"At least, explain why you called me at the time like this," while cracking his neck bone. "Besides, I'm on paid leave for work right now. Just give me a few minutes to rest!" I said annoyed.
"This is private talk regarding the person you brought. Not long, just a few minutes, brat!" he replied while looking around.
(Strange! This Old man didn't usually behave like this!) I thought suspiciously.
Realizing what he said, I sighed and said,
"Okay!" I replied while looking around. "We'll talk at the front!"
In the end, we moved to the selling space. Since there aren't customers who have come yet, both Mr. Schmidt and me, often used it as a place to talk.
After adjusting my sitting position, I immediately said,
"You previously mentioned about the person I brought," I said while yawning. "What's the matter, Old man?"
Mr. Schmidt replied,
"That person... who attempted to kill you several times before, right?"
Hearing his words...
(This Old man has high intuition too?!! Well, even though I wanted to keep it a secret from him first...!) I thought with a feeling of surprise.
Aware of the current state I have, I finally admitted it,
"Huh... you've sharp intuition, Old man!" I replied while looking at him. "So, what would you say if you already knew the answer?"
Mr. Schmidt immediately headed over to one of the weapons on display. After he held one of the swords, he straight attacked toward my neck...
*Swoosh!*
My sensitivity felt his attack. Seeing the attack he launched, I immediately took one of the daggers on display. While turning the hilt of the dagger, I made the edge of the dagger turn out to block his attack...
*Tang!* *Schrrt!*
There were sparks of fire that occurred due to the clash of iron between our weapons. However, because the power possessed by Mr. Schmidt was big-deal, it pushed me several meters.
After being able to block his attack, I whistled while saying,
"What's this? You're started to apply the proverb, 'Stab your friend before he stabs you behind', huh?" I said in a sarcastic tone. "Unbelievable!"
"It should've been me to say that, you bastard!" He said angrily.
Attack after attack launched by Mr. Schmidt. In fact, I was mostly on the defensive form while parrying and blocking his attacks...
*Swoosh!* *Tang!* *Schrrt!*
(This Old-jerk-man really wanted to kill me, huh?!) I thought angrily.
Even though I could guess the pattern of his attack, because of his power, it made me almost overwhelmed to parry until blocked every single of his attacks. From the different side, Mr. Schmidt said,
"It turns out that someone like you brought the danger into my place. I'm disappointed in you, brat!"
While parrying his sword attack, I replied,
"Let me talk first, you Old bastard!" I was angered at him. "You've overthought too much like a dipshit! Stop for a while, will ya?!"
"Shut your rotten mouth!" While swinging the weapon.
In the end, several parts of the shop were hit by his attacks. In fact, I was cornered to the edge of the store entrance...
(At this rate, I'm going to die! I must stop this grumpy bastard!) I thought as I searched for a way.
However, when I tried to parry off his attack, I heard someone opening the shop door. When I glanced at that person, that person was Emilia. She said,
"Father! I brought several foods—!"
Emilia appeared at the moment when Mr. Schmidt tried to point his sword downwards. Straight towards her.
Reflexively seeing that scene, I immediately protected Emilia. However...
*Slash!* *Thud!*
"Urggh!" My reaction while holding back the pain in the head.
I fell while protecting Emilia. My head hit the wall of the shop from rushing towards Emilia. Luckily, Emilia was survived from Mr. Schmidt's attack.
"Big brother Nagao, are you alright—!" before she finished speaking, Emilia displayed a shocked expression.
"Take it easy—urggh!" I replied while wincing in pain.
I felt an excruciating sensation in the area around my right eye. Not only that, there was a liquid that interfered with my vision when I looked at Emilia. While hugging Emilia tightly, I said,
"Did you feel hurt... Emilia?"
Emilia burst into tears immediately. While gripping my clothes tightly, she said,
"Big brother! Your right eyes...!"
On the other hand, I saw Mr. Schmidt unresponsive in a sitting position. However, because of the pain on my face, I couldn't see him clearly. However, I heard a slap...
*Smack!*
Instantly, the slap was followed by a voice that was familiar to me,
"Did you satisfy with your reckless behavior, you stupid shit?!" Said that person with an angered tone. "You—!"
