Chapter 1242 (1/2)

As Elmer walked into the bowling alley, he was very aware of the neat and disciplined steps of the five individuals behind him. They moved with the determined precision of soldiers trying to impress a superior officer. And that realization just caused Commissioner Arrietti to sweat even more copiously; were these five truly trying to impress him…? It simply made the group increasingly enigmatic!

Considering how quickly they had scared a restless and transplanted population into submission, it was something of a joke that they were seeking his approval. And what would happen when they realized exactly the sort of man that Elmer was? Would they turn some of their fearsome methods on him to punish him for misleading them…?

Still, I’m a realist, Commissioner Arrietti told himself brusquely as he rolled his shoulders. No need to assume there is a sinister undercurrent to this situation; I will simply ask.

Coughing lightly as they went to stand in line for shoes, Elmer turned and looked at Heiffal. He was very aware how much of the talk in the alley died as everyone turned to stare at the new arrivals. “I don’t mean to pry… but I’m very curious about how you… ah… inspired such change in the individuals you visited. Perhaps I might change the police’s methods, should they be… appropriate.”

Heiffal nodded seriously. “Mmm… it is nothing special. This is somewhat embarrassing to admit but… everyone in my company is… well, we all… in the past… we experienced very bloody ends. With this second chance… it has been difficult to adjust.”

Wait, what…?

Scratching the back of his head, Heiffal continued. “That traumatic event… well, if not for Commander Ghosthound, I’m not sure how we would have managed to avoid repeating it. The company has developed some visualization exercises and mantras to maintain our mental health, and we simply demonstrated those with our visits.”

Elmer’s expression froze on his face. The word choice is a little strange...but isn’t Heiffal basically admitting that his entire company is composed of reformed convicts?!?! And violent convicts at that… barely avoided repeating it… bloody end… second chances… and they were formed into a group by the Ghosthound himself… c-c-certainly they would have common ground with the criminals, but...

“H-hey Commissioner Arrietti. Did you forget your s-s-shoes today?”

Elmer pivoted away from the five individuals who had just outed themselves as former bloody criminals and looked at Sally, who worked the counter at the bowling alley. Her eyes were so wide that it was immediately clear that she had heard rumors about the Visitors and recognized them. And she likely had overheard some of what was just said.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Elmer forced a smile. “No, but these five haven’t bowled before. So they will all require shoes…, ah, Heiffal, do you know your shoe size…?”

“Shoe size?” Heiffal seemed to ponder that. Then he lifted his leg up and put his heel on the counter without his torso swaying even the slightest bit. It was like there were no bones at all in his hips. “My foot is this size, thank you.”

Both Elmer and Sally stared at the sandaled foot rather numbly for almost a second. Sharp claws peaked over the edge of the footwear. The sandals were done in an almost ancient roman style, wrapping up the leg to the knee. The leather was clearly worn from heavy use and frayed at the edges. And there were several black and maroon stains on the sides of the material that looked frighteningly like dried blood…

“Ahem,” Heiffal said lightly, giving his four subordinates a pointed glance. They dutifully stepped forward and brought their right foot up to the counter for inspection without a word of complaint. Only one of the five had feet that looked remotely human. Heiffal and two others were clearly a furry paw. The second in command Shifloo had hooves.

“I… I can make some shoes for you right away,” Sally said rather meekly. She produced some canvas and thread and held them up like talismans to protect herself. “I have a pretty high-Level cobbler Skill…”

Heiffal nodded seriously. “It is a good thing for a young one to develop trade Skills.”

While Sally began to frantically work, Shifloo turned to Elmer. “Why does this activity require its own footwear? Is the environment dangerous?”

Elmer was considering how best to respond when another voice cut across from behind the group.

“No, the footwear is so lane isn’t damaged by us; the surface polished and waxed to an extremely high degree so the ball thrown down the lane proceeds very smoothly.” Commissioner Arrietti wheeled around to find Naffur and Vye walking up to them. Naffur smiled at Heiffal, but Commissioner Arrietti didn’t miss the sour expression on Vye’s face as she considered the Visitors. “Heiffal, I need to thank you for sending a few of your men to assist in the Order Ducis’ training. They’ve been invaluable for helping notice areas we’ve been lacking recently.”

“It is nothing,” Heiffal said with a nod. “We are both subordinates to Commander Ghosthound. It’s only natural that we work together. After all, your strength might save my life someday.”

“And now you are bowling? You are certainly adjusting to life on Earth well,” Naffur continued. His heavy-lidded eyes slid to Elmer.

...adjusting to life on Earth…? Elmer’s mind once again stuttered to a stop.

“This is all due to how welcoming the people of Kharon are,” Heiffal said modestly. “Commissioner Arrietti generously offered to teach us bowling and we were glad to have such an experienced man guide us.”

Naffur grinned. “Is that so? Well certainly, no one is better at bowling than our Commissioner.”