Part 9: Guardian (5)

“Are you sure that’s all you want?” Victor asked again.

Aiden’s request was much simpler than expected.

“Yes. That’s more than enough.”

“If you say so, I won’t argue. But if you ever think of something better, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Alright.”

“There aren’t any customers right now, so how about we get started?”

Victor stepped into the tavern for a moment before returning.

In his hands was a musical instrument.

A lute.

A stringed instrument commonly played alongside the harp.

Lute playing was one of Victor’s few talents.

“But why the sudden interest in learning the lute?”

“It’s just a hobby,” Aiden replied casually.

With Victor taking over most of the work, Aiden had far more free time than before. Simply taking walks, listening to the music box, and writing in his journal weren’t enough to fill his days.

“And how did you learn to play, Mister?”

“Oh, I had a very noble reason.”

“And what reason was that?”

“To charm women.”

Victor grinned mischievously.

“Then didn’t you fail spectacularly? You don’t have a lover, and you never got married.”

“Ugh! You don’t hold back at all, do you? Turns out, the lute alone wasn’t enough. But it did help a little.”

Victor hurriedly started the lesson.

He taught Aiden how to hold the lute, tune the strings, and understand scales.

Then, he showed him a few chords he could play.

Ding—

Victor’s fingers danced over the strings.

Each time they plucked, the strings trembled, producing both high and low tones. The notes came together, scattered, and shifted, forming a melody.

Aiden picked up the lute in no time.

He memorized all the chords Victor demonstrated on the spot and played them back effortlessly.

A legendary assassin also happened to be a quick learner.

“Unbelievable speed. It feels like you’re not just learning the lute—you’re absorbing it.”

“I’m confident when it comes to learning new things.”

“Then how about trying a song?”

Victor taught Aiden the chords for Father’s Old Clock.

It was a sentimental piece with lyrics about how the clock in the house stopped the moment the singer’s father passed away.

The chords weren’t difficult.

Aiden played Father’s Old Clock smoothly.

“At this rate, you could play in my place anytime.”

“I was thinking the same thing.”

“Tsk! Can’t even argue with that. Still, your playing is clean, but there’s something missing. Give me the lute.”

Victor took the instrument back and played the same song.

Aiden frowned slightly as he listened.

“Judging by your face, you noticed something different, huh?”

“I figured out half of it… but not the other half.”

“What do you understand, and what don’t you?”

“The technique is the same, but the way it feels while listening is entirely different. There’s… something about your playing. It has a certain depth, a stickiness, almost.”

“Then you saw it clearly.”

Victor handed the lute back to Aiden.

“Glad to know I can still play the teacher. Haha. Your homework is to figure out exactly what makes our playing different.”

*  *  *

That afternoon.

Aiden sat in his room, playing the lute.

There was no need to worry about noise.

He had cast a silence spell on the room.

“What exactly is different?”

He looked down at the lute and shook his head.

He had played Father’s Old Clock nearly thirty times now. But no matter how much he tried, he couldn’t replicate the depth Victor’s version had.

If the chords were the same, the music should be the same too.

And yet…

Aiden couldn’t understand why it felt different.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Something tapped against the window.

Mugin was pecking at the glass with his beak.

Aiden opened the window with a flick of magic, allowing the raven to fly inside.

“Well, well. Now you’re even playing the lute? You’ve gone from legendary assassin to regular guy.”

“That’s what I wanted.”

“Then let’s hear a song.”

At Mugin’s suggestion, Aiden played Father’s Old Clock once more.

Mugin, knowing Aiden was talented at just about everything, wasn’t surprised by his skill.

“Not bad. But compared to assassination, playing the lute must be child’s play.”

“I feel like something’s missing from my playing, but I can’t figure out what.”

“Music’s all the same, isn’t it?”

“Isn’t swordsmanship all the same, then?”

“Don’t insult swordsmanship.”

Perched on Aiden’s shoulder, Mugin jabbed at him aggressively with his beak.

Jab! Jab! Jab! Jab!

But Aiden dodged every single peck.

“Now you see why you shouldn’t dismiss something that others hold dear.”

“Still, swordsmanship and lute playing are completely different—like the sky and the earth!”

“If they’re different, then acknowledge it,” Aiden said flatly.

There was a reason Mugin was so sensitive about swordsmanship.

Because Mugin…

Was once both the God of Communication and the God of Swords.

Though his abilities and true form were currently sealed for certain reasons.

“How’s your sword training going?”

“How do you know about that?”

“There isn’t much you can do in this form.”

“I’ve gotten used to moving this body, but it’s not the same. I can’t use my divine power or even mana.”

Mugin let out a sulky sigh.

“If you can temporarily return me to my real form, wouldn’t that also unlock my powers? Be honest with me.”

“Who knows?”

Aiden trailed off.

He couldn’t tell the whole truth.

Because he had a promise to keep with someone.

Mugin didn’t press further. He probably had his suspicions.

Setting the lute aside, Aiden headed downstairs.

“Aiden, come here for a sec.”

Lyra called from the kitchen.

“Yes?”

“Can you pick up some ingredients from the grocery store? There’s a lot to buy today.”

Aiden took the list, money, and a shopping bag before heading out.

He noticed soldiers he hadn’t seen before.

They belonged to Count Kai’s House.

After the failed orc subjugation, Centum’s lord had requested reinforcements from the Kai family.

Rumors spread that a second subjugation would begin soon.

Naturally, the townspeople weren’t happy.

Being dragged into another battle meant more injuries—or worse, death.

As survivors from the first expedition returned, the people’s fears became reality.

By the time Aiden’s thoughts settled, he had arrived at the grocery store.

Mac’s Grocery Store—a regular stop for him.

