Chapter 75

Lilika raised her head. Her pale face trembled in the moonlight.

"Do you dislike it? Is it terrifying?"

Fjord's question was brief, and his expression remained unchanged. Attil frowned, and only then did he realize what Fjord was asking.

'Why would I dislike it?'

We just killed the one who was trying to kill us. Although we did it in a rather aggressive way, I didn't feel the slightest bit of disgust or guilt. In fact, it was even enjoyable.

Lilika vaguely thought she would share in their joy.

Attil's gaze turned to Lilika. Lilika was tightly gripping a handkerchief. She looked straight at Fjord and said,

"I don't like it, and I'm scared."

Fjord's smile vanished at her straightforward answer. He was unsure of what expression to make.

Confusion seeped through the cracks of his mask. Just as Attil was about to snap, "Hey," Lilika spoke.

"But I still like you."

Lilika's voice was trembling. With a trembling voice, she glanced at the alley.

She couldn't even look at the person who had done such a thing.

It's not that she was making a fuss about killing someone.

It's not that she thought they should be distressed because they had killed someone.

Fjord must have killed everyone there without hesitation, without even considering capturing them or handing them over to the law.

It was so ingrained in him that he did it without a second thought.

Lilika vaguely understood Attil and Fjord's abilities. So, killing someone in a bloody manner meant he had chosen a particularly cruel method.

It was similar to the feeling one gets when seeing a child dissect a bug piece by piece.

But.

Her voice quivered.

"Fiona and Attil, it's scary, but... still."

I love you.

Despite everything, she loved them.

She had ended up loving those who could kill someone cruelly without a care.

So, this distress was hers alone, not something she should show to them.

Lilika smiled.

"I tried my best to attack too. I'm not complaining about the killing."

Ah, I see.

Lilika looked at Fjord and then at Attil.

I find it strange that these two are so calm.

'Sad, isn't it?'

Fjord's expression seemed relieved by Lilika's answer.

If Lilika had said, "No? Bad people deserve to die. They should all be killed," and remained calm, it would have been strange.

Because she is someone who doesn't kill.

'Even so.'

The sweet words of love and affection made everything seem like it was melting away.

She didn't turn away, didn't look away, and didn't sympathize.

She looked straight at them and spoke without hesitation.

Fjord looked at Lilika with his burning golden eyes. He tried to reach for her hand, but Attil pulled her into a tight embrace first.

He hugged her so tightly that her lungs compressed, and a strange sound escaped her throat.

"Ugh."

"You're making cute sounds. Got it, got it. I'll be more moderate from now on. Okay?"

Smiling, he ran his fingers through her hair. Lilika tapped his arm.

"I can't breathe."

"Ah, sorry."

Attil released her. Fjord turned his head, and Attil looked in the same direction.

"Wow, what a commotion."

A man's voice, laced with laughter, came from the darkness. He was hard to see in the dark alley. Lilika blinked her wet eyes.

Click click

The sound of a lighter sparked and a faint light flickered before disappearing. The man lit a cigarette and stepped out.

Fjord and Attil were on guard but also relaxed.

The man chuckled and exhaled smoke.

"Hey, kid. Long time no see."

Lilika felt a lump in her throat.

"Uncle!"

She tried to rush out, but Attil stopped her. The man, who had his arms outstretched, looked disappointed.

"Who are you?"

Attil asked, and Lilika replied.

"The shoe-shiner uncle! The one I told you about!"

Hearing Lilika's words, the two boys involuntarily looked at each other and then back at the man.

He looked flamboyant.

Even in the dim light, his bright red hair was clearly visible. It was quite long, styled in a fancy braid, and he had piercings in his ears.

His fingers were adorned with flashy rings, and his arms were covered in tattoos.

He looked like a delinquent.

Moreover, he didn't seem older than his late twenties, or at most early thirties.

"Who's an uncle?!"

Attil's comment made the 'shoe-shiner uncle' calmly reply.

"Well, to a kid, I'm an uncle. There's quite an age gap."

Fjord, exasperated, said,

"Where do you find shoe-shiners like you?"

"Is it wrong to have shoe-shiners like me? This is the age of individuality, you know."

He pulled out a cap from his waist and waved it to show it wasn't a gun, then put it on, pushing his long hair under it.

"By covering my hair and rolling down my shirt sleeves, I'm a diligent shoe-shiner during the day. Anyway, let's get out of here. I'll have my boys clean up as a special service."

The two boys instinctively looked at Lilika. She nodded, albeit reluctantly.

They followed him, curious about many things. As Attil let go, Lilika ran to him. The man picked her up with a smile.

"Wow, you've really grown into a lady. I was worried about you, but I'm glad you're doing well."

"Yep, I'm doing well."

"I heard you became a princess. I was so surprised. I thought that woman might have sold you off or something."

Lilika slapped his mouth.

"Don't speak ill of someone else's mother. You taught me that, Uncle."

"Ah, but your mom, well, never mind."

Lilika raised her hand again, and the man turned away.

Fjord and Attil were very uncomfortable. They could see that the 'shoe-shiner uncle' and Lilika were very close.

They had shared time that the two boys didn't know about.

Under the stern gazes of the two boys, he smiled and put Lilika down.

"I can't hold you any longer. Let's go."

He walked through the complex alleyways with ease, repeatedly opening doors to pass through other people's houses.

They eventually entered the back door of a large building, where a few people who looked like gangsters were present.

Attil and Fjord kept Lilika in the middle and remained vigilant.

"Come on, this way."

The room inside was quite cozy. It didn't look like a boss's room in the underworld.

