Inside the restaurant, the warm atmosphere continued as villagers laughed and talked around the wooden tables.
The old man calmly finished his tea before placing the cup down gently.
"…This is very nice tea, young lady."
Pyvi smiled politely while taking the empty cup.
"…Thank you, sir."
The old man looked around the restaurant quietly for a moment before asking,
"…If you don't mind me asking…"
"This village is under Blue Scarf Saito's control, correct?"
Pyvi nodded immediately.
"…Yes."
The old man rested both hands on his cane.
"…And how is he?"
Pyvi blinked slightly at the question, then smiled softly.
"…He's a nice kid."
"He always protects us whenever danger comes."
The old man listened carefully.
"…I see."
A faint smile appeared on his old face.
"…Glad to hear that."
Nearby—
Kaito and Bomb were still quietly watching him from their table.
Neither touched their drinks anymore.
Bomb lowered his voice slightly.
"…Should we interfere?"
Kaito's eyes stayed fixed on the old man.
"…Not yet."
He glanced briefly around the crowded restaurant.
"…Too many civilians here."
Bomb nodded once.
"…Understood."
The two continued observing silently while the old man calmly sat there like an ordinary traveler—
despite the heavy auris pressure only they seemed capable of sensing.
Then suddenly—
the old man spoke without even turning around.
"…What are you two staring at?"
Kaito and Bomb immediately stiffened slightly.
The old man slowly glanced toward them over his shoulder.
"…Silent Killer Kaito."
His eyes shifted toward Bomb.
"…And you're the explosion guy."
A faint smile formed on his wrinkled face.
"…Blue Scarf Saito's crew, I assume."
Bomb's expression sharpened immediately.
"…Why are you here?"
The old man blinked innocently.
"…Can't you tell?"
"I'm merely a traveler."
Kaito's eyes narrowed.
"…A normal traveler doesn't carry auris like yours."
The old man chuckled softly.
"…Perhaps."
Then he calmly lifted the tea cup again.
"…But I once lived through war."
"So having strong auris isn't exactly strange."
Bomb and Kaito exchanged brief looks.
Neither fully believed him.
Yet—
the old man showed no hostility.
No killing intent.
Nothing.
That made him even more difficult to read.
The restaurant noises continued around them while villagers remained completely unaware of the tense conversation happening only a few tables away.
Kaito slowly lowered his cup slightly.
"…I assume you're not here as a threat."
The old man nodded calmly.
"…Correct."
Bomb leaned back slightly.
"…Then there's no problem."
The tension in the table loosened just a little—
until suddenly—
SLAP!
A pile of paperwork fell directly onto the restaurant floor near the entrance.
Everyone turned.
Takashi stood there frozen, several papers scattered around his feet.
His eyes were locked directly on the old man.
"…Lieutenant Harold?"
The restaurant became quiet for a second.
Kaito's expression instantly sharpened.
"…That retired one?"
Bomb snapped his fingers immediately.
"…I knew that face looked familiar."
The old man let out a hearty laugh.
"…Oops."
"Looks like the cat's out of the bag."
Kaito slowly stood up from his chair.
SHING.
His knife quietly slid into his hand.
"…Why are you here?"
"…To arrest us?"
Several nearby villagers immediately noticed the tension and slowly moved away from the area nervously.
But Harold simply laughed again and waved one hand casually.
"…Come on now."
"I'm too old for that nonsense."
Harold immediately sensed the growing danger in the room.
Kaito's knife was already out.
Bomb's fist slowly tightened.
Even the villagers nearby were quietly backing away from the tables.
The old man sighed deeply.
"…Fine."
"I'm here to meet Saito."
Kaito didn't lower his weapon.
"…Unfortunately…"
"…We can't allow that so easily."
Harold rubbed his forehead tiredly.
"…How many times do I need to say it?"
"I'm not here to arrest anybody."
He pointed at himself.
"…I'm a mayor now anyway."
Before Kaito could respond—
the restaurant door suddenly opened again.
Saito walked inside casually—
then immediately froze.
"…Uncle Harold?"
The entire room turned toward him.
Takashi blinked.
"…Saito."
"You know him?"
Saito nodded immediately.
"…Yeah."
"He's a mayor from my old village."
