Father Tromon also noticed the change in expression of Sister Strasel, he couldn't understand as well. As he noticed the smiles of the children, he let off his thoughts and doubts and continued eating.
As the children were taken to bed, Father Tromon lay down on his bed as well, he could still remember the face of the young man he bought the bread from, but thinking about it he suddenly remembered the strange designs and products the store had.
"Is it a store for nobles, but because of the near brink ruin of the empire that young man is selling the food at a small price?"
But even if the empire was getting turned, the young man could have immigrated to another empire and sold his items there.
"I should sleep and visit the store tomorrow" Gathering his thoughts, Father Tromon fell asleep.
....
In the Empire of Asparia, in the viscount's mansion, a frail old man could be seen staring into the moonlight.
"Father are you alright? Do you feel cold?"
A man that looked to be in his late 30s sat beside the bed, he looked solemn seeing his father.
"Luther I'm all right, it's just I'm remembering some fleeting stuff," The old man said bitterly.
"Ah geez dad, what can you be thinking at this time?" A woman with a curvacious body who looked to be in her late 30s rubbed her neck staring at her father with a frown.
"Haha, don't be like that Traci, aren't you saddened that I'm going to leave this world sooner?"
The woman named Traci just sat in the corner, as the people inside the room started to say goodbyes to the old man.
Feeling as he's time is already running out the old man opened his mouth: "Where is Ragel and what about Alpheus?"
"Ragel would be coming here soon, but about Alpheus, I don't think he would come after the incident" Luther replied as he thought of how unreasonable Alpheus is.
"Hays, I knew that brat wouldn't come, but I held hope that at the very least he would come as I'm near my death already" The old man bitterly said.
"Maybe I was too tough with him.."
"Don't say that dad, it was that boy's fault for embarrassing himself and causing lots of trouble to the family, it's good that he left without bearing the last name of Alguacil" Traci replied nonchalantly, the other siblings also nodded in response.
The old man could feel that he was soon going to the palace of god (heaven). The old man stayed silent as his eyes slowly closed.
Bang!
But just after the door suddenly flung open. There appeared a red-haired man, wearing a flashy knight outfit, his face had a small scar but his knight suit has been washed with blood as he hurried in his footsteps.
"Ragel, you finally arrived!"
"Let's not chit-chat any further brother." Ragel threw his helmet to Traci as he walked near the bed.
"Father everything would be alright" Ragel took the small box and opened the lid, everyone in the family could see the glowing rubies, Ragel didn't pay no heed to the curious gazes as he immediately took one of the orange candy and shoved it inside the old man's mouth.
"Ragel! what are you doing!?" The family shouted in unison.
"Ragel are you crazy?!"
"What do you think you're doing to father?!"
The family immediately reacted as they pulled Ragel away from their father, they thought that Ragel might have gone crazy.
Suddenly the old man's body glowed, everyone inside the room stared at their father dumbfoundedly, and after a few minutes, as the glow stopped the old man sat down on the bed, his expression was filled with shock, he touched and inspected his body.
Just a few moments ago he was on the brink of death and suddenly it feels as if his energy is back, he can even feel his legs moving.
The old man took a deep breath, as he calmed his shocked heart. He glanced at his children.
"Did you just feed me gods gift ragel?" The old man asked as he glanced at his son. The old man could discern what he ate because of the taste. With many years of knowledge and experience, he immediately knew what he ate and what the effect was. But the current question is, how did god's gift heal him when it has been created into a small pill or candy?
"Wait god's gift?!"
"Why did it heal you father? it was only candy and it's known that the power of god's gift couldn't be preserved?"
"I got it from Alpheus" Ragel replied as he glanced at each of his sibling's expressions, immediately everyone has a look of disbelief.
"Ragel stop lying!, we know you have a soft spot for that troublesome brat, I'm sure you're bringing up his name because you want to take him back inside the family!" Traci retorted loudly, she gnashed her teeth angrily.
"Yeah stop lying big brother Ragel"
"Yeah, there's no way that Alpheus, the brat could have such a powerful thing"
Everyone inside the room expressed their ideas and doubts, of course, no one would accept that the loser and troublesome brat would have such an item that could heal their father in a matter of seconds.
Ragel sighed, he glanced at each of his siblings. "Whether you believe or not, it doesn't matter, but what I do know is that Alpheus isn't like his past self, I could firmly see his change, his matured now"
Traci scoffed hearing Ragel's description of Alpheus: "Is that so? if he's mature then why would he open a store in a country on the brink of ruins, doesn't he have any brains? what he's doing is burning money than earning"
"Enough!"
The old man, stood up as if the dying him was gone "If what you are saying is the truth, that means that Alpheus must have learned or acquired such method, even the empire of Francis couldn't preserve its powers, but I think that someone or a grand master is secretly helping Alpheus or he could be a disciple"
Hearing the plausible answer, everyone nodded in understanding, there would be no way that they would accept that their younger brother who is a troublesome and arrogant brat would create and acquire such a method, and the plausible answer is someone is backing him secretly.
"You are right father, there would be no way that Alpheus could create such a method, if also how can he create candy without the god's gift"
The old man nodded, with a smile.
They all knew that it takes 100 years just for the divine tree to bore god's gift and currently the empire of Francis restricts anyone from having a taste or even sparing a small glance of candy, as they heavily stored the remaining candy into a magical room filled with deadly traps and 1000 magical enchantments.
"Everyone this matter would be only contained in this room"
Everyone nodded hearing their father's orders, after a small conversation, each of them left the room.
As everyone left, the only ones inside the room is the old man and Ragel. The old man glanced at his son. "Ragel if this candy did belong to Alpheus and if he is the one who created it, I want you to observe his movements, and if you spot anything inform me"
"But father you said that Alpheus might have a hidden master hiding secretly"
"I know what I said, and if this master is helping Alpheus I want you to recruit him or her to our home, with such prowess that can even contain the mythical powers of the god's gift then I'm sure this man or woman is powerful, and it would be a good backing to have a such person" The old man stared at his son, "You got that Ragel? this will be your mission"
Ragel kneeled as he raised his right arm to his chest. "Yes father, I would make preparations now"
The old man nodded seeing Ragel's leaving silhouette.
"Alpheus, I don't know what is the truth, but what you are holding and secretly hiding inside that small store, is dangerous" The old man sat back at the bed, as he felt drowsy.
....
Ragel changed into a set of commoner clothing as he readied his teleportations scroll.
"What did father say?"
Traci leaned her body against the wall as she stared intently at Ragel.
"This matter is only for me and father Traci"
Ragel packed a small bag and a short knife. "Anyways I'm going now" Without waiting for a reply from Traci, Ragel opened the teleportation scroll.
Seeing that Ragel was gone, Traci bit her lower lips in frustration.
Boom!
"Damn that bastard!" With a heavy punch, she smashed the wall causing it to have web-like cracks.
"Well I have information all around the world, I'll make sure to show to father and everyone that the stupid Alpheus would never change"
With a smile, she flicked her hand, and instantly a man with a hood covering his face appeared.
"Rosso, I want you to gather information about the store my dear brother is currently running"
"Yes ma'am"
Russo immediately disappeared, he couldn't hear the conversation between Ragel and everyone else, it's because his presence can be easily found and known, if it were normal humans then hiding and eavesdropping would be a piece of cake, but because of the powers and the aura of the Alguacil family which were all famous S-SSS rankers, his position would be easily found. That's why Rosso chose to observe from a far distance.
"Whatever it is your hiding Alpheus I would find it"
Traci walked away as she is also one of the owners of a major guild, she's extremely busy as well.