The blacksmith stepped into the item shop, casually inspecting the goods on display as if he were genuinely interested in making a purchase. Strangely, no one came to greet him.
He walked up to the counter, assuming his footsteps would alert the shopkeeper. Still, no one appeared from behind the beaded curtain that hung in the doorway.
"—Welcome to our business, sir!"
William jumped as a small head popped up from behind the counter.
"Geez, kid!" he exclaimed, clutching his chest. "You almost gave me a heart attack!"
The boy sighed in relief. "Good! That would've been bad for the shop. Papa would be really troubled if that happened."
William gave him a wry smile. "Already looking after the family business, huh? If I were you, I'd be brushing up on child labor laws."
The boy tilted his head. "What's that?"
With a mischievous grin, William said, "Ask your father. I'm sure he'll love that question."
He was in Paul's shop. William had never stepped foot inside before, even though Paul had gone to ridiculous lengths to promote it—sometimes toeing the line with the merchant guild's rules. William figured a visit was long overdue, more out of respect for Paul's hustle than anything else.
—It's definitely not because I was worried about him or anything…
He glanced around again. Still no sign of the man himself.
"Speaking of him… is the head of the house around?"
The kid nodded. "Yep! I'll go get him. Please wait here." Then, raising his voice, "Papa! There's someone asking for you!"
The boy scurried off through the curtain. Moments later, Paul emerged, being pulled along by his son.
"What is it, Tommy? I already told you—no refunds. This is a legitimate business."
"There's nothing legitimate about that," William muttered.
Paul shot him a glance and immediately looked unimpressed. "Oh. It's you."
"Nice to see you too, Paul."
Arms crossed, Paul sighed. "Did you come here to buy something? If so, make it quick—you're blocking the flow of my shop."
"You don't have any other customers right now. Can't spare a few minutes to talk to an old friend?"
"I don't recall being friends."
"Ouch. So cold. Tommy, don't grow up mimicking your dad's attitude. Your face is way too adorable for that."
"Alright, sir."
"Call me 'big bro.'"
"Stop talking to my kid if you're going to fill his head with nonsense!"
William couldn't help smirking. Paul's flaring nostrils and twitching eye were oddly comforting. It meant he was still the same old Paul.
"C'mon," William said. "Can't we just talk for a minute?"
Paul sighed again. "If it'll get you out faster." He lifted the countertop and gestured with his head. "Come on, back here. Before disappearing behind the curtain, Paul turned to his son. "Tommy, you're in charge."
The boy saluted. "Got it, Papa!"
"Is it okay to leave him alone like that?" William asked.
"He can run this place better than you, Jaeger."
"That's not what I—never mind."
"Keep moving."
They walked down a short hallway to a door on the right. Paul opened it quietly. The room looked like a private study, cozy enough to serve as a guest area.
Paul motioned to a chair, "Take a seat." and he sat as well . "You wanted to talk. So talk. What do you want, Jaeger?"
William scratched the back of his head, hesitant. "Look, it's kind of embarrassing to say this... but I was worried about you."
Paul blinked.
"You vanished from your usual spot. No signs of life. I thought something happened—maybe even that you were dead."
Paul chuckled. "Please. It'll take more than that to kill me. I'm not going down that easily."
"I saw those merchant guild guys hanging around. They looked like bad news."
"The three stooges? Please. They couldn't scheme their way out of a bakery."
"Then why'd you disappear?"
Before Paul could answer, a soft knock came at the door.
"Who was at the shop, dear?" a woman asked, stepping halfway in.
She paused when she saw William.
"Oh—sorry! I didn't realize you had company…"
"It's fine, honey. Just this guy."
William frowned. "You say that like I'm some vagabond."
"Did you need something?" Paul asked her, ignoring the jab.
"I was coming to let you know her fever's gone down. She still needs rest, though."
Paul stood quickly. "That's good to hear. I'll bring her a wet towel, just in case. Entertain our guest for a bit, will you?"
"I-I'll try."
"You sure you're okay?"
She nodded. "Yes. Go. I'll look after him."
Paul smiled—a rare sight for William—and left the room. His wife turned to their guest, looking slightly nervous.
William stood and gave a polite bow. "Sorry for intruding."
"Not at all," she said with a kind smile. "Actually, I'm glad we have a visitor. I just... tend to be a little awkward at first." She bowed gently in return. "My name is Gloria Smith. It's nice to see you again, William Jaeger."
"You... know me?"
She nodded. "You're fairly well-known around here. But I also remember you from when you were at the main house. I've always wanted a chance to speak with you."
"I've heard about you from Paul. It's a pleasure to meet you properly. I don't recall seeing you at the estate, but... then again, I didn't see many people."
"That's true," she said softly. "I wish I could've done something about that."
William looked at her with a touch of surprise. "It wasn't something you could change. But... thank you."
"Even so... that doesn't mean I don't regret it."
"Hm?"
From the hallway, a small voice called out.
"Papa? Are you there?"
"Yes, baby. I'm here."
William glanced through the cracked door and saw Paul kneeling beside a bed, placing a cool towel on a young girl's forehead. She looked frail, still fighting off exhaustion.
Her voice was weak, barely above a whisper.
"You won't leave me again… will you?"
Paul leaned closer, his voice soft.
"No, honey. I'll stay. For as long as you need me."
Gloria watched her husband through the doorway with a somber expression. Quietly, she poured a drink—ice clinking in the glass as she added a splash of liquor. She handed it to William, who accepted it with a polite nod and sank back into his seat.
