A Former Police Officer Who Died And Get A Second Life!-Chapter 103: A New Family Member

When they arrived at the hideout, Qiong Xing introduced Alberich to everyone.

Once he explained that Alberich was Cari’s older brother, everyone welcomed him warmly without worrying about the fact that he was a demon.

Of course, Qiong Xing did not mention that Alberich had tried to hurt him.

Who knew what would happen if he did.

"Whoa... I didn’t know a place like this existed. And it’s full of beastman."

Alberich had apparently seen beastman slaves in town before, but this was probably his first time seeing them living freely like this.

The residents accepted him without suspicion and whether it was simply his natural personality or not, Alberich spoke with everyone in a friendly way, chatting happily.

"If Caribert stays here, she’ll be safe. Are you sure it’s really okay for me to live here too?"

"I’m not okay with it," one of them said. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"Well, if Qiong Xing says it’s fine, then I guess we don’t have a choice."

"If you cause any trouble, I’ll smash you right away."

Smash... what exactly?

The three of them did not bother hiding their displeased expressions, perhaps because their feelings were still complicated.

But Alberich only blinked in surprise for a moment, then laughed.

"I get it. That was one-sided and it was definitely my fault. Since you’re letting me stay here, I’ll do anything I can to help."

Maybe he was quick to adjust his mindset, because he immediately asked if there was anything he could help with.

After showing him to his room, they decided to have tea together.

The three were Qiong Xing, Cari (who was asleep), and Alberich.

Leander and the others had been quite reluctant, but Qiong Xing asked them to return to their work.

"Wow... a private room, huh? That’s amazing."

Compared to Qiong Xing’s room, it was a small single room, but Alberich did not seem to mind at all and looked around with clear enjoyment.

"I’m glad you like it. Our room is just next door on the right, so please come by if you need anything."

After thanking him, Alberich accepted the juice that was handed to him.

Qiong Xing then patted the spot right next to him on the sofa and Alberich sat down obediently.

After taking a sip of the juice, his eyes widened in surprise, and then he began to drink it eagerly, gulping it down. He clearly liking it.

When Qiong Xing was given his own cup, he drank with a small pleased expression.

"Wow, this is really good! This one feels refreshing. Lemon?"

"That’s right. The other one is raspberry. Cari likes raspberry the most."

Alberich nodded, saying he understood and in that moment he looked like a boy his age almost endearing.

When Qiong Xing turned toward him again, he gently held out Cari who he had been carrying in both arms.

"Huh? ...Um, what is it?"

"Please hold him."

Thinking it would be fine since he was asleep, Qiong Xing tried to pass him over.

Alberich hesitated and did not reach out, so Qiong Xing smiled and a little forcefully, he placed Cari in his arms.

"When we first met, he was very thin and small. But he has grown this much now."

Cari had likely not been given proper meals before and he had truly been as thin as bones, his small body looking even smaller.

Now, thanks to Qiong Xing’s care and Joa’s efforts, he was only slightly smaller than an average human child.

"...He’s grown so much compared to the last time I saw him. That’s amazing."

As if remembering how he used to be, Alberich smiled with a nostalgic look.

His expression was completely that of an older brother.

"From now on, please learn many things about him. And if you slowly show him how much you care about him, I’m sure he will understand."

"Do you really think so?"

He was probably still carrying the pain of being rejected.

Seeing him look at Cari with sadness, Cari seemed to sense something and began to fidget as if about to fuss.

Alberich panicked and tried to hand him back to Qiong Xing.

"It’s alright, it’s alright. Cari is fine."

But Qiong Xing did not take him. Instead, he left Cari in Alberich’s arms and gently embraced both of them as if covering them together.

"You have both done your best. You have both gone through so much. It’s alright now. Alberich, the suffering is over. From now on, let’s do many fun things, eat lots of delicious food, and laugh together with everyone."

"!"

Thinking that all their hardships had finally been rewarded here, Qiong Xing gently stroked Alberich’s back as he clenched his teeth.

"Let’s play a lot with Cari. Let’s eat meals together with Cari. Let’s see many different things together with Cari."

"...... "

He heard the sound of a quiet sniff, but he continued to stroke him without mentioning it.

Alberich had spoken of those parents before.

Qiong Xing had never met them or even seen them, but if the siblings could now stay close together like this, then that alone was enough.

It might take time for their hearts to truly connect.

Even so, there was more than enough possibility, and Qiong Xing himself wished for it.

"Cari is a very good child. He is very kind and cares deeply about his family. So it will be alright. Let’s work hard little by little together, okay?"

"...sniff... yeah."

It almost felt as if he had gained another child, but if Cari was like Qiong Xing’s child, then Alberich was also like his child.

Just as Qiong Xing wanted to cherish and carefully raise Cari, Alberich would also be able to understand the hardships Cari faced in ways only fellow demons could.

They might not have been blessed with their parents’ love, but the love between siblings could still be reclaimed starting now.

"From today, Alberich is also part of our family."

When Qiong Xing said that they would all do their best together from now on, Alberich smiled happily in return.