Adam’s laughter echoed through the near empty roads. He could still feel the gaze of the Baron piercing through his back as the group began their walk back, though first escorted the Minister back to her carriage, which was surrounded by five knights, each wearing full plate, each wielding an aura of altertness.

“Executive Adam, creating a public disturbance is punishable by a fine,” Minister Florence stated. “A public disturbance near a noble’s estate is a greater crime.”

Adam clenched his jaw, but he still let out quite the snicker, almost tearing up from the sudden burst of joy within his chest. “Executive Jurot, Executive Kitool, please escort the Minister back, I will escort Manager Vonda back to the guild.”

Jurot wasn’t sure if both Iyrmen should leave him alone with the priests, though it wasn’t as though Vonda’s background with the order couldn’t deal with most issues.

“Minister Florence, I hope you’re willing to take our words of gratitude at the moment,” the young half elf said, bowing his head lightly to the Minister. “We appreciate the assistance of both the Minister and the Duchess in this matter.”

“I merely completed the role of a Minister,” Florence replied, pushing up her glasses. “I am certain the Duchess will appreciate your kind words.”

‘I guess I’m going to need to make sure the Duchess gets a few more gifts when we complete her order,’ Adam thought. ‘I can’t have her think we’re just using her authority without paying for it.’

The Minister pushed her glasses up once more, her eyes glued to Adam for a few moments longer, still trying to settle her thoughts, before she approached the carriage with Kitool. Kitool bowed her head to Jurot, allowing him to escort Adam, while the young woman would remain with the Minister to make sure she understood how the situation came to pass.

Once the carriage made its way out, Adam let out another soft sigh, the tension in his shoulders releasing almost completely. The group began their journey away from the long line of noble estates.

“Hoo!” Adam let out a noisy sigh, a sigh to break the silence rather than for any other particular reason to sigh. “Man, that felt so good.”

“Do not enjoy it too much, or you will find yourself with an addiction to beating nobles,” Dunes said.

“It’s already too late for that,” the half elf replied, chuckling lightly.

Dunes smiled slightly, though his mind wandered, focused on a particular comment Adam had already made. As far as he knew, Adam didn’t lie, so one comment had shocked him more than any other. ‘What title do their children hold?’ The first thought which came to mind was that they held the title of Iyrmen, though Adam had never outright stated such a thing before.

“Don’t talk like you didn’t enjoy watching me beat him,” Adam accused. “Why else did you come to watch?”

“Jaygak requested I should accompany Jurot.”

“Jaygak?”

“Yes,” Dunes replied, flashing a smile. “She spoke a statement which is true even in Aswadasad. Those who can make a mess in front of the nobles are priests. Two priests can cause a larger mess than one.”

Adam almost fell into a cackle from the joke, grinning wide. “I suppose Jaygak’s right. That’s why she’s an Executive.”

Dunes let out a light chuckle. “How can it be that even now you can still joke.”

“Is there any reason why I shouldn’t be joking?”

“You’ve offended a noble.”

“He isn’t the first, he won’t be the last.” Adam’s eyes darted to Vonda, who remained silent as she walked, with Jurot following after her, the Iyrman’s eyes sometimes darting about, checking for unseen threats.

“…” Adam decided against bringing her into the conversation, allowing her to stew in her thoughts.

Dunes pat Adam’s back gently, causing the young half elf to eye him up curiously, before noting the look in the Aswadian’s eyes. “I have completed my task here.”

“Right…” Adam smirked slightly. “Well, I suppose I’ve finished my task here too.”

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“Tomorrow, I shall take the Iyr Squad to adventure,” Jurot said. “The wolves will wish to stretch their bodies too.”

“Alright,” Adam said, waving his hand dismissively. “Do what you like.”

The group returned back to the guild, which was so noisy, though Vonda could barely hear the noise through her thoughts. The food they ordered had never been so flavourful, and the wine, never so sweet.

“You should have seen his face,” Adam said. “When he saw Jurot, you could see the memory return, back when he got hit by Phantom. He shouldn’t have acted up, otherwise I wouldn’t have beaten him with Wraith!”

“You shouldn’t speak so loudly about the matter, Adam,” Jaygak said, pouring him more wine. “There are many ears here.”

“Then they can think I’m a braggart! Who else would believe this humble young man could beat the likes of Sir William!”

Jaygak was glad Adam had removed his armour when he had returned, though he had been walking around with his face out for people to see, and considering the number of people with purple armour could be counted on one hand across the land, he had probably painted a target on his back in some way.

“If you weren’t so handsome, I wouldn’t be so worried,” Jaygak admitted.

“What?” Adam flushed slightly, before noting the look in her eye. “Jaygak, stop flirting with me, it’s beneath you.”

Jaygak smirked. “You’re not my type.”

