"Oh, hey, brother. What brings you here?" Irene asked as Richard entered the infirmary.

"So, that brat of yours came to apologize," said Richard snarkily.

"Come now, brother, give the kid some slack. He's sleeping in the bed at the end of the room. He first puked and then managed to faint at the sight of blood on the second attempt. I'm worried he doesn't have what it takes to survive in this world."

"That makes his attempt at killing me even more humiliating. He almost killed both of us. And there was a second where I thought how pathetic it would be if I drowned in my own saliva. The only thing I can't put together is who's the idiot that gave him that gem but didn't tell him he shouldn't be using himself as a catalyst for casting magic."

"Yeah, I don't think the kid knew what he was doing. Considering the intel that I've got on the village, he probably was running for his life and hid in the mill. So that gem was more of memorabilia for him, rather than a tool."

"Well, anyhow, he should be lucky he is alive. I should have executed him on the spot, but with recent attacks, we can't be picky on the potential workforce. But hearing you say how he is, I doubt he'll be more of a use than for spare organs."

"Oh, don't be like that, brother. He's still a child. Give him some time to adjust. I'll get him into usable shape soon. Also, it didn't help you provoke him with your tough talk. Those talks keep people agitated, so why don't you just drop them?"

"At this point, I think they've become my natural state. Not that there is anything wrong with that. I mean, just look how our kingdom is crumbling from within. And yet, we still praise the divine."

"Well, if they are out there, I'm sure you'll be getting your punishment sooner rather than later."

"You mean to tell me that running this place isn't it?"

Irene started laughing silently.

"You deadpan humor always gets me. Would you like some wine?" Irene asked.

"Sure, why not. I'm done with today's work. I could use something to ease me up a bit."

Irene went to pour the wine. They sat down on one of the beds and sipped the wine as they continued the conversation.

"I know administrative work is tiring. But grandfather trusts you more than anyone to run this place and repopulate our military strength."

"I would like to go back to fieldwork. I'm getting rusty."

"I'm sure you still are one of the best swordsmen in the federation."

"I doubt that that statement still holds. But thank you for trying to cheer me up, sister. By the way, before I forget, could you interrogate the brat about the gem? I doubt we'll get much, but I'd like to know who the original owner was."

"Sure, but I won't interrogate him. That is such a cruel way of saying it. But, once he comes around, I'll talk to him about it. Speaking of gems, what did you do with it?"

"I've put it away."

"Uuuh," said Irene teasingly, then continued in the same tone.

"You think of becoming an outlaw brother. You know all spirit gems must be reported to the federation clergy."

"And what then? They'll destroy it, gather remains and just build magic tools. They have no intention of gathering the seven gems as far as I'm aware."

"Yeah, well, at least keep it hidden away," said Irene with a now normal-sounding tone.

"You can at least keep it safe for him," she continued.

"You say that as he could possibly gather all the seven gems."

"Well, you won't know unless he tries. And you seem to be gathering a collection yourself," Irene said, chuckling.

"Would you like to gather them yourself, brother?"

"Don't be silly. Even the queen couldn't gather more than five, and she was royalty. Also, I have reported the red one that I took from that girl to the grandfather, and he told me to keep it in case of emergency. Red spirit gems are rather powerful for setting enemy ablaze."

"Be careful not to set yourself on fire in the process."

"You are always teasing, sister. I think grandfather was right to keep you away from serious work."

"Rude!" Irene pouted.

"Anyways, brother, what is the latest intel from the kingdom?"

"Can't tell you much. But the storm seems to be brewing. It seems that the Vaarghan faction is intent on challenging the magistrate. They claim all this harmony stuff is a hoax and that Kapehu is pulling the strings of keeping people in fear. Also, worse of all, they claim the magistrate is just his puppet, and more kingdom representatives are voicing their concerns in the senate. There might be a civil war if other kingdoms align with the Himnariki kingdom. If that breaks the harmony, we're all done for."

"Now, there were wars before, brother. For more than two thousand cycles, the federation stands still. It has seen worse. Even independent kingdoms don't pose threats."

"That was only after the Vlatava kingdom was punished by Kapehu. Since then, the independent kingdoms are cut off from magic tools as that would disrupt the harmony."

"Still, I think you are overreacting regarding the federation business. I think we should be more varied about the recent attacks. Any word about the cult behind it?"

"So far, only the name came up. It seems they are getting cockier. They call themselves Navians. They recruit people to join the cult and worship one true god of the abyss, Goatsama. We captured one of the people trying to join, but that was all he had. Their faceless soldiers kill themselves before we can interrogate them. Bastards use some magic to burn their faces off as they die, so we can't even recognize them."

"I hope at least grandfather received aid from the federation guard."

"No, they still think it is a small enough group for them not to act. But, honestly, it worries me that we don't even know if there are just a dozen of them or thousands."

"I trust in the grandfather. There is not a finer strategist in our kingdom than him."

Richard nodded.

"By the way, sister, what is the situation with the blind child we brought in the other day. Can he serve you?"

"You know I don't want to use living for spare body parts. I don't know how natural that comes to you, but I'm worried you seem to be losing your humanity, Richard."

"Now, don't lecture me, Irene. You are the same as mom was. She always had foolish morals. It's the world of the strong. She paid for her ignorance by dying at the hands of those she tried to help."

"Gah, I can't ever talk to you about our parents. You keep blaming them for being weak."

"But they were."

"We'll agree to disagree. As for the blind kid, there is something weird about him. He should be able to see, yet he managed to insult me by saying that I should lose some weight to have a perfect figure."

"I can't say that I disagree with him," said Richard laughing.

"You too, dear brother?" Irene said, saddened with a sniff.

"No, no, dear sister. You look great. Don't be sad. You look great for your state."

"Get out!" Irene hissed.

"Fine. But seriously, you do look great. I just wish you would train more. Even if you chosen to become a healer, there might be time again when the battlefield calls. You always need to keep yourself active."

Richard stood up. He gave Irene back the glass and then proceeded to walk out of the door.

"Oh, and sister, be careful with the kid. If he senses danger, he might attack you as well."

"Just go already."

"Fine, I'll talk to you another day. Stay safe."

As Richard left, Irene went to the end of the room. She opened up the curtains.

"So, Heron, how much did you hear?"

"I didn't hear anything, I swear. It all sounded like mumbling," Heron said, frightened.

"All right, I'll choose to believe you. However, if you heard any information by any chance, I need to inform you that it is all military secrecy, and spreading that information will get you executed. Got that?"

Heron nodded.

"Good. Now I suggest you get yourself dressed and head back to the barracks. It's getting late, and you slept the whole day. I left you some dinner leftovers which you can eat in