Before returning(1)

But Ethan's attention wasn't on him, but on the other guards.

"What can you tell about him?"

But his words didn't ease Ash's fear.

The guards looked at each other, and one of them stepped forward.

"I can tell that Sergeant Ash is a good person and guard. He is friendly with citizens but deals with criminals without any hesitation. And he always did his job properly and thoughtfully."

"I see. Thank you for your information."

'So he's a good person, but his siblings are criminals. Haa, like I care. This isn't my body, but I need to behave like this kid. And I already failed to do so when I calmly dealt with the robbery attempt. Luckily, the only ones who saw it were a bunch of little kids and that man. And who will listen to what criminals and little kids say? It's even better that the guard brother came on his own, and I know how to deal with this situation perfectly, like a kind and friendly boy.'

'Ethan' looked at Ash.

"Enough with that, mister Ash. You can stand up."

He said it kindly. Ash stood up hesitantly.

"Thank you, sir. But what about my siblings?"

Ash asked about people for whom he was most worried.

"No need to worry; they weren't able to do anything bad for me, so it will be fine if you just talked with them and told them that robbing others is a bad thing. After all, as the guard, you should know about criminals fate."

Ash was moved to tears by such a kind gesture.

"Thank you for your kindness, sir."

He bowed deeply.

"And also."

'Ethan' took out ten silver coins and moved his hand with them to Ash.

"Thank you for your hard work protecting all Anselm City citizens."

Ash looked at the silver coins that were gleaming in the sunlight, then at 'Ethan,' who was smiling.

"Sorry, sir, I can't accept them. You already showed so much kindness for a useless man who can't even educate his own siblings."

He bowed again.

"It sounded like you don't have parents."

"Yes, sir. They were gone two years ago, so it's only me and my siblings in the family."

"Then there's more reason for you to take this money. I doubt that you get enough money for three people with your salary."

"It's enough for us, sir."

'Ethan' looked directly into his eyes.

"You are lying, mister Ash. If there was enough money, they wouldn't try robbery."

Ash flinched.

"I understand that you, an honest man, might think that you didn't deserve this money, but think about your siblings."

Ash started to hesitate.

'So stubborn, but I like it.'

"And if you feel obligated, why don't you become my personal guard?"

Ash, like other people around him, was shocked by such a proposal and started to stutter.

"I-I cant!"

"Why? You are honest and thoughtful, and judging by your young age and rank, you have talent. I would be at ease if such a person were my guard. Of course, there is no need to decide it right now; I can wait, and I need to talk about it with my uncle. So take this money as your advance payment. I don't mind if you keep them even if you refuse my offer."

'Ethan' took Ash's hand and placed the money so Ash wasn't able not to take them.

"Thank you, sir."

"Good."

After that, 'Ethan' went to other guards and tried to give them some money. Of course, they tried to refuse at first, but when Pablo said that refusing was an offense to the Anselm family's kindness, they took the money.

'Even such imbecile can be useful sometimes.'

"Also, please don't tell others about what happened here. After all, I don't want to worry my uncle."

"We understand."

"Good."

'Ethan' turned towards his appointed guard and Leta.

"We should return."

"Yes, young master."

'Ethan' started to walk, and two people followed after him. The guards saluted and went to search for Brick.

On the way, 'Ethan' stopped for a moment, and his calm face turned dumbfounded.

[Move towards the carriage calmly. We talk later.]

"Is something wrong, young master?"

Asked Leta, and Ethan, who wasn't expecting that someone was following after him, jumped at surprise and turned towards two people with a shocked expression.

Leta rushed to him immediately.

"Are you really alright, young master?"

She asked worriedly.

[Repeat after me. I just saw a spider and was scared.]

"Um, I just saw a spider and was scared."

Ethan repeated it stiffly.

His reaction was so much different from how calm he was some moments ago, but Leta finds it cute.

"I think spider was more scared than you, young master, so no need to be afraid."

"Um, okay. I'm sorry for worrying you."

"It's fine, young master."

They resumed walking, and Ethan overheard the conversation between Pablo and Leta.

"I won't tell anyone about what happened earlier, as the young master wishes."

"Thank you, and I'm sorry for what happened earlier."

"Hmph."

There weren't any other conversations on the way to the carriage.

When they reached their destination, the old coachman was already waiting.

"I heard gunshot. Is everething alrit?"

"Yes, everything is fine."

Replied Pablo.

"Then should we return?"

"I'm sorry, but can you wait for a little bit? I forgot to buy some things. Of course, if the young master wishes to return immediately, I have no choice."

Ethan looked at Leta.

"Um, I can wait. So you should go and buy what you weren't able to buy."

"Then I execute everything perfectly, so please wait for a little bit, young master."

The words that she used were somewhat strange, but Ethan was tired because he wasn't able to sleep well at night and because of what happened earlier.

"Um, okay."

And went inside the carriage. He was able to see Leta returning to the market from the carriage's small window.

[Um, teacher, can you tell me about what happened earlier?]

[About how you left me to solve your problems?]

[Um, sorry. I just panicked.]

[Yeah, I saw it.]

[Are you not angry?]

[Oh, I'm angry.]

[Sorry!]

[But I can't blame you. After all, it was your first time in such a situation, so it's understandable that you panicked.]

Ethan's guilty mind was put at ease with his teacher's words.

[You need to learn how to fight. Though it won't help you from being afraid, at least it should help you to be more confident in your power, so you can have some clarity of mind in such situations. After all, the only way to be calm in such situations is to go through them yourself.]

[Um, okay. I'll talk with my uncle about it later.]

[Good.]

[Um, so can you tell me about what happened?]

[No.]

It was unexpected.

[Um, why?]

[Earlier, you were able to see my memory from the past. And I want to check if you are able to recall what happened yourself. After all, it happened not long ago, and I was using your body. So focus and try to recall.]

[Um, okay.]

Ethan closed his eyes and tried to remember what happened.

Memories about how he was running after a young girl and was blocked by a bunch of little kids started to come to his mind, but after that, there was a lapse and memories about him returning to the carriage.

Ethan wanted to give up, but if he did it without trying to remember what happened in that memory lapse, his teacher might scold him, so he focused even more.

'How should I recall it? I know about my teacher's personality, so he should be calm in that situation. And I clearly remember that burly kid. So maybe if I behave like my teacher and try to predict what happens next, something will happen?'

Ethan took some deep breaths to calm himself.

'I'm calm now. If I remember correctly, there were a bunch of little kids and one burly one. I panicked only because of that burly kid. He was higher and wider than me, so I thought that he was stronger than me. But now, when I think about it calmly, he is the only one who might be dangerous to me. So he might be one who can fight.'

And memory about how that burly kid, at first walking, but after that, started to run and pushed his fist towards Ethan's head, came. With this, the dam blocking his memories was destroyed, and other memories about what happened started to flow inside his mind.