The night was awfully quiet.

　In the private quarters of the Guard, Held Stanley looked through the window at the lights of the city reflected in his golden eyes.

　The light was lively, active, but somehow noisy. It is a sign of prosperity in Garouamalia, his homeland. Heldt grew up watching this light since childhood.

　Is it my imagination, or does the light seem a bit dull these days? It stings my skin. I can't seem to get to sleep. My eyes are unusually bright.

　I've been feeling this way for a while now. But contrary to that, the city is peaceful. Everyday life continues, and everyone is enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of the city.

　Fialaert, a fellow student at the academy, who was supposed to be enjoying this air with him, seems to have taken refuge with him.

　Herdt's fingers stroke her chin slightly. This can be seen from the chance encounter in the ghetto, and the fact that she rescued him, Lugis.

　Why is that?

　Herdt doesn't know why. The Gulag is a place of sinners and deserters. Perhaps Lugis is the only reason why Fialaat has gone to the trouble of hiding in that place. But even so, it's too puzzling.

　No matter how many times I tried to reason with her, she would not return to the city. She defended Lugis to the end. She even swore an oath not to use her magic against the city. All truth and justice could not move her.

　She acted against justice. But then again, so did I, Heldt thought with a mixture of self-loathing and a slight smile on his face.

　The rebellion of the heraldists that broke out in the kingdom of Garleist. My heart buzzes as if it were welling up. Armed heralds faced each other in the underground temple. I have no doubt that they are involved in this uprising in some way.

　What if, thought Heldt, what if...? If my uncle had told me everything when he went to the academy, this situation could have been prevented. Such a meaningless thought crossed Heldt's mind.

　If that was the case, then it was the punishment for going against his own justice. God's torment for violating his faith. If that's true, then Heldt must take full responsibility, and he accepts it.

　Speaking of inexplicable, the same can be said of the events in the ghetto.

　The second-in-command and his men reported that nothing had happened and that the whole thing had never happened. The girl with the tattoo, the duel, nothing happened.

　That report made the blood in my body flow like a muddy stream. That's impossible. The second-in-command's tyranny, his selfishness, his personal struggle... These were all acts of indiscipline. If so, then they should all be reported, Heldt understood. In fact, he submitted the report to the Commander.

　The result was immediately announced. There was nothing in the ghetto, he decided.

　A feeling of dismay washed over him. This was insane. The fact was, what he had seen with his own eyes had never happened. In the Guards, it was the truth.

　Herd's eyes narrowed, a skepticism sprouting in his heart. The light of the Garou Amalia in front of him was as dull as ever.

　--Oh, even a captain can be troubled by the human condition.

　These words had somehow entered the room.

　Naturally, Heldt's words were directed toward the door. He was less alarmed because he immediately understood who the voice was.

　Karia Vardnick. Silver hair in two tufts, large eyes the same color as her hair. Her neat face and swordsmanship now attracted the members of the Guard. Even the second-in-command treats her with respect.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry about the guy at the door, no matter how many times I knocked there was no answer.

　"Sorry.

　The second-in-command, who is often referred to as a lizard, strode through the corridors of the Guard's headquarters with his distinctive eyes glaring at the troops. Every time his feet scraped against the ground, the slightest vibration sent a pain through his jaw.

　From that day on, it was as if a thick nail had been driven into my skull. No matter how hard I worked or how deep I lay in the night, I couldn't shake the feeling that stuck in my head.

　It's a humiliation that gnashes your teeth and a rage that engulfs everything around you.

　The lizard's gaze intensifies and his brow creases. Every time this wound inflicted by that lowlife hurts, my heart feels gouged. An inferior person living in a poverty-stricken cave, a rat crawling on the ground, sipping mud, wounds me.

　Unbelievable folly. Unthinkable treason. So much disrespect. The lizard's whole body writhes with overflowing, throbbing emotions.

　I don't like the young captain either. The lizard doesn't like it when someone younger than him gets a higher position just because of his family status. He doesn't like it, but he can accept it.

