Early in the morning, Coleman woke up on a tree branch, exhausted in both body and mind.
Once again, he wondered why he had given up his comfortable bed at home to come to this godforsaken island.
"Honestly, you just can't be too curious."
If he hadn't wanted to see how the puppeteers in this world differed from those in his old one, Coleman would never have come to such an inelegant place!
As for those so-called Scarlet Eyes...
The only reason treasures were defined as treasures was human desire.
Put simply, they were just color-changing eyeballs.
What was so special about that?
Look at chameleons. Their whole bodies could change color, and they weren't anything special either.
Treasures were defined by humans, so they had little value to Coleman.
If he had to say, they were nothing more than chemical elements or biological tissue.
He couldn't understand what people liked about diamonds, gemstones, or animal pelts.
Especially those who liked using animal pelts as decorations.
Animals had a use for their hides, but what use did you have for them?
They reeked of blood, and the stench never went away.
Wouldn't you be creeped out having one in your wardrobe or on your vanity?
If you weren't creeped out by that, why were you so afraid of becoming one of my works of art?
I'm perfectly nice. I always kill you before I paint.
Some merchants even cut parts off animals while they were still alive just to get the right texture!
Compared to them, I'm so kind and merciful.
Why are you all afraid of me?
A little irritated, Coleman quickly put this unsolvable question out of his mind.
Forget it. Some members of every species behaved in ways that baffled their own kind.
Humans were no exception.
In the end, Coleman concluded that those people were all crazy, and brought his train of thought to a close.
He continued grumbling to himself. I'm still the normal one.
That's right. I'm a truly elegant gentleman.
They're much crazier than I am!
Sorting through all those tangled thoughts left Coleman feeling wonderfully light.
By then, he had crossed the sandy path and reached the vicinity of the Kurta settlement.
He stretched, looking a little lazy.
Maybe he could find something interesting to bring back for his older brother.
Otherwise, that little brat would definitely question where he'd gone off to have fun!
Coleman didn't want to tell Illumi that he'd gone to see Ku'er Ya out of curiosity.
Knowing Illumi, either he'd lose a layer of skin, or Ku'er Ya would.
"Little boy? Are you lost?"
A gentle voice suddenly sounded from ahead.
Coleman looked up instinctively, his eyes full of admiration.
What a beautiful young lady!
He hoped she hadn't fallen into that old lecher's trap.
Given how vile the puppeteer was, he might even turn her into a puppet for his collection after she gave birth.
After all, the woman really was beautiful.
Long golden hair, brown eyes.
A gentle, warm face, full of smiles.
She looked like an innocent young girl.
But the faint wrinkles at the corners of her eyes showed the marks time had left on her.
His gaze dropped to her slightly rounded belly.
Coleman understood.
Oh, she was already a mother.
Then Coleman smiled.
A very well-behaved smile.
He greeted her politely. "Not at all, ma'am. I came here on Mr. Ku'er Ya's recommendation to buy some Kurta-made pastries."
"He had nothing but praise for them!"
A gentleman, of course, should respect every lady—perhaps even go so far as to show her too much respect.
Especially when the gentle person before him was pregnant.
Keeping a suitable distance, Coleman said with a smile, "Do you know the way to the Kurta settlement?"
Silver hair and eyes like blazing fire.
His baby face hadn't lost its roundness, making him look a little chubby.
Yet he was trying to act like a gentleman.
He was clearly a young boy, but was putting on airs like an adult.
He controlled his little limbs, trying to show a twenty-five-year-old woman how refined he was.
But his gestures were awkward because of his size and age.
Still, he was adorable.
The woman, overflowing with maternal affection, gazed at him with shining eyes, but didn't get too enthusiastic, as if afraid of frightening the little fellow.
"So Mr. Ku'er Ya sent you? Then I'll take you there. As it happens, my husband is making those pastries now. You can take some back with you."
"Oh, thank you very much."
Looking at the woman, who had no guard up at all, Coleman's lips curved upward.
He hid the meaning in his eyes and filed the detail away.
He didn't miss a single thing.
He idly wondered: if everyone in this clan was like this...
They'd be in for a lot of trouble someday.
Before you continue