Chapter 202: [202] Advice From A Sage

Rodolph was sitting on the steps outside the guild building, staring at the trees in front of him as they swayed in the passing wind.

It was not raining, but the air was humid and the sky was dull, meaning very soon, the rain might just begin once again.

Of course, he had not been forced outside. Ark was not that cruel. He was directed to another room by one of his summons, and his food was even brought to him.

But Rodolph had purposely decided to step out to get some air. He placed his now-empty plate by the side and heaved out a breath.

"I fucked up, didn’t I? I mean, why can’t I just keep my mouth shut?"

"I noticed she did not look comfortable, but I thought since I had already started asking, it would be more awkward to stop..."

"Do you think I made a mistake?"

"..."

"Yes, I’m sure you think I am a fool. Maybe I should apologize? Ark looked really angry..."

"..."

"Ugh. You’re right. Apologizing will only make things awkward. I will just wait to see how he reacts when we meet next. Then apologize when things have cooled off."

Rodolph turned around to smile at Mountain. The summon was staring into the distance, meditating like a sage.

He had to be the wisest person Rodolph had ever met.

Rodolph tapped the giant on the shoulder and smiled. "Thanks a lot, man... talking to you made me feel better."

Maybe if he had someone like him to give him advice, his wife would not have moved out in the first place.

Rodolph turned back to continue watching the swaying trees, only to see someone right in front of him.

"Holy Father!!" He screamed, feeling as though his heart had been snatched right out of his chest.

The man looked like the epitome of excellence. He wore a checkered blue suit that stunk of money, and a brooch that could probably buy five of his carriages.

His hands were folded behind him in the way nobles would often compose themselves, and there was a certain sharpness in his eyes.

The more he looked into those dark eyes, the more Rodolph felt his sanity would crack.

And then...

The man smiled. It was a kind smile, but it made Rodolph feel a chill run down his spine.

’Who the hell is this creepy man?’

"My name is Tristan." His smile broadened. "And you are?"

<•••>

"Ugh!" Ark stood up and stretched, feeling all his bones pop back into place, just before he breathed out slowly.

They had completed their insignia and had discussed a number of important things pertaining to the guild.

In Ark’s opinion, that was enough work for the day. The dungeon run test was coming up soon, and his plan was to lie back and relax until then.

Ark stroked his abdomen from underneath his shirt.

His belly was as round as a pot. Good. As much as he hated to admit it, Olivia was an excellent cook.

He stole a glance at her, and she smirked, causing him to frown and whip his head in the other direction.

"Don’t get cocky over a single meal. I just ate it because I didn’t want the food to go to waste."

Olivia did not fall for his antics. She folded her hands across her chest and smiled smugly, her eyes drifting down to his swollen stomach.

She did not say anything. The look alone was an appropriate response.

Knock knock~

"Hmm?" Ark turned towards the door. The knock had been so faint, almost as if the person was afraid to disturb them.

Ark shared a look with Olivia and Thalia before speaking.

"Come in."

The doorknob twitched, and then Rodolph stepped in.

"Oh, Rodolph? What’s up, man?" Ark yawned with his mouth wide open before rubbing his belly once more.

Rodolph blinked. He had expected Ark to flare up at the sight of him, but instead, he seemed calm. Almost as if he had forgotten all that had happened just a few minutes ago.

"What are you doing there? Come in and close the door." Olivia frowned, although there was no hostility in her tone.

"Actually, I came here because someone met me outside saying they had business with you. I tried to tell him to wait, but he insisted on coming along with me."

Ark raised a brow. "And where is this person now?"

"What?" Rodolph’s face flashed with confusion. "What do you mean? He is right behind me..."

When he turned around, he suddenly froze when he realized the spot behind him was empty.

"What the hell? I swear, he was right behind..."

"Mmn mnnn mnnnnnnnnnnn... ahh! I have to say, this has to be the best piece of rib I have ever had."

The room grew still. And in an instant, weapons flashed, each one cutting towards the source of the voice, only to stop inches away from him.

Ark frowned, his sword barely inches from a man’s forehead. "T-Tristan?!"

The Vice Commander of the association was sitting down in his chair, his face smeared with sauce.

"Ah!" Tristan smiled as he took another bite. "What is up, Ark? You have a really nice place here. Mmn mnnn!"

"And the food. Who cooked this?"

’How was I not able to sense him?’ Ark mused, his eyes narrowing slightly. Last time they met, although it was not acute, he had been able to sense him at the very least.

But now, he had been imperceptible until the very moment he spoke. A drop of sweat slid down Ark’s cheek.

’Is it because I am in my human form?’

He had trained his senses as a skeleton, and skeletons were completely different from humans.

Although some of his training translated, and his human senses had also improved, they were nowhere near his skeleton senses.

Ark let out a quiet breath. He dropped his sword, Olivia’s axe vanished, and Thalia’s dark aura faded...

That was why staying in human form while in Eden was ill-advised. Most of your training was in your alternate form, which meant when you switched back, you would be highly inefficient.

"What the hell, man?" Ark frowned. "Have you ever heard of knocking? And that is my food!"

Tristan wiped his mouth with a paper towel, then pointed at Rodolph. "Well... he knocked." He got up and once again flashed that infuriating smile.

"So, how did your mission go?"

Ark’s frown deepened. "You traveled all this way just so you could ask that?"

"Well... that and a few other things." His tone grew a little more serious. "We have a lot to discuss." Then his eyes swept across everyone gathered in the dining room.

"In private."

"If you need a place to speak, why not use your office, Guildmaster?" Thalia asked.

Ark stared at her in disbelief. "I have an office?"