Chapter 23
“It’s a Problem”
(3. Hey, Give Me Back My Sweet Kids (2))
She could feel Lutti burrowing deep into her pocket.
‘I was hoping not to run into him until all this was over…’
It was a face she’d known for ten years — as both a friend and a comrade.
Seeing it again made her heart stir with a reflexive fondness, yet at the same time, over that familiar image flickered the memory of him coldly killing without hesitation — and a chill ran down her spine.
Because they’d once been close, the man before her, changed almost beyond recognition, now felt utterly unfamiliar.
Elcez forced an awkward smile and greeted him.
“Ah, hello, Your Excellency. What brings you here?”
“I came to see a friend. And you, young lady?”
If he had a friend in this guild, it could only be Cassian.
Then Elcez remembered what Cassian had said yesterday:
‘Similar incidents have been happening elsewhere too, so the temple’s investigating.’
‘Looks like he’s here because of that.’
Which meant — if he was at the guild, there’d be no avoiding Aster.
So Elcez decided to answer honestly.
“I work here at this guild.”
“Do you? You must be a promising mage then. They don’t recruit just anyone here.”
As Aster’s words lifted her up, Elcez gave a bashful laugh. At that moment, the knight accompanying him glanced around and quietly interjected.
“Your Excellency, there are eyes everywhere. Let’s move inside first.”
When the three entered the guild, they spotted Cassian at the counter, chatting with Jack. Cassian looked up in surprise at the sight of Elcez and Aster walking in together.
“What’s this? You two know each other?”
“Mm, you could say we’re… familiar with each other’s tastes.”
Aster answered with an easy smile.
Elcez, about to nod absentmindedly, froze — her face twisting in horror.
‘That sounds completely wrong! Specify book tastes, you maniac!’
And besides — that book wasn’t even to her taste!
Seeing Cassian’s expression contort, Elcez hurriedly explained, flustered.
“When I visited the temple library before, His Excellency helped me out a bit.”
Cassian finally looked convinced.
“Let’s talk inside.”
Elcez unconsciously followed him but then stopped, aware of Aster’s presence.
When she’d been Ruel, she’d have joined the discussion naturally — but now, as Elcez, it would be improper to intrude.
“You should go in first, Your Excellency.”
“No, you go ahead.”
As the two politely tried to yield to each other, Cassian, already entering the master’s room, turned and called out,
“Come in, both of you.”
“I’d prefer to keep this matter as confidential as possible,” Aster said with a frown.
“You’ll need her testimony,” Cassian replied, jerking his chin toward the room.
Puzzled, both Aster and Elcez exchanged glances, then did as he said and stepped inside.
Cassian reached for a pouch on his desk and pulled out a black, jagged shard.
“This fragment you’ve been looking for — it was found near the magic circle she discovered yesterday. She’s the first one who spotted it.”
Elcez’s eyes widened as she looked at the shard Cassian handed over.
She recognized it.
