The voice calling out Major Rades's name was not loud, but everyone nearby could hear it, and Major Rades himself naturally heard it as well. He turned to look at the speaker, and from his expression, he really had run into an "acquaintance."
Shade, standing behind the crowd, worried that he might lose control of his emotions. Fortunately, after everything he had been through, "Eight-Gun Captain" Rades was no longer the man he had been when he first returned from Kasonlik two years ago.
He merely nodded to that person before continuing to handle the conflict. Though the crowd whispered among themselves, no one loudly discussed Major Rades's past again.
The matter was settled quickly. The conflict between the two sides had only been a verbal dispute, nothing serious. Everyone dispersed, and Major Rades, who had spotted Shade earlier, first sent his own soldiers back before walking toward Shade with his hands in his pockets.
"Who is this?"
He had also noticed Miss Larson following behind Shade. But in Major Rades's impression, the young ladies around Shade were either mature and composed or elegant and graceful. A "little girl" like this, not especially tall and with such an innocent face, was quite rare.
Shade explained:
"This is Miss Stella Larson. Someone asked her to keep an eye on me today."
The white-haired girl lightly smacked him, and Major Rades understood.
"Then let's take a walk along the beach."
"Looks like you've had quite a few troubles lately?"
"Yes. Where can one go without troubles?"
Aside from its clock business, City of Time Wheels was also an important resort city of the Laggson Duchy, so its beaches were especially beautiful. Winter had not yet ended, and though the seaside scenery was not as lovely as in summer, its emptiness and loneliness