24 Monster (2/2)

”I... I...” Louis stuttered, hesitant on making such a decision. ”I think I'll-”

Suddenly, Louis disappeared from the alleyway, leaving Casimir alone with his hand stretched out towards an empty corner.

”Mm... I see.” Casimir lowered his arm and stared at the place where Louis had been sitting in previously. Then, he started laughing madly. This was the first time that someone has refused him, either directly or indirectly.

But... Since the kid had shown signs of being a wizard, it wouldn't take long before they would meet again. And at that time, Casimir would make sure that he would give him a straight answer.

So, with elegance befitting of his identity, he walked out of the alleyway as pristine and unruffled as he had been before he was dragged inside it, leaving the three corpses behind.

He reckoned that, if no one knew exactly of what happened inside that alleyway, they never would have known that it was him who had done it.

At least, except for that one wizard boy.

...

”Young master! Young master!” Edgar ran around the market, looking everywhere for Casimir and seeming a bit disheveled. ”Young master, just where have you run off to?” The man muttered to himself.

”Boo!” Casimir said from behind Edgar, suddenly appearing out of nowhere holding two candied apples.

”Young master!” Edgar exclaimed, nearly tearing up in relief. ”Young master, where have you been?! I've been looking all over for you!”

”Calm down, Edgar. It's only been fifteen minutes.” Casimir tried to appease the man with a small smile. ”I just got some candied apples from a stall that was giving them out for free. Here! Have one!”

Casimir handed one of the candied apples to Edgar who took it from him gingerly.

Fortunately, those traffickers carried some money with them. Casimir sneered at them in his mind but, still retained his smile on the outside. The pipe had also been thrown into the sewers so he should be free of suspicion now.

”Thank you, young master. But, please do not wander around anymore! Not all people here have good intentions. You may end up bumping into some of them!” Edgar tried to warn sincerely but, Casimir didn't seem to heed his advice.

Bah! What bad people? I'm probably the worst person in this market to bump into!