The Devil’s Cage

Wier unconsciously stepped back when he saw the three ice statues.

Although he had known that the Special Affairs Division barging in uninvited would not end well, he didn’t think they would die in the hands of an evil spirit… an evil spirit-like being, before they could even see Kieran.

Wier quickly corrected his words because based on his knowledge, no evil spirit could do what this one just did.

Therefore, when [Chilling Spirit] vanished, Wier didn’t simply barge in. But that didn’t stop him from asking how to get in.

After all, he still had the number of the hotel.

…

“D, Wier is looking for you.”

Lagran was shaking the phone while calling out to Kieran.

“Tell him to come in,” said Kieran before looking at Mier beside him. “What did you say just now?” Kieran asked.

“I said, if it’s possible, I can prepare three meals for you and you don’t have to pay me anything. I won’t request anything ridiculous either, it’s just that I hope that if you have the chance, you can recommend me to join the Monster Hunters,” Mier said while having a careful look at Kieran.

Although it would be easier for Mier to gain fondness if she presented herself as someone not seeking benefits, only friendship, or even doing it for free with no strings attached, Mier’s personality didn’t allow her to do some shameless deeds.

She was asking something of Kieran, how could she say something like she wasn’t doing this for anything?

Of course, after all that preparation, Mier had readied herself to be rejected by Kieran.

“Sure.”

“Mm, I know it’s reasonable for you to reject me, but…Wait… What? What did you say?”

Mier widened her eyes at Kieran, unable to react properly to the situation.

Even last night when she witnessed Kieran blow of a myriad of monsters’ heads with a single glance wasn’t as shocking as now.

The other one who was shocked was Smith.

“Food, eh?” Smith looked down, muttering softly to himself.

Lagren, who was leaning behind the bar counter, almost fell to the floor.

“What the hell are you trying to do? Do all of you Monster Hunters make promises so simply… Hmm… Wait, there are quite a lot who act simply as well… Damn it! Every one of them with their damn characters!”

Lagren held onto the wine cellar to regain his standing, his mouth twitched a few times before he saw Wier coming in; the three ice statues outside were also visible.

The hotel owner had known what was happening within this short period of time around his hotel.

But he hadn’t cared.

Morr was a despicable bastard anyway.

Special Affairs Division?

Hehe.

“Morning.”

Wier greeted everyone in the hotel, but other than Lagren and Little Tom, no one responded, including his granddaughter.

A headache struck Wier whenever he saw Mier around Kieran.

If Kieran was a troublesome matter, then when he saw his granddaughter getting closer and even standing on the same side as him, it would become a mission impossible that would scare even the bravest.

Wier was no brave soul by any means. Any other time, he would surely have stepped away, but now?

Huu!

A deep breath later, Wier walked over to Kieran.

“D, do you know what is in the box?” Wier questioned him.

“I don’t,” Kieran shook his head.

“Then do you want to know?” Wier continued.

“I don’t,” Kieran shook his head again.

The clean rejection caused Wier to breathe heavily. He really wanted to shout at Kieran, question him as to why he got himself into this mess if he didn’t even know what the box was holding!

However, the remaining sanity told the veteran consultant that if he wanted to continue this conversation, he had to stay calm.

“Inside this box is something very important to Eiders, I hope you…”

“No.”

Kieran interrupted Wier and said in a decisive tone, “This is my promise to others: before the evening of tomorrow, it will only be with me and no one will take it away or open it.”

“But all of Eiders is involved…”

Wier wanted to elaborate further, but he swallowed the words back when they reached his tongue.

His action caused Mier to frown. She didn’t like this kind of conversation that hid things.

Especially when the person initiating the conversation was her grandfather, thus making her feel uncomfortable.

Mier, however, didn’t join the conversation.

In order to relieve herself of the discomfort, Mier went to the girls instead.

“I’ve said it, before tomorrow evening, it will only be in my hand, no one will take it away or open it,” Kieran emphasized once more.

At his words, Wier stared straight at Kieran.

In the end, he sighed helplessly.

“I knew I couldn’t dissuade you, but I still had to try,” said Wier all by himself.

Then, his mouth corner curled up into a soft smile as if he were amused by his own naivete.

The smile didn’t hold any joy though, only bitterness.

“Then can I ask another question? How did you know that Wilberst was fishy?”

Wier swiftly wiped away his bitter smile, his eyes becoming steadfast and sharp.

“Did you see the autopsy?” Kieran asked calmly.

“Yes. A body that didn’t belong to an old man, he was even stronger than a common young man,” Wier nodded, his eyes looking heavy.

“Then, what else do you not know?” Kieran shot back. He smiled a sneering smile and stood up, wanting to return to his room.

“W-Wait! What do you mean?” Wier asked loudly.

“Some things are very obvious, yet some people still can’t see them, or should I say, they have turned a blind eye?”

Kieran didn’t stop as he spoke. Only when he vanished beyond the stairs did his voice subside.

Wier raised his hand, wanting to call out to Kieran again, but he didn’t; his hand fell helplessly.

Wier thought deeply after the insight.

“Old geezer, you should retire now. Don’t do something that is out of your reach.”

Lagren was somehow beside Wier and tapping his shoulder without him initially noticing.

“I know, but… wherever my duty lies, I will carry them out,” said Wier.

He smiled apologetically at Mier before walking out the hotel.

“Each and every one of you is so persistent and stubborn and don’t know what’s good for ya! Are you cousins with donkeys?”

Lagren was ranting out of habit again as he saw Wier off.

Meanwhile, a figure that appeared in Lagren’s monitor went into Kieran’s room again. Lagren turned a blind eye because he knew the figure was an ally.

But.

Sometimes.

Are allies always allies?

At least, Cook didn’t think so.