As soon as Walsh left, Eli dragged a case out from under the bed, then picked up his coat and said to the Bandaged Swordsman-
"We can go now, boss."
As he spoke, a hint of regret appeared in the eyes of the lookout who moonlighted as an information broker.
After all, he had gone to considerable trouble to find this hideout.
It was secluded and safe.
Calling it a sanctuary would be no exaggeration.
But after he unexpectedly rescued Walsh, the hideout had been exposed.
An exposed hideout was one he could no longer afford to cling to.
"Ah!"
He knew that perfectly well, but the thought of the fish-and-chips stall that set up at the alley entrance during the day still made Eli sigh.
The thick-cut chips there were delicious with black pepper.
As for the fried fish?
It was just a side dish.
After all, in South Los, selling chips without a portion of fried fish always seemed strange.
Just as people would find it strange if a lookout like him did not moonlight as an information broker.
"Mm."
The Bandaged Swordsman nodded, picked up his longsword, and headed out first.
Eli followed close behind.
Whether by coincidence or not, the two headed in the same direction Doctor Linst had taken.
Eli would most likely consider it a coincidence.
As for the Bandaged Swordsman?
Only heaven knew.
Doctor Linst walked along the alley's broken stone paving, carefully avoiding the loose slabs. As a South Los native, he knew all too well what it was like to step on one and have foul-smelling sludge splash all over him.
As the doctor sidestepped another loose slab, a figure suddenly appeared ahead and blocked his path.
The man blocking his way was tall, with thick, exposed arms, a grime-streaked