When the jar is empty and the lively place has died out, Alastor swallowed the last of the booze. He stole a glance to her glass. He decided to guzzled her booze. Now that she’s mentioned in his mind, Caroline’s asleep like a log for some time now. Alastor felt a creepy sense lingering somewhere in his back, around 8 o’clock, he shrugged their gaze and proceeded on checking up on her.

Alastor who’s barely feel anything at all from the booze swipe her arms around his neck and piggyback her. With her efforts exerts during the fight, she deserves at least a break and a booze on her stomach.

They proceeded and smoothly jostled through the crowds until they took a wide turn where the clamor of the bustling crowds had slowly died in his ears.

The creeping eyes had reached his sense again.

“Whoever they are, their lustful eyes are creeping in to me. They’re quite bold to assume that I never notice it. Now, what kind of approach will they use against me?” Alastor asked himself in his thoughts.

He can tell from his behind, that there were three people who’s following him. It was rushed and huge gait. Finally, a tall, muscular man appeared and blocked his way then it was followed by another two.

“Well, well. Looks who’s going to have a good time tonight?”

All of them had an awful similar face. Alastor couldn’t tell if they’re triplets since they have different tones of skins.

“Young man, where are you taking that beautiful girl right there?”

They didn’t bother to hide their lustrous eyes and their overstretching smiles.

“Haha. It seems that you’re going to do something bad at her. As gentlemen, we cannot allow you to take that innocent young-looking girl alone.”

So, that’s your motif, huh. Alastor declared in his thought.

“I appreciate your concern but this lady is a friend of mine. So, please, don’t let this stop you lot on your way. If you excuse me.”

Alastor was about to turn the other direction but one of the ugly looking thugs had blocked his way.

“But still, there is no reassurance for us that she’s your friend, so it is better for you to give her to us so we can take care of her.”

This time the thugs already made their objective clear. They had thought that with their intimidating bodies they can scare Alastor.

“No.” Alastor replied with a cold voice. “I know where’s this going.”

Alastor reached his sword with his right hand.

“If I, were you, I won’t do that. This town forbids the use of weapons, including those who are travellers and adventurers.”

“Is that so?”

Alastor withdrew his right hand from the sword.

“So, you see, it’s useless. Give the girl to us now!”

The thug was about to reach Caroline, but he met Alastor’s hand. There was a crack of bones that reverberates to his senses. He looks at his fingers, 3 of it was utterly crushed.

“What did you do?!!” The thug screamed in agony as his fingers laid lifelessly.

The others came after him. Alastor could only fight with only his right hand while the other was supporting Caroline.

Alastor evaded their attacks easily. His fist swoop in to the thug’s throat, the man stumbled back, bearing his throat, while the other guy successfully took a hold of Alastor’s shoulder.

“Now I got you!” He declared.

Alastor’s knees quickly elevated, hitting his chin. He stunned and when he tried to punched Alastor two fingers pin his eyes.

“That’s dirty brat!”

“There’s three of you and I’m only one with a girl sleeping on my back. It’s not quite right ganged up an armless person, don’t you think?”

The thug was about to pull out his dagger but he was threatened by Alastor.

“If you draw out your weapons, then I would be forcefully use mine too. You said it by yourself that using weapons here in town are illegal, but then again, if I kill you all then there would be no one to stand accuse at court.”

“Why you-?!”

The thugs gritted their teeth.

“If I, were you, I would back-off. If I can man handle you with a single hand while there’s a girl in my back, what makes you think you can take me down if I use both?”

“Let’s scram for now, boys.” The man hisses.

The three had left with such horror in their eyes. This unfortunate event will remind them not to provoke any more.

It was 9 in the evening when they came. Mr. Funny Man was walking back and forth, he’s face is worried of what might happen to those two. Ken, on the other hand, appeared to be injured and had to use bandage on his arm. Linda was around the corner reading books while enjoying her cake.

“Mr. Funny Man, calm down. They’ll be fine.” Linda had said it earlier.

He ignored her words and tried to find them earlier but Ken’s condition required his attention.

When he heard the door swing, he immediately took off and greeted them at the door. His eyes quickly caught Caroline.

“Princess!” Mr. Funny Man rushed at their side. “What happened--?”

When he got closed, his nose caught a strange and familiar smell.

“Is she drunk?”

Alastor couldn’t look at him with ease. Mr. Funny Man’s dead stare eyes creeped Alastor’s senses. A long, almost like a howl of hummed came under his breath. Alastor froze at that moment, his legs were stuck as it seemed.

“What were you thinking?”

He had never seen him twice as strict as Rod and Linda.

The unconscious woman suddenly lifted her head from Alastor’s shoulder and wearily scratch around her eyes.

“Oh, Mr. Funny Man. Hik-hik. Don’t get riled up… we were only celebrating.”

His face suddenly softened.

“You get it wrong, princess. I am not mad, just worried. You know how dangerous it is at night. There are people out there that might do harm to you.”

“Dontcha worry, Alastor is here. He can even protect me with his left hand supporting me. Hahahaha.”

“Alastor, tell me, what happened earlier?”

“Nothing, r-really.” Alastor stutteringly said.

“Alastor,” She playfully said his name, “Lying is bad. There were three jerks earlier who harassed us, but Alastor here beat them with his own hands.”

Alastor gulped when Mr. Funny Man’s stare became intensifies.

“Al, where did that happen? I will personally murder those shits.”

Linda stands up and with her motherly strict looks, she came with the intention of scolding him. She remained quite as Mr. Funny Man inquired.

“Look, I already dealt with them, obviously they won’t be coming back.”

“Are you sure of that?”

“Yes,” He nodded. “Besides, we’ll be leaving tomorrow, right?”

“Mr. Funny Man, I think it is better to scold them next time. I mean look at them they’re messed. I promise you, there will be befitting punish for his behavior.”

Mr. Funny Man paused and observed the two for a while before agreeing to her suggestion. He didn’t notice that Caroline fell asleep again.

“Yes, you’re right. Let’s do it tomorrow then.”

Alastor felt a relief in his heart when Mr. Funny Man left and goes to his room. Linda came and knock his head.

“What were you doing?”

“We were celebrating. Caroline did very well during the hunt. She was able to use her magic and support me very well.”

Linda sighed. “If I were your position, I would celebrate too. But that girl isn’t like any others, you have to remember that she’s a princess.”

“I know, I know. She was pretty insistent, ‘cause the old lady back in the village gave us souvenirs of their products.”

“Hmp. I’ll take care of her.” Linda declared.

Alastor transfers her arm to Linda’s shoulder and carried her in her room. Alastor sat down and looked up to the ceiling. Ken walked across him and threw a bottle of water.

“Thanks.”

Ken nodded. Alastor had noticed his injury.

“What happened to you?” Alastor asked and let out a breath of refreshment.

“I got in trouble because of this slipper.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” Ken replied. “But I’m getting hang of it. Its just a matter of time, yes, I will surely master how to use those shoes.”

Alastor threw the bottle at the garbage can and he went to his room. His eyes went adrift, never minding his stench breath of alcohol that form a white cloud for a second and his mind fully diverge to sleep.