Yunus could not tell whether it was merely his imagination, but he constantly felt uneasy and anxious.
The mage Maxim, who had originally treated him very kindly, had suddenly grown cold after Iver was sent into the Fairy Kingdom by Madam Grace.
Maxim studied Yunus closely, and the smile that had been hanging on his face disappeared with it.
The kind and grateful look in his eyes had also turned into a cold, scrutinizing gaze.
...Did I say something wrong just now? But I didn't say anything at all! Yunus was completely baffled.
So he put on a relaxed smile and walked toward Mage Maxim while playing his modified harp, producing a melodious tune. Then he gave his signature three-part laugh and said, "My hospitable and kind friend, I have an unreasonable request..."
"—Mr. Yunus."
Suddenly, Maxim pushed up the round glasses on his face and calmly interrupted Yunus. "Could you agree to one request of mine?"
Although it was phrased as a request, the bespectacled mage's tone was firm and serious.
Yunus had seen that attitude before. Sometimes, people who were weighed down by sorrow and could not take a joke would wear such an expression. If he continued speaking in "Yunus's" usual manner at a time like this, he might even anger the other party.
...Come to think of it, the real Yunus didn't always speak like this, either.
Yunus thought this to himself, and his tone also returned to normal. "Please, go ahead."
"When they return later, please remain quiet, all right?"
Mage Maxim said, "I mean—don't be as noisy as before. Don't play music while speaking loudly, either. Speak with the same volume and tone you used just now when replying to me."
"...All right. No problem."
Yunus smiled awkwardly and nodded.
*—So you don't like