I recognize the drawing instantly.
Oh crap.
That's the cultivator dude!
Oh god.
What is he doing here?
Is he after ?
Is it only a coincidence?
Is he even still alive?
All I know is that he was dueling.
Right now I am hidden in the crowd.
Only one thing to do in such a situation.
Leave!
No ti to explain!
I order the other two to follow .
I'm even thinking of leaving the donkey behind, but no.
It has our sign on its back.
They are confused, wondering what the hell is going on.
I retreat as fast as humanly possible without looking like I'm fleeing.
I try my hardest to appear as natural as possible.
Yet my heart is beating so damn fast.
I'm all sweaty too.
The whole way back is spent anxiously looking up my shoulder.
It doesn't seem like there is anyone on our heels.
Still, I can't calm down.
It's only when we are back at the bakery that I lock the door and crumple on the floor.
All tension relieved.
Is everything fine?
I don't know.
I wish, I really wish.
"What is happening?!"
"What are we running away from? Ah, the donkey is eating so pies now!"
[Let it be. It doesn't matter.]
Cos the old man and Wolfie.
She snuggles in my arms.
Slowly rubbing her head against mine.
Trying to tell that everything will be okay.
"What's gotten into you boy?"
[I just saw an old enemy.]
They exchange curious glances.
"In that crowd? Did he see you?"
"He probably has. You were shouting a lot after all."
[I'm not sure. Right, who won the fight anyway? Was it this guy?]
I hand over the crumpled drawing that I've been clenching all this while.
"Yes! He's the one! How do you already have his portrait?!"
"He looks so dreamy!"
They get excited over this.
"Boy, is he the one chasing you?"
[I'm not sure if he is. Let's just say we've had so conflict a while back.]
"Follow , boy. We'll have a long talk. Just the two of us."
He locks all the doors.
"Tell everything."
I spill all of it. Well, almost.
I tell him how I have been deed a slave by the goddess.
How I faked being a champion for a while.
How I eventually ran away.
I am just done that he cos nearby.
Then he starts rubbing my chest vigorously.
[Why are you touching like this!]
"Oh, you've had insane luck it seems. I'm just trying to have so rub on ."
Are you kidding ?!
"Are you calr now?"
Ah, that was his goal?
It worked. Wow.
Who knew that getting your chest rubbed could produce such an effect?
By an old man at that!
[So what's the plan?]
"Good for you is that this town is pretty safe. If he is a normal swordsman specialized in killing, the system should protect you sohow."
[What do you an if?!]
"As you know there are always loopholes. Let's just say so individuals are truly resourceful too."
That is scary!
[So I just hide here?]
"Well, if you have really offended the Moon Keep then I suggest drinking. This is a death sentence."
[No, I have friends there. Ones that helped escape.]
"That explains the successful runaway. How many had to give their lives to save you?"
[As far as I know none? The sect leader wasn't going to kill his own daughter, right?]
He gives an impressed look.
I an that warden guy was so chill too when I left.
Totally not worried about any repercussion.
Add to that his cocky statent about how he was the sole master of the dungeon...
Yeah, should be okay.
"Still we should take precautions."
I am waiting for his enlightennt.
He ponders for a few minutes, then he resolutely grabs so writing tools.
He quickly writes a total of three letters.
The first one he requests the younger brother to bring to the church of Gluto.
I'm worried about his safety, but apparently it will be fine.
Sothing about him being extra protected by the system since he was born and raised here.
The second one he hands over to our shop's young lady.
It is a ssage for her family.
He warns her sternly not to open it.
The last one he gives to Wolfie.
Then he tells her to bring it to an acquaintance of his at the city hall.
Any other wolf wouldn't be able to do it but she can.
How the hell is this old man so well connected anyway?
I an, a powerhouse, a noble family, and a city institution.
All in one go!
Then he leaves and cos back quickly.
In his hands a bottle.
"This right here is a magical item."
[How so? It looks like normal wine to .]
"Hehe, that is where you are wrong! This is not any wine, but really strong wine!"
[How is that any different?]
"Well, this is a habit of mine. In usual circumstances, I never drink."
[Isn't it better to keep a clear head then?]
"Oh yeah, for sure. But before every important decision, I like to take a little swing of this."
[I see.]
This is a side of the old man I have never seen before.
"Here, cheers! A dose of liquid courage for both of us!"
I like how not long ago I was having a panic attack.
Now we are serenely drinking.
This is risible, but I can't help but have a thought.
This old man didn't judge .
He simply helped.
With my nerves.
With drafting a plan of contingency.
Now that I think about it, I should be able to survive with divine energy.
I'm just not sure if the goddess herself could target .
Is there a refund button for a failed summon?
Probably not or I wouldn't be here.
Still, this is enough to stress even out.,
Yet this man is here with .
Not faltering.
Not caring about the dangers.
Just wanting to save .
I feel touched.
I feel blessed.
I feel
*BANG*
"Old friend, hurry up and open so that guy can die!"
What the fuck!
Who is this?
What is he talking about?
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