Van and Amoria meandered through the bustling streets, their hands intertwined, with Van initially taking the lead.
...Until he realized he couldn't quite remember the way to the guild. Amoria, with a light chuckle at the situation, took over as the guide.
Soon, they arrived in front of the towering guild building.
"Impressive," Van remarked, admiring the cleanliness and the steady flow of adventurers coming and going.
"It's modest, really. There are much larger guilds in Varolon," Amoria responded.
"Really? I recall the main guild being much smaller..." Van said, eyeing the building curiously.
"Well, you've been away for quite some time, Van. After the dragon attacks, our engineers and architects had to work overtime. We've been building far more impressive structures since then," she explained as they entered the guild.
"Oh, there she is!" exclaimed Marcilla from the counter, where she was speaking with a Royal Guard official and a subordinate.
"Ah, Miss Veil," the Royal Guard greeted Amoria warmly as she approached with Van.
'Hmm... If I'm not mistaken, that's the guard from two nights ago...' Van thought, recognizing the older official.
"Sir Hicks! What a surprise! It's been too long," Amoria said with a smile, embracing him.
"Ahh, indeed... Apologies for not stopping by sooner. I've been busy educating the new recruits," Sir Hicks replied, patting her back before stepping back.
"You're taking care of Riry, right?" she asked, glancing at the younger officer.
"-Gary..." the younger officer corrected quietly.
"Ah, of course. He stands tall every day, defending our walls. I'm as proud of him as if he were my own son," Hicks proudly declared.
"But you have a daughter, sir..."
"...Who you are happily engaged to. Does that not make you like a son to me?" Hicks joked.
Garry looked down bashfully.
'...They seem like good people. These girls are in good company,' Van thought, a sigh of relief escaping him.
Hicks then turned to the tall Van, who was standing patiently behind Amoria.
"Ahh, and who might you be, young lad? Planning to join the Royal Guards? Your build is absolutely perfect; you could be a commander like me someday!" Hicks said warmly as he approached Van.
"...Name's Van Hellix, officer. Pleasure to meet you," Van introduced himself.
"Van..?" Garry exclaimed softly. Yet, despite the relaxed environment and Van accompanying Amoria, his hand couldn't help but be placed subtly on his holstered spear.
"-JUNIOR. He's his son," Amoria quickly interjected.
"Ahh... I see... Van Hellix's own son," Hicks noted, his tone slowing a bit.
Garry's expression turned suspicious, his gaze tinged with worry.
------------------EARLIER------------
"Van Hellix... Why did that name cause her to shudder so much?" Garry muttered to himself, sifting through the records of the Royal Guards late at night, well beyond the end of his shift.
"He's just a criminal, just some thug. Standing before him felt like facing a demon, not a man with feelings... If Miss Veil knows him, there must be something about him in these records..." he pondered.
YOU ARE READING
Betrayed, I Met The Demon Lord
FantasyVan and his friend Magus had reincarnated in another world with magic. Tasked to kill the demon lord, they set forth. Van was granted very rough skills that made life for him in that world a living hell, yet he muscled through. Magus however, was be...
