Ellis rolled his lips in, hoping that Hao does not snap and take everything back.
It was very rare to find a transaction like this, and Northern might not know, but he knew Hao’s nature.
The man is rumored to be a sagacious trader who could smell riches.
Many often take it as an overpraise since Hao was just really good at what he does.
And Ellis had hoped that this was just another of Hao’s trader antics kicking in and hoped that everything just went smoothly without Northern saying anything.
Why?
‘He has a very crazy temper! Very crazy! I can only pray, that is if Ul is benevolent enough to bestow upon us mercy, because this guy is just crazy!’
Hao was infamous even amongst the party leaders and the entire castle.
He is the only one that doesn’t get fed by whatever the parties hunt and has a really bad record with the party leaders, and Ellis has no idea why.
What he knew very well, though, was that Hao had once come to the castle and caused a massive uproar.
And this was not even when he was stolen from.
He could vividly remember how Hao flipped and ripped an enormous table that used to be in the center of the main hall.
It used to be where people gathered to eat. But it wasn’t there when Northern entered, that was all due to Hao’s anger tantrums.
The reasons were unknown. Ellis, after all, was too mundane of a person to know such privileged information.
But memories of it had kept a fear of Hao in him, and now that everything was going nice, he didn’t just want to mess it up.
Hao, on the other hand, just stood up silently, not even an ounce of sound dropped from him until he turned and looked up.
His face was bony and stiffened, but his eyes, for some reason, were very accommodating.
Ellis observed him with a slight frown, ‘Why is he looking like… that…’ he was unsure what to think.
Then Hao smiled.
Ellis felt goosebumps crawl on his skin at the sight of the grotesque smile.
‘Seriously?!!’
Oblivious of Ellis’ rampaging thoughts, Hao answered Northern:
“I come from a prestigious family of traders. My father was a Duke of Lotheliwan and was a very smart trader. There are records of him handling massive deals with different nations even with Luinngard Empire. He was able to go far and do so much by sniffing.”
Northern retracted his head with taut lines of confusion forming on his pale forehead.
“Sniffing?”
Hao continued, his lips still betraying faded reminiscent of his previous smile.
“Let’s just say, we are really good at following our instincts.”
Northern raised his chin a little, his eyes assessing Hao’s words.
“Then can I ask you a favor?”
Hao folded his arms and raised a corner of his lips, “Hmph, ya are going to ask a trader for a favor?”
Northern looked down and looked back at Hao, “I guess. It’s not anything hard.”
“It doesn’t matter, the point is that one good favor deserves another. I work with exchange. If ya favor is something I can do, then I will do it. But I will also be expecting a favor from ya.”
“Isn’t that a given? That way, I’d not necessarily feel indebted to you.”
Hao nodded in agreement, “I think ya and I are going to get along pretty well.”
Northern didn’t know what, but those words immediately left a sour taste in his mouth.
‘Somehow, I can’t help but feel he’s using me to plot something or he has an agenda… but at the very least… it doesn’t feel harmful.’
But still, he couldn’t be too complacent or trust anyone.
“So what’s ya favor?” Hao asked, with a small smile on his lips.
“I’ll be leaving soon, while I’m gone, I want you to look out for Ellis and protect him.”
Ellis’ eyes widened, “Eh? What? Wait? What are you saying?”
He was caught in a spiraling moment of confusion, he didn’t even know how to react to the level of absurdity that Northern had just spilled.
Protect him? Look out for him? And Hao of all people?!! The same person he stole from?!!!
And moreover, where… where was he going?!!
‘He didn’t even tell me anything about this beforehand!’
Hao’s voice resonated in the small room, “Hmph, I didn’t particularly take ya for the caring type.”
Northern tilted his head, “I’m not, but I made a deal to protect him.”
Hao nodded, “Hmph, ya at least look like the type that values and holds their words.”
He paused for a few moments and then responded:
“Well, that’s fair. I have forgiven him for our past mishap, even though he knew very well that he was a criminal before me, he still brought me an interesting customer. As a trader, I am grateful for that.”
His eyes drifted to Ellis, who was standing slightly behind Northern, almost shuddering. Hao glared at him fiercely.
“Ya better not be stealing from me!”
The loud warning caused Ellis’ skin to jump. He almost staggered back.
“I wouldn’t dare! It, it wasn’t me that time…”
Hao’s brow furrowed subtly, a hint of anger shadowing his expression. His voice rang out:
“I don’t care what it was that time.”
Ellis lowered his head, beneath, the corners of his mouth tightened imperceptibly.
‘I didn’t even agree to this, dammit!!’
“Thank you,” Northern said and tapped Ellis’ shoulder. “Let’s go.”
Hao watched both of them leave his small item store until the door was shut.
Immediately they stepped outside, Ellis stopped and glared at Northern’s back.
As if Northern could feel his glare piercing his back, he stopped his steps and turned around, not surprised to see Ellis’ expression.
“What?” He inquired.
“What do you mean ‘what’? What was that in there?” Ellis’ tone rose a little, and he belatedly noticed, thanks to the slight frown that appeared in Northern’s brows.
“I mean… you didn’t even say anything to me about it,” he added, politely this time.
Northern let out an audible breath.
“I promised to protect you, didn’t I?”
Ellis nodded, “Yes.”
“I will be gone. I don’t know how long, and I don’t know if it will be possible for Dark Terror to be here. Where he can be is limited by distance. Since I don’t know how far I’ll be going, it’s not a bad idea to make some preparations to protect you.”
Ellis still wore a slight frown after Northern’s explanation, he was like a baby throwing unnecessary tantrums because their parents were about to go on an important journey.
Northern placed his hand on Ellis’ shoulder, his voice coming out firmly.
“Look, this is just the beginning of our work together. And I am not letting you die, you’ll have to help me with more things when I come back, and because of that, you have to stay safe. So humbly accept the offer before I change my mind.”
Northern looked at Hao’s hut, then gestured for Ellis to step closer.
Confused, Ellis did so.
Then Northern whispered into his ear:
“You can also work as his apprentice and stylishly begin to learn how to sniff too, don’t you think?”
Ellis’ mouth dropped open, ‘Eh?’ He was shocked.
Northern whispered again, “I mean, you are weak in combat, this could be a chance for you to add importance to yourself. It’s all on you, though. I just thought that since he looks like a very prestigious trader, you could use this opportunity to add value to yourself.”
Ellis stared at Northern with slightly widened eyes.
‘What in the world is this? What the hell? I… I… I never…’
He never thought Northern was so thoughtful!
