The orphanage’s canteen was quite spacious, with groups of four people gathering at the tables. Children with unbounded vitality chattered continuously amongst themselves while dragging their friends along to sit down beside them. Ji Bai had gotten onto the same table as Lil’ Sha, the old orphanage head, and Xiao’an.
Currently, only Ji Bai and Lil’ Sha were at the table. The old orphanage head had told them that he was going to serve them food while taking Xiao’an with him.
“Can’t you take the helmet off, obscene middle-aged man? It’s time to eat.”
“It’s not in the way.” Stated Ji Bai in a neutral tone.
“Why must you be so stubborn?”
“The more relaxed things are, the more important it is to keep your guard up.”
“? Don’t tell me you’re planning on eating without taking your helmet off?”
“I don’t see why I can’t? You don’t believe that I could do that?”
“That’s not what I meant…” said Lil’ Sha softly as she turned her head to the side, pouting.
“Don’t you think that there is something very wrong with you right now?”
“What exactly are you referring to?”
“Everything! Ever since the day we explored the underground sewers till now, you’ve been acting very strange…” Lil’ Sha narrowed her eyes as she spoke in a soft voice.
“I believed that your neurotic behaviour would die down somewhat after the exploration mission. Instead, it’s become even worse, and you became someone totally different from the obscene middle-aged man I knew… You’d better not tell people that this boring old-fogey personality is your true self.”
“Is that so?” Ji Bai fell silent and unconsciously touched his helmet in a slight shock.
Perhaps, he still hadn’t gotten through the depressive stupor caused by his companion’s death and subconsciously reverted to his law enforcement mode of the past.
However…
“Is that actually a bad thing?” Ji Bai stroked his helmet.
“Don’t you think that it makes you look like a fleshless robot right now?? Which part of this resembles a normal person?… Even though that despicable look of yours gives one the uncontrollable impulse to beat you up, it’s still way better than this infuriating slow-witted image!”
“I just want to prevent another tragedy from happening.” The metal helmet lowered slightly.
“This is just an ordinary human city without any hostile demons. Why do you always have to strain your nerves like that?” As she said this, Lil’ Sha’s expression darkened a little.
“Obscene middle-aged man… Even if you’re placing great blame on yourself for things that happened in the past, you shouldn’t bring those negative emotions into your everyday life. Ke’er is still young, and she will more-or-less receive these harmful influences. Can’t you at least go back to your normal self during normal times?…”
She knew too well that a certain stubborn individual would definitely treat this advice as nothing but wind passing by his ears. He would definitely not…
“I understand.” Said Ji Bai and took his iron helmet off.
“Eh?!” Lil’ Sha froze.
“It’s still the world outside the helmet that’s cooler.” Ji Bai deeply exhaled as he gave Lil’ Sha a smile.
“Wah, that smile of yours frightens me…”
“Oh woe is me! You call me strange for putting on my helmet, yet when I take it off, I get shunned for being ugly. Why is it so hard to be a good man these days?” Despair was written all over Ji Bai’s face.
“I’m just telling the truth, that’s all… But at least your appearance is normal now, obscene middle-aged man. Speaking of which, it’s been a long time since I’ve last seen your face.”
“What? Do you really want to look at me that badly?” Teased Ji Bai.
“Who would want to see that exceptionally ugly mug of yours.”
“Hehe, the two of you really do get along with each other, indeed.” The old orphanage head walked over with a grin, carrying a meal tray in his hands. At his side was Xiao’an, who was carrying two white porcelain bowls.
“Big brother knight, here’s your bowl.” Seeing that Ji Bai had taken off his helmet, Xiao’an slightly froze before timidly passing a bowl to him.
“Thank you.” Ji Bai accepted the bowl, and revealed what he believed to be a very warm smile.
“Uhm…” Xiao’an timidly moved a few steps backwards.
‘Wow, this is honestly heart-rending. Is my face really such a sorry sight for the people who see it?’
The edge of Ji Bai’s mouth twitched several times.
“Pfft, haha…” Lil’ Sha was covering her mouth as she secretly laughed at the side.
