"Thank you so much, Monsieur Grett."
"It was nothing, madam. Helping others is a virtue every gentleman should possess."
"Uncle Grett is so strong! I want to be just like him when I grow up and protect my mom!"
"Ha ha! Well, you'd better remember those words, little one. You'll need to train hard to keep that promise!"
The man chuckled as he walked toward the corner, retrieving his discarded cane and top hat from the ground.
He brushed the dust off his hat, slowly placed it on his head, and leaned on his cane as he returned to the woman and child. By this time, Navia and her companions had also approached.
"Miss Navia!"
The woman's face registered surprise upon seeing Navia, quickly transforming into delight. She greeted Navia warmly and urged her child to do the same.
"So you're Miss Navia of the Spina di Rosula. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Noticing the woman's gesture, the man seemed to finally acknowledge Navia and her companions. He turned, removed his black top hat with impeccable courtesy, and held it against his chest as he bowed to Navia.
Only then did Navia realize that the weapon she had glimpsed earlier was indeed a silver guitar. Now slung across his back, its metallic sheen and intricate artistic patterns hinted at its exquisite craftsmanship.
What struck Navia most was how completely the man's demeanor had shifted. His sleeves were now lowered, his every word and movement adhering to the standards of a gentleman, exuding an air of refined elegance and composure. This was a stark contrast to the wild, almost feral aura she had sensed from him earlier.
The fact that such strikingly different temperaments could coexist within a single person piqued Navia's curiosity. She racked her brain, trying to recall if she had ever heard of someone like this before.
Noticing Navia's confusion, Melus leaned closer and whispered an explanation:
"His name is Grett. All we know is that he's a former prisoner who escaped from the Fortress of Meropide three years ago. Unable to survive in the Upper District, he came to Fleuve Cendre."
"He's rather reclusive, living in the southeastern corner of the district. Few people interact with him, and he has no known family."
"We hadn't seen a Vision on him before, so he might have acquired it recently."
So he's only been active recently, Navia thought. No wonder I haven't heard of him before.
After Melus's explanation, Navia had a basic understanding of the man. She turned to him and said, "Monsieur Grett, thank you for your assistance."
"It's nothing. I simply did what I could. It's nothing compared to what the Spina di Rosula does."
"Speaking of which, I owe my relatively peaceful life in Fleuve Cendre these past years to everyone at the Spina di Rosula."
The man smiled, adjusted his fedora, and spoke slowly.
Navia and her companions immediately felt a warmth toward him. His voice seemed to possess a peculiar charm, like a gentle spring breeze.
Turning to the woman and her child, he said softly, "I'm sorry I arrived too late. Your home is no longer habitable, is it?"
"If you don't mind, I have a tent I made myself. The materials aren't the best, but it's sturdy and durable."
The woman, of course, didn't mind at all and thanked him profusely.
The man then gathered the metal scraps scattered by the Gardemek—materials the woman couldn't use—and returned to the machine to continue dismantling it.
Navia watched Monsieur Grett's incredibly skilled movements, her surprise growing. She couldn't help but ask, "Monsieur Grett, have you worked with Gardemeks before?"
"Not at all. I only started learning about dismantling them a few days ago."
"But you seem so proficient, as if you've done this hundreds, even thousands of times."
"Is it really that difficult?"
"..."
Hearing his slightly surprised tone, Navia's words caught in her throat. She suspected he was being sarcastic, but his completely nonchalant expression dispelled that notion. Yet this realization struck her even harder.
Damn it, I hate geniuses!
"Alright, let's go. I'll take you to my place to get the tent."
The man quickly dismantled the vital components and intact weapons from the Gardemeks, securing them with a sturdy rope he had prepared beforehand. As he lifted the bundle, the metal parts clattered together, producing a series of "clink-clank" sounds.
Navia now understood why the man had deliberately targeted the Gardemeks' heads—to preserve the integrity of their other parts.
While the core within the Gardemeks' heads was the most valuable component, it was clear the man had no use for it. By destroying it, he eliminated any possibility of the Maison Gardiennage recovering it.
Navia found herself intensely curious about this man—someone with both strength and refinement, and a remarkable aptitude for craftsmanship. She decided to take the initiative.
"Monsieur Grett, would it be possible for us to visit your current residence?"
Hearing Navia's words, the man's smile remained unchanged as he replied, "Of course. It would be an honor to have such a beautiful lady as Miss Navia visit my home."
"Please, follow me."
The man led the way, with the others following behind.
Taking the opportunity, Navia asked the woman about Grett. Since the woman had addressed him by name earlier, they clearly knew each other well.
Through the woman's explanation, Navia learned that after she left Fleuve Cendre, Maison Gardiennage officers eager to please the nobles had seized the chance to bring Gardemeks into the district to stir up trouble.
Although some of the Spina di Rosula members stationed there managed to drive them away, the Gardemeks' formidable strength, combined with the large number of officers causing trouble, had severely impacted the lives of many residents.
While the officers hadn't intended to kill anyone, they had wreaked havoc through vandalism, leaving many homeless.
Grett had appeared at this time, displaying both great strength and generosity. He provided simple tents to those who had lost their homes, asking only for a trivial fee.
Even if people couldn't afford that small amount, he would still give them the tents for free.
Moreover, the man had distributed a considerable amount of food and occasionally played a few tunes to ease everyone's psychological stress, earning him immense gratitude from many.
In a short time, Grett had built a solid reputation in the area, having cared for numerous people.
Upon hearing this, Navia and her companions' gazes toward the man's retreating figure shifted, now tinged with respect.