Late Afternoon - Mid Spring : Kingdom of Kaelallan

- Udall ~

“Haah..” I sighed deeply seeing Michael finally pass out at the table.

Mollie’s face showed a similar concern. "You think he’ll be alright?"

"Yeah it's odd seeing him drink so much, but I guess his lifetime of work and effort could be destroyed so I can't really blame him.."

"Haah.. yeah. I just haven't seen him so stressed since ‘she’ almost died.."

"There’s nothing we can do besides letting him sleep and giving him company. Go turn on the muter for him so we can get back to working on the staff in the meantime."

Walking over to the table, Mollie tapped a small sphere and activated a small barrier that formed around the table. "This artifact has really come in handy."

It was an artifact that created a very thin barrier around itself that allowed objects and people to walk in and out, but people on the inside couldn't hear things outside and vice versa. (it's a silencing artifact)

It naturally wasn't perfect, but it was enough to act like ear plugs to let Michael sleep.

"Yeah, although it was crazy expensive, it was worth it compared to the ever increasing cost of privacy around here."

"Haha, it's been a while hasn't it.." Mollie gave a small chuckle, ignoring Udalls rambling.

"Hm? Since what?"

"N..nothing.. I was just thinking that it's probably been a while since he's slept so soundly."

Looking over at him, I finally noticed just how knocked out he was. "Haha, you might be right. In any case though, let's try to finish up his staff. It'll be a nice surprise for him when he wakes up." A gentle warm smile came to my face as I glanced back at Michael again. -Ill make sure to show you how much I’ve improved from last time!-

With a newfound excitement filling my chest, I made my way to the forge and got started.

Just as I put the mythril in the forge though, I heard someone knock on the front desk.

*knock-knock*

-Ah.. I bet that's him..- Setting down the clasp holding the red hot mythril, I turned towards Mollie. "I'll leave the start to you, this might be what's-his-name coming for his sword." As I walked towards the front, I tried to think of the man's name but gave up halfway through. -Ill just look at the commission sheet..-

Walking into the front room, I saw a man in a large black coat waiting at the desk.

-Well, it's not him..- "What can I help you with, sir?"

"I was wondering if Michael was here? I need to speak with him."

-Is this guy the messenger Michael talked about? This feels far too fast..- "He is sleeping currently, can you leave a message or letter if you'd like, or you can come back later."

"Ahh, you see this is fairly urgent so I'd like to see him now." The man's voice was quite rough and lacked formality.

-Well, he's too pushy and sketchy to be the messenger..- "Sorry but I can't wake him, please come back later."

Feeling like something was off about the man, I quickly tried to send him away, but he didn't take kindly to it.

"Sorry but I need to see him right now.” As he spoke, a heavy, S-Rank aura filled the room. “Please don't make this more difficult than it needs to be."

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The man's eyes were vicious but mine were calm. "This isn't a place you can just walk into." My confidence was dense and unwavering, successfully planting a seed of worry in the assassin. -How dare you try and target my sworn brother while I'm here.-

In the next instant, the man drew a knife and dashed at me, throwing a punch before swinging the knife at my neck.

As I leaned back to dodge the swing, I reached back and grabbed a shortblade behind the desk. -I shouldn't waste time on this guy..-

Swinging it around, I tried to slice off his arm but he moved just enough for it to only graze him before jumping back.

"Man, I’ve gotten that much slower since I retired?" Jokingly swinging my blade in the air, I acted distracted.

Lunging at me again, the man pulled out another blade.

*Clang-Clang* *Chink-Clang-Clank*

The exchange was extremely fast and contained dozens of attacks each, but I was clearly on top.

The man also noticed. “Tch.. to think I'm losing to an old veteran.” Quickly backing away, he looked down at the several gashes along his arms. “Is a shame such a strong man has to die he-” *Crack*

Cutting off his words, a heavy smithing hammer flew through the doorway and shattered several bones in the man's hand.

*Clank-thump*

Completely caught off guard, the man broke into panic. "Sh-"

Before he could resituate himself, I lunged at him and picked the hammer off the ground.

*CRACK*

The man's shoulder shattered and caved in from the hit, before he finally fell to the ground and passed out.

-Was he really a mage? The dumbass didn't even use magic..- "Someone this weak really wanted to kill Michael?"

"It feels wrong… That felt far too easy.." Mollie poked her head out into the lobby, making sure everything was alright.

"Yeah it was. I'm sure more will come so lets be a bit more careful now. Go activate a few of the triggers, I'll close the shop and clean up."

Giving a quick nod, Mollie quickly disappeared into the back.

"What was that crack? That sounded brutal!" A joyful young woman's voice came from outside.

It was a voice I instantly recognized. -Why her..- "Some dumbass assassin tried to pick a fight."

"Oh what a shame.. was he hot?"

"No idea, but his right shoulder is basically destroyed so he's a cripple now."

"He may not be much use as a labor slave, but that doesnt mean he doesnt have a use." A well dressed young woman appeared in the doorway with a joyful smile.

"It's been a while, Aurie." My voice was drained of energy just from seeing her.

"It has indeed! I've been up in the upper district selling my 'goods' and been busy establishing a few new checkpoints in nearby cities. Sorry I haven't been able to visit!" She winked as she looked me up and down. "I still wish a hottie like you wasn't so loyal though."

"Ah, truly a shame." My sarcasm was palpable.

Thankfully, Aurie was quick to get to business. "Well putting that aside, if you don't want to do anything with this guy, I'll take him!"

"I'm not sure if you should.. this one could become complicated."

"Hm? What makes you say that?"

Seeing her ‘shy and quirky look’, I cringed so hard it felt like a part of my soul crumbled. "Haah.. pretty sure this guys friends just tried to assassinate the king, I cant go into detail but I wouldnt recommend making this guy a sex slave."

"Awe that's a shame.. he's quite good looking.." There was a moment of silence until a smile slowly crept on her face. "Wait, if the royal family is looking for him, couldn't I just sell him to them for even more?!"

I immediately facepalmed at her conclusion. -Why do I even care if it causes her trouble..- "You know what.. you do you.. he's all yours."

Motioning Aurie to take him, I turned and walked into the back. -If she wants that responsibility, it's all hers.-

"If you ever get tired of your wife, let me know!" She gave him a gleeful smile as I left.

-My lord, just how annoying can one woman be..-

As I pushed aside the curtain door to the back, I reached over and turned over the sign.

'Closed'

As I walked back inside, I made my way over to the forge and sat down. -Something doesn't add up..-

"I heard that whores voice… I thought she finally gave up." Mollie looked at me like she was suppressing the urge to kill someone.

It made me shiver slightly. "She wanted to take that 'assassin' as a slave so I let her."

"Ah, so she didn’t come to try and reach into your pants this time?"

"Thankfully no.." I cringed as I thought back to my past experiences with Aurie. "Man I could use a drink.."

"Not now, we need to make sure no more ‘messengers’ come. If you're drunk and another guy shows up-"

"I know, I know. Let's just get back to the staff, I need a distraction. The mythril is ready too.."

Mollie’s face finally started relaxing before a smile crept onto her face. "To think we would get hunted again… It reminds me of the old days.."