Chapter 54

Lennix and Mari looked around with the excitement of children as they entered Treasurehold, although Mari actually was a child, while Lennix didn't have any excuse for his behavior, (But its cute kinda though)1. "Master Lennix, could you at least attempt to act your age?" asked Clarissa in her usual emotionless tone. Lennix smirked as he turned around. "You don't seem to get it, Clarissa. If I were to act my age, I would be dead," he quipped.

Clarissa put her hand to her chin, seemingly contemplating the idea. "Maybe that would be better," she mused. Lennix looked at her in shock and exclaimed, "So cruel!"

The black knight stowed his coin pouch in his shadow and approached them with a sigh. "I told you to keep a low profile, and this is what you do after we get in?" he chided. Lennix scratched the back of his head sheepishly and let out an embarrassed chuckle.

Meanwhile, Mari bounded up to the black knight with excitement in her voice and stars in her eyes. "Can we explore this place, please?" she asked eagerly, her enthusiasm infectious.

"Sure, we can, Mari!" replied Lennix enthusiastically, but the black knight turned to him with a confused expression under his helmet. "Huh?" he muttered before adding, "She asked me, not you, man."

Lennix shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "I mean, we just need permission from an adult, right? And I am an adult, so there," he said with a grin, trying to justify his excitement.

"The fact that you include yourself in the need for permission is pathetic," remarked, unexpectedly, Karin, who had been released from her bonds to avoid drawing attention.

"Who gave you permission to talk?" asked Clarissa as she loomed over Karin, who shrank under her gaze and looked away from the group.

"We didn't come here to have fun; we're here to just get him to the Adventurers Guild and leave," the black knight interjected, gesturing toward Elanor, who stood nearby, also feeling a bit excited about being in such a big city, though less visibly than Mari and Lennix.

"You can go do that while Mari and Uncle Lennix go explore the city," suggested Lennix as he grabbed Mari's hand. The black knight crossed his arms and glanced at them skeptically. "The two of you? Without a guardian?"

Lennix looked offended, but before he could retort, Mari chimed in confidently, "Don't worry, I'll make sure to keep us out of trouble!" Lennix gaped at her in surprise, prompting the black knight to lean in and whisper, "Close your mouth, man. Someone might see your fangs." Startled, Lennix quickly covered his mouth and glanced around nervously, looking quite suspicious.

Seeing this, the black knight massaged the part of his helmet where his temples would be. "I trust Mari, but I don't trust you to behave whatsoever," he stated matter-of-factly. Lennix shot him an annoyed look. "Don't talk to me as if I'm a child. I'm older than you!" he exclaimed, to which the black knight sighed in exasperation. "First of all, you don't get to play the age card. Second of all, stop mentioning your age out loud," he said wearily as Lennix once again covered his mouth with his hand.

"Come on, mate, it's not like we get to go to big cities like this often," said Lennix with a tinge of sadness in his tone.

"You're talking like we've been traveling together for years or something, when it's literally been like a day," remarked the black knight, causing Lennix to slump his shoulders.

"Does that mean we can't go explore?" asked Mari, looking up at the black knight with sad puppy dog eyes. He felt a pang of guilt but tried to resist her gaze. However, as Mari continued to give him the look and he kept staring at her, he eventually sighed and relented.

"Fine, you two can go explore, but only until I've finished helping Elanor with the guild," the black knight conceded. Lennix and Mari exchanged excited smiles and high-fived each other while the black knight shook his head in amusement.

Turning to Clarissa and Karin, he asked, "What about you? What will you do?" Clarissa glanced at Karin before turning back to the black knight. "I'll wait in the city center with her while you all finish your business," she replied calmly.

The black knight took a quick glance at Lennix and Mari. "I don't think you can call what they're going to do business," he remarked dryly before addressing Clarissa again. "But whatever, we'll all meet at the city center after about an hour, let's say."

He then turned to Mari and Lennix once more. "You guys okay with that?" Both of them gave him a thumbs up in agreement. Elanor, who hadn't spoken up until now, interjected, "Will an hour be enough?"

The black knight shrugged, replying, "It should be."

Elanor nodded in agreement and walked up beside the black knight, ready to accompany him to the guild headquarters. Meanwhile, Lennix turned to Mari with a grin. "Yay, we're going to get to explore this place! Isn't this exciting?" he exclaimed.

Mari enthusiastically nodded. "Mmm, I am!" she exclaimed, brimming with excitement as they prepared to start exploring the city.

On the other hand, Clarissa held Karin firmly by the shoulder, her voice devoid of emotion as she whispered in Karin's ear, "Don't make any sudden movements. Do not talk unless I allow it. Do not do anything suspicious, or I'll kill you where you stand."

Karin nodded slowly out of fear, silently questioning to herself, *How am I even supposed to do that last part?*

The black knight nodded to Elanor, and they both began to walk towards the guild headquarters. Before they departed, the black knight turned back to Lennix and Mari, reminding them, "Remember, be at the city center after an hour."

Lennix rolled his eyes in response. "We will. Stop acting like my big sister," he retorted.

The black knight sighed, knowing that was the best response he would get. After giving the group one last look, they all set out in different directions: Mari and Lennix ready to explore the big city, the black knight and Elanor heading to the guild for assistance, and Clarissa and Karin waiting for the rest at the city center.