Chapter 9
While Eiyan stood bewildered, Kynemia abruptly pointed at his shoulder.
"Huh, what's that?"
"Hmm?"
When he turned, a lark perched on his shoulder chirped melodiously with a pyororong sound.
"Ah, this is from the Magic To—"
Before Eiyan could finish, the lark pecked his mouth with its beak.
It pecked me?! Kynemia gaped. It looks so docile—why so aggressive?! Eiyan chuckled and continued,
"It’s a familiar that’s followed me since the Magic Tower."
"A familiar?"
Kynemia’s eyes lit up.
"First time seeing one. Seems disobedient."
"It’s cheeky."
The lark lunged again, but Eiyan dodged fluidly. Meanwhile, Kynemia reached out to stroke its head. The bird trilled pyororong and nuzzled into her touch.
Feeling its soft feathers, Kynemia beamed.
"...Adorable."
Eiyan, who’d been watching the lark rub its face against her hand, suddenly seized Kynemia’s wrist.
"Stop touching it. You’ll wear it out."
"Huh?! Wear it out?"
How dare he say that over a little pat! Kynemia’s shoulders quivered. Eiyan added flatly,
"That remark wasn’t for you, Lady Kynemia."
"Then who—?"
"Let’s go, my lady."
Without explanation, Eiyan guided her away. The lark trailed them, wearing an oddly judgmental expression.
"Another empty day, Seiyer?"
Lana Redmain of Behemoth thudded her hammer onto the floor.
Seiyer Redmain, slouched in a chair, answered through half-lidded eyes, "Do I look busy?"
She sighed, legs propped on the table, as Lana scowled.
"How do two skilled women like us starve?"
"Tell that bastard Brian. Say we’re sorry and beg for work."
"Sorry?! I’m the victim!" Lana trembled with rage.
The sisters’ struggles had worsened since Brian—son of a local magnate—took interest in them. Matters peaked when Lana caught him peeping as she bathed.
"That perverted creep!"
She’d swung her hammer, grazing his arm.
"AH! My arm! What’ll you do about this?!" Brian had shrieked, unhurt but theatrically crimson.
The incident was buried to avoid assault charges, but patronage vanished—Brian’s family owned five street properties, including Behemoth’s building.
"Ugh, he’s not into me—just my chest!" Lana covered herself.
"Accurate," Seiyer nodded.
"He’s deranged. I’ll crack his skull with this hammer before we leave town." She swung the weapon, aura flickering around it.
Seiyer understood—she’d been ready to bash Brian too. Yet she sighed, "We still need to eat..."
"Then use that pretty face to lure clients!" Lana snapped.
"What guild member tells their master to solicit?!"
"Me. Now go."
Seiyer tossed her nameplate. Lana caught and hurled it back.
"You promised we wouldn’t starve! Clean up your mess!"
"You go! You’re more popular!"
"Since when—?"
Ding. The door swung open.
"Here for a request?" Lana bolted up as Seiyer straightened, adopting a dignified air.
A pale, black-haired boy entered, drowsy-eyed yet strikingly handsome—youthful but destined for peerless looks.
12? 13? Lana tilted her head. "You here to hire us?"
"Not me."
"I am."
A girl’s voice chimed. Lana glanced down to find a petite child waving.
"The client’s me."
What’s this adorable creature? The sisters—normally unfazed by flattery—stared, stunned.
"Age?"
"Eleven."
This tiny thing’s eleven?! Lana crouched, eyeing the girl. "Where’s your mom?"
"Gone."
"...Gone?"
"Gone," Kynemia repeated firmly.
Lana paled. Gone as in...? She gestured frantically to Seiyer, who awkwardly stood.
"Little one...your dad?"
"Gone."
Silence fell. This kid’s unshakable...
Lana pressed, "...Grandfather—?"
"Gon—"
"Enough. Sorry." Seiyer covered Kynemia’s mouth.
Eiyan yanked Seiyer’s wrist away. "Don’t touch her."
"Who’s he?" Lana glared.
"My guard."
"You’ve got a guard?"
"Is this your hospitality?!" they said in unison.
Seiyer shook her head. "This isn’t a guild for children."
"Right. Scram," Lana added.
Kynemia pulled out a sealed necklace. "I’m Kynemia Lion. Will you take me seriously now?"
