The City Lord's Mansion had no secrets. The atmosphere there was relaxed—or perhaps Annan was simply approachable.
People even came up with a joke: one day, a painter painted an oil portrait called "Annan Reeves Handling Official Business." It showed Deputy City Lord Olmedo Augusta bent over her work. "Where's Annan Reeves?" asked the other deputy city lord, Idelia. The painter replied, "Annan Reeves is handling official business."
So although Annan and Ingrid were the only two people in the Office, and no one had come by, Olmedo somehow heard about it and rushed over.
"Not going to the banquet?" Annan looked up.
"Compared to a banquet, seeing you handle official business is far more of a novelty." Olmedo teased him, then noticed the gravity in his expression.
"Bad news?"
"Mm... The Demon Lord lied to me. He never had the souls of Broken Fang and the others."
Olmedo sighed. On reflection, it was hardly surprising. "Any good news?"
"Elder Tadel just told me Ymir's soul returned to the World Tree." At least Annan could face the Elf Mentor a little more easily now.
"That does count as good news..." Olmedo glanced at the documents in Annan's hands. "I've already dealt with those. The ones still pending are here."
She brought over an even thicker stack of parchment and set it in front of Annan.
Annan kept his emotions from showing too clearly in front of Olmedo and picked up the top sheet as though nothing were wrong.
"What are you planning to do with Tasia and the women of the Jana Family?" Annan asked casually as he leafed through the pages.
"I went to see those minotaurs earlier. They're battle-hardened warriors. One minotaur can hold its own against three orcs. I plan to put them in heavy armor and