Though he could relate himself to this man. Amon was also soone who died in his last life and was reborn in a new world. He was excited at the start, being born in a fantasy world. But that did not an he never thought about his family.
He still missed them. The question of what happened after he died always ca to his mind. Were they devastated? Sad? How must they have felt when their son died? His mother, who was gentle. His father, strict but still loving. His younger sister. That brat who always annoyed him.
The only reason he continued to live happily was because of his new parents. The village he was born into. They were kind, sweet, and nice.
Also, so teachings of his mother from his past life and his mother from this life always helped him stay sane.
He knew he had so loose screws. But it must be because of the people he t that he was still smiling.
With a serious expression, Amon said, "We will get outside... one day. We will."
Malphas looked at him with surprise. After staring into the young man’s eyes for a while, he chuckled softly.
With a faint smile, he said, "You have a strong will, young man... Maybe we can get out of here one day. We can go back to our ho."
Amon nodded with a small smile, despite having no place he could truly call ho.
"Yeah, we can."
Malphas gave a bitter smile and looked down slightly. "Hah... if I ever go back... to my wife and daughter. All I can give them is the remaining few days of my life."
Amon nodded. He had read sowhere and also heard that demons have slightly longer lifespans compared to humans. An unawakened normal human might live up to 100 years, while higher ranks can live longer. The sa goes for demons.
Normal demons can live up to 130-150 years. So there was a possibility that his family was still alive.
Amon looked at him thoughtfully. "So... did you ask anyone else... I an any other demon who ca to this place... about your family? Like Kael?"
Malphas shook his head lightly. With a calm but distant expression, he replied, "I was not a high-ranking noble... though being a high-ranking knight, I did have a small estate. That’s all. Not many knew about or my family. Still, I asked him... but he doesn’t know about or my family."
Amon nodded after hearing that. They sat there for a little longer in silence.
Then he decided to change the topic.
Looking at the villagers walking toward the canteen, Amon said lightly, "It’s afternoon. It will be lunchti. Hah, let’s go together."
Malphas looked around and then nodded. "Oh, you are right. It’s afternoon. I’m a little bit hungry as well. Let’s go, young man."
He slowly stood up, holding his cane for support.
Amon also got up from his seat, stretching his arms upward.
Both of them moved toward the canteen.
Once inside, Amon saw Scarlett already there, sitting at a table.
’She’s already here. Must be waiting for .’
The audacity of this guy to co to the conclusion that she was waiting for him was truly amazing.
Her eyes t Amon’s. He waved his hand at her cheerfully.
Seeing that, Malphas gave a knowing smile while caressing his beard.
With a teasing tone, he said, "I see... you can go now, Amon. She must be waiting for you."
Amon giggled. "Yeah, she is. I know that. See you later, gramps."
He walked toward the food counters first.
The canteen was lively as usual. Wooden tables filled the hall, villagers chatting while the sll of warm soup and roasted at spread through the air. Amon picked up a wooden tray and stood in line.
When his turn ca, he received the usual al. One bowl of hot soup, a piece of roasted at, and so boiled green leaves on the side. Simple but filling.
With a teasing smile, Granny May asked, "Late today? Usually you co with Scarlett."
Amon smiled back casually. "Well, I was just talking with soone. Got late because of it."
She chuckled softly. "Hm, young people are always talking."
"Thank you, Granny May," he said politely before stepping aside.
As he turned, he noticed Julian, Ethan, and a few others sitting at another table. They were already halfway through their als. Julian raised his hand slightly in greeting.
Amon waved back at them with a grin before making his way toward Scarlett’s table.
They only sat with Scarlett when Amon was present. Mostly because of her irritated face they don’t dare go sat with her when Amon was not around. But Amon was shaless. He sat beside her anyway.
She was already eating quietly.
Her long wavy red hair was loose today, falling over her shoulders. A few bangs partially covered one of her eyes, but both of her athyst-colored eyes were still visible beneath the strands. Her posture was straight, her movents calm and elegant even while eating sothing as simple as soup.
Amon eyes montarily drawn to her huge round peaks. Which makes Amon wating to grab them and play with them.
He shook his head. Trying to push away bad thoughts.
’Don’t think dirty! You are a good man!’
Amon pulled the chair beside her and sat down.
To his surprise, she looked at him and asked with a neutral expression, "Why are you late?"
Her tone was neutral, but there was a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
Amon blinked.
With a playful smile, he said, "Missed already? I was just talking with Malphas. That old man."
Scarlett paused for a second. She ignored his first words, focusing on the latter.
Softly repeating the na, she said, "Malphas..."
She nodded slightly and glanced across the canteen. Malphas was walking slowly toward another table, using his cane for support.
Her gaze lingered on him for a mont before returning to Amon.
Calmly, she said, "Do you know that old man Malphas is one of the strongest people in this village?"
Amon almost dropped his spoon. His eyes widened in shock. "What?" he asked, staring at her.
She looked at him as if it were obvious.
Amon quickly shook his head. "No. I didn’t know that."
He turned his head again, looking at the old demon in the distance. Malphas was eating his food alone.
"That old man? With the cane?" he muttered in disbelief.
Scarlett nodded once. "Yes. Don’t be fooled by his appearance. He’s more than a hundred. Of course he’s strong."
Amon stared quietly at Malphas for a few seconds longer.
He rembered the tired eyes. The heavy voice. The regret.
One of the strongest people in the village... Yet he sounded so broken.
Amon slowly looked back at his food. With a soft voice, he said, "I really didn’t know."
Scarlett continued eating as if it were nothing unusual.
Amon, however, felt like he had just discovered sothing important.
The quiet old man sitting alone with mories of his family... was far more than he appeared to be.
This might be helpful for Amon in future.
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