Roger stared at Adam for several long seconds, as if searching beyond his features for a reason he might be here. Then he spoke, as though something had just occurred to him.
"Didn't you say you'd stop working with Ayrton? So… what are you doing here?"
Henry answered before Adam could, his voice tinged with frustration.
"He was reading palms."
The disappointment in his tone was so clear that he turned his gaze away, toward the lights hanging from the tavern ceiling.
Roger shook his head with a scoff.
"He's a complete con artist… but his words aren't."
Adam smiled calmly, clearly amused by the description.
"I'm not a con artist. I'm Adam—a good person. Very good."
"That's absolutely true," Roger replied with exaggerated speed, then added with a faint smile,
"So much so that even the righteous path itself might disown the both of us."
Adam took a small sip from his glass, then spoke in a more serious tone.
"As for your question… I'm still thinking about it. As you know, if I quit, Ayrton will run off and drag everything straight into ruin… and the old man, Walter, might kill him. But honestly?"
He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over them.
"You're all irritating… far too similar to one another
"I'm different!" Roger protested immediately, pointing at his hair. "I even grew it out!"
Kayden burst out laughing, while Henry whispered lightly,
"Lucky me—I won't be paying anything! Look at him. Roger's the one footing the bill this time."
"He's a victim… but he deserves it," Kayden added with boyish amusement, which only made Henry laugh harder.
Roger sighed, but didn't argue. He motioned to the waiter and ordered food and drinks, then sat down beside Adam as if he were in his own home, resting his arm on the table with feigned ease.
"Adam has been buying weapons from us for six years," Roger said in a matter-of-fact tone, as though setting things straight before anyone asked a foolish question.
Kayden raised his eyebrows in surprise, then leaned forward slightly.
"So—what do you think of our weapon designs?"
Adam replied with a sideways smile, his voice tinged with admiration.
"Exceptionally good. Your father has refined taste… it's clear he doesn't just forge weapons—he forges legends. I'd very much like to see all the weapons there. You're living with one of the legends."
He leaned in a little, lowering his voice to something nearly confidential.
"Can I get a discount? I'm thinking of buying two pistols… for a special matter."
Roger thought for a moment, then nodded calmly, as if negotiating the price of an apple.
"You'll get what you want. You value weapons more than lives—
I think you should really get that checked."
A brief silence followed, broken only by the hum of the tavern around them. Then Roger spoke again, his voice carrying less certainty than usual.
"Have you noticed… any changes?"
Adam lifted his eyes from his glass and cast a brief glance at Kayden and Henry, as if gauging their patience, before smiling faintly.
"Children… this is a conversation for adults. Would you like to hear boring things? Or would you rather go play with the troublemakers outside?"
Roger chuckled softly and waved a hand dismissively.
"They're family. It's fine—let them stay. Besides… they're fully grown. Unlike someone else…"
He smiled thinly. "A con artist, perhaps? I wonder where he went."
Adam gave a strained smile, then tapped his finger against the glass.
He drummed his fingers slowly on the table, his voice dropping to a lower register.
"Aren't you one of the Followers of Fate? Why ask me now?"
' Followers of Fate?'
Kayden filed the phrase away in his mind, already planning to ask Colton about it later.
Roger nodded faintly, his eyes never leaving his glass.
"I am one of them… but I've been looking closely for a long time. There's a flaw. Something no longer aligns with the usual course."
Adam's expression softened. He lifted his gaze to the ceiling, as if searching the shadows for an answer.
"That's strange… especially since you're not just a follower, but one of the pillars of Fate's system—one of their trusted inner circle. Didn't they explain anything to you?"
Roger shook his head, his lips pressed tight.
"Since when have you felt this change?" Adam asked.
Roger's voice dropped.
"Since Arbella appeared. The course shifted."
Adam smiled with open disdain. "That piece of trash?"
Kayden flinched slightly, recalling all the old conversations he had once dismissed as nothing more than Roger's delusions… and now, they were beginning to take on meaning. At last, he understood why his father trusted Roger so deeply—and so strangely.