She felt that she much preferred Ji Bai’s current state when it came to normal life.
Xiao’an obediently got up onto her wooden stool with a jump, and the four of them began eating their meals.
The orphanage’s lunch was a very simple affair; There was boiled rice, Ubisoft servers1… Cough, roasted potatoes, and an additional creamy soup.
“That reminds me. Are you feeling a bit better after that incident?” Ji Bai leaned slightly closer to Lil’ Sha and asked in a low voice.
What he was referring to was obvious.
“Is it intentional that you’re bringing this up while we are eating?”
“It’s good to know that you aren’t traumatized by it. Find me anytime if you need a warm chest to lean on.”
“Oh-shush!” Whispered Lil’ Sha fiercely as she barred her canine teeth.
“Haha…”
“You’re a knight, aren’t you, Mr. Ji?” Asked the orphanage head, in a tone that suggested he was trying to start an idle conversation with him.
“Not really.” Answered Ji Bai while shoving some potato into his mouth.
“Ooh? Care to elaborate more?”
“I’ve already retired from active service.” Ji Bai swallowed down another potato.
“Is that so? But I can see that Mr. Ji is quite young.”
“Oh, many thanks for the praise. I was forced to retire because of my injuries.”
“I see.” The old orphanage head smiled amicably.
“Mhm.” Ji Bai was carrying out one of the primary objectives of this visit – Freeloading. Without unnecessary talk, he was solely engrossed in shoveling food into his mouth.
Xiao’an seemed to have no appetite and just dully gnawed on a roasted potato.
“Xiao’an, are you still recovering from your illness? Are you taking your medicine on time?” Asked Lil’ Sha while stroking Xiao’an’s forehead.
“Mhm, I do.” Xiao’an nodded her head like a chicken pecking on some rice.
“If you’re uncomfortable, you need to tell your big sister immediately, alright?” Lil’ Sha stroked Xiao’an’s head.
“Mhm…”
“I will be leaving Xiao’an into your care, director. I hope this money might come in handy.”
“Hehe. That is my responsibility, so you don’t need to be so polite about it.”
Ji Bai was so single-mindedly pushing food into his mouth and gnawing on potatoes that he didn’t interrupt them.
…………
“Click.” The sound of a turning door handle resounded.
“Ke’er, I’m back.”
“Mr. Ji Bai~ You’re back?” Ke’er stretched her head through the kitchen door. The apron currently draped around her body seemed a little too big for her.
“Mhm. I’ve returned.” Ji Bai changed into his slippers and entered the room with his iron helmet in his hand.
“Have you already had lunch?” Ke’er bounced through the kitchen door.
“I ate it outside, how about you?” Ji Bai smiled as he brushed and patted Ke’er’s fluffy ears.
“Gu-nyaa! Th-That tickles~” Ke’er rebuked.
“O-Oh, my bad.”
‘Mhm. As I thought, this one is a bit more pleasant to touch.”
“Oh, that reminds me. Ke’er, you don’t need to prepare dinner. I’ll bring you to someplace where you can freeload on their food.”
“Eh??” Ke’er cocked her head in confusion as she looked at Ji Bai’s smile.
“A-Are you alright, Mr Ji Bai?”
“Mhm, it’s just that some minor things had happened earlier. I didn’t frighten you, I hope?”
“Actually, that appearance of Mr. Ji Bai was pretty dashing too…”
“Hmm? What did you say?”
“N-Nothing~”
…………
South City, in the wee hours of the night.
Old-fashioned street lamps flickered between light and darkness, with not a single pedestrian in sight on the desolate and bleak streets.
A blurry silhouette lightly swayed under the illumination of the feeble light.
“Clack, clack, clack.” A succession of footsteps resounded. A figure clad in coarse brigandine armor wore a cross-shaped molybdenum helmet adorned with a pair of wings on his head. An object, wrapped up in dilapidated leather cloth, was tightly tied to his back.
The man, seemingly submerged in the night, had made his way forward towards his target.
At this time, the decrepit-looking South City had already sunken into deathly stillness. No matter if it was the bustling day workers, nor the wandering beggars in the streets, they were all snoring in their respective beds.