Hokka 3

Lina began speaking softly, her head bowed.

"I kind of thought this would happen... Once Clara didn't come back right away, I figured everyone must have already figured me out and been planning how to deal with me."

Though her voice trembled slightly, Lina did not shed tears.

She answered clearly, looking straight into Louis's eyes.

If Your Highness commands me to leave at once, I shall go. But please, may I at least shelter my wounded knights here in this town? I cannot send them on another aimless journey. They have suffered enough.

Louis widened his eyes, staring intently at Rina.

After a brief pause, he slowly opens his mouth.

"There is a way, but it would mean forcing them to abandon themselves completely—titles, skills, even their names. Even so, I cannot protect you alone. If you're still willing..."

"Yes, I understand. I'll tell them myself."

Her acceptance came far too easily.

From the conversation before entering the city, she really must have been aiming for this all along. She's kind, yet strategic, and full of responsibility.

"Now, back to our discussion. Lord Taro... about you..."

About me?

What could possibly be said about me?

"About this city and the inviolate treaty..."

Just as Lewis was about to say something incomprehensible, the meeting room door burst open.

On the other side of the door stood Clara, her face crimson with rage, Kenny holding her in a tight grip, and servants circling anxiously, unsure what to do.

What on earth is going on?

"Let her go, Kenny. I'm not going to listen to a weakling who can't even fulfill his duties as a noble."

"I'm not letting go. I'm definitely going to hit you a few times."

"There's no way that's true! Dumb strength... ah, I touched a breast."

"S-sorry!... I didn't touch anything, really!"

Clara was quicker, slipping free the moment Kenny's grip loosened, and she immediately dashed toward Lewis.

Fist raised high...

But her punch never connected with Lewis's face.

One of Lewis's sons, seated beside him, had delivered the slap. To Kenny...

Kenny stepped in front of Clara, who was about to be slapped. Clara halted, her raised fist stopping mid-air.

"Ah!"

Kenny fell straight down.

"Ow!"

After taking hits from both of them, Kenny sprang back up with surprising resilience. Impressive toughness. His cheeks were red, but...

"What on earth are you doing, Kenny? Are you okay? You're swollen, aren't you?"

I use a healing crystal on Kenny.

I'm fine... One of those bruises was from you hitting him, wasn't it?

"Acting on impulse will only end up hurting someone. Always stay calm."

Lewis gently advises Clara.

"Staying calm leads to something like pushing away a weak girl like this!"

Rina, wearing a slightly complicated expression at being called weak, and Lewis, completely oblivious.

"At least, Rina isn't as weak as you make her out to be. You've already got your next move ready, haven't you?"

!? Really... you've already planned your next step? That's right—Rina's clever after all.

Rina and Lewis lock eyes, their glances sharp as daggers. Me?

"That's not what I meant! As someone with power, shouldn't you be moved to help someone right in front of you who's struggling?"

You're misunderstanding. It's not because you're noble that you help people. It's because even with power, one cannot survive alone, so you help others.

I don't get it.

He looked as if he couldn't even understand something like that.

One cannot produce food alone, nor create the utensils one uses every day. Even if one possesses strength, it accomplishes nothing. Therefore, we depend on those who can make things. We, in turn, sustain those who can make things.

"Are you saying you won't help her just because she can't create anything?"

"Because she isn't a citizen of this town. Becoming a citizen isn't something simple. It means following the town's rules, weaving its history, and living alongside the land. You, like you are now, can live however you want, doing whatever you please—only because of the citizens. Would the citizens want to live for you, Linna?"

Clara could not answer anything anymore.

That's the kind of thinking possible only in a world where movement is difficult and most of life is spent in a single town.

"I'm sorry, Linna-san. I didn't mean to belittle you, but in the end, it turned out I pushed you away."

"No, it's fine. I do understand..."

"Hmm... we've lost the spirit of conversation entirely. Mr. Taro. Let's continue this another time, at a different occasion."

"Yes, I understand."

"And then, Clara. You're suspended. Take some time to cool down."

"Ugh. I don't care!"

Clara spat out a parting remark and stormed out of the room.

Kenny followed after her.

"Sorry again, Mr. Lewis. Please look after this reckless girl."

Kenny bowed to Lewis and left the room.

Next, Lina headed toward the room where the injured knights were receiving treatment.

Alek and I headed toward the rooms assigned to us.

It was well past midnight. Even though it was just a brief moment of the night, I suddenly felt utterly exhausted.

Without doing anything in particular, I simply fell asleep.