Kaito slowly looked between them.
Bomb raised one eyebrow.
Harold meanwhile smiled warmly at Saito.
"…Blue Scarf Saito."
"…Looks like you've grown quite a bit."
Inside the mansion office, the atmosphere had calmed considerably compared to the restaurant earlier.
Harold sat comfortably with a cup of tea in his hand while the others watched him carefully from around the table.
He took a slow sip before speaking.
"…I came here after hearing rumors."
"That some rookie defeated one of the Metal Rod leaders in Jokun City."
His old eyes shifted toward Saito.
"…I had a feeling it might be you."
A small smile formed on his face.
"…Looks like I was right."
Saito scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"…It's not really that impressive…"
Kaito sighed quietly beside him.
Bomb crossed his arms.
"…So you're the mayor of Hiron Village in Nagasa Town?"
Harold nodded calmly.
"…That's correct."
Kaito narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…How does a retired lieutenant suddenly become a mayor?"
Harold chuckled softly.
"…Because it's my hometown."
"They practically forced me into the position."
Saito leaned forward slightly.
"…Uncle Harold…"
"How's Mom?"
Harold's expression softened immediately.
"…Kira is doing fine."
Then he sighed dramatically.
"…Though she mentions you so often it nearly ruins my drinks."
Saito immediately smiled.
"…So she misses me, huh?"
Harold nodded once.
"…She's waiting for you."
For the first time since the conversation started—
Saito's smile weakened slightly.
He looked down at the table.
"…Well…"
"She'll have to wait."
"…I'm still not King of Gangsters yet."
The room became quieter.
Harold stared at him for a moment before letting out a long tired sigh.
"…Still chasing that dream…"
He leaned back in his chair.
"…Well."
"There's probably nothing I can do to stop you anyway."
Saito suddenly stood up from his chair.
"…Oh right."
"Uncle Harold, I want to show you something."
Harold raised an eyebrow slightly.
"…Sure."
Without wasting time, Saito immediately led him out of the office.
As the door closed behind them—
Bomb leaned back in his chair.
"…Who knew he had an uncle that used to be a lieutenant?"
Takashi adjusted his glasses.
"…He seems genuinely happy to see him."
Kaito quietly nodded.
"…Yeah."
Outside—
Saito walked Harold through the village streets while proudly showing everything around them.
Villagers greeted Saito warmly as they passed.
Children ran through the roads laughing.
Wolfbeasts helped workers carry supplies beside humans without hesitation.
Harold observed everything carefully.
Then he smiled faintly.
"…Humans and Beastmen coexisting peacefully…"
"…You've actually achieved something impressive here."
Saito immediately grinned proudly.
"…Right?!"
Harold chuckled softly as they continued walking.
Soon—
they arrived at the newly completed Grand Hall.
Workers were placing the final decorations while lanterns hung beautifully from the ceiling beams.
Harold looked up slightly.
"…What's this?"
Saito spread both arms proudly.
"…The Grand Hall."
"It's for tomorrow's gathering."
"There's going to be a ceremony celebrating my leadership anniversary."
Near the entrance, Takeru was supervising workers.
Saito waved immediately.
"…Hey, Takeru!"
Takeru looked over.
"…Hm?"
His eyes shifted toward Harold.
"…Who's this?"
Saito smiled proudly.
"…This is Uncle Harold."
Takeru blinked once before nodding respectfully.
"…Didn't know Sir Saito had family nearby."
Harold waved casually.
"…More of a distant one."
Takeru nodded.
"…I see."
Then suddenly—
another voice echoed from nearby.
"…Hey Saito, the wine stock is empty ag—"
Kuro stopped mid-sentence.
His eyes locked directly onto Harold.
Instantly—
his entire body stiffened.
"…Holy Jesus…"
"…It's Lieutenant Harold."
He instinctively took one step backward.
Saito blinked.
"…Uncle, this is Kuro."
"My ally."
Harold calmly smiled and extended one hand.
"…Nice to meet you."
"I'm hoping you'll continue taking care of Saito."
Kuro immediately shook his hand nervously.
"…S-sure."
"…Absolutely."
Meanwhile inside his head—
Kuro was panicking.
Please don't tell him I used to be your enemy.
I'm too young to die.