Teacher by day, Farmer by passion-Chapter 134: Can we go?

Ace left the run-down inn with Blind Dog in tow, this time making sure he was the one leading the way.

He wasn't about to fall for another one of the kid's tricks.

Eventually, they arrived at a more decent-looking inn.

The signboard swayed slightly in the evening breeze, the scent of roasted meat wafting through the air.

Stepping inside, Ace walked up to the innkeeper at the counter.

"I need a private room."

The innkeeper, a stout man with a thick mustache, sized him up before nodding. "Five silver."

Ace handed over the coins without hesitation.

"Right this way," the innkeeper said, leading them down a hallway.

As they walked, a few guests glanced their way, some in curiosity, others in mild disdain, likely due to Blind Dog's ragged appearance. Ace ignored them.

They were soon shown to a modest but clean private room.

A wooden table sat in the center, with two chairs and a small lantern hanging from the ceiling.

Blind Dog sniffed the air and grinned. "Mister, this place smells way better than the last one, right?"

"Let's hope their food matches the smell," Ace said, gesturing for him to take a seat.

As the innkeeper waited, Ace placed his order. "four plates of chicken, six bowls of ramen, and do make it quick."

The man raised a brow. " You eating for two people or five?"

Ace waved him off.

"Just bring the food."

With a chuckle, the innkeeper left, closing the door behind him.

Ace finally turned to Blind Dog, who was already rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

"So," Ace leaned back, studying him, "you're gonna start talking now, right?"

"Hic… hic… Mister, you're so cruel! Can't you just give me the spirit apple?" Blind Dog sniffled, his voice trembling with exaggerated heartbreak.

"Yeah, no, kid. I've seen what you're capable of. You're not fooling me anymore." Ace leaned back, arms crossed.

Blind Dog tilted his head, curiosity evident in his expression. "And what exactly is that?"

Ace exhaled, giving him a pointed look. "Well, for starters, you claim to be blind, yet you move and react like someone with perfect vision."

Blind Dog grinned. "Ah, that? It's simple. I lost my eyesight, but in return, I developed an exceptional sense of smell."

Ace raised a brow. "Oh really?"

The boy nodded eagerly. "Mister, if it's my exceptional sense of smell that you want, I can trade it for the spirit apple."

Ace then withdrew another spirit apple and placed them on the table along with the other spirit apple he took out earlier.

"Alright, since your nose is so special," Ace said, "tell me—which one is the real spirit apple?"

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Blind Dog's nostrils flared, his entire body tensing. His lips parted slightly as he inhaled deeply.

"…Both… both of them…" His voice wavered.

Then, as if something inside him shattered, he suddenly clutched Ace's sleeve, his grip trembling.

"M-Mister…" His voice cracked with desperation. "Do you… do you have more?"

Ace blinked, momentarily taken aback.

"I-I can be your slave! I can sell my organs! Just—just please, please give me more spirit apples!"

His tone was raw, unfiltered, and utterly genuine. His milky eyes, empty as they were, gleamed with something Ace could only describe as pure, unshaken hope.

Ace stared at the boy, feeling an unfamiliar tug at his emotions.

Blind Dog then quickly sat up straighter, his expression growing serious.

"My situation is like this," he began, his voice a little shaky but firm. "I have a few 'siblings' who are really sick. I've heard that spirit apples work like a miracle cure. They're rare, valuable… and exactly what we need."

His fingers tightened into small fists on the table. "Among them, my sister… she can barely even open her eyes anymore."

He swallowed hard before continuing.

"I was told that if I waited by the hole and reported back when someone came out, I would get a spirit apple as payment."

His voice wavered, and for a brief moment, he looked smaller, more fragile. "I took the job and then… I waited for days. I haven't slept in just as long, but I thought—no, I knew—it would be worth it."

A deep sigh escaped him, and his hands loosened slightly. "And I… I even thought if I brought you straight to them, I would even get double the reward."

As the weight of his words settled, his face twisted with frustration, and suddenly, he blurted out, "Ugh! I was such an idiot!"

He slumped over the table, groaning into his arms, completely defeated.

Ace studied the boy carefully, trying to gauge whether he was truly desperate or just testing his limits again.

"Well," he said evenly, "take me to your sister and your other siblings."

Blind Dog flinched—just the slightest twitch—but Ace instantly caught sight of it. His eyes narrowed in.

I heard you were an only child from the gossip earlier. You think I am deaf, kid?

Blind Dog took a deep breath, his small shoulders trembling. "Mister… if I take you to them, will you really give me the spirit apples?" His voice was thin, uncertain.

Ace gave a small, knowing smile. "Oh, of course. Here, why don't you hold onto these two spirit apples for now?" He placed them in the boy's hands, watching carefully.

For a moment, Blind Dog just stared, his fingers tightening around the fruit.

Then, with a choked sob, he suddenly dropped to his knees.

"M-mister… thank you!" His voice cracked, thick with emotion.

Ace had been sure the kid was lying. Hell, he was almost ready to pat himself on the back for figuring it out. But now… this reaction?

Either Blind Dog was the best damn actor he'd ever seen… or Ace had just misjudged him completely.

Blind Dog lifted his head, eyes wide with pleading desperation. "Can we… can we go? Please?" His breath hitched. "I'm sure they're hungry by now. Please, let's go now."

Ace hesitated. There was no deception in the boy's voice. Just raw, genuine fear.

Still, he asked, "I just ordered food. Don't you think it would be a waste to leave now?"

Blind Dog shot to his feet, nearly knocking over the chair. His breath came in quick, uneven gasps, and he took half a step toward the door before catching himself.

"Please, mister, we have to go now. I-I don't care about the food! I don't care about anything! I'm afraid If I wait any longer—" He cut himself off, swallowing hard.