“Mom…”

It made sense. Mom was someone who couldn’t pass by the unhappiness of those close to her and would have helped if someone asked.

However, Nari shook her head. Still, she couldn’t believe it.

Isn’t it too sudden? Now, claiming to be the boss. Nari, looking at Nan with a suspicious expression, muttered with a puzzled tone.

“Still, I can’t believe it. I don’t know why you’re showing up now, and I haven’t heard anything from my mom! I’m just, just confused right now, you know?!”

“Oh, we tried to find and protect you after Kang Hana passed away.”

“But? It’s not difficult to find someone in this small land of the Republic of Korea.”

“I was in prison. Oh, so I mean, jail. It hasn’t been many years since I was released.”

At the mention of prison, Nari’s expression hardened again. Nan, as if unaffected, continued speaking.

“And after that, I couldn’t find you. It was like hitting an obstacle. I couldn’t know because you didn’t come here.”

[After we made the contract, the Dominator whispers, ‘Did we not set up a smoke screen to prevent strangers from casually obtaining your information?’]

Ugh, and Nari’s expression stiffened again.

It was true that, after contracting with the Throne, they had manipulated things to prevent others from casually tracing her information.
“Anyway, since we’ve met like this, I plan to faithfully fulfill the role of a guardian to you, if that’s what you want.”

“…Did you really search for me?”

Nan stared at Nari. Nari, still unable to hide her bewildered expression, met his gaze.

[Not that unpleasant, huh? The Dominator says while looking at you!]

“…Yeah.”

Strangely, it didn’t feel unpleasant, so Nari blinked her eyes.

Now, it seemed she had become somewhat accustomed to relying on someone. However, trusting the man in front of her was a different matter.

“I can’t answer right away. We just met today! And I can live well on my own, you know?!”

“That’s right. Indeed, at twenty-five, you’re a chick who might think you don’t need a guardian anymore. How can I earn your trust?”

Nan touched his chin and, as if something came to his mind, flicked his finger.

“Then, how about meeting my mother? She still remembers you, and she also knows about Kang Hana. Think of it as just meeting an acquaintance of Kang Hana’s. Usually, on days like this, people gather with those they know to mourn. She would appreciate it if you came.”

“…”

In the end, Nari looked at the broken white bouquet of flowers that she couldn’t give away.
It was unexpected to mourn with others for Mom, but it felt somewhat comforting.

“And I’m curious.”

Nari looked at the man in front of her. A former gangster, the person her mom rescued, and the guild leader of one of the Four Great Guilds, Mago.

And his mother.

Mom never told Nari that she was close to such people.

It might be a memory from Nari’s very early years, or she might have forgotten about it.

Anyway, Nari felt both uneasy and happy about finding traces of her mom. After hesitating for a while, Nari mumbled.

“… Well, I haven’t acknowledged you as a guardian or anything. I’m just going to see someone my mom knows!”

“Yes, understood.”

Nan nodded without any change in his expression.

As if he could see through her inner thoughts, Nari, feeling more awkward, stood up and murmured.

“…Well, it’s late now, so I’ll go. If you let me know where my mom is tomorrow, I’ll visit…”

“Do you have accommodation?”

Nari avoided Nan’s question with a grimace. She didn’t have any. The plan was to explore the nearby night market after the memorial today and then return straight to her rented room.

“In that case, let me guide you. Since we have plenty of vacant rooms, you can use one of them.”

“…Thank you.”
Considering just going home, Nari thought it would be better to express gratitude rather than being needlessly hindered by facial recognition. Nan called for a driver. He mentioned that it would take about 10 minutes for the car to arrive. After talking, Nan took a coat from the hanger and put it on. Nari sighed deeply and spoke.

“But how did you recognize me? As soon as you saw me, you knew I was Shin Bitnari… It’s the first time I’ve met you, as far as I know.”

“I saw you a few times when you were young. That’s why I remembered. And, I couldn’t help but recognize Hana’s niece at a glance.”

Checking that the computer was completely turned off on top of his coat, Nan looked at Nari intently.

“You look a lot like Hana, that’s why.”

“I take after my dad, not Hana. I look nothing like my mom.”

“Not resembling in appearance means your souls resemble each other. I couldn’t help but recognize your mother’s soul.”

“It seems like you were close to our mom.”

“Didn’t I tell you? I am your mother’s benefactor.”

Nari’s hand tensed at his reply.

Anyway, the feeling that someone considers her mom, even if she’s a national villain, as a precious person was strange.

Despite feeling like she shouldn’t like it, she couldn’t help but feel a swell of emotions in her heart.

“Even though our mom caused many deaths?”