Chapter 19

Almost everyone who heard such a question understood absolutely nothing of what the old man was talking about, except for Sukasa who was remarkably shocked by this sudden questioning.

"Y-yes." - Sukasa

She didn't know if it was right to answer, but she didn't sense any malice coming from the humble old man. Besides, should he want to cause any harm to them, it would be difficult even for Hannes to stop him without serious consequences.

It was then that the old man's mouth began to retract and soon after a laugh was let out.

"Hahahahahahahahaha" - Old man as he withdrew his hand from the girl's face

"W-what's gotten into him?" - Hannes.

"Has he gone crazy?" - Eren.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't expect to feel such joy so soon." - Old Man.

"Right..." - Sukasa with a drop of her own dripping down her forehead.

"Could you guys come over to my place for some tea? Please, this old man would like to know more about your story." - Old man.

"I'm sorry, but we need to go somewhere else..." - Sukasa, a little uncomfortable.

"Oooh? Then some other time. Do you know where you're going? I know this city like the back of my hand." - Old man.

"Eeer... Actually we are completely lost." - Carla.

"We've been walking around for hours looking for this address, but we can't get anything." - Hannes as he showed the paper to the old man.

"Hmmm?!" - Old man.

As he looked more closely at the scribbles made on the paper, the old gentleman's eyes widened and his expression became one of surprise.

'It's not possible...' - Old Man.

"Your names are Sukasa and Mikasa?!" - Old man pointing to the Asian-looking girl and the girl next to him.

"Huh? How did you find out?!" - Sukasa a little startled.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA" - Old Man letting out an even bigger laugh.

*COF* *COF* *COF* *COF* - Old man coughing from having overdone it with laughter.

"Are you okay, sir?" - Carla.

"Y-yes, forgive me for my immaturity. I just didn't expect to be surprised like that." - Old Man

"So, how did you find out our names, sir?" - Mikasa, minimally suspecting something.

"It's because only young Zirken could draw something that horrible." - Old Ezir.

Meanwhile, in the midst of his attempt to get closer to Annie...

*ATCHIM* - Zirken.

'I bet that old man is talking bad about me...' - Zirken.

Back in the Trost district...

"!!" - All.

"Do you know my brother?! Do you know where he is?!" - Mikasa.

"Calm down, young girl. We can all talk leisurely at my house, we're not too far from it." - Old Ezir.

"So the arrogant fool he was talking about was this old man?" - Eren.

"Arrogant fool? Who are you talking about?" - Old Ezir.

"A hooded man was the one who ordered us to come to the house of a so-called ' Arrogant Fool' and even threatened me to bring you here immediately..." - Hannes.

'Hooded man...' - Old Ezir.

"He was arrogant?" - Old Ezir.

"Very." - Everyone.

"I see..." - Old Man.

"Do you, sir, know who he is?" - Sukasa.

"Let's talk quietly while we have tea in my humble home. Dusk is approaching and this will only bring us inconvenience, especially with two pretty girls walking together." - Old Ezir.

"Right..." - Sukasa.

Soon after, the whole group started walking towards the East side of the city. They minimally recognized the places they had passed before and so far could not guess which way was correct.

"Are you sure we should follow him so nonchalantly?" - Carla whispering to Sukasa and Hannes.

"I don't know, but for him to know our names then he probably met with my son at some point..." - Sukasa.

"True. Besides, in case he wanted to do any harm to you, he wouldn't risk bringing a soldier to your house." - Hannes.

"I think you're right..." - Carla.

The 3 children accompanying them remained silent during the entire journey. Eren and Armin were taking a closer look at the surroundings of where they were going, but Mikasa was still a bit distracted and anxious to hear from her beloved brother.

After a few more minutes of quiet walking, the group finally reached a residence of average size, but large enough to house an entire family. There were several houses nearby, however this was the one that seemed the most comfortable and safe.

"Welcome to my humble home." - Old Ezir.

Isn't this house too big? And he still calls himself humble?

Everyone quickly entered, but not before attracting the attention of the people who were passing by. It had been a while since this old man had come to this house, yet no one had ever seen any other people visit him.

"Make yourselves at home and sit -wherever you like." - Old Ezir.

Inside the place were several chairs and a large table, as if everything was prepared for a whole family to live there. Everyone quickly took a seat for themselves and waited attentively for the words of the old man with the straw hat. A short time later, he arrived with a bowl full of tea and 7 glasses to serve to his brief guests.

"So, where do we begin..." - Old Ezir.

"Where is my brother/son?" - Sukasa and Mikasa.

"Right, right, I will start there. Can you describe to me the man you met earlier?" - Old Ezir.

"He was only a little taller than the children, but his voice was that of an adult, he wore a black cloak covering his face and the rest of his body, and wielded a strange golden sword." - Hannes.

"And he was very arrogant!" - Eren.

*punch*

As soon as the boy finished his meddlesome speech, he received a strong punch to the head coming directly from none other than his mother.

*ouuunch* - Eren with both hands on his head.

"You may continue."  - Carla, the expression on her face was not of someone very happy.

"So I was right, that 'man' is probably young Zirken." - Old Ezir.

"?!?!" - Everyone.

"How?! He's the same age as the children and he couldn't jump that high or move that fast! Are you trying to fool us?!" - Sukasa getting worked up.

"That's right! Zirken didn't have that voice either!" - Mikasa

"Calm down. I can't go into it as even I have no knowledge, but I believe he was the one who found them. Would young Zirken have left something for me?" - Old Ezir.

"Yes, he told me to deliver that letter when I found him..." - Mikasa as she rummaged through her coat pocket and entered the letter to the old man.

Then the gentleman quickly opened it - " Take care of them old man! I am going to enlist to be a soldier when I turn 12, so until I graduate, take good care of them or I will beat you myself.

Zirken."

'That kid...*sigh* I guess that's why he was so insistent that I buy this house...' - Old Man.

'I will tell them what I know...Or at least as far as I can tell.' - Old Ezir.

"Well, I will tell you what I know, but before that... Did everyone bring their things?" - Old Ezir.

"??" - Everyone.