"She's been like that for a while now," Gloria said softly. "Her fever got worse recently. That's when Paul finally came back."
"I see," William murmured. "He was so determined to squeeze every coin out of his time at the stalls, too."
"Oh, he did," she replied, managing a small smile. "He earned more than we've seen in years. We're well past 'filthy rich' now."
William chuckled. "Way to rub it in, ma'am."
Gloria settled into the chair across from him. "Paul's insatiable—not for money, but for progress. It's like he's always trying to prove something, even when he's already proven it a hundred times over."
"I'm sorry to ask… but was this—coming home—a setback for him?"
She shook her head. "Not at all. Having kids changed everything. He'd let go of any dream if it meant being there for them. That's why he's here now."
"That's good," William said quietly. "They're lucky to have him around."
"William…" Gloria hesitated, her tone suddenly more serious.
Her eyes dropped to the floor, filled with something between regret and guilt. William noticed but didn't know how to respond. She seemed afraid to even meet his gaze.
Before either could say more, the door creaked open again.
"I'm back," Paul announced. "Thanks for entertaining our guest, dear—if we can even call him that."
"Of course I'm a guest! What else would I be?"
"I don't know. A house invader?"
Gloria laughed softly and stood. "It was no trouble." She gave William a graceful bow. "It was nice seeing you again. I hope we'll have more time to talk soon."
William stood and returned the bow. "Likewise, Ms. Smith."
She smiled, waved gently, and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Paul glanced at William's glass. "Looks like she already served you. Let me grab one for myself."
He poured a drink and sat across from William with a relaxed grunt.
"She's a wonderful woman," William said, smirking. "Can't believe she married you. Then again, opposites attract."
Paul scoffed. "It's more than that, but it's none of your business. Now, why are you really here?"
William blinked. "What? I told you—I came to check on you."
"I'm sure you did. But when it comes to Jaegers, there's always something else."
William's expression tightened. "Don't lump me in with them."
"I'll be the judge of that," Paul said, swirling the drink in his glass. "You Jaegers all carry the same air."
"I don't want your friendship to get something from you."
"Doesn't matter if you do or don't," Paul replied. "If you're here, it means I have value to you. That's not the problem. It's why you're asking for what I have."
"I'm not like them. I'm not that cruel."
"You're not. In fact, that's what makes you different—you're too nice."
—Says the man with a soft spot for children, William thought.
He swallowed hard. He hated being compared to his family. Especially now, with everything he'd recently learned. It left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Still, he pressed on. "Maybe you can help. I've been offered a request. It's not a smithing job. It's more like… being cargo."
Paul raised an eyebrow. "Cargo? In what world are you the cargo?"
"In this one, apparently," William said dryly. "I'm being taken out of the forest, all the way to the eastern edge of the country."
Paul frowned. "The east? There's nothing out there."
"That's what I thought, too. But my great-grandfather's letter says otherwise. Have you heard of the Temple of Oram?"
"The urban legend? Who hasn't?"
"It's real. That's where I'm headed."
The butler hadn't revealed the temple's location, likely out of caution. But the letter from Ludas Jaeger had spelled out the conditions clearly, including how to gain entry.
"So," Paul said, "you're going?"
"Probably. I wanted to ask if you've ever heard the name Pagida Spathi."
Paul shook his head. "Never heard of it."
It didn't surprise William. Even though Paul had done business with the Jaegers for years, the family was known for guarding their secrets like gold. Apparently, even allies were kept in the dark.
"Hm. I figured as much."
"But I do know this," Paul said, his tone sharpening. "Whether you take this request or not, do the job and walk away. Stay away from your family's history. It's nothing but bloody business."
William nodded slowly. "Believe me… I know that better than anyone."
He didn't need to know the specifics of their past dealings. Their treatment of him had always said enough.
—That's why I live here. Not there…
He stood. "Thanks for the advice. I should get going. I've got a kid waiting at home." He chuckled. "Wow. That felt weird to say."
"The devil kid?" Paul smirked. "How's he doing?"
—Funny. He calls you 'the devil,' too.
"He's doing fine. I've been teaching him some smithing techniques. Who knows? Maybe he'll be my successor someday."
"Good. If you set him on the right path, he might get treated better by the world—just like you wanted. Even if it's unclear, you're the one guiding him now."
William narrowed his eyes. "That sounded more like an insult than a compliment."
"It's both."
Paul stood. "Alright, let me walk you out."
The two made their way back to the shop. Tommy sat on the floor playing with some toys—clearly why William hadn't seen him at first.
"Bye, Tommy."
"You're leaving already?"
"Yeah, but don't worry. Big Bro will be back in a few weeks. Wait for me, okay?"
"Okay! Bye bye!"
Paul turned to William. "One last thing."
"What is it?"
"Tonight. That guild visitor I mentioned? They're arriving tonight at the main building."
William raised an eyebrow. "What a way to slip in a deadline, Paul."
"You were my grey area, remember? Not like you were planning to go anyway. Especially now."
William chuckled. "Yeah. I'll see you later, Paul."
"See ya…"
As William stepped through the doorway, Paul watched him go, conflicted.
He wasn't sure if withholding what he knew had been the right choice. But this wasn't the old world anymore. He had a family now. Sometimes, pretending to know less was the only way to protect what mattered.
"Hey, Papa?"
"Yeah, kid?"
"What's a child labor law?"
"…Huh?!"