27 – The Golden Bottom

"We are so fortunate." Haruna's eyes twinkled.

Just realizing the arrival of those three people, the little boy hugged the rabbit and took a few steps back.

Haruna knelt down, flashed a big smile, and stuck out one hand. "Hey, you are a good boy, right? Can big sis have a look at that rabbit for a bit?"

The little boy hugged the rabbit even tighter. His eyes began to be filled with layers of tears. He looked terrified. "Daddy!!!"

"It's okay." Haruna approached the little boy carefully. "Come here…."

The rogue's words were cut off by Alan, who tapped her on the shoulder. And a second later, Igor came out the back door, blocking Alan and the others.

"Don't take the rabbit, or you will regret it." Igor's expression was full of rage, very different from his friendliness a few moments ago when he served Alan. "That animal is very precious to Ivan."

"Relax." Alan tried to calm the man down. "We will not harm the rabbit. I just want to ask a little. So, is that your son's pet?"

Igor gave a stiff nod. "It's what saved my son…. After his mother died two years ago, Ivan became very sad. His zest for life is no longer there. Everything changed when I brought this rabbit."

Ivan stood beside his father, who then brushed his hair.

"Noms' buttocks weren't gold when I bought them." The shop owner sighed. "But over time, the pattern emerged, and now our mayor wants it."

"What would you do?" Alan asked. "You can give away the rabbit and get good money. That will help you guys, right?"

Ivan wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes while Igor smiled faintly.

"No matter how much money I get, it will not be comparable to my son's well-being." The shop owner answered.

Alan felt a jolt in his heart. After he almost kills his bully, his parents spend all their money to hire the best lawyers. They are determined to free him from punishment.

At that time, Alan's family economy was completely destroyed. They became struggling after that, even almost homeless because they couldn't pay the mortgage.

But in the end, Alan was able to continue life more normally. The young man will never forget the sacrifice of his parents.

And, of course, this boy's bond with his rabbit is so relatable to Alan, who used to be so attached to his late pet dog.

A bitter chuckle escaped the young man's mouth. He wondered. Why does this world keep making him remember his past memories?

"I guess they'll find you guys sooner or later." Alan continued. "If you choose to stay here."

Igor rubbed his face in frustration. "Therefore, I intend to go to another city in four more days."

"Why does it have to be four more days? Why not go today?" Celia joined in.

"Because the passenger ships to other cities will only arrive in four more days." Igor looked even more frustrated. "Ironic indeed. As a propeller craftsman, I don't have my own vehicle. I used to have one, but I sold it to survive."

"Then, we will escort you to that city tonight," Alan suggested. "You might not believe it, but we have a small land being pushed around by a wyvern."

Igor's mouth let out a small chuckle. "I can't let you guys do that. The residents of our destination city are hostile towards adventurers from other areas. It's a little complicated and difficult to explain, but one thing is clear that you will be in danger if you go there. My son and I will be safe since I'm originally a native there and not an adventurer."

Alan paused, thinking for a moment. "Before coming here, will the ship transit to another city? If so, how far is the transit city from this place?"

"Yeah, that ship will transit at a town called Newdent first. It is about two days away from this bridge city…." Igor widened his eyes. "If we depart from Newdent, we will still transit to this city. But inside the ship, we will be safer. They won't be able to go around checking it."

Alan smiled again. "I will help you to go to Newdent with our land. We'll be leaving in a bit."

"W-what?" The shop owner gulped. "Can I trust you guys?"

"I guarantee it, Mr. Igor." Celia approached the man. "Without him, I probably wouldn't have made it this far. Perhaps you wonder why he is willing to help you…. I can only say that's the way he really is."

"Do you have enough money to travel?" Alan resumed. "Otherwise, take some of ours."

"No need." Igor rubbed his son's head again. "I still have some savings from fixing the propellers. Well, it seems I have no other choice, and I can see the sincerity in your eyes. Alright, I'll follow you guys. I will pack our things first…. Let's go inside, Igor."

As soon as Igor entered his house, Haruna asked Alan and Celia. "Why? Why are you guys helping them instead?"

"Why not?" Alan shrugged.

"Like I said earlier," Celia added with a smile. "It's the way he is."

Haruna narrowed her eyes, looking Alan up and down. "Do you really mean it?"

"It's up to you whether you want to believe it or not." Alan leaned his back against the wall.

"But if you guys do something like this just to steal the rabbit... I think it's too much." Haruna folded her arms across her chest. "There are two possibilities, you are a really nice or an idiot. You're giving up big money that could help you survive."

"Maybe both," Alan smirked.

Suddenly a commotion appeared from a distance. Alan looked up and asked his traveling companion. "Did you hear that, Celia?"

"Yeah, like some people were running on the bridge and screaming?" The female fighter responded.

"Let's check it." Alan walked with Celia, leaving Haruna, who chose to stay there.