On the one hand, he was grateful to Jasmine for her intervention. On the other, he was upset with her for speaking on his behalf, claiming he would be willing to do business with the creature in the future.


    Not because he was unwilling to do so. But because he simply didn’t know yet.


    Then again, he understood her motivation, or at least he thought he did.


    Even Jasmine probably didn’t quite realize just how disturbing, how just not-normal this whole incident was for him, who, quite literally, came from a whole different world.


    Even if she did, did she even care? After all, she most definitely had her own agenda in all of this. Even in his current state, it had been obvious that it hadn’t been for his sake- not exclusively at least- when she insisted on talking with the creature in private; obviously she pursued a political goal which might or might not concern the whole of Malcos. And ultimately that was her one, first and foremost obligation as the [Princess] - to further the interests of Malcos as a whole; assuming anything else, that she acted solely out of concern for him, would most definitely be a mistake, he thought, disillusioned.


    clans had to discuss would occupy them for at least a few hours until after closing time.


    The doubts. And the overwhelming sense of guilt that came with it.


    All this would never have happened if he hadn’t blacklisted that creature to begin with. If only his temper hadn’t once again gotten the better of him just because of some stupid words.


    He had no obligation entertaining such behaviour in his store. Someone like that was not welcome here; especially not since it was them wanting something of him, and not the other way round.


    No, it was the only correct choice to deny that creature entry to his premises and access to his wares.


    It was just that… for its transgression, he had been willing to go so far as to drop the creature to its death. The fact that things turned out different than originally intended, didn’t change the morality of his actions.


    The outcome was ultimately the result of his actions-just that instead of colliding with the ground a few kilometers below them, the creature instead collided with a sword.


    No, it wasn’t exactly the same, of course not. But it was close enough for Severin to lose his mind.


    Maybe he had set something in motion. Maybe the moment he had pulled the trigger, blacklisting the creature, its fate had already been sealed?


    Who knew in this world?


    ““Uh?”


    “You… you have just been standing there. Are... are you okay? What happened?” The anxious expression on the girl’s face and the realization that he really had just been standing there for at least a whole minute only intensified his feelings of guilt and shame.


    “Ye-yes, of course. Everything is fine. I am fine. I have just been thinking; nothing serious.”


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.“Are you... sure?”


    “Sure, I’m sure. Come here.” Saying that, it was he who took a step forward and walked towards the unconvinced girl, giving her a big hug; just as much to reassure her as to reassure himself.


    Until...


    ““Ooutch!! Fuck!” involuntarily Severin flinched with his burnt hand, knocking over a whole array of glassware.


    The second outburst was harsher than the first.


    “Fuck! Fuck this shit! Fuck this whol-” Just in time, he managed to stop himself from saying something he might later regret.


    And on the very same day he had pledged to better himself and to be more considerate of Emily…


    ““I am sorry. I shouldn’t have… I’m fine. Why don’t you call it a day? I’ll take care of this mess. I-”


    “Are you sure you are-”


    “Yes. Really.” Again, he cut her off, with more emphasis than he intended. “The kitchen should still be open for a few more minutes. I’m sure if you hurry up, Bandur will whip something up for you.”


    “Okay.” Again the small voice.


    “But he didn’t rest. He knelt down on the floor and, silently, began picking up the scattered shards of broken glass.


    Click


    ““Quite the mess you made here, lad.”


    “Bandur? What are you doing here?


    “Don’t you think I should be asking you that question? Emily… seemed concerned, you know?”


    “Sigh “I told her not to worry.”


    In response, the dwarf crossed his arms.


    “Really? Looks very worrisome to me. So, tell me, what happened? I heard some talk about a group of saurians making trouble?”


    “That’s what you people around here call it? Trouble?! Yeah, I guess a fucking cut off head could be considered troublesome!


    Fuck! Got to be kidding me! People act like it’s nothing. Like somehow I’m the insane one. What a joke. But I guess I should have known that after that spectacle during the Games. Some straight up medieval stuff going on, and people are celebrating it like it’s some fucking movie! All fun and games, and the messier the better. Of course I shouldn’t be surprised! Shit. Like unciv-” Again Severin stopped himself, but unlike earlier when he talked to Emily, this time he had already said more than enough; he felt he crossed a line.


    “


    “