　But it was a gut-wrenching thought that kept Heldt from stripping the servant of his life. There is no dignity or pride in being a pauper. There was no cowardice, no righteousness. Why can't you understand that my honor is more important than your life? The lizard could not understand what the young captain was thinking.



　The inhabitants of the poorhouse are not human beings.

　They have no rights, their lives have no value, their words have no weight. They are just rats. This perception is not unique to lizards. Every inhabitant of Galuamaria, large or small, has this perception deep inside. Therefore, the lizard has no understanding of Held's actions.

　A cracking pain strikes his jaw again.

　Oh, how I wish I could see her. The lizard's eyes flicker slightly. Kalia Vadnick. The admiration of the entire Guard, her dignity and beauty like a goddess of war in poetry. Her swaying silver hair has moved many a heart.

　It was no different with him, the lizard. Just looking at him made the pain in my jaw go away. And my hatred for the man who had hurt me grew as well.

　Yes, that man had brought shame upon himself. In front of the goddess of war, he had made her make a pathetic excuse, showing her his weakness.

　It should never have happened that a member of the Guards was harmed by a member of the Poorhouse. That's why there was no such thing as a riot. I told my men that, and the commander shook his head, not to mention the captain who didn't understand.

　But there must be retribution. I must take the lives of my men to make them pay for everything.

　Kuro sparks flashed in the lizard's distinctive eyes, and his hands trembled. I squeezed his hands tightly. Again, the pain in my jaw.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry about the guy at the door, he's not answering my knocks.

　As he continued down the corridor with determination in his heart, the voice of Kalia, whom the lizard worshipped like a goddess of war, echoed in his ears.

　I'm sorry.

No, it's fine. There are many things that trouble me, and there are many things that I have not done.

　With a wry smile, Heldt responded to Kalia. The way she stands is the same as always. I'm sure you're not the only one.

"Not really. I'm not sure what to make of it.

　That's not half wrong.

　Kalia has also seen the heraldists in the underground temple. So it should come as no surprise that she has the same concerns. The rebellion in the Garleist Kingdom could spread to us and cause a conflagration.

　But you're half wrong. Heldt nodded lightly, agreeing with Caria's words, and opened his mouth.

'Make no mistake, they are a definite threat. There are many things that trouble me about their response. But there is one thing that is more fundamental than .......

　I'm not sure if this was unexpected, but I can see Kalia rolling her eyes and listening back. In the event that you're not sure what you're looking for, you may want to check out the following. Her lips quivered.

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web. It's really not like me to be troubled, to have my brow furrowed. What are these feelings all about? Justice and good will. Act on them. That's the truth and that's what's right for the Daishonin.

　I've been living in that white. I knew that white was right and that anything outside of it was evil. What was the reason for the murkiness that arose?

　No need to ask yourself. The image of the green-robed adventurer appeared in Heldt's mind.

　What is he, righteous or evil? Is he a friend or an enemy? Helt can't figure it out. I can't understand it. He had never been born before in his life.

　This is interest. It's nothing but interest. But why am I motivated by a personal reason like interest? I couldn't help wondering that, either.

"Wasn't there an adventurer named Lugis who was one of yours? He had a mysterious air about him.

　I'm sure you're not the only one. Heldt snapped his foot lightly.

I don't really understand him, to be honest. I don't really understand him, to be honest. He acts viciously, yet he saves Fialaat and tries to save the people in the poorhouse by taking the blame himself. I don't know if he's righteous or evil. What kind of person do you think he is?

　At these words, Kalia cowered lightly. She shakes her fingertips in the air as if to say, "What are you asking me?

"A brute, an adventurer, and a fool. That's not going to change. But if you're interested, you can go see him in person.



　Her golden eyes twinkled. Kalia's lips slowly opened in a smile that seemed to draw clean lines on her face.

　--It would be no fun at all if everything went according to his plan, would it?