Because of the unbearable pain, I could only wince in pain and didn't care about what was happening around me.
***
After all that had happened, Nagao was treated by Emilia and Adolph. It could be seen that Nagao winced several times in pain due to the injuries he received. Luckily, Mr. Schmidt's attack didn't damage his right eyeball so Nagao could still see like a normal person in general. Despite receiving treatment, Nagao's right eye area had to be closed for the effectiveness of healing his wound. As for the impact on his head, Nagao only experienced a lump that didn't cause a serious impact.
Time passed quickly. It doesn't feel like nighttime has come. In this situation, Nagao, Adolph, and Mr. Schmidt gathered in one place. Except for Emilia, they all came together to clear matters that had led to misunderstandings.
They're all silent. Silent without a sound at all as if they were struggling with their own thoughts. Only the sound of the clock could be heard at this time.
After some time of silence, Nagao began to speak,
"Couldn't believe it about what happened earlier!" while taking a deep breath. "By the way, could you think clearly right now, Old man?"
Mr. Schmidt was silent and nodded as if confirming what Nagao had said earlier. However, he started to say,
"Honestly, this isn't enough for what has happened before. However," while lowering his head. "As regret for what has happened, please accept this apology!"
Both Nagao and Adolph just silently looked at each other. After a while, Nagao replied,
"It's good that you understood what you did earlier is wrong, Old man!" while sighing.
Mr. Schmidt immediately raised his head and said again,
"But," while looking at Adolph. "For this matter, it's unacceptable. No, rather, why? Why did you bring the assassin who tried to kill you here... at this place? She'll only bring bad consequences, including threatening the safety of my child!" He said in a firm tone.
Nagao was aware of this and so was Adolph. Nagao understood the consequences of what he would receive beforehand. After a moment of silence in thought, Nagao replied,
"Did you remember where you made that "selfish" wish before?"
As if understanding what Nagao said, Mr. Schmidt replied,
"Sure. But, what does that relate to that, then?"
After finished hearing Mr. Schmidt's words, Nagao replied,
"You know," while looking at Mr. Schmidt. "Sometimes, there are times when you need someone's help. It's just like you did that "selfish" request before. All humans did the same. Based on that, I'm looking for acquaintances according to my criteria. Someone who could protect your back from behind!" He said in an assertive tone.
Mr. Schmidt was silent for a moment after hearing Nagao's words. Immediately, he replied,
"The basic reasons you gave are very precise and understandable," while staring at Adolph for a few seconds. "However, why her? Wouldn't it be a kind of boomerang effect for you if she did something unexpected and dangerous? She's even just like a backstabber or hypocrite person who can sell your head for money! In fact, there are still many other people you could rely on. So, in short, why? Why did you choose her?" asked Mr. Schmidt in a firm tone.
As if getting several negative reactions from Mr. Schmidt, Adolph said in an irritated tone,
"You underestimate—!"
Before she finished speaking, Nagao stopped her words with a hand signal as he said,
"Take it to ease. You just needed to trust me!" He said in an assertive tone while smiling.
Seeing this reaction, Adolph returned to silence. After Adolph could calm down herself, Nagao paused for a moment as if thinking of some reason in his mind. After a while, he gave his reasons,
"First, as an assassin, she has a lot of ability in knowing where the enemy is. This was proven when we were chased by several enemies and we managed to escape from them. Second, she has great adaptability even with new people. Suitable as an informant. Third," he paused for a moment as if remembering what he wanted to say. "Third is the mentality that she has. Someone who lives in a harsh environment understood the importance of a return favor. Based on that, that are several reasons to choose her!" Nagao said in an assertive tone. "And I'm sure he'll suit to work with you, Old man!" Continued Nagao while persuading Mr. Schmidt.
Mr. Schmidt was silent for a moment after hearing Nagao's several reasons. After several moments of thought, Mr. Schmidt replied,
"All right! Your suggestion is accepted!"
Both Nagao and Adolph looked at each other with their own feelings. However, Mr. Schmidt said again,
"However, there's one condition she must fulfill!"
"Condition? What did condition she must fulfill, Old man??" Nagao said curiously.
"She must fight against me first!" Mr. Schmidt Answered in a firm tone.