Chapter…07

    The Hidden-Strength Child Is Looking for Her Dad – Chapter 7

Basto’s eyes turned cold.

“My identification number was perfectly fine just two weeks ago. There’s no way it just suddenly disappeared.”

“You can argue all you want, but it won’t change anything. It’s not like your mercenary ID will magically reappear.”

The holy knight lounged lazily on a chair, flipping through documents as if annoyed.

It was absurd—but Basto didn’t want to use harsh words in front of the child.

So instead, he stepped forward quietly.

As a large shadow fell over him, the knight finally looked up.

“Do you know where I’ve just come from?”

At Basto’s low, heavy voice, the knight flinched.

Looking him straight in the eye, Basto continued,

“I’ve just returned from besieging one of the three magic stones in Briowood—the Empire’s headache. I came to report it.”

At the mention of Briowood, the knight narrowed his eyes.

Then tilted his head skeptically.

“One of Briowood’s magic stones… you mean a small one?”

Basto nodded.

The knight let out a scoff.

“What a fraud.”

He stood up and glared at Basto and Tia.

“Listen. The Briowood small magic stone has already been reported.”

Basto frowned.

That was impossible.

He had conquered it alone.

Then who reported it first?

Six days ago, who was it that closed the rift while covered in the blood of flying monsters?

“I remember because it was a well-known mercenary group. They reported it to me two nights ago and even received their reward before entering the capital. And now you’re saying you did it?”

A terrible thought crept into Basto’s mind.

“The leader of the Death Hound Mercenary Group mentioned someone trailing behind them, trying to steal credit. Said he used to work under him. Guess this is what he meant by ‘a shady guy.’”

As if on cue, other holy knights gathered around.

“Basto Faerix. Step back immediately.”

“If you don’t want to be thrown out by force, leave on your own!”

Basto fell silent.

His grip tightened unconsciously around Tia.

He wanted nothing more than to punch every one of them in the face—

But when he glanced at Tia, her face was pale with fear.

Holding his breath, Basto slowly turned away.

As he walked, he heard murmurs behind him.

“He’s insane. Claims he conquered a magic stone alone?”

“He doesn’t even have an ID. Probably lost his mind.”

“Why would the Death Hound leader even keep someone like that?”

Basto’s heart pounded with rage.

Death Hound.

That was the group he once belonged to.

Even now, thinking of their leader—Kal Warben—made his teeth grind.

Because of him… his family had died meaningless deaths.

“Uncle…”

Something cool touched his heated cheek.

He turned his head.

Tia’s green eyes were filled with worry.

“Are you okay…?”

Her small hand carefully wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Basto paused, then exhaled slowly.

His mind began to clear.

We’ve been denied entry to the capital.

If he were alone, he might try sneaking in at night—

But now, he had Astie to protect.

First, he needed to figure out what had happened.

Adjusting his hold on Tia, he muttered,

“…We should find a place to stay first.”

Tia’s eyes widened.

Then she answered brightly,

“Yes!”

“Oh my, look at all this dirt!”

Tia puckered her lips as she was forcibly washed.

“What have you been doing, Basto, to let a child get this filthy?”

The one cleaning her face was an unfamiliar grandmother—

The innkeeper of the “Gate Inn” they had entered.

“Child, don’t tense up so much. It makes it harder for me.”

The grandmother scrubbed her lips.

Tia rolled her big eyes and made a pitiful face.

“I-it hurts…”

“Don’t exaggerate!”

The grandmother ignored her and began scrubbing behind her ears.

Tia’s body shrank instinctively—but she didn’t feel bad.

It reminded her of the grandma from Room 107 back in Korea who used to bathe her.

Grandmas always say it’s “just fussing,” even when it actually hurts.

“Oh my, now your face is all clean! Such a pretty thing.”

And after washing, they always smiled warmly like this.

Whenever she saw that expression, Tia’s heart felt ticklish.

“Thank you, Grandma!”

She bowed deeply, and the grandmother chuckled, handing her a cup of hot chocolate.

Tia sat by the window, sipping, and turned her gaze outside.

“So it’s true? Your mercenary ID was erased?”

“…I think it was Kal. He probably bribed the holy knights to expel me.”

At the table, Basto spoke with the innkeeper—the old man, the grandmother’s husband.

“I’ll crush that bastard’s bones the next time I see him.”

Tia’s shoulders shrank.

S-scary…

It was her first time seeing Basto angry.

Something bad was definitely happening.

Tia thought carefully.

If you don’t have a mercenary ID, you can’t enter the capital…

She remembered something her dad had said.

There were many monsters in this world.

But the capital was safe—

Because the king and rich people lived there!

Magic stones inside the capital were destroyed immediately.

Because important people might get hurt.

The problem was—

Only capital residents were allowed that safety.

“Blocking entry to civilians—does that even make sense?”

As expected, Basto voiced similar frustration.

Tia pretended to sip her drink while listening closely.

“There are so many refugees outside who’ve lost their homes. What are the nobles and the Emperor even thinking?!”

“That’s enough, Basto.”

The old man interrupted sternly.

“I’ve told you many times—learn to control your anger.”

Basto sighed deeply.

“It’s just frustrating. People are dying out there.”

“…You’re thinking of your hometown. What happened to Ban-Anla Village… I regret it too.”

Tia froze.

“And that Kal… truly despicable. After what he did to your village—your family…”

“Grandpa!”

Suddenly, Tia jumped up and ran over.

Both men turned to her.

“Banana! That thing!”

“Banana?”

The old man chuckled.

“You mean Ban-Anla Village?”

“Yes! Banana Village!”

For some reason, Tia looked extremely excited.

“Is that Uncle Basto’s hometown?”

Basto frowned slightly—

Then nodded.

“Yes.”

Tia’s mouth dropped open.

Her green eyes sparkled.

…I remember now.

Why didn’t I realize it before?!

The hammer uncle from Banana Village.

Tia knew that place.

She knew Basto.

Because—

He was someone her dad always talked about.