Roger continued, as if confessing something heavy.
"Ever since she set foot in this city, Fate has felt like a machine with misaligned gears. The lines were torn apart… then stitched back together by a blind hand."
Adam leaned closer, his voice softer—but far more dangerous.
"I said I was offering a free favor, but…"
Roger cut him off with a short laugh.
"You? A free favor? Then the end of the world must be near."
Adam waved his hand dismissively.
"I'm a noble man. But those two brats actually deserve a reward."
Roger stared at him, unable to hide his astonishment.
"Did you… did you decide to become a teacher?"
Adam glared at him, then leaned forward with a seriousness that was almost comical.
"Of course not. And if you interrupt me again, I'll leave—and you'll be the ones paying the bill."
Roger fell silent, begrudgingly.
Adam continued, swirling his glass.
"I told Henry to preserve his purity. And I told this monkey not to lose his mind."
He pointed a wobbling finger at Kayden.
Roger drew a heavy breath before speaking slowly, like delivering a verdict.
"That girl… must be killed or leave. She's not just an obstacle—she directly threatens the monkey's fate. But I believe she'll run. She won't leave the normal way."
Adam chuckled with a faintly devilish laugh, his tone half-serious, half-mocking.
"Anyway—get me a new weapon. Make it a black scythe… or perhaps a sword. Something like a shroud made of steel. As you know, I can carry out a task for you personally, without payment. What do you think?"
Roger nodded slowly, a small smile forming on his lips.
"Just draw the design. Don't write anything—you know we don't have a handwriting analyst."
Adam laughed, raising his hands in surrender.
"I don't have a pen right now. But… do you remember the last weapon I bought from you?"
Roger frowned and shook his head, unsure.
"It was magnificent… but unfortunately, I didn't use it much. There hasn't been much fun lately," Adam said, his sorrow clearly feigned.
Roger sighed in agreement.
"That's true… even the fighting arenas have become empty."
Henry whispered, trying not to be heard,
"He's insane… and Roger doesn't seem sane either."
Kayden didn't respond. His eyes followed the people entering and leaving the tavern—until they suddenly froze.
He saw something strange.
A human… no, a creature disguised as a human. Its steps were heavy as it walked beside another man whose eyes were black, like two empty pits. Kayden gasped unconsciously, then tilted his head down to hide his features. And as soon as they left, he spotted Colton standing at a distance… smiling calmly, as if nothing had happened.
Kayden stood up immediately.
"Excuse me—I have something to take care of…"
He approached Colton, lowering his voice.
"How's the hunt?"
Colton took a sip from his glass, speaking as if it were a trivial matter.
"Better than I expected. Maybe tomorrow we'll begin the real hunt."
They sat together drinking, engaged in a strange conversation—casually discussing the idea of killing an innocent man… for no reason at all.
Kayden exhaled deeply, like the sigh of an old man worn down by time.
"I'm miserable… living through a day packed with madness, while you wander around laughing. Isn't that unfair?"
Colton laughed lightly, his eyes glinting with familiar mischief.
"It's very unfair… but that's life. Don't argue with it."
After the two exchanged words, Kayden spoke, raising his glass with feigned pride—
"Because I'm an exceptionally generous master… I'll accompany you on the hunt! Have you ever seen a master as generous as me? You can even feed on someone else's soul, if you'd like!"
Colton gave a small smile.
"Never. In fact… you're my first master. But… your brother is calling."
Colton tried to lower his head to stay out of sight, but Kayden grabbed him by the arm and pulled him along.
"No one will expose you, right?"
Colton answered with calm confidence.
"Unless there's another demon… or someone stronger than me. That's extremely rare—perhaps only your father."
Kayden paused for a moment, his voice dropping.
"I can handle it. My father… isn't a threat."
When they reached the table, Henry welcomed Colton with genuine warmth, and Colton seemed equally pleased to meet him. Roger asked in surprise about the new guest, and Henry quickly interjected with a smile,
"Kayden isn't as isolated as he seems… he has friends."
