Volume 5 Chapter 12 Interrogation, Part Ii
In the slums, those who are poor, have nowhere else to go, or have wounds on their shins tend to drift.
Because of such slums, there are many people who not only lack money, but also lack the energy to even move vigorously. During the day, it's so quiet that one might doubt if anyone lives there.
However, things change a little only at night.
"Here it is."
My damn old man guided us with a smug look to a lively, albeit dirty, food stall. There were several cheap chairs placed around, and My damn old man took 3 of them and arranged them before heading to the stall.
"Hey, Weld! The usual for 3!"
"Oh, Weld. Do you have a buddy today?"
"Yeah, my son has returned. And with a wife!"
"Oh really? That skinny little guy?"
"He's been eating a lot at the training center, he's taller than me now!"
"Wow! That son of yours... Well, congratulations. The fee will be for 2."
"Thanks."
After chatting with the owner, my damn old man arranged the food in front of us. There was something like stir-fried vegetables with vivid colors, something resembling a pie, and a dish similar to kebabs, slightly burnt but looking delicious in a B-grade gourmet kind of way.
In high spirits, My damn old man said,
"Alright, dig in. Oh, if you're both adventurers, can you drink alcohol? I'll get some ale."
Toxy chuckled slightly at my busy old man and then said to me,
"Looks like he's in a good mood... People in high spirits tend to talk a lot."
"Yeah."
In response to my nod, Toxy continued in a lower voice,
"What do you think? If we mix a little truth serum into the alcohol, he'll answer our questions without any doubt. Of course, it depends on the amount."
"How intense would it be?"
"It could be just reassuring, or it could lead to a deep state of intoxication, making him obedient but leaving lasting side effects."
Toxy's words carried a coldness that wasn't visible to outsiders. I had a gut feeling that depending on my instructions, she wouldn't hesitate to choose the last option.
"Just enough to be effective... I don't intend to seek revenge."
"Yeah, well, it's not good to have unresolved issues when we have the chance to ask more questions."
Toxy seemed to have convinced herself with her own logic, glaring at my old man. Then, as soon as my old man took a sip of his beer and turned to him, she put on a mask-like cheerful expression.
"Well, cheers. Now, let's toast!"
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
My old man was in high spirits, I drank my ale calmly, and Toxy raised her glass and cheered with exaggerated enthusiasm. I didn't want to get drunk, so I only took a small sip.
On the other hand, the target, my damn old man, gulped down his ale in one go. Then, he said, "Damn, that's good, boy!" and slapped my arm.
"What's the matter, Wade? A man should drink it all in one go at times like this! Don't sip like a woman!"
"Shut up, let me drink at my own pace. If you keep acting so self-righteous, this will be the last time."
"Ugh... I get it. Well, yeah. It's not like this is an era where the one who drinks the most is the coolest, is it?"
My damn old man muttered to himself, sipping the remaining foam in his glass pathetically. Watching him, I feel something is off.
...He's being suspiciously obedient. He used to hit me even for the slightest bit of resistance. Or is he intimidated by the grown-up me?
Anyway, that doesn't matter. If he tries anything, I'll subdue him. I don't need to be more friendly than necessary. All we need is information.
―――All I have to do is not let my usual self show when I'm in front of my old man. If I can do that, I'll never see him again.
With that in mind, I reached for the food my old man had brought. Pie. Oh, it's delicious.
"It's delicious! Thank you, father-in-law, this is delicious!"
And then Toxy, with her usual communication skills, tries to brighten up the slightly awkward atmosphere. I really appreciate her help...
"Oh, right!? That's right, this guy's shop is the best in the slums."
"Oh, yeah! Wow, I didn't know there was a place like this. I need to remember this."
"Ha... No, Wade, you've got yourself a nice wife there. Where did you meet her? Tell me about how you got together."
"...Well, okay."
"Oh, Wade, you're blushing."
"Toxy, stop teasing me like that. It's messing with my emotions."
"Ahaha!"
Toxy, perhaps to create a peaceful atmosphere, started teasing me about my old man's side. Despite being tossed around by various emotions, I began to narrate our pleasant family history to create a harmonious atmosphere.
"Toxy and I started teaming up right after I graduated from the training center. We got along well and... well."
"Ah, hahaha... When I hear it again like this, it's a little embarrassing."
"Hmm... It's kind of sweet, isn't it? It reminds me of me and your mom."
"..."
I sipped my ale without saying a word. Toxy asked my old man, "By the way, I don't think I know Wade's mom. What kind of person was she?"
"Oh, she had a good temperament, you know. She was actually a lady from a good place. But her body was too weak to survive in the slums."
My old man spoke with a lonely smile, then sipped his ale again. Toxy seemed puzzled, so I said,
"I've heard that my mother sacrificed her life for my birth. So, I've never even seen her face."
"But just from the fact that such a beautiful child was born from her, you can tell she was quite something, right? Wade, be thankful. To me, who made your mother fall for mw."
"I'm thankful to my mother."
"Gahaha!"
My old man laughed heartily and then finished all the foam in his cup. Sensing this, Toxy said, "I'll go get a refill," and grabbed my old man's cup, heading towards the stall.
"Wow, you've really caught a good one. She's thoughtful and has a charming face."
"Yeah, it's almost too good for me."
"That's right. It's too good for you. So, take good care of her, so she won't run away."
With a hearty laugh, my old man received the ale from Toxy. Gradually, he became more cheerful and handed copper coins to Toxy from his pocket. Toxy accepted them and returned to her seat.
Then Toxy said in a whisper.
"Let's ask now."
"Got it."
I replied, taking a quick breath. Then, I casually asked, "Hey, old man, how have you been lately?"
"Me? I'm fine. Oh, you're asking about my job? Well, I went back to work."
He took a swig of his ale and said,
"It's not a big deal. It's the same job I had before. I just take the money the department makes to the boss."
From the way he described it, it sounded like an important role. However, there was probably someone else protecting him, too. The guys sent by the lord who tried to get him said they were stopped by bodyguards.
"Department? What department?"
I asked innocently. "Oh..." My old man replied, his expression gradually becoming hazy.
"Nowadays, it's the... uh... the Fraud and Robbery Department. We trick people or break into places to... Well, the organization is a bit tight on money these days, so we have to make sure the money gets there."
Fraud and Robbery Department. When Toxy asked, "Where is it? There must be a lot of scary people there. We should avoid it," He chuckled softly.
"Yeah... probably... It's in the city of ruins on the right side of the slum, a collection of huts. That's where those guys live, so avoid it..."
―――I got it. I exchanged glances with Toxy and nodded.
"Old man, you're at your limit. I'll carry you home, so lean on me."
"Oh, uhh... Thanks..."
While Toxy took care of returning the finished plates to the owner, I put my arm around my old man's shoulder and headed back home.
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