The sun was rising when Zethir and Augustin reached the city. Behind Zethir, Augustin kept on yawning, his eyes darting around the streets as he noticed the people staring at the two of them.

“Hey, why do you think they're staring at us?” Augustin asked.

Zethir refused to answer.

However, if Augustin could see his back, he'd realize why. After sleeping on the forest, soil stuck to the back of his shirt, and Zethir didn't bother to tell him.

“Haa… man, I want some barbecue… Hey, wanna get barbecue?” He whistled a carefree tune.

“We're here,” Zethir said, causing Augustin to stop and look ahead.

“Oh, are we going to take a mercenary hire? Don't worry, I'm very competent, and I…”

“You better be,” Zethir cut him off, opening the door to the mercenary union building. Unexpectedly, the two weren't met with glares like usual.

“What's going on?” Augustin looked around, seeing the mercenaries gathered in front of the mission board.

Zethir narrowed his eyes. “Come,” he said, walking toward the mission board.

Although he couldn't get a better look at the missions, thanks to his height, he was able to tower most of the mercenaries.

“An army hire?” Zethir muttered. The board was almost full of the same task, titled [Royal Hire, Help the Army].“

Snorting, he was about to leave when he saw Augustin squeezing into the crowd and plucking one of the mission papers.

Zethir frowned. “Put it back,” he said.

“Wait, come on! Look, it pays thirty thousand mitos! We're gonna be rich!” Augustin beamed, his hands trembling like he was holding gold, not paper.

Zethir furrowed his brows. “What kind of pushover set up this hire?” He mumbled, snatching the paper from Augustin and reading it.

His face was impassive, though his eyes containeda bit of desire. After all, thirty thousand for one mission was only appears once in a blue moon… until he reached the name of the employer.

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“Fernando Solien Yve… is it a coincidence?” He squinted, turning around and walking toward the counter.

Augustin nearly jumped at the sight. “Oh, hey! Are we going to take it! Nice!” He grinned, oblivious to the countless glares behind him.

The army hire was attractive, attracting many flies, but most of the flies were cowards. They dared to look, but not to take on the challenge!

As the two of them reached the counter, Zethir gave the paper to the clerk.

“We’ll take it,” he said.

The clerk glanced at him, and then at Augustin. “What are your ranks, sirs?” She asked, her smile as polite as usual.

“We are rank 6,” Zethir said, his eyes slightly glowing under the hood of his cloak.

Augustin flinched, opening his mouth to refute when Zethir stepped on his foot.

The clerk nodded. “Alright, sirs. This hire is pretty good, don't you think? Thirty thousand just for one elite! My gosh, rich people, I'm telling you” she sighed, shamelessly selling out Fernando from earlier.

Zethir remained silent. Then, as the clerk stamped two application forms, he grabbed the papers and dragged Augustin to the side.

Augustin whispered, “Hey, I'm not rank 6, why did you say that?!”

Zethir tutted, “Just shut up and act like one,” he said, filling out both of their applications. Then, after forcing Augustin to sign above his name, he gave the application to the clerk.

The clerk scanned the application, her gaze lingering on Augustin's form.

“My, my,” she chuckled, looking at Augustin, who was tense. “I didn't know sir Augustin was such a genius! Going from rank 1 to rank 6 in a matter of days…”

“Ahem,” Zethir coughed, staring at the clerk.

The clerk licked her lips, her eyes curved. “Impressive, am I right?” She looked at Zethir, and then at Augustin. “Well, handsome. My name is Amanda, care for a drink once in a while?”

“O-oh? Y-Ye—”

“He's busy,” Zethir patted Augustin's shoulder.

“Such a shame,” she shook her head, taking their applications. “Have a safe journey, sir elite mercenary,” she turned looked at Augustin, her smile stiff and her eyes full of amusement. “And you.”

After leaving of the building, Augustin was still in a daze. If not for Zethir dragging him around, he would've stood frozen in place.

“What's up with you?” Zethir looked at Augustin, tempted to smack him in the back with his sword.

“... it's over,” Augustin muttered, eyes dispirited.

“What's over?” Zethir frowned. ‘Is he being chased by a bounty hunter? No way, when I sought information about him and his partner, this guy is cleaner than soap.’

Augustin sighed. “My love life is over.”

“...” Zethir gritted his teeth, his hand wrapped around the hilt of his sword. “Do you want your life to be over too?!”

“No, no way! Ahem, let's go,” Augustin cleared his throat, walking ahead of the fuming Zethir.

“Go where?” Zethir scoffed.

“I thought we accepted a mission?” Augustin looked back at Zethir, confused.

“Yes, and?” Zethir crossed his arms. “Do you know when and where the mission takes place?”

“...” Augustin swallowed his words.

“Just like I thought,” Zethir shook his head. “Instead of having a head full of junk, start thinking about being useful. The mission will start tomorrow, and we're to gather at the city gates. Now, let's go,” Zethir said, walking ahead of Augustin.

Augustin scratched his head. “Go where? I thought the mission was tomorrow?”

“Where else?” Zethir looked back. “Obviously, to the forest. Let's train.”

“... fuck me.”

“No. Maybe ask someone else.”

“... that's not what I… whatever,” Augustin groaned.

{=|=}{=|=}{=|=}

“Sir, you received a letter,” a soldier approached Fernando, handing him an envelope.

“A letter?” Fernando took the envelope, tearing it open and taking the letter inside.

Reading it, Fernando frowned, before crumpling the letter and tossing it on the ground. “Pfft, as if they do. Throw it away,” he said.

The soldier tilted his head, picking up the paper. “Alright, sir. Have a good day,” the soldier said, leaving the room they were renting.

Outside, the soldier hid behind a wall, straightening up the paper and reading it for himself.

“Dear Father…”

The soldier’s head jerked back in surprise, reading the first line. “...eh? That guy has a son? Someone like him??”

Baffled, he continued.

“...I heard you joined the war. I wish you a safe journey, and please come back soon. Mom and I miss you already…

— Arthur”