# Chapter 63
"Be quiet.
Can’t you hear me?"
"Oh, here we go again.
How about fixing that scowl on your face first?
Why are you glaring at the youngest like that?
Wait, is it true you’ve been disowned by your son, as the rumors say?"
Salame’s light-hearted tone, tinged with mockery, caused Klein’s eyes to twitch noticeably.
His irritation was evident as he clicked his tongue sharply.
"Can’t you keep that mouth of yours shut for once?
You haven’t changed at all since we were kids.
Always running your mouth.
It’s annoying."
"Oh, and coming to the meeting looking like you’ve swallowed a lemon and glaring at the youngest isn’t annoying?"
"And since when did you take on the role of being an elder sister?
You’re just a cranky old spinster."
"Ha!
And you’re just a divorced man disowned by his own kid.
Maybe work on that delightful personality of yours.
Do you even know why you’re living alone despite having been married?"
As the exchange grew harsher, Ludbride sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose.
These two had always fought, so this wasn’t anything new, but today their barbs were sharper than usual.
"Excuse me…"
Kiriel, who had been silently checking his pocket watch, broke the tension with a lethargic tone.
"Dinner’s in two hours.
Could you wrap this up?
Either shut up or get out.
Pick one."
His voice was low and calm, yet firm.
The two turned their attention to him in unison, glaring daggers.
"Listen to this brat talking back."
"Tch.
No kidding."
Unfazed by their irritation, Kiriel glanced down with his usual impassive expression, crossing his legs leisurely before speaking again.
"Look, a spinster who’s never cleaned her mouth properly and a guy disowned by his only son don’t exactly make the dream team.
All you’re making is noise, so shut it."
The two were just about to retort when—
Bang!
Ludbride slammed his fist on the marble table with a forceful thud, making the entire surface tremble.
"Shut up, you ungrateful brats!"
His furious voice silenced them instantly.
The old man rubbed his temple, visibly weary.
"Why is it that every time you meet, you fight?
Is bickering all you’re capable of?
Watching you is more exhausting than dealing with those wriggling little vermin.
So shut up, all of you!"
"My daughter’s pretty cute when she wriggles, though," Kiriel interjected casually, shrugging as if it wasn’t a big deal.
Ludbride’s sharp gaze shot to him like a dagger, but Kiriel simply shrugged again, unfazed.
"Anyway," Ludbride began again, calming his tone, "about the ancient elves.
I heard we found an entrance during the re-investigation.
Is that true, Klein?"
"Yes.
As I mentioned, the entrance is sealed with powerful magic.
Without the cooperation of the Mage Tower, it will be difficult to break through.
For now, we’ve only confirmed the location and retreated."
"According to the deciphered ancient texts, the ancient elves were highly adept at magic," Ludbride mused.
Kiriel, uninterested, turned his head slightly, silently listening to the exchange.
"The question is whether we should request the Mage Tower’s cooperation.
If we do, they’ll demand a share of any ancient artifacts or elves we discover," Ludbride continued.
Klein crossed his arms and sneered coldly.
"I’d rather leave the door sealed forever than cooperate with those guys."
"But it’s ancient artifacts we’re talking about.
Shouldn’t we explore, no matter what might be inside?" Salame countered.
Their opinions clashed sharply.
Ludbride sighed and turned to Kiriel, seeking his input.
Their gazes met, and Kiriel let out a soft "Ah."
Ludbride watched him expectantly, but what came out was entirely unexpected.
"An hour and a half."
"What?"
"Time.
An hour and a half left.
I have another appointment, so I’ll leave when time’s up," Kiriel said flatly.
Ludbride’s face hardened before he let out another weary sigh.
Kiriel had always been difficult.
He was inscrutable, following only Dios’s words when the man was alive.
After Dios’s death, Kiriel seemed even more fragile, as though he might shatter at the slightest touch.
Yet after adopting a child, there was a noticeable change.
Though subtle, he now ventured outside more, smiled occasionally when looking at his child, and even joined meetings like this one.
Small changes, perhaps insignificant to others, but to Ludbride, they were monumental.
"What do you think we should do?" Ludbride asked again.
Kiriel merely looked at him, expression unreadable, then slowly turned his head away.
Ludbride sighed, knowing better than to expect a clear answer.
"Fine.
Let’s proceed without their cooperation.
Klein will lead the exploration," Ludbride concluded, only to pause when Kiriel suddenly spoke.
"Bernie…"
All eyes turned to him as Kiriel’s calm gaze landed on Klein.
"Don't send him alone," Kiriel said casually.
"What?
What’s that supposed to mean?
And why is Bernie suddenly involved?" Ludbride frowned at Kiriel’s unexpected comment.
"This morning, Bernie told me something.
She said the elves must have spent so much time in the dark that they’d be filthy by now.
She thinks it’s better if we all go together."
As puzzled gazes turned toward him, Kiriel furrowed his brows slightly and elaborated, mimicking his daughter’s voice with a monotone precision.
“Daddy!
Listen!
It’s the elves!
They’re all dirty and dark because they’ve been through a lot!
So, if only Mr.
Swordhead goes, it’ll be bad!”
"What?
Bernie, what are you even talking about?"
"Mr.
Swordhead will die!
So no being greedy!" Kiriel continued, his tone utterly deadpan.
"Who told you that nonsense—?"
A sudden gasp escaped Bernie, and her small body jolted.
"It’s Bernie’s... um, phoenix!
No, Bernie’s great firebird said so!"
Clunk.
Bernie, clutching a small toy phoenix, thrust it forward dramatically with her eyes shut tight.
Click, click, click.
The sound of a shutter echoed.
As usual, Rebon remained eerily expressionless while snapping photos of the scene.
Kiriel blinked slowly, clearly unimpressed.
For a fleeting moment, an unwanted image flickered in his mind, but he dismissed it with a subtle shake of his head.
Ludbride scowled, crossing his arms.
"My granddaughter said that?"
"My daughter said that," Kiriel corrected, his voice dry.
Ludbride’s eyebrow twitched, a slight crack in his stoic demeanor.
"…Well, she’s always been peculiar.
I suppose that shouldn’t surprise me.
She’s had unusual insights before—like with the plague incident.
I heard you even made a couple of investments based on her words."
At Ludbride’s comment, Kiriel tilted his head slightly, still leaning back with his arms crossed.
He nodded faintly, as if reluctant to speak further.
"Kiriel, does the child often say things like this?" Ludbride narrowed his eyes, his tone growing more serious as he waited for a reply.
For a moment, Kiriel said nothing, his gaze distant, as if weighing how much he should reveal.