After two months, he saw daylight again.
Walking out of the weapon shop, whether from feeling freedom or shedding his burden, Maud felt utterly refreshed.
Even the "stink of rats" in the alley no longer seemed as pungent.
"Refreshing."
Maud raised his head and watched the sunlight slant toward the eaves. He slowly moved his legs, feeling a lightness like a swallow's.
He turned his gaze forward. The narrow alley was disorderly, with trash scattered everywhere. Dust-covered wooden crates were piled against both walls, giving off waves of musty odor.
"I'll run a little."
Maud hopped in place a few times, then suddenly shot forward, bringing up a fierce gust that sent trash swirling through the alley.
Without caring about anything else, Maud sped through the winding alley.
Whenever he passed places where people were gathered, he left only a series of wide-eyed faces behind him.
Those people had not even seen Maud's face clearly. By the time they reacted, all they could see was trash tumbling chaotically down from midair.
Nightfall Bar.
As a covert information-trading spot, business was as uneventful as ever.
There was only one regular customer at the bar—Wolf Rat.
Behind the counter, Tatam, dressed in his bartender's uniform, wiped the glasses as usual.
Creak—
Maud pushed the door open.
Hearing the door, Tatam and Wolf Rat immediately looked toward the entrance.
Both of them worked in intelligence, though in different fields.
Therefore, every person who entered the bar could potentially be a customer for either of them.
To their surprise, it was Maud, whom they had not seen for two months.
"Yo, long time no see."
Maud entered the bar and greeted them.
Seeing Maud walk in, Tatam was somewhat surprised, then smiled. "Welcome."
Wolf Rat promptly concealed the hint of wariness he felt toward