"What! I want to see what he's capable of! Daring to commit crimes in our Iron Barrel Street!"
Two other middle-aged women, dragging brooms and shovels, were about to reach the battlefield.
Seeing things were going south, Grin Andersen took off running, turning back to point fiercely at Elsa.
"You damn woman, just you wait... this isn't over!"
"Still dare to be insolent! Take a hit from my shovel!"
Watching the three indignant women chase after Grin Andersen, an inexplicable emotion welled up in Elsa's heart.
"What a bunch of lovely people."
...Grin Andersen sprinted all the way, being chased through several streets.
As he passed a certain storefront, he even spotted the figures of Ato and Mia.
The two little ones were holding plump coarse grain buns, eating heartily alongside a large bowl of hot soup.
"Eh, Mia, I think I saw that big brother from before!"
"Probably not. I only knew hunger could cause hallucinations; I didn't think being full would make your eyes play tricks too?"
... "Finally... finally shook them off!"
Panting heavily, Grin Andersen stepped out from a dark corner, warily scanning his surroundings.
Those three women definitely did manual labor; they were incredibly energetic.
Mainly, they were too familiar with this neighborhood, managing to take shortcuts and intercept him every time.
After tidying up his hair, which had been ruffled by the brooms, Grin Andersen prepared to head to Crusch's residence.
This Duchess's temporary Mansion was located in a secluded part of the Royal Capital's noble district. It wasn't exactly grand or extravagant, yet it carried the heritage of the Karsten Family.
The stone courtyard walls weren't high, but they were carved with simple diamond patterns. No ostentatious family crest stood outside the gate; only a plaque engraved with the name "Karsten" hung there.
After proving his identity to the guards, Grin Andersen was granted passage.
Emilia must have given them a heads-up beforehand.
He walked to a low fence at the corner of the courtyard and, looking up, came across a small garden carved out at the back of the Mansion.
Strangely, even though it was late at night, a warm yellow lantern was still lit inside.
The soft, dim glow broke through the cold silence of the night, circling a quiet corner of the world.
Pitter-patter.
The sound of watering echoed.
Beside a Magic Lamp stood a strong elderly gentleman—it was Crusch's vassal, the Sword Demon Wilhelm.
At this moment, there wasn't a trace of majesty on the old man's face. He was bent over, adding water to the plants in the pavilion garden, a look of reminiscence in his eyes.
Sensing someone's arrival, Wilhelm straightened up and bowed slightly toward Grin Andersen.
"It has been a long time, Mr. Grimm."
"Old man, aren't you going to sleep yet at this hour?"
Grin Andersen was somewhat puzzled, glancing occasionally at the watering can in Wilhelm's hand.
What kind of normal person waters flowers at night?
Wilhelm understandingly moved half a step aside, revealing a cluster of small yellow flowers that had been blocked by his body.
"This is a strange flower called the luminous calyx. It refuses to absorb water in sunlight, so I can only come to water them at night."
Grin Andersen nodded in understanding and smiled. "I didn't expect the world-renowned Sword Demon to be so knowledgeable about plants."
"You flatter me. My wife adored these fragile plants, and out of love for her, I don't dislike these flowers either."
"She always said the luminous calyx is as stubborn as a small beast, insisting on growing against the sunlight. Only by drinking enough dew at night can it bloom with its brightest colors during the day."
The old man's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. When he thought of his wife, those eyes that had experienced a hundred years of slaughter and were honed to a sharp edge actually softened like they were soaked in warm water.
"Once, in My late wife's garden, she loved to drag me along to tend to these flowers late at night."
"She was a careless woman, always spilling water from the can onto her lapel, yet she would stubbornly claim it was an extra gift for the flowers."
When mentioning his wife, the usually taciturn Sword Demon became quite talkative.
Realizing his lapse after the fact, Wilhelm straightened his hunched back.
The lingering sorrow around him was gradually covered again by the composure of a veteran of many battles. He lowered his head slightly and said:
"I've made a fool of myself in front of Mr. Grimm. As one grows old, one tends to get nostalgic over these old things."
Grin Andersen responded with an understanding smile.
"It's alright, old man. I like listening to stories."
Wilhelm shook his head gently and said, "It is getting late; I really shouldn't delay your rest."
Grin Andersen shrugged. "Alright then—may I ask which room Rem is staying in?"
"This..."
Wilhelm looked a bit troubled and pressed further:
"Forgive my bluntness, but may I ask what your relationship is with Miss Rem? Although you are in the same camp, asking for a lady's room in the middle of the night is quite suspicious."
"You're overthinking it, old man. Rem and I are a loving, betrothed couple."
"I see. Please go to the second floor and turn right."
Wilhelm showed an expression of sudden realization. Regarding the love of young people, he had always been respectful and reverent.
Grin Andersen nodded gratefully and walked straight toward the residential part of the Mansion.
Once upon a time, he and Theresia were just like this, wanting to be together every moment.
Wilhelm watched Grin Andersen's back. After hesitating several times, he decided to be selfish for once.
"Please wait a moment, Mr. Grimm!"
Grin Andersen stopped and looked back in confusion.
"Is there something else?"
Wilhelm walked solemnly to Grin Andersen, his body ramrod straight, and then bowed deeply.
Maintaining a ninety-degree bend, he spoke in a pleading tone:
"Lady Crusch will likely invite you for a talk tomorrow. When that time comes, please be sure to agree to her request. I beg of you! Mr. Grimm!"
Grin Andersen was quite surprised and quickly helped Wilhelm up.
"Please stand up first, old man."
"I don't know what Crusch's request is. If it's unfavorable to our side, I'm afraid I can't agree to it directly."
There was a struggle in Wilhelm's aged eyes, and his hands trembled slightly. He knew his current actions were an act of disloyalty to Crusch.
Exposing the master's needs before a negotiation would put them at a disadvantage.
But only in matters regarding his beloved wife, Theresia, could he not remain calm.
"Mr. Grimm, in four hundred years, you are one of the few who have escaped from the White Whale's mouth, and you still remain sane after surviving.
You must have valuable information about that demon. If you can truthfully inform our side, I am willing to offer this old life of mine."
At the mention of the White Whale, the killing intent in Wilhelm's eyes almost solidified, and his knuckles cracked loudly as he clenched his fists.
Grin Andersen held Wilhelm's arm, his fingertips clearly feeling the old man's tense muscles.
Even that aged skeleton was vibrating slightly from extreme hatred and obsession.
Grin Andersen's eyes darkened. He first raised a hand to press down on the old man's white-knuckled wrist, his tone steady and slow:
"Old man, calm your mind first. There's no need for this. The outcome of this matter will surely be as you wish."
"Thank you! Lord Green! Thank you!"
Wilhelm knelt excitedly on one knee, his head lowered slightly to hide the tears in his eyes.
Grin Andersen leaned down and patted Wilhelm's shoulder comfortingly, whispering, "After galloping across the sky for four hundred years, it's time for it to fall."
...Walking into the residence, Grin Andersen immediately smelled a strong scent of alcohol.
This mellow fragrance was much higher grade than the red wine he had drunk in prison.
Presumably, when Crusch hosted Emilia and the others, they held a small drinking party.
"Eh, Grin is back!"
On the spiral staircase, a dizzy Half-Elf girl walked down unsteadily.