A look of sincere surprise crossed Roger's face. He then extended his hand to Colton.
"I'm Roger. His second brother—no, third. If you need anything, I'm here."
Colton let out a short, dry laugh.
"Thanks… that's kind of you."
Adam returned to his usual mischief, swirling his glass and talking endlessly—but this time, he found an unexpected partner in Colton. They exchanged wordplay and unsettling smiles, until the atmosphere grew charged with a blend of humor and danger.
As the atmosphere gradually settled, Roger murmured in a low voice while watching Colton with sharp, focused eyes,
"You hide your spiritual core remarkably well."
He then turned slowly toward Adam—who, for a brief moment, seemed exactly like Ayrton: the tone, the gestures, even the look in his eyes.
"I think Ayrton should meet you," Adam said seriously. "We're short on personnel… and you're strong. We need people like you. By the way, call me Adam."
"What kind of work is it?" Colton asked.
Adam chuckled, tapping the table lightly with his hand.
"We hunt fools and kick their asses. There's excellent pay, complete freedom, and even the right to clash with core-bearers. Trust me—it's an offer you don't get twice."
Kayden grabbed Colton's hand and traced words on it with his finger: Professional con artist.
Colton smiled at the childish message, then lifted his head and said with confident ease,
"I'll think about it."
Roger exhaled slowly, then suddenly changed the subject.
"Have you heard about the fools who formed a sect and call themselves the Righteous Faction?"
Adam shook his head dismissively.
"I've heard of them. But I'd rather not meet them… it's unwarranted moral noise."
Henry commented without thinking, as if stating a universal truth.
"Our family walks in darkness anyway… dealing with them is just annoying."
Kayden nodded in agreement, touching his glass.
"And the church is silent for now. No direct threat."
Suddenly, Adam raised his hand, like a teacher halting classroom chaos.
"That's enough, children. Chatter time is over."
Kayden narrowed his eyes and asked stubbornly,
"And why do you insist on calling us children?"
Adam responded immediately, as if he had been waiting for that question for years.
"Because, in my eyes, you are children."
Roger burst out laughing, banging the table with enthusiasm, then gestured toward Henry and Colton as if urging them to reply.
"Come on! Say what you have to say!"
Henry clasped his hands, having nothing to add.
"Say what you want… really, it doesn't matter given your golden reputation."
Colton merely gave a small smile, while Kayden replied,
"Children grow… and sometimes, they devour their teachers."
A brief silence settled over the table before Adam erupted with a devilish laugh, clearly amused by the implied threat.
"How old are you?" Kayden asked, narrowing his eyes.
Adam smiled widely, a false grin.
"Do you want the truth… or a lie?"
Roger leaned forward and spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear.
"Although my memory is poor… should I tell them?"
Adam suddenly bent forward and punched him hard in the stomach. Roger gasped and stepped back silently, clutching his abdomen.
"The truth, of course!" Kayden insisted.
Adam leaned back in exaggerated relaxation, resting his chin on his hand as if pondering a philosophical dilemma.
Before he could answer, Kayden cut in sharply,
"In Fiona's memories… she saw you four years ago. How old were you then?"
Adam exhaled slowly, then leaned forward with a sly smile.
"Will you give me something in return?"
Kayden nodded immediately.
"Anything you want."
Colton thought wryly to himself, Kayden doesn't even have much…
"Perhaps a pocket watch… or a copy of your research?" Adam asked coldly, observing his expression.
"Fine," Kayden replied without hesitation.
Adam waved his glass as if to make a toast.
"Four years ago, I was sixteen. Don't ask me how I was already an excellent fighter… the answer is simple: I'm good at everything. No one challenges me. No one dares."
Kayden slowly raised his glass toward his mouth, then paused mid-motion. He set it down even more slowly, staring at Adam in muted astonishment.
"…Wait. That means… you're younger than me?"
Adam gave a practiced smile, then turned his face to the side as if unwilling to admit it, speaking lightly,
"But you're still children in my eyes."