A gust of wind made the wooden sign creak.

The sign’s shadow stretched long, covering the entrance.

Standing beneath it, Judy wore a sorrowful expression.

Her eyes were red and swollen.

The fresh produce on display contrasted sharply with her exhausted appearance.

“Hello,” Aiden approached and greeted her.

“Aiden, you’re here.”

“Yes. Here’s what I need today.”

“I’ll get it ready right away.”

Judy moved quickly, gathering the ingredients into his bag.

Aiden handed her the money.

“Victor told me… that you’ve been going through a rough time.”

“…So you heard.”

“I’m not sure what to say…”

“It’s okay. Just knowing you care is enough.”

Judy sniffled.

“It’s painful, but life has to go on. Honestly, I’m more worried about the kids. They relied on him so much.”

“……”

“Could you tell the kids to stop by the shop if you see them?”

“I’ll let them know if I run into them.”

“Thanks. Here, this one’s on the house.”

Judy placed something in Aiden’s hand—a ripe peach, warm from the summer sun.

Aiden gave her a polite nod before stepping out of the store.

He glanced back briefly.

Judy had already gone inside.

Only the store’s sign peeked out from the entrance.

Mac’s grocery store had everything.

Except for Mac himself.

*  *  *

A small mountain in the southern part of Centum.

A pair of siblings stood before a grave halfway up the slope.

The twelve-year-old boy’s name was Kevin.

Beside him, his fifteen-year-old sister, Dana, stood with a solemn expression.

Kevin and Dana gazed at the grave in silence, their faces heavy with grief.

“Dad promised he’d come back safely… He’s a liar.”

“Kevin, don’t say that!”

“But he made a pinky promise before he left!”

“Dad must’ve tried his best to keep that promise. But Kevin, you know as well as I do… the world doesn’t always work the way we want it to.”

“But! But!”

A burning sensation welled up deep inside Kevin.

The fact that he would never see his father again.

That they would never share another meal together.

That they would never skip stones at the river again.

It was all too much to accept.

He wished this was all just a bad dream.

That if he just slept a few more nights, his father would return.

But deep down, he already knew.

That would never happen.

“Kevin.”

Dana pulled Kevin into a tight embrace.

Kevin sobbed until his strength was drained. Only then did the knot in his chest loosen slightly.

“I’m sorry, sis. You must be sad too. And Mom… she must be heartbroken.”

“I’m okay.”

“Dad, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I was just upset. I don’t hate you for breaking your promise.”

Kevin sniffled, wiping at his face with his sleeve.

“No… I was wrong. Dad must be sad too, not being able to see us. Why is the world so cruel?”

At Kevin’s words, Dana bit her lip hard.

The pain felt like raw flesh tearing.

“I’ll come visit often, so you won’t be lonely, Dad. Will that be okay?”

“……”

“We’ll be going now.”

Hand in hand, Kevin and Dana descended the mountain.

Maybe it was because they had lost their father in the first orc subjugation.

But now, they couldn’t help but notice the wounded.

The soldiers on patrol.

The lingering traces of war.

“Let’s take a different path.”

Dana quickly changed direction as they walked through an alleyway.

A group of rough-looking soldiers was approaching from a distance.

They weren’t territorial guards, but men from Count Kai’s household.

Their reputation among the townsfolk was terrible.

They picked fights, extorted money, and ate at shops without paying.

But since the lord needed Count Kai’s support for the second subjugation, neither he nor the guards dared to intervene.

“Where are you off to in such a hurry?”

Two soldiers suddenly appeared, blocking their path to the plaza.

Dana turned sharply, looking behind her.

Two more soldiers were approaching.

They were completely surrounded.

Dana’s face darkened.

“Miss, when someone talks to you, you should answer.”

“We have things to do at home. We need to get back quickly.”

“The world won’t end if you put off housework for a little while. How about you keep us company instead?”

“I can’t. I’m busy.”

“You think we’re just lounging around? We’re taking a well-earned break. And look, we’re even giving you some of our precious time.”

“Stop harassing my sister!” Kevin shouted furiously.

He might have been young, but he wasn’t ignorant.

His sister was well-known in town for her beauty.

And she had dealt with plenty of men like these before.

“Well, aren’t you a loud one? We don’t have business with you, kid. Scram.”

“We don’t have business with you either.”

“Tsk… This little brat’s got some nerve.”

“Move aside! We need to get to the shop!”

“Watch your mouth, kid.”

Smack!

Kevin’s head snapped to the side as a stinging pain exploded across his cheek.

He crumpled to the ground.

His face swelled almost instantly.

“Kevin! What do you think you’re doing?!”

“Teaching him some manners, obviously. You can’t just spoil kids. They need to learn the hard way how cruel the world is.”

“Let’s not make this difficult.”

The soldiers turned their attention back to Dana, their tone coaxing.

Dana trembled violently, her fists clenched.

She wanted to fight back.

She wanted to make them pay for what they did to Kevin.

But she wasn’t strong enough.

Should she scream for help?

No, that would be pointless.

No one would help.

The soldiers of Count Kai were feared.

“Kevin. I’ll just go with them for a little while.”

Dana lowered her head as she spoke.

“Now you’re talking. Heh.”

“Yeah, that’s a smart girl.”

“No! They’re bad people! You can’t go with them!”

“It’s okay. I’ll be back soon.”

Before Kevin could protest further, Dana stepped toward the soldiers of her own accord.

They leered at her, eyes roaming over her figure.

But then—

A familiar face appeared.

Silver hair shimmering in the sunlight.

Both hands full, carrying heavy shopping bags.

“There you two are.”
 

To be continued

Join the GS Discord to stay updated on the latest chapter releases:

https://discord.gg/PRZEAJZE3J