A few minutes passed until a creaking sound resonated outside the small building. Aureus slowly walked out of the small shack, heading towards Mylo. He could see the young man barely holding back the tears that has been already shed. It was painful to see him like this. Not knowing whether to comfort him or to leave him be. He could tell that the young man was silently suffocating, his throat closing up with each breath he took. It was obvious that Aureus was holding onto his self-image as not to worry him. What kind of children, in particular, one of such young age wouldn't be saddened by the news of their parent dying.
"Do you want me to come another time? You should spend the remaining time left with your mother."
*Hick*
"N-no need…she already left."
"…We should properly send her off."
"...*Hick*,Yes. We should."
In second chronicles when an npc dies they disappear in millions of blue particles the same way player's kills monsters. That's why they don't bury the dead here. But they still do mourn them and honor them within their hearts. Some prestigious character even have sculpted or paintings of themselves for their deeds made in history. Unfortunately no such thing could be done for Aureus mother.
"May she rest in peace."
"...Have a good rest, mother."
"Let's go."
"Okay…"
Mylo didn't know what to do from there. The noble district was off access for him at the current time. How could he convince the guards to let him through. If he told them that Aureus was the bastard child of a noble, there's a high chance they wouldn't believe him or worse, accuse them of slandering a noble of false claims.
"Mister. Are you really going to bring me back to my father?"
"Look Aureus. I know that you aren't as naïve as other kids your age. You have dealt with a lot of things that a child shouldn't experience."
"…yes."
"Il be truthful with you Aureus. I will try my best to bring you to your father. But it's quite probable that he rejects you. If you have to cry, you should do it now rather than in front of him. Based on what I heard from your mother, rest her soul. He would have extreme pleasure seeing you shriek in pain. it's better to tell you the most likely fact, then crush your expectation when the time comes. Do you understand?"
"Don't worry mister. I know that only a villain would abandon its family without any shame."
"It's too early to judge him. But we still need to be cautious."
"Yes."
Mylo knew he had only one option to choose from. Efferus was his only hope, he was known as the beast hunter within Valsea. His connections where good enough to get a personal assignment from the king himself, what kind of noble would refuse a request from such individual.
"Let's go."
"Where are we going?"
"Will go meet a friend of mine."
"O-okay."
Mylo left towards to the training ground, the location where he last saw Efferus. Unfortunetly for him, he was nowhere to be find. He then went to the only place he could inquire his whereabouts, 'The Sweet Court' Inn.
As he opened the door and analyzed his surroundings, Mylo could see Efferus drinking alone in the bar. As he walked towards his friend, the small child gripped his hand tightly. 'He must be scared. His much more timid that he shows.' Mylo thought. He could hear Efferus whispering something to himself "Ha…Idece why aren't you back yet."
'idece? Who is that? It's the first time I heard Efferus mention that name.'
Mylo slowly walked towards him and touched his shoulder. Efferus turned his head, looking straight at the familiar face. His anxious expression quickly changed to a more joyous one.
"Oh! If it isn't Cosmo, what brings you here?"
"Hello Efferus,I actually came searching for you."
"That's surprising, what do you need from me?"
"Would you mind if we join you? It may take a few minutes to properly explain my current situation."
"We?"
"Aureus, stop hiding behind me and introduce yourself"
"O-okay. Hello, my name is Aureus."
"…."
Mylo didn't understand what was going on. Efferus was looking deeply and with shock toward Aureus, without saying any words.
"…"
"Mister, this old man is scaring me."
"Efferus? is everything alright?"
"…"
"Efferus?"
"O-oh… sorry. This little man surprised me. He looks exactly like…"
"…like who?"
"…My son, when he was his age."
"You have a son?"
"Yes… his name is Idece."
Mylo then remembered the name Efferus mentioned a few seconds ago.
"That's surprising. You should introduce him to me one of these days. "
"Idece left home a while back… he was assigned a special hunting request."
"Seems like his trying to follow your footsteps, hahaha. How long has it been since he left? A week or two?"
"It's been half a year…"
"Half a year!"
Mylo now understood Efferus mood. Six months is a long time just to hunt something. Usually when a hunter left for such a long time, they were most likely considered dead.
"…did you try locating him?"
"I can't…"
"Why?"
"I made a promise to my son. I signed a binding contract with him."
"A binding contract?"
"Yes. As the name imply, it binds my actions. The moment I try to act in a way that defies the purpose of the contract, my body would forcefully redirect me back home."
"Why would you sign such a thing?"
"This was Idece biggest hunt. He was supposed to succeed me and take my place but he didn't feel worthy of such position. He said, "The position of the best hunter in Valsea should be taken by someone worthy. My current self is yet reputable enough of such honor, father." I still regret, to this day… I shouldn't have signed that damn contract. But he… he would never have forgiven me if I refused to do it, his pride wouldn't allow it."
"I see…"
"Don't worry old man. I'm sure his still out there making you proud."
"…Thanks kid. I think you're right, my son wouldn't die so easily."
"…"
"Now! Cosmo, please sit down and tell me why you're here."
"If you'll excuse me then. Come Aureus, sit next to me."
"Yes!"
"Actually Efferus. I need your help with something…"
***