You Lost

You Lost

Vagamound was on his way to the cafeteria when he noticed the group of six men gathered under the park tree in the distance.

He halted his movements when he saw the expression of shock on their faces.

“What are they discussing?” He observed as five of them lowered their heads, seeming to be deep in thought due to the information they had just received.

Frand stood in front of them, his mouth moving as he continued to speak to them.

“What is he saying?” Vagamound felt a slight curiosity in his heart and tried to eavesdrop on their conversation from where he stood.

But he hadn't anticipated that his probing would be blocked by a voice-sealing barrier.

Vagamound's eyes flickered, stunned at this discovery.

What kind of secrecy are they trying to hide that they had to set up a sound-sealing barrier out here in public?

Although the barrier was something he could easily break through, Vagamound decided against it.

Since the six of them had set up the barrier, it meant that what they were discussing must be crucial.

Vagamound lifted his foot and walked over to them.

Frand immediately stopped talking the moment he saw him walking over.

“What are you all doing here?” Vagamound arrived before the group and swept his gaze across them.

He noticed the fading traces of disbelief in their eyes. But when he looked again, their expression had all reverted to stillness.

“Nothing.” Frand shook his head, pulling his lips into a smile. “We were just discussing the affairs of the seven realms.”

“Oh.” Vagamound's gaze shifted to the right, falling onto San, who stood next to Eason.

Although San was trying his best to keep his expression still, the conflicting emotions in his eyes betrayed his guise.

Vagamound's brow knitted, his deep eyes locking onto San. “Are you keeping something from me?” He would be a fool if he believed the explanation that Frand gave.

“Of course not.” Kris suddenly stepped into Vagamound's view, blocking his gaze away from San. “What secret do we have to keep away from you? Just like Frand said, we were just talking about how things are going at home.” He wrapped his arm around Vagamound's shoulder, smiling. “Why else would we bother setting up a noise-sealing barrier?”

“Now, that big smile on your face looks so suspicious. What are you guys hiding from me?” Vagamound turned his head to Frand, ordering. “Spill it out.”

Before Frand could open his mouth to speak, someone else beat him to it. “Big brother. It is true that you and—Mmph… mmph.” Sean's mouth was suddenly covered by a hand, preventing him from uttering his sentence.

“Oh, I saw a fly about to go into your mouth, which is why I covered it.” Gia gave an awkward laugh at his excuse and turned his head to Vagamound. “Sean was going to ask if you and he could go watch a movie together tonight.”

Vagamound's mouth twitched when he heard Gia's response: Are you all kidding me? Do I look like someone who could be fooled?

He glanced at the struggling Sean, who was under Gia's clutch, and turned his gaze away.

It seems like he won't be able to get the reply he wanted. Since that's the case, he decided to push the matter away.

“Well, I'm not concerned with what little secret you guys are keeping from me. I will just pretend that I wasn't here today. So, has anyone seen Belia?” He asked.

“I did,” Frand answered, pointing in the cafeteria direction. “She headed over to the lunchroom not long ago.”

“Alright, I'm leaving.” Vagamound turned his head to Gia and made a single wave. “Enjoy your secret discussion.”

“Mmph, mmph,” Sean called out in a muffled voice as he watched Vagamound leave.

‘Wait, big brother. Don't leave yet.’

Unfortunately, the tall figure vanished from his sight.

“That was close.” Gia finally let go of Sean when Vagamound was out of sight.

“Why did you have to cover my mouth?” Sean wiped his mouth, angry at Gia's action.

“Because you are not so good at keeping secrets,” Gia responded.

“I'm not spilling any secrets.” Sean defended his reputation. “I just want to ask big brother if the report is true.”

“It's so obvious that Vagamound doesn't know about it either. Thankfully, Gia reacted in time, or else we would have ruined this surprise for him.” Frand's words instantly shut whatever complaint Sean had in his mouth.

“I still can't believe this.” Eason was still feeling disbelief about the whole event. “Who would have thought that news like this would come so soon?”

“Shouldn't we start preparing for the new life that's about to be added to the family?” Kris's reminder instantly sprouted several thoughts in their minds.

“That's right. I should prepare a birth welcoming gift for the baby.”

“Would an artifact be okay for a gift? How about pills? Immortal fruit?”

“Do you think it's going to be a boy or girl? Hey Frand, what's the baby's gender?”

“I don't know. I didn't look closely.” Frand answered.

As the five of them chattered on, San's quietness seemed out of place.

His head was tilted low, his expression hidden from the view of the five.

San's eyes were constantly switching from astonishment, envy, and sadness before finally settling on regret.

His mind was still processing the earlier words Frand had said to them.

‘It was that day, wasn't it?’

The day the six orbits were recovered. He could vividly recall the big smile on Vagamound's lips when they were on their way home.

‘Did they…’

San lowered his head even further, clenching his palm into a fist. He couldn't believe this result. The truth he had been running away from had finally come crashing onto his face.

It's over, San. You lost.

“Hey.”

San felt someone tap him on the shoulder.

He hurriedly erased the lingering emotion in his eyes before lifting his head.

“Are you okay? You haven't said anything in the conversation.” Kris looked at him concernedly.

“I'm fine.” He tugged his lips into a smile. “Though I'm just a bit surprised by how sudden this is.”

“Yeah, right. We are all surprised.”

“Fourth brother, have you thought of what to give for the birth welcoming ceremony?” Sean asked, continuing. “All the treasures in my treasury are not fitting to give to a newborn.”

“It's alright. You can just go treasure hunting when we go back home.” Eason was the one who responded.

“I guess I also need to go on a treasure hunt too.” Gia joined in the conversation.

Seeing their attention being diverted away from him, San let out a sigh of relief.