Crack!

“Argh!”

The sound of a walnut cracking was heard. Ivan clutched the back of his head and crumpled to the floor. Next to him was Michel, holding a thick book.

“Again, again, again. Just because one is done, again.”

“Michel!”

Ivan glared at Michel, clutching his aching head. But with a soft sigh and crossed arms, he turned his head quietly again.

“You hate me every day.”

Ivan plopped down right there and sat. Then, with elbows on his clearly defined thigh muscles over his clinging pants, he propped his chin. It seemed as if an invisible tail was thumping the floor. To anyone’s eyes, he was protesting that he was upset.

Moreover, why sit on the floor again when there are wide and sprawling chairs and sofas?

“Get up. Speak more prettily.”

Michel flicked her head, but Ivan pretended not to hear. Michel’s eyebrows twitched.

“Ivan Viljzec. Can’t you hear what the superior says?”

Finally, after Michel called his name sternly, Ivan, who had not flinched, gave his official title.

“Imperial Knight Order Eloniaq, 2nd Division Deputy Commander Ivan Viljzec.”

But he was still sitting rebelliously. Just as Michel was about to say something, Ivan abruptly stood up and spoke.

“Stop telling me to give my official title all the time. Are we still in Eloniaq? Aren’t we in Copelador?”

“You….”

“You know why I deserted with the commander!”

Then he ran out just like that. Michel stared after Ivan incredulously and then shouted.

“Hey! You have to give the betrothal document!”

That one, really losing his military spirit!

Michel, chirping, seemed ready to follow Ivan when the Guild Master stopped her, wearing both masks.

“Leave him. Ivan being like that is not just a day or two.”

“Because you keep spoiling him, the child is getting more and more disobedient. What’s a commander, a commander. Where did you sell the ‘sir’?”

“What’s wrong with that? It’s more like a guild and good.”

“My point is… I’m afraid it’s becoming a habit. You won’t be the Guild Master all your life. Someday, when someone will stand by your side like that…”

Michel shook her head fretfully. The expression on her face was worry and regret. The Guild Master, watching her with a subtle look, spoke as if saying something trivial, putting on his coat.

“Then accept him.”

“…What?”

“You know why Ivan is twisted and rebellious.”

“That…”

Michel opened her mouth to say something but then slapped her hand once.

“Don’t talk nonsense. You know how old I am.”

“Fortytwo.”

“Yes, Ivan is just twentytwo now. There’s a twentyyear difference between us. If I married my first love, I would have a son my age.”

Looking at the door where Ivan had disappeared, Michel muttered softly.

“He must be confusing admiration with love. Otherwise, what could be good about an old lady like this…”

Buttoning his coat, the Guild Master flicked his eyebrows behind the mask. He seemed to have a lot to say, but no words escaped his sealed lips. No matter how close a relative, it’s someone else’s story, so it’s not his place to chime in.

“I won’t say any more, but take the betrothal document. Ivan probably tore it, so don’t worry, but it’s unpleasant that such a thing exists in this world.”

“Yes. I’ll tear it once more and search for magical energy before putting it on the desk. Shall I prepare matches too?”

“And an ashtray.”

“Understood. But, where are you going now? You should prepare to return; there are mountains of work.”

“A brief outing is fine.”

As Michel’s eyes began to narrow sharply, the Guild Master, sensing he was about to be caught, quickly escaped. Behind him, Michel’s long sigh continued, but he pretended not to hear.

(This is a time separator.)

The place the Guild Master hurriedly sought with his long legs was none other than the temple.
The temple of the Grusian Order was always enveloped in the fierce snowflakes that constantly blew in the north. Nevertheless, instead of entering through the main gate, the guildmaster climbed the wall and leaped onto the roof.

Despite the blizzard that obscured his vision, the man who did not leave a single footprint on the snowcovered roof soon jumped down to a terrace.

Thump thump.

When he knocked on the door familiarly, an old man reading a scroll inside turned his head.

“No!”

The old man, who jumped up from his surprised sitting position, hurriedly got up and opened the terrace door.

“Really, since last time! Why do you keep sneaking in like a night guest, ignoring the perfectly fine door! Do you want to see this old man drop dead of a heart attack?”

The old man, as if angry, brushed the snow off the guildmaster’s broad shoulders with his bare hands. The guildmaster waved his hand, asking him to stop talking about the familiar matter, and then threw himself into a comfortable chair in front of the fireplace.

“I have to go to the capital soon, and I didn’t want to be nagged if I was here.”

“You know the person here… No, did you think I wouldn’t nag?”

“That’s not it, but I have to check something. The betrothal papers are circulating. Do you know about it?”