Free Web NovelChapter 196: _Entertaining Little Variable
"... Grand pa?" Devon frowned when Magnus crossed into the living room. He lowered the knife in his grip, eyes darting to Orion. "I–I... what are you doing—"
"I’m not here for you if that’s what you’re wondering, boy." The Guild master placed his arms behind his back, barely keeping his gaze on his grandson before pinning it on Ambrose. "I’m here for the Guide. I believe he recalls when I mentioned we’d continue our discussion once I return."
Orion finally swerved his head from where he sat. He looked curiously, his eyes flickering with recognition when he saw the old man.
Ambrose noticed the boy’s intense staring and immediately placed himself between him and the Guild master. "S–Sir," he wore the brightest smile. "Would you like to sit? Or should we—"
"I hope to be as brief as possible." Magnus shook his head. "So that won’t be necessary."
Despite Ambrose’s best efforts, the man still noticed Orion. He tilted his head, looking over the Guide. "A fine young lad you have there." He drawled, not bothering to hide his scrutiny. "How are you, kiddo?"
’Shit.’ Ambrose felt like pulling out a bomb just to escape this. He snapped his neck to Orion, giving him a warning glare. ’God, please don’t let him say anything weird about the future or some crap. Please!’
For a few suffocating seconds, Orion blinked at the man with those big golden eyes without saying anything. His gaze occasionally flicked to his dad. And then his papa.
Then—his face brightened. "I’m fine, sir." He perked up almost instantly. "Are you one of the good guys?"
Magnus was taken aback for a beat but soon got back his composure. "Well, child. You’re looking at one of the original ’good guys ’." Pride was thick in his voice. "So I’m curious. Ambrose is your—"
"Father, yes." Ambrose cut in hastily, hiding his relief when the older man brought his gaze back to him. "He’s... a very good kid, sir. But I won’t want to waste your time further. I imagine your meeting earlier today must’ve been hectic."
Silence stayed between them for a breath.
When Magnus’ lips moved again, it was in agreement. "Indeed it was," a pause. "Very well. Are you certain this suite is okay for the questions I’m about to ask?"
Ambrose parted his mouth to speak when Devon blurted from the kitchen.
"I just put on my headphones!" He gave them a thumbs up, pointing at the device plugged into his ears. "You two have absolutely nothing to worry about."
He went on with his cooking, bobbing his head to the music playing.
Relieved, Ambrose nodded at the Guild master. "It’s perfect, sir."
"It’s merely about all we discussed." Magnus inched by a few steps. "I’m aware of your C-Rank status. Not to mention you’re still merely a Guide after all."
His eyes narrowed on Ambrose’s. "Tell me... why then were you shown wearing a black hoodie like the assailant? And why were you questioning the nurses about Guide Han Jae-won’s teammates before they got beaten half to death?"
Magnus held Ambrose’s gaze without blinking. The pressure rolling off the old man was subtle compared to Devon or Viktor’s overwhelming presence—but somehow far more dangerous.
Like standing before a predator too experienced to bear its fangs immediately.
Ambrose forced himself not to stiffen. "The hoodie?" He repeated, brows knitting with carefully crafted confusion. "Sir, that really was just an unfortunate coincidence."
The Guild master’s expression remained unreadable.
"I grabbed random clothes before heading out that evening." Ambrose continued smoothly. "I was in a rush and honestly didn’t even think twice about what I wore."
"You expect me to believe that?" Magnus asked flatly.
Ambrose resisted the urge to sweat.
"I know how suspicious it sounds." He admitted with a helpless chuckle. "But that’s genuinely it. I didn’t even know there was footage of the attacker until later."
The old man’s sharp gaze lingered on him for several suffocating seconds before shifting. "And the nurses?"
Right.
Ambrose sighed softly, this time letting some genuine irritation seep into his face. "That part’s simpler, actually."
His eyes flicked briefly toward Devon in the kitchen before returning to Magnus.
"Hunter Han Jae-won has had a problem with me ever since I started getting close to Devon." He admitted. "At first it was subtle. Petty comments. Weird hostility. Then his little group started joining in."
Magnus’ brows furrowed faintly.
Ambrose noticed immediately and internally thanked the heavens because yes—those rumours absolutely existed around the Guild.
"So after their raid mission went wrong and they ended up in the infirmary..." He shrugged lightly. "I got curious."
"Curious?"
"I wanted to know how badly injured they were," Ambrose answered honestly enough to sound believable. "And whether I needed to worry about more harassment once they recovered."
At that, Magnus fell silent again.
The room seemed quieter now apart from the faint sounds of Devon cooking and Orion humming to himself on the couch.
Then finally—the Guild master exhaled through his nose.
"I have indeed heard whispers regarding friction between you and Hunter Han." He admitted reluctantly. "Though I initially dismissed it as a meaningless Guild drama."
Ambrose almost collapsed internally from relief.
Almost.
"So no," Magnus continued slowly. "Your explanation isn’t entirely impossible."
A beat passed.
Then the older man straightened fully. "Very well."
Ambrose blinked. "... Sir?"
"Your house arrest is revoked." Magnus declared bluntly. "Although your timing and circumstances remain suspicious, there currently isn’t enough evidence tying you to the attack on Han’s team."
Relief flooded Ambrose’s chest so fast it almost made him dizzy.
Freedom.
Finally.
"Thank you, sir." He breathed out quickly. "I promise I—"
"However," Magnus cut in sharply, stepping closer. "Before I leave, there is something else."
Ambrose immediately tensed again.
The Guild master’s stern eyes shifted briefly toward Devon.
"My grandson is many things." He said carefully. "Stubborn. Reckless. Difficult." A pause. "But he does not become attached to people easily."
Devon, still pretending not to listen from the kitchen, nearly sliced straight through the cutting board.
Magnus looked back at Ambrose directly. "I’ve seen the way that boy speaks about you." His voice lowered slightly. "So if you’re planning to toy with his feelings or leave him brokenhearted..."
The old man’s aura flared just enough to make the air feel heavier.
"... Don’t."
Ambrose swallowed hard.
"Understood, sir." He answered carefully.
Magnus held his stare another second before finally nodding once.
Then he turned and headed toward the suite door.
The guards stationed outside immediately straightened the moment he stepped out.
"At ease." Magnus waved dismissively. "House arrest has been lifted. Resume your normal duties."
"Yes, Guild master."
The old man left without another word, disappearing down the hallway.
Silence lingered for a moment as one of the guards trailed behind him, leaving the other.
The last of the guards suddenly tilted his head slightly, watching the closed suite door with unusual interest.
" Well," he mused softly beneath his breath. "This just got more delicious."
The guard’s appearance shimmered instantly. His face warped. Height shifted. Build changed.
And standing there in place of the ordinary Guild guard was Loki—with that same mischievous grin stretching across their absurdly beautiful face.
"Oh, Ambrose Hale." They chuckled, turning on their heels. "You are turning out to be a far more entertaining little variable than expected."
