It didn't take long for Bros to defeat them all. The thugs groaned in pain; their hands and feet were sprained, and their fingers were broken as well. Aland asked Bros to let them live.
"This is the first time in my mission I've let anyone live. Not just one or two there are almost twenty people still alive," he thought. "If it weren't for him, you'd be dead by my hand!" Bros muttered, lifting the thug leader's head by pulling his hair.
Bros then dragged the thug leader toward Aland, throwing him down. "We could have just dumped their bodies into the sea instead of letting them live."
I expected him to be annoyed by this request. People were right about his cruel, cold-blooded nature, Aland thought, smiling.
"Uncle, why go through such trouble? I'm sure they'll learn their lesson from this..." Aland said, squatting in front of the leader.
Who exactly are these two? Why is that damned monster so obedient to this sniveling brat's every word? the leader thought, irritated.
"Heh heh heh... it looks like you let me live because you want something from me, don't you?!" He smiled smugly, staring at Aland.
Aland smiled and gently patted the thug leader's head. "You read the situation well, Uncle!"
"Uncle Bros, may I ask for one more thing?" Aland asked, standing up.
"I woul,"
"If the Young Master is asking me to leave so he can speak privately." Bros sighed softly. "The Young Master should abandon that idea, because I will not leave your side again, Young Master."
I knew it. Well, there's nothing I can do. If I push him, he might get suspicious, and that would be bad for me, Aland thought.
"Uncle, you must know something about the old man who was in that house earlier. Do you know where he went? I didn't see him there."
This kid... who is he talking about? the thug wondered. "Do you mean Old Man Odasa?"
"YES!"
But Aland's expression instantly changed, as if he were intimidating the thug. "Answer honestly: where is the old man? If you hesitate or look away from me, the person behind you (Bros) will smash your head in!"
Damn! Did the old man run off? I've invested my money in him for a year. Did he trick me? I don't think that's possible, Aland thought.
The thug nodded and said, "Honestly, I don't know where Old Man Odasa is."
"WHAT?!"
Why is the Young Master so furious over just an old man? Does he have a secret connection to the man this thug mentioned? I must find out everything. This could potentially threaten the Mistress's life down the line, Bros thought.
"Wait! Wait! Young Master, there is a rumor that started circulating after the old man vanished. They say that two days before he disappeared, three people wearing red clothes and animal masks came to his house."
"Wearing red, and masked? I haven't heard of that. Is that Grandpa Odasa's enemy?" Aland wondered.
"... Th-that's all I know, young master."
It seems he genuinely knows nothing. Ugh, DAMN IT! Do I have to give up the money I saved for a whole year?! My dream of opening a business and living peacefully will vanish, Aland thought.
Aland signaled Bros to knock the thug out. Once the thug was unconscious, Aland immediately left the spot.
Where should I look for Grandpa Odasa? The only clues are a red cloak and an animal mask, he thought.
Aland looked at Bros, who was walking beside him. "Why aren't you asking questions, Uncle?"
"I'm sure the young master has his own reasons for hiding this from the Mistress." Just wait, I'm going to tell the Mistress about this! Bros thought.
"... Whatever the reason. I trust the young master wouldn't take risks for himself or even the Mistress."
Hmph! You think I'm going to say, 'Yes, thank you, Uncle?!' Uncle will definitely still tell Mother about this, Aland thought, smiling sweetly. "Thank you, Uncle!"
"When the time is right, I will tell Mother myself."
Do as you please, young master. We'll see who wins! Bros thought.
After walking for ten minutes, at a market intersection, a young girl accidentally bumped into Aland quite hard. The child dropped several white bottles that looked like milk.
She hurried to immediately pick up the milk bottles scattered on the ground.
"I'm sorry!"
"I'm sorry!"
"I'm sorry!"
Luckily, the bottles didn't spill on my clothes. If they had, what else would I wear to meet my wife later? Mother prepared this outfit ages ago, Aland thought.
This kid looks about my age. Working already at this age? Doesn't she go to the Academy school? "It's okay, it was my fault..." He walked toward the milk bottles that had rolled quite far from where he stood.
He handed her the bottles and said, "... I'll cover your losses."
However, Aland looked strangely at the child. This was because the little girl was staring at him coyly with a sweet smile.
What's going on? Did I say something wrong? he thought, blushing.
"Young master!"
"Huh..."
"You recognize me?" He looked at Bros. Bros responded by shaking his head, indicating that he didn't know who this child was either.
"Of course! Who doesn't know you, young master? Aland Ben Celeste!"
"Ah... I see. I'm quite flattered that you know my name. But have we met before? Because I don't recognize you."
"Oh, forgive me, young master! How presumptuous of me not to introduce myself."
The little girl dropped all the milk bottles she had been holding and lifted her skirt slightly, like a princess introducing herself. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Avelin Lionhart." She smiled cheerfully at Aland.
She really is quite pret, what?! Am I admiring this kid? Remember, Aland! For the first mission in this world, we need a foundation first (money) for a bright future! Aland thought.
"I am the buffalo milk vendor who serves the Mistress every week. The Mistress sometimes talks about you, young master, which is why I know a little about you..." She looked shyly at Aland.
"Please don't make that kind of face," Aland thought, feeling a little scared.
"Oh, so this is the one? It's true someone always delivers buffalo milk to the house. But I didn't know the Madam bought it from this boy," Bros thought.
"Oh! I almost forgot, I apologize for bumping into you, young master!" He extended his right hand toward Aland.
"It's fine, no need to apologize. It was an accident, hehe!" Aland replied, smiling as he shook Avelin's hand.
*Umm, how long is he going to hold my hand?* Aland thought, terrified.
Avelin smiled, released his grip, and said, "Would the young master like some?" He offered the bottle of milk to Aland.
"No, I still have plenty at home," Aland replied.
"Would the young master like some?" Avelin asked, smiling.
"No!"
"Would the young master like some?"
"No!!"
"Would the young master like some?" he asked with a hopeful expression.
"No,"
*Honestly, I don't like buffalo milk, but since Grandma always brings it to my room, I'm forced to drink it,* Aland thought, just before accepting Avelin's offer.
"Fine!"
*Seeing him up close, the young master is very kind... and handsome. Could I really be with him?* Avelin thought, smiling.
"Excuse me! How much does it cost?" Bros asked flatly.
"Because we still have to go. We have urgent business." He said, taking money out of his wallet.
*It's already late afternoon. We still have to go to Hansam to pick up the Madam's package. If night falls, traveling will be very risky, even though I'm confident I can protect the young master,* he thought.
"Ah, you don't need to pay, sir."
"Really?" Aland asked.