The bulky Adventurer stumbled backward and landed on the ground with a loud thud. A pained groan escaped his lips while streams of blood poured from his nose.

Is it just me, or is that angsty kid much stronger than he looks?

Percy glanced at Louis for a moment before his eyes fell upon the profusely bleeding Adventurer.

“Someone take him to a Healer,” He said lightly before turning to the counter. His eyes turned ice-cold as he asked, “By abolishing slavery, the king returned the slaves’ freedom, didn’t he?”

The staff member who’d been talking to him earlier didn’t dare to say anything. All he could do was nod subtly.

“That means this idiot violated the constitution, and nobody here did anything to stop him,” His voice grew in volume with every word, “I sure hope you’re going to write a report about this, or I will personally request an overhaul of this Guildhall.”

Nobody knew who Percy was, but that wasn’t necessary. He used [Frostbite] to conjure an icicle in his palm while staring at the Guildhall’s staff, “Or I will ask the duke. I don’t really care which option you take, but I think reporting a violation of the constitution is easier, don’t you think so?”

The staff nodded in unison, but nobody moved.

“You can start with the report,” Percy growled, and the staff, startled, jumped into action.

The silence that followed his commentary was deafening. Percy knew he made a mistake by openly attacking an Adventurer in the Guildhall, but he considered his reasoning valid. In the worst case, he would pay the Adventurer’s medical fee, though Percy doubted it would get that far.

His attention trailed away from the Adventurers, and he looked at the little girl crying in her brother’s embrace. Louis consoled his sister and tried to calm her, but that was easier said than done. The fury burning in Louis’ eyes certainly didn’t help his sister.

“You look angry,” Percy pointed out the obvious, “But you do realize this is partially your fault, right?”

Louis’ head flicked to Percy, the anger in his eyes still vivid.

“I don’t mean to blame you. I’m just telling you that it was a stupid idea to bring your sister to the Guildhall.”

Louis was fully aware of the Adventurers’ hostility toward Demis and Beastman. That much was obvious, given the way Lous had spoken to him earlier. The young Demi wasn’t that stupid. So…why in the seven hells would he bring his little sister to such a dangerous place? Did he plan to traumatize his sister?

“Sabrina…isn’t safe anywhere. Someone might find and hurt her if I’m not there to protect her…” The fury in Louis’ eyes was replaced with sadness and embarrassment, “The Guildhall is the only place where I can earn money. Nobody else wanted to take us in… We are monsters in their eyes…”

Percy studied the siblings and sighed deeply when his eyes fell upon the uncontrollable sobbing girl. Leaving her alone in the capital while he was in the Wilderness was dangerous. First, Louis would need enough money to rent a room, and second, others might find out where they live and attack ‘the monster’ the moment Louis left for the Wilderness. Percy didn’t want to think about such a possibility, but given the way the Adventurers looked at the Demis…it was possible.

Besides that, Louis could bring his little sister to the Wilderness, but that was as stupid as dangerous.

“Yeah…you did a great job at protecting your sister…” Percy couldn’t help but comment while looking at Sabrina.

Louis had nothing to say about that.

Percy sighed and put on a smile before ruffling through Louis’ hair. The young Demi flinched but didn’t pull back.

“By the way, that was a good punch there. That should be enough,” He commented, “Come with me.”

Louis wanted to ask, ‘Where to?’ but upon seeing Percy’s gaze, Demi got up. He helped his sister, and they left the Guildhall.

But not without Percy walking over to the counter, “Sent a copy of the report to the Reeze Estate. If they ask why, just tell them that Melissa’s friend with the azure eyes told you to do it.”

He walked out, only to stop one last time in the doorframe.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“If the report isn’t at the estate within the next three days, I will return with the Glacia Knights!”

Percy left with a bright smile on his lips.

He might have lied about the Glacia Knights or that he would find out if the report didn’t reach the Reeze Estate in three days, but that didn’t matter. Percy wanted to inflict fear, forcing the staff to report the incident without leaving out the slightest detail.