“Is Vasera your type?”

“Her horns are beautiful,” Jaygak admitted. “She’s too strong.”

“Too strong?” Adam asked. “Just train a little more and use Great Moon to beat her up.”

“Only you could say something so stupid.”

“Am I wrong?”

“No, but-,”

“The only kind of butt we should be talking about is my adorable…” Adam paused. Any way he finished that sentence sounded terrible. “Do you think Larot is missing me too much, Jaygak?”

“I am sure all your children miss you, Adam,” Jaygak said, expertly deflecting Adam’s conversation about his most dangerous child. “Jirot and Jarot are being doted on by my grandaunt, and Konarot, Kirot, and Karot are being doted on by their grandmother.”

“You Iyrmen are so smart,” Adam said. “You guys work hard and then stay back so you can watch over the children. I’m so jealous.”

“You could stay back too,” Jaygak admitted. “Nothing is forcing you to act.”

“Hah? I still have to save Freya and there’s probably a few more things I need to deal with.” Adam thought about the Frost Giants. He wondered if they were doing well. ‘Damn, did I forget their names? No, Prince Aksak, and then there’s his son, Goti or something? The Helm guy, he was cool. Or was it the other one who was cool?’

‘Freya?’ Jaygak thought, her eyes meeting Jurot’s. She had only ever heard the name from Jurot, who had mentioned Adam had wanted to save someone by that name, but had said no more to her or Kitool.

“Anyways, now that we’re mostly done with our tasks, we might as well adventure and stuff. I’ll try and find more people for the business, some kids or something, who will become the business’ work force in a decade or so.” Adam sipped the wine lightly.

“What of your children? Will they grow up to become members of the business too?” Dunes asked. Adam’s children, who held a vague relationship with the Iyr, were in trouble. Half dragons, goblins, a demon, each were in danger for different reasons. If Adam could raise the United Kindom into a business with great power and influence, then his children, as officials of the business, would hold a certain level of protection within the land.

“Are you picking a fight?” Adam asked, narrowing his eyes towards the Aswadian. “My adorable children, my cute kids, my… they’re going to stay small and cute forever.”

Dunes smiled, sipping his wine slowly, patting Adam’s back. “Of course.”

“What do you mean of course?” Adam replied. “Say it like you actually mean it, Dunes.”

“…” Dunes smiled.

“You’re lucky you’re a priest, otherwise I’d cause trouble.”

“We cause trouble for nobles, but you cause trouble for us,” Dunes joked.

Adam chuckled. “Well, now I’m not going to cause trouble for any more nobles, cause we have none among us.” Adam glanced over to Vonda, who was slowly sipping away at her drink. “Hmmm. You seem so different, Sister Vonda. Ah, is it because you have no more flaws?”

“Everyone has flaws,” Vonda replied.

“Seriously?” Adam raised his brows. “What flaws do you have? You’re powerful, pretty, prestigious, and…” Adam tried to find out more words beginning with the letter. “A great pal?”

“Perceptive,” Dunes added.

“Yeah, yeah, everyone knows that skill is worth so much,” Adam said, nodding his head. “You’re, you know, you persevere, and you’re persistent, got a good personality, and uh, philosomething, I’m sure there’s plenty of words that work, phenomenal, that’s a great word, and…”

“Prepared,” Dunes added.

“Yeah, proper too.”

“Punctual.”

“Yeah, time’s important, just ask Filliam,” Adam joked.

Vonda let out a soft, embarrassed sigh, trying to keep her cheeks from flushing too much. “You’re too much, Adam.”

“Me? You’re the one that’s so… I don’t know, you’re one of the few people, who aren’t Iyrmen, who make me feel so…”

“Inadequate,” Jaygak said, sipping her own wine.

“Yeah…” Adam’s eyes fell to Jaygak, who had closed her eyes to avoid catching anyone’s eyes. “It’s why I couldn’t give you up.”

Vonda flushed harder from Adam’s words, understanding they were mostly quite playful. She stared down at her drink, brushing her thumb along the clay cup, a cup which she had received from a little Iyrman who always enjoyed her stories.

“Plus, if I let you go, wouldn’t Jirot tell me off?” Adam asked. “Jirot and Jarot both adore you so much, so I can’t just let you run off without saying goodbye to them.”

Vonda stifled a laugh into her scarf, before pulling it down, revealing her burnt face and neck. The marks fell from her lower lip and made their way down towards her neck, disappearing beneath her shirt. She folded her scarf in half, before tying it around her waist.

Adam only smiled. He wished he had so much courage, but with those ears of his, he decided against doing so. He was sure that East Port had little prejudice against half elves, but he decided against seeking that kind of attention.

“Although, I don’t really need an excuse to-,” Adam tensed up as Vonda’s face came into view, and their lips pressed together.

‘???’