Azel sighed as he sat down in a room that was barred from the outside.

The walls were plain and gray and the only bit of sunlight was slipping through a small grated window.

Erblim was still perched comfortably on his shoulder, occasionally flapping his wings when the smell of food drifted toward him.

In front of Azel was a neatly arranged dish… roasted meat, yam slices, and a bit of fruit, far better than what he'd expected from a military detention room.

Sitting opposite him was the Mage Captain, Trisha. She had loosened her robe slightly and was studying the folded map that lay across the table between them.

"So," she said, adjusting her glasses. "They were working on a drug… to make people addicted?"

"Yes." Azel nodded slowly. "Although I don't know the exact process behind its creation, it's clear that they were distributing it strategically. I think the debts people owed to the gangs were from buying the drug on credit."

In truth, he wasn't entirely sure, but it sounded convincing enough.

Considering the number of addicts that had become victims and the secrecy of the operation, it was the most logical explanation.

He picked up his fork and pierced a slice of yam.

He raised it toward his shoulder, and Erblim leaned forward to take a quick bite.

The crow chewed, swallowed, and then tilted his head back with a blissful look.

'Human food is so good~' Erblim's voice rang through Azel's head.

'I'll give you more later,' Azel replied with a smirk. 'You can even help me take back the leftovers.'

'Okay, Master!' the crow said, his mental voice filled with excitement.

Trisha paused, staring curiously at the little exchange.

"That's… quite the familiar you've got there."

"He's useful," Azel said dryly, spearing another piece of yam for himself.

She smiled faintly before her expression turned serious again.

"I owe you an apology," she said finally. "I'm sorry for doubting you earlier."

She closed the map and exhaled softly. "We'll send an investigative team to the base immediately. If your story checks out and I believe it will, you've saved the entire town from something disastrous."

Azel continued chewing, not looking particularly moved.

"I'd say you're welcome," he muttered.

Trisha cleared her throat. "Is there anything you want in return?"

Azel looked up, his fork pausing midair.

'Is there anything the town can actually give me?' he thought.

This was just a military town… and he was totally sure they'd probably report this to the Empire through whatever bureaucratic channels existed.

"I'll think about it," he said finally.

Trisha nodded and rose from her seat.

"Then I'll leave you to your meal." She rolled up the map, tucked it under her arm, and motioned to the soldiers standing guard. The barred door opened with a loud clank of metal.

"Oh and where's Ravik?" Azel asked casually as she reached the doorway.

"Your subordinate? He's resting," Trisha said. "Our healers took care of him. He'll be fine by tomorrow but you can take him now."

Azel nodded. "Good."

Trisha gave him one last polite bow and hurried off, her boots clicking against the floor as she went to join the investigation team.

When the door shut behind her, silence returned.

Azel leaned back in his chair, tapping his fork against the plate idly. "And now," he muttered, "I have nothing to do tomorrow."

Erblim fluttered his wings and pecked another piece of meat from the plate.

"Master," he said through their link, "you could always go sightseeing."

Azel raised an eyebrow. "Honestly that doesn't sound like a bad idea."

…

Later that evening, Azel was in his room, folding his cloak neatly across the bed. The smell of lavender from the freshly washed sheets filled the air.

"You just left without telling me!"

Naelia's yelled like a thunderclap.

A moment later, a small fist smacked the back of his head. She had been doing this for the past minute.

"Ow."

"You didn't even tell Ira!" Naelia scolded, hitting him again. "Both of us were really worried! We thought something had happened to you!"

Azel sighed and rubbed the sore spot on his head. "Not many things can kill me. You shouldn't worry."

That wasn't entirely true, of course.

There were plenty of things that could kill him in this godforsaken world… from grand mages to the Children of the Sky but there was no reason to make her more anxious than she already was.

He began folding his cloak again. "I'm more concerned about the fact that you ate my breakfast."

Naelia froze.

"I… was stress eating," she said defensively, her cheeks puffing up.

Then she balled her hands into fists and started punching his arm faster. "I thought you ran away and left me pregnant with your child!"

Azel blinked.

'Does that sound like something I'd do?' he thought.

Even if she wasn't pregnant… He loved children, that much was true.

The thought of having a son even brought warmth to his chest. But the idea of abandoning anyone, much less Naelia, was ridiculous.

He smiled to himself.

'A son would be nice.'

He could already see the distant future… watching his daughters, Lillia and Isolde, grow up and eventually leave his side to join the men they loved. It hurt… It hurt so much that he decided he wouldn't let them leave the house.

The door creaked open before he could respond.

Ira stepped inside, carrying a small tray.

"Azel," she said softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You said you hadn't eaten much, so I made some food for you."

She bit her lip nervously. "I also checked on Ravik, he's doing fine and resting well. So… all that's left is you."

Azel blinked, surprised for a moment, then smiled warmly.

"See?" he said to Naelia. "Someone actually cares about me."

Naelia frowned, crossing her arms.

"I care about you!" she snapped, cheeks flushed red.

Ira, meanwhile, blushed so hard that the tips of her ears turned pink.

Naelia squinted at her best friend.

Was she trying to compete with her?

That thought irritated her.

She didn't like the idea of sharing Azel but… maybe she could make a small exception. After all, Ira was her closest friend.

Still, the look Ira gave Azel made Naelia's brow twitch.

'Is she trying to outdo me?'

Ira smiled sweetly as she walked over, setting the tray on the bed beside Azel.

"I made a lot of food," she said softly. "And a bit of fruit juice too. You must be tired… let me feed you."

Azel blinked. "Feed me?"

That honestly wasn't a bad idea but why was Naelia glaring at him?

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