Side Story 109: Endaland's Retirement

That day, Elder Endaland came to my office leaning on his cane. Taken by surprise, I hurried to take him by the hand and guide him to a chair.

"How is your back doing?"

Elder Endaland had only recently injured his back. I'd heard that was why he had been taking it easy lately.

With a light chuckle at my question, Elder Endaland rubbed his lower back and said, "Honestly, one really shouldn't grow old." Then he tapped the floor with his cane and turned to face me again.

"Actually, I think it's about time I retired."

"Old man, weren't you already retired?"

"Have you finally gone senile, old man?"

The twins, who had been playing in the room, teased him, so he lightly tapped them on the head with the cane in his hand. The twins did not even try to dodge, simply letting him do as he pleased.

"You brats never run out of things to say. I'm not senile. I was originally assigned to monitor the war between Rudek and Lifrea, you see. I believe that role has now come to an end."

When he put it that way, he certainly had a point. Besides, Elder Endaland was already quite old...