No Entry Except for the Master - Chapter 31

“It’s because those things are valuable that you got passed around from one master to another.”

Tch. He really was the world’s best at snarking. Strangely kind to everyone else, but always sarcastic, mean, and mischievous to her.

Feeling a pang of sorrow, Lilith slowly savored her candy, only to glance up at the soft laughter beside her. Teia, looking away with a smile, seemed genuinely amused. Does he enjoy teasing me that much? she thought, feeling both wronged and oddly pleased.

“Then do you like gifts like that for your birthday, Teia?”

Teia looked at her, puzzled by the sudden mention of a birthday. Her strangely dejected expression made him recall something from a few days ago.

The day they left the Duchy had been Teia’s birthday. Since their departure was meant to be secret, he’d told people he was unwell and would spend his birthday quietly.

Even so, some nobles had sent presents, just like any other year. Lilith, who had been helping the servants organize the gifts, must’ve realized it was his birthday only then.

“I’ve never really cared, so I’m not sure.”

From Teia’s perspective, the idea of receiving birthday wishes from a pet rabbit was ridiculous—he hadn’t given it a single thought. But Lilith felt oddly disappointed.

“Then maybe…”

“Hold on, doesn’t that person look like one of the former masters you mentioned?”

“Where? Where?!”

A man who looked like the circus ringmaster she had only seen in photos briefly disappeared into the crowd. Although he asked, it didn’t seem like Teia was waiting for Lilith’s answer. He grabbed her forearm and pushed through the crowd, following the man’s trail.

“This won’t do. Wait here.”

It was already hard enough to pursue someone in this crowd—bringing Lilith along only slowed things down. After weaving through the people, he sat her down on a bench at the edge of the plaza. Watching the man’s figure grow smaller, Teia spoke quickly.

“Don’t go anywhere. You haven’t forgotten our contract, right?”

Even without the contract, Lilith had no intention of running away, so she nodded obediently. After looking at her for a moment, Teia quickly moved away, not wanting to lose the man’s trail. Alone, it was much easier to move.

Staying hidden among passersby, he followed the man stealthily so he wouldn’t be noticed. The man moved cautiously, winding through narrow alleys. Since there weren’t many people in the alleys, Teia had to increase his distance to avoid being spotted.

I’ll capture him in the next alley.

Just as Teia made up his mind and was about to turn the corner, someone grabbed his shoulder from behind.

Wham!

Reacting instinctively, Teia twisted the man’s arm to subdue him, only to let go in annoyance once he saw who it was.

“Argh! I told you to act like a tourist—what are you doing wandering off somewhere weird?”

Rubbing his wrenched arm, Cesar grumbled. Teia ran a hand through his hair irritably and turned the corner, but—just as he feared—the man was already gone.

He carefully checked his surroundings, recalling the time he had chased Lilith. He even checked for nearby animals. But this remote alley, far from the plaza, was silent—not a person or even a stray cat in sight. Teia opened the door of a bookstore occupying a large portion of the alley wall.

“Welcome!”

A large man with a thick beard greeted him heartily. For a bookstore, there were surprisingly few shelves inside. Instead, it looked more like a lecture hall, with rows of empty chairs neatly arranged.

A large banner reading “Hecate’s Bestselling Author My Friend – Book Signing Event” was prominently displayed.

“You’re here for Hecate’s autograph event, right? Let me confirm your winning ticket.”

“Ah, no. I was just passing by and saw the bookstore. Are you not open for business today?”

“Ah, I see. We have a special event today. There’s an author signing and lecture going on, so we’re not open for regular business. Would you mind coming back tomorrow?”

Just as Teia was about to ask about the man he had been following, acknowledging the bookstore owner’s words, a clatter of the door and a boisterous group entering the store interrupted him.

“Mister! We’re here! Please check our winning tickets!”

The event time had arrived, and the winners came pouring into the bookstore. With no other choice, Teia stepped outside.

Frustrated that he hadn’t managed to catch him properly, he gave Caesar a swift kick to the shin. Since they were scheduled to meet the ringmaster separately on the day of the circus anyway, the two of them quickly returned to where Lilith had been.

But the moment they found the bench where Lilith had been sitting completely empty, Teia’s slightly annoyed face turned frighteningly cold. Caesar gulped dryly.