‘This… escalated quickly…’ The department head could only let out an internal sigh of exasperation. Knowing Astar Levi’s famously bad temper, the department head had half-expected this to happen. But half of him had still hoped for the loner wolf to show some leniency due to the upcoming marriage.

After saying his piece, Levi proceeded to pull his paws off of Noah’s head, of course, as always, very reluctantly. And then he turned his attention to the light interface of his communicator, swiftly opening windows and pressing buttons.

The department head who was just preparing to respond: ‘Did I… just get ignored?’

Feeling the oncoming of a headache, the department head looked towards Noah for clues how to proceed, only to see their young master of Concordia giving him a half-exasperated, half-apologetic look.

The two exchanged a brief silent communication through their eyes, and Noah opened his mouth to make the head’s job easier and smooth over the awkwardness. But before he could get a word in, Levi returned his attention back from his communicator, “As the vice-city-lord of Astarea, I appoint myself as the representative of Astarea.”

He pressed a button to close his light interface, and a moment after, a ding could be heard from the department head’s communicator. Recognizing the tone of the message as a high priority, the man coughed awkwardly, “Excuse me.”

He opened the interface of his communicator only to find himself looking at an official communication sent from the Astarea city lord’s office.

It was an electronic appointment letter appointing Astar Levi as an official representative overseer of the case on the side of Astarea, signed by… Astar Levi.

Department head: “…” ಠ_ಠ

If the dignified department head’s current thoughts and emotions were translated into less refined speech, they would be: ‘Fuck, did you just write this shit up right in front of me?!?’

Giving no time for the man to process the rapid changes in the situation, Levi moved onto the next topic. He turned to face Noah, his imposing and overbearing demeanor visibly softening, “As the representative of Astarea, I express that my side would prefer it if your side appointed Cordia Aris as its representative. Cordia Aris, do you agree?”

Department head: ಥ‿ಥ ‘…Why do I get the feeling that my presence here is superfluous?‘

Trey: ‘Why are you complaining? You squeezed in more lines than me!’

○|￣|_

Blackie: ‘Let’s be honest here, the presence of everyone besides the two leads is superfluous.

╮(╯∀╰)╭

‘Of course, with the exception of me, Black! Mwahahaha!’

(≖‿≖)

Being asked out of the blue about such an important appointment, Noah sheepishly responded under his breath, “Um… brother… I don’t have the authority to appoint myself as the representative.”

Levi’s mind stalled for a moment, totally preoccupied with what he perceived as his darling acting coy towards him.

Noticing how Levi had frozen up and worried that the other would feel embarrassed or unhappy, Noah quickly explained, “I haven't yet officially been appointed as the vice-city-lord... I'm only 18, and having a barely legal vice-city-lord doesn't inspire confidence.”

Aris was currently working as a Soother employed by the city hall, or more accurately, the city lord's office. He would go where needed most such as overseeing important events, and if there were no important events, he would use his powers for the good of the public.

However, although he was technically employed as a Soother, the real purpose was to slowly raise him up to take over his father’s city lord position. He was already doing many of the duties of a vice-city-lord, but he would only be officially appointed to the position when he reached a more mature age, several years later.

Astars had different practices when it came to their successor. Levi had worked several years as a full-time peacekeeper until his promotion to a special inspector of the force. After that, he was appointed as the vice-city-lord and usually no longer participated in the law enforcement activities.

The purpose of the special inspector position was to supervise law enforcement, ensuring that there were no underhanded deals and violations of the law going on. Levi had the authority to take over any case if he suspected foul play and investigate any officials and peacekeepers under suspicion of corruption.

Levi stared speechlessly at his cute kitten for a while, then remembered that this was not the time to appreciate the loveliness of his baby, “Give me a moment.” Levi decisively got up, passed the motionless department head and his entourage, and strutted out of the conference room. All the while dialing a number on his communicator, not sparing the men a second glance.

Levi’s motto in life: if not my baby (…or someone important to my baby), I don’t give a shit.

***

In this world, there were many difficult, laborious jobs, such as a miner, plumber, and construction worker. But if one had to name the most miserable job, the trophy would definitely fall onto the head of the unfortunate secretary of Astar Levi. Who was currently shedding metaphorical tears of blood in front of a room full of politicians waiting for their vice-city-lord who wasn’t coming. And she had yet to come up with a good reason to explain his absence.

In that dire moment, like a hymn from the heavens above, her communicator rang– no, wait, she very much recognized that ringtone! Scratch the hymn from the heavens part, it was clearly the funeral march from the depths of hell!

The secretary closed her eyes, mournfully accepting her fate, and pressed the answer button.

After listening to what the other side had to say, she was shaken. Her boss was in a near-fatal accident?!

Abruptly, the secretary’s withered form revived, and she punched the air victoriously, ‘Yes!!!! A perfect excuse for the absence! Thank you, you unfortunate cannon fodder who set yourself up against Astar Levi! Your noble sacrifice shall not be in vain! Thank you very much! When I get home, I’ll light a few incense sticks for you!’

But, ahem, before all that, cough-cough, well, she better do a few things that her boss asked for. Let those old geezers wait for a while. No matter how much spittle they drown her in later, they are still less scary than her demon lord of he– ahem, her boss.

***

Noah awkwardly scratched the back of his head, “Um… please don’t take offense. Brother-in-law didn’t mean anything bad. He has just been rather distraught ever since the accident, thus he might come off a bit…” Noah tried his best to explain away Levi’s lack of decorum.

The department head, who’d had the “pleasure” of meeting Astar Levi several times on official business and therefore had already seen Levi in his “true form”, looked at his young master and didn’t know what to say. What’s this about being upset? If you asked him, it would seem that today’s Levi was much less wild than usual.

Luckily, just then, a ringtone interrupted the awkward silence. Concordia city lord was calling Noah through his communicator. Thus, Noah followed Levi’s suit and went to the corner of the room to take the call.

However, upon pressing the answer button, there was no sound from the other side.