be a truly dangerous person.

But outwardly, I didn’t show that I sensed any danger, instead giving a bright smile.

“Thank you. I’ll come if I need help.”

“Anytime.”

No matter what his true nature was, his demeanor was indeed gentlemanly. The slight bow of his head in greeting was so elegant.

“Are you on your way home?”

At that moment, the gentleman lightly asked, as if changing the topic.

Oh, come to think of it…

The gentleman knew where I lived.

“I remember you lived nearby.”

“Hahaha…”

Recalling a forgotten memory, I laughed awkwardly. Now that I think about it, my last encounter with the gentleman was quite… unpleasant.

I had been drunk and caused all sorts of trouble while being carried on his back…

<This is my home… ugh!>

<Hehehe! Gentleman! Run, run! Faster!>

<Why am I doing this… ugh! It hurts!>

<Yay! This is fun! I’m so happy…! Giddy up, giddy up!>

Sigh.

I wanted to crawl into a hole.

Even though it happened two and a half years ago, the unblurred memory was frustratingly vivid. I didn’t even realize I remembered it, but once I did, it became clearer and clearer.

I hoped he had forgotten about it.

But judging by his meaningful smile, he seemed to remember it very well. Sigh.

“Uh, I think I was really drunk that day…”

“You didn’t drink much, but you got drunk.”

“I hope I didn’t do anything disrespectful…”

I trailed off in embarrassment, and he raised one corner of his mouth in amusement.

“If you did.”

Then he leaned in close, suddenly closing the distance between us. I instinctively held my breath as he got too close for comfort.

“Will you compensate me?”

“Hahaha. Of course.”

I thought he’d brush it off since it was so long ago, but no such luck.

Even as I answered, a part of me was anxious about what he might demand. After all, he seemed to be involved in the shady underworld.

What if he asks for my liver or kidneys? I’ve heard stories about dark mages using human organs for magical experiments…

Once my thoughts started down a dark path, they spiraled endlessly.

“Then may I ask for a moment of your time?”

The gentleman asked smoothly, with a smile.

Was it just my imagination, or did that smile look sinister?

If I give him my time, what will he do with it?

He’s not planning to cut me open without anyone knowing, is he?

Feeling a chill run down my spine, I racked my brain for an escape. Fortunately, I had a suitable refuge.

I put on a troubled and apologetic expression and said,

“I’m afraid that’s difficult. I’m currently on my way to the Imperial Palace under the imperial command.”

It was half true and half a lie.

I was indeed going to the Imperial Palace, but there was no imperial command involved.

I was voluntarily going to bid farewell to Johann, the old codger.