The Demis observed Percy as they walked through the bustling streets. Sabrina had stopped crying and held her brother’s hands for emotional support. Still, her eyes lingered on Percy, almost like she was trying to find out what he was. After all, he couldn’t be a human. He was too nice to be human.

I didn’t plan to raise two children. I am way too young for that.

He turned around to look at the Demis and cursed himself inwardly as they stared at him. Their eyes were big and full of trust. How could he leave them behind? He wasn’t that cruel.

“How old are you?” Percy asked, trying to break the ice.

“I am 14 years old, and my sister, Sabrina, is two years younger. We are probably one of the last batch of war slaves, and it took the longest to free us. Most Demis are already settled or returned to the Beastlands,” Louis answered instantly, but he noticed too late that he said too much. " I can tell you more about us if you’re curious…”

Percy smiled but looked at Sabrina.

She is already 12 years old? She doesn’t look a day older than ten. Her body probably needs more nutrients to grow. That means lots of food.

“You’re a Gifted with great physical strength. That’s not an Ego, though, right?” Percy reached out for Louis’ offer and asked more.

“Beastmen are stronger than humans, just like you said…Sir. I am Gifted, but I have yet to reach the Elite Tier,” He answered proudly, and Percy was impressed. The Elite Adventurer suffered a hefty blow. Louis was certainly strong.

“My sister is also Gifted,” Louis added hurriedly, “She may be young, but she’s smart and diligent!”

Does he want me to hire her too? Did he think I would separate them?

Percy shrugged inwardly but smiled at Sabrina.

“Is that so? Are you a diligent lady?” He asked, to which Sabrina responded with a hesitant nod.

“That’s good.”

They talked for a few minutes, and Percy learned quite a bit about the siblings until they reached the Merchant Office, which was their next destination.

***

“That was easier than expected,” Percy mumbled as they left the Merchant Office less than half an hour after they entered.

“Are you our boss now?” Louis asked, trying to figure out what had just happened.

Sabrina pulled on her brother’s clothes and whispered something in his ears.

“Oh…” He murmured, “Oh!”

Louis smiled at Percy, “You’re going to take care of us!”

“Slow down, will you?” Percy responded with a calming gesture, “I did hire you and your sister, yes. I also promised to give you a place to sleep and other benefits. But that’s the least I can do in return for your commitment to protecting the Dragon Lair!”

The last words seemed to confuse Louis quite a bit.

“That’s the name of my shop. Dragon Lair.”

“Oh, right.”

He didn’t strike me as a stupid bloke before. How did I not notice that?

Percy accepted his fate and walked back to the shop with the siblings. He kept the shop closed for the day and led the Demis upstairs.

“This is where you two will sleep. I didn’t get to purchase any furniture yet, but we can solve that issue in the next few days.”

Initially, Percy didn’t want to bring the siblings here, but this was the best place for both to stay. Percy was not in need of the rooms upstairs and could use the empty storage to sleep. He was there most of the time in the first place.

Louis and Sabrina would be safe and sound, and Louis would always be with his sister even when he was working downstairs. Furthermore, Louis could protect the shop at night. He had an excellent hearing sense and would hear a break-in long before any thief or ruffian could destroy or steal anything.

Percy fulfilled several plans by giving the siblings the place on the second floor, and he didn’t have to worry about leaving whenever he wanted, either. After all, Sabrina could handle the customers after some initial training. She was only 12 years old, but her eyes glowed with determination to help her savior.

That was great and all, but it didn’t solve one particular problem.

“Adventurers are your main source of income, right?” Louis asked the obvious questions.

“What if everyone will leave you for hiring us?”

Percy shrugged, “I don’t care. They would be stupid to ignore my precious goods, and I’d rather not have any stupid customers.”

Louis and Sabrina smiled.

In the morning, their lives were a living hell. But now…Now, everything looked much brighter.

Maybe everything was going to turn out fine.