The woman that opened the curtains didn't introduce herself. She wore her pink hair in a chignon style and had a braid drop on the left side of her face. Also, she had a noticeable necklace with a reptile encompassing a purple ellipse made out of crystals. She had a petite look to her, radiating with calmness.

"Ah, good you're awake. I wondered when the medicine would wake you up," the woman said.

"Whaa… What happened? The last thing I remember, I wasn't feeling well after drinking the water in solitary," Heron replied.

"Gah, those lazy guards. I keep telling them to assign someone to sanitize the cells from time to time."

The woman had her forehead twitch at the thought of just how much the administration keeps ignoring her requests.

"I hope you're feeling better now. Three days have passed since you were put in solitary."

"Three days?" Heron yelled in shock. Due to having barely any light and no one checking upon him, he lost track of time.

"Shhh…" the woman shushed him, then proceeded quietly, "You'll disturb other patients. Guard brought you hereafter alerting Sir Pridens. It was his order that you're to be taken to the infirmary."

"He asked? I find that hard to believe," Heron replied with a doubtful look.

"That maniac nearly killed me and left me to starve," Heron thought.

The woman was looking at him curiously.

"Why would you say that?" she asked.

"Well, he gave the order for me to be thrown into solitary in the first place. Also, he knew I'd receive no food, so I doubt that he had my health in mind." Heron said, almost protesting as he spoke.

"Hmm, I see," Irene nodded.

"So, was he wrong to send you to the solitary?"

"Yes!" Heron yelled.

"Shh... Keep it down, would you?"

"I'm just a kid. That kind of punishment is too much. He could have spanked me, and I'd understand I was out of line." Heron continued, this time trying to lower his voice.

The woman chuckled as she heard the explanation and then proceeded to ask questions with a teasing sound in her voice.

"What is he? Your father?" then she switched to a more formal tone.

"True, he might have gone overboard with time in solitary, but this is not a pleasant place. If anything, he has shown you mercy twice now."

"Mercy?" Heron hissed.

"Well, it may not seem so to you, but he could have left you to die and have your body be used in healing practices. Also, assaulting an authority figure is a crime that can be punishable by death. I know it seems rough, but this system has its methods. You do as you are told, and you live. It's not an easy system, and sorry to break it to you, neither is life. If you are not a citizen of the empire, you are an outcast, and outcasts are vile people. Well, whatever of them still remains human. I think we're more humane in executing people by the sword than having them be eaten alive or used as cattle in inhuman experiments." she lectured Heron.

Heron remembered his father's warnings about the world outside the village and concluded that he didn't know about the camp's etiquette to argue back, so he simply pouted.

"I could have died."

"But you didn't. And I don't blame you for being angry. You've recently escaped hell, only to face more harshness. But it doesn't need to be that way. So for now, I've left you some food on the table. Sir Pridens asked for some additional rations to be added. I suggest you visit him once you eat and rest and then apologize."

"As if!" Heron yelled.

"One more shout, and I'll throw you out." the woman scolded him.

"There are people here who are severely injured and require peace. I understand your anger, but I will not tolerate such selfish behavior. In any case, if you do not apologize, you'll only make it harder on yourself. He is one of the committee members who decide your future. Do you not wish to have freedom and be an adventurer?"

"It's not freedom when I do not have much of a choice."

"Once you learn of the outside world, you might start saying otherwise."

Heron fell silent. He was still recovering and couldn't really keep the conversation going. So he sighed and replied.

"I'll think about your proposal."

After spending a whole day recovering in the infirmary, a soldier came and took Heron back to the barracks. The next day, he asked the manager to schedule an appointment with Sir Pridens.

"I hope you will behave this time," Owen replied.

Then he took him to the office. Sir Pridens was looking out the window.

"I don't know what is so special about that window." Heron thought to himself.

As Richard turned around, Heron quickly took an apologetic pose.

"I came here to apologize for my reckless behavior. Although it was not my intent to bring you harm, I got overwhelmed with anger, and something took over me."

Richard stood in silence for a second, ignoring the second part.

"Ahh, seems solitary did you some good. I was hoping that you'd come to your senses," Richard said.

"Is he serious? I almost lost them," Heron thought, and then he replied.

"I'm truly sorry for my behavior, but the punishment was too harsh, in my opinion."

"Hmm, giving opinions no one asks for might get you another round."

Heron froze. Unlike the healer, Richard had no intention to have any sort of discussion on the matter.

"Please forgive my rudeness. I promise I will speak back only when I'm allowed to."

"Now that sounds a lot better. You are still a child and know not yet of the cruelties that await outside. If I had a method to show you, delinquents, what outside really looks like, you'd be shining my boots and singing songs praising my name. Unfortunately, without proper training, you'd end up dying to learn that lesson. Tch, at that point, bigger mercy would be just to kill you off, but the kingdom needs soldiers to protect."

Heron raised his hand, wishing to speak. Richard nodded to allow him to do so.

"But if I don't have the knowledge of the outside world, how can you expect me to appreciate your mercy? I do appreciate you sparing my life, but I can't say starvation was mercy."

"I don't expect it, nor do I care for it," said Richard coldly.

"The divine gods that reside in the creative and their messengers on earth are the only ones whose judgment I require. And they would not forgive me if I let you die without at least trying to educate you. So do you have any further questions for me?"

"I have a plea if you would grant me. Could you please pass my sincere gratefulness to the woman who healed me? I was still in shock, and I forgot to thank her."

"You can thank her yourself. Her name is Irene Pridens, and you'll be helping her soon."

Heron stood a bit confused for a second, not knowing what Richard was referring to. Then from the back, Owen appeared. Well, he never left. Instead, he stood in silence, waiting for the conversation to end.

"Let's go, child. I'll give you instructions on your chores and who you'll be helping once we get back to the barracks."

Owen and Heron bowed before leaving for the barracks. Richard returned to stare back outside the window. He sure likes that view.

Back at the barracks, Owen gave instructions to Heron.

"Since you been away for three days, you missed work that you should have been doing, so points will be deducted. Also, there will be a points deduction for causing the incident with Sir Pridens. You weren't instructed before, but we have a rating system measured by your output. And so far, you are in the negative points. So please, do your best to at least have a positive score, or the scoring committee might recommend simply using your body parts instead of having you waste food or resources."

Heron lowered his look but had nothing to say back. Instead, he just wanted to go eat lunch.

"Starting tomorrow, you'll be assigned to the infirmary. You'll be assisting with cleaning, washing laundry, and cleaning toilet buckets. Also, you'll be working in the library at a later date since the librarian is currently absent. Do we have an understanding?"

"Yes, sir!" Heron said firmly.

"Good. Now I suggest that you go eat and then use the rest of the day reflecting on your actions."