Aelir was utterly taken aback—and rightfully so—because the man standing before him was none other than the Count of the Espera region. He had only been here for a month, yet he had already learned who this man was, and now he was standing right in front of him, in the flesh.
Rumor had it that very few had ever seen him, for he was at least as old as the elderly Gurkant. The people of the region spoke highly of Cedric Espera, describing him as not only a masterful warrior but also a remarkably humble and kind man.
Aelir couldn't quite grasp why such a man would be here.
The one to break the silence was Cedric Espera himself.
"Hello, lad. I'm pleased to meet you," he said, then added with a smile, "I haven't seen my old friend this happy in a long time—you two must get along very well."
Espar felt another wave of surprise wash over him. The friendship between the elderly Gurkant and Cedric Espera was truly astonishing, for Gurkant Desir was merely an innkeeper who ran a small inn. How they had met was a mystery worth knowing.
Pushing aside his astonishment, Despair replied, "I'm honored to meet you, sir. It's truly a privilege to make the acquaintance of someone like yourself."
Cedric Espera chuckled.
"Do you hear that, Gurkant? You've got a fine young man here with you," he said.
Just then, Laura Espera spoke up.
"I'm pleased to meet you as well, Aelir."
Aelir, whose mind was still occupied with how the magnificent Count of Espera and the old innkeeper Gurkant had first met, had completely forgotten about the little girl beside him.
"I'm pleased to meet you as well, Lady Laura," he said, embarrassed.
It was the first time he had ever spoken to a girl his own age—and she was the daughter of a count. He couldn't decide whether to feel lucky or unlucky that all this was happening to him.