Old rugs, vintage decorations on the shelves, and well-worn furniture gave it a humble, homely feel.

After sitting at the table, he brewed tea, took a sip first, and then handed it to Lilika.

As Lilika held the teacup, Fjord reached out. She silently handed him the cup, and after taking a sip, Fjord returned it to her.

No one else was offered a cup, but no one seemed to mind.

Lilika let the warm tea flow into her body. The events of just a moment ago felt like a dream.

"Phew—"

Lilika let out a small sigh, and he smiled at her.

"So? What were you doing there? It was dangerous for a kid."

"Wouldn't it be polite to know who you're talking to?"

Attil said sarcastically, and John raised his arms.

"True, I'm not very well-mannered. I'll try. So, what were you doing there? It was dangerous."

"I was trying to find Uncle... you."

"Me?"

He looked puzzled.

"Why? Did something happen?"

"You don't think adding 'yo' makes it sound like a public university, do you?"

John chuckled. Attil looked annoyed, and Lilika gave a small cough.

"No, um..."

Lilika looked at Attil, who said,

"Go ahead. They probably know who I am anyway."

Attil crossed his arms, and Lilika continued,

"I thought Uncle might be able to help with what Attil is investigating."

"More than that, what was that thing earlier? I couldn't tell if it was human or not."

"Oh, the young master was just overzealous and disassembled the guy's joints one by one. He was human, though."

"You—"

Attil clenched his teeth, and the table shook. Lilika flinched. Attil took a deep breath.

Calm down.

You're not a five-year-old kid anymore.

He had no intention of losing control like he did back then.

"So, where did that human come from? Was he on drugs? Or one of your colleagues?"

Attil's question made him tilt his head and then look apologetically at Lilika.

"Is the kid okay?"

"What? I was scared, but I'm fine. Attil protected me."

He took off his cap. Under the light, his bright red hair was striking.

"I'm not just a shoe-shiner. My main job is this. I work as an informant in the evenings."

Lilika, puzzled, replied,

"Um, I thought you weren't just an ordinary shoe-shiner."

"Really?"

"I've been here for a few years, and I have a good sense of things."

Lilika smiled.

"Everyone avoids you when you mention your name."

"That's because I'm an excellent shoe-shiner."

John said sheepishly and then looked at Attil and Fjord.

"So, I know a lot of things. Your Highness, Lord Fjord, it's nice to meet you. I'm an informant named Whale."

He made a proper bow.

"Today's incident was an accident. We had him locked in a warehouse, but he broke the chains, killed my colleague, and escaped."

He took out a cigarette from his pocket, put it in his mouth, and then decided not to light it when he saw Lilika.

With the unlit cigarette in his mouth, John Whale—Whale—calmly explained the situation.

"I don't know where he came from. One day, he just appeared in the back alley. We caught him and were trying to figure out what was going on."

Whale looked at Attil.

"Your Highness must have questions, so shall we talk privately for a moment?"

"Sure."

Attil stood up. He was no longer afraid or rough. Whale winked at Lilika and went into an inner room with Attil.

Lilika touched the pendulum in her pocket.

Fjord said,

"Now, His Highness has no flaws as a successor."

Since he has regained his powers.

"Huh? Oh! I forgot to congratulate Attil."

Lilika exclaimed, and Fjord laughed.

"It would be hard to offer congratulations in that situation."

"Right, but it's good that he realized it now."

Fjord moved his chair closer to Lilika. She smiled at him.

"What do you think, Fjord?"

"About what?"

"Ah, right. You didn't see much. The person who attacked us—"

Lilika described the attacker and the situation, and Fjord frowned. More than anything, he was upset that she had run away and then returned, but he didn't say anything.

"It was dangerous."

That was all Fjord said.

"Fjord?"

Fjord's eyes narrowed slightly.

"The people I dealt with all seemed to be under the influence of some strange drug. Even drunk people would run away after a harsh beating."

They would wake up from their stupor and scream as they ran away.

"But they charged at us instead, ignoring their injuries."

His voice slowed at the end. Fjord said,

"Perhaps these two things are related."

"Right, they seem related."

Lilika sighed deeply. She whispered to Fjord,

"I'm sorry about earlier."

"Sorry for what?"

"For saying I didn't like it and I was scared."

Lilika's eyebrows drooped. Fjord smiled.

"Why? I was glad you told me."

"Ugh, no. I shouldn't have said it that way. There could have been a different way to say it... Attil and Fjord might have been hurt."

Even when speaking honestly, there's a way to say things. Being direct isn't always right.

Fjord reached out and gently cupped Lilika's cheeks.

"But you still said you like us. That's enough."

Lilika smiled.

"Yes, both Fjord and Attil are important to me."

Lilika looked into his golden eyes, which seemed to dance like flames, and whispered,

"Love for the moon means loving the sea of the moon too."

How can you love the moon and only love its bright parts?

Fjord's grip tightened. He felt like sinking into those teal eyes, which looked embarrassed.

So deeply, it felt like he would suffocate and die.

Or maybe he was already in them?

He slowly leaned forward. Lilika said, "Eh," and his round forehead touched hers.

The closeness made Lilika catch her breath. He whispered,

"Then, let me drown you in love."

"?"

Lilika frowned, confused by his sudden words.

"Fjord, that—"

Bang!

A loud noise interrupted them. Lilika jumped, and Fjord sprang up from his seat.

He shielded her with his back. The noise outside grew louder.

"You scoundrel! Where did you hide my daughter!"

Crash! Bang!

The sound of something being smashed mercilessly echoed.

"Come out now!"