Standing in front of the gates, Hiro met a few of the guards he was acquainted with. Immediately, he was able to get their permission to enter without inspections since he was already a familiarity, but there were still a few questions they needed to ask.
[ What happened to Ced? You never leave the city without him. ] curious, a guard asks.
[ Well... a lot of things happened... ] Hiro scratches his head as he thinks of what he should say. Faking a smile, he stood quiet for a few seconds, just thinking; as he reaches a conclusion, it was just then that he decided to reply, changing the mood in the process.
[ Have you seen him? ]
Naturally, he can report what had happened to the guards and they will act to lend him their help of tracking Ced, but the situation isn't really to their concerns. Furthermore, they are also busy with their own task of guarding the gates so he couldn't bring himself to ask them, even if he was close enough with them to ask a favor. Deciding he should handle this as an adventurer, he kept them away from his affairs. He should report everything at the guild as it was their most concern.
[ Oh, so you're looking for him, huh? I was stationed here just now, I haven't really seen him yet. You should look for him at the guild. ] the guard in the middle replies. Out of all the guards that were stationed there, he has the highest position, and he was also the most familiar with Hiro. They are more of a friend than just acquaintances.
[ Is that so? It was also my plan to go and look for him at the guild. That's the only place he could possibly be at... ] Hiro murmurs to himself as he frowns. It was not his intention for the guards to see it, but it seems they are smart enough to think that there is something wrong. That's why - to Hiro's surprised...
[ Is there something wrong? ] the guard in the middle asks worriedly as he puts a hand on Hiro's shoulders. Suddenly, his facial expression turns sour as he looks at the face he thought he will never see Hiro makes.
It really does seem that the emotion that swelling up inside Hiro was obvious.
[ I thought it was odd to see you come back without Ced... I'm sure something has happened. ] the guard said worriedly, and looking at him, it seems that he was able to see through his cover.
[ Ah, right... I guess it was that obvious. ]
Just as the guard said, he never leaves the city without Ced. Many months have already passed since the two of them have came here, and he's positive that they never separated at all. He and Ced have always been together; they share the same room, the same party; they even share their income; it's almost unthinkable to see them not together - it's obvious why the guards would think that something must be going on.
So, without any other way around, he decided to reveal what had happened to the guards, only leaving the slime in his story. To his shock, the guards immediately believed him, despite the lack of evidence.
[ Tsk! I'm sorry for what happened, Hiro... Don't worry, my men will keep guard on these gates! We won't let that bastard leave! ] almost dramatic, the guard declares. Then, patting Hiro's shoulder with the hand that was already placed on it, he continued - acting like a friend he could trust.
[ Go to the guild, Hiro. If that bastard is still there, beat him up. ]
[ Guard-san... ] Hiro could only whisper his name as he gives him his unexpected support. Looking at the other guards that are together with him, they also give him a simple nod of encouragement.
[ You guys... Tsk! Thank you! I will definitely get him! ]
~~~
With a smile of confidence written on his face, Hiro leaves the guards behind his back. As he does, the guards stare at his back, looking determined as he was.
[ Boss, you really are fond of Hiro, huh? You must feel angry about what had happened to him... ]
[ Yeah... It was a really bad thing for him to experience such a betrayal from a friend... ] the two guards talk as Hiro was finally out of their visions.
[ I knew it from the start... ]
[ Knew what boss? ]
[ That Ced was not to be trusted... ]
[ Oh? Is that why you immediately believed Hiro? ] surprised, the subordinate asks, and with a smirk written on his face, the superior answered.
[ The first time I met those two was inside the city tavern... Immediately, I knew Hiro was a man among men... He knows all about women, and we both have the same tastes... ]
[ Eh? ]
[ My wife left me just then, and I wanted to drink everything away, it was then that he said to me that there are still many others out there... I was a loyal husband and I only looked at my wife... Then, he told me about the beauty of ass and boobs; thighs and cat-ears... he taught those things to me... It was like I was a boy learning from his dad. Whereas Ced... He wasn't even interested in such things... I felt that he shouldn't be trusted. ] then, with one look at the crowd inside the city, wondering the back of the young man which was Hiro, he continues...
[ From the moment I saw him like that, I knew something had happened between the two of them... I just hope that bastard Ced will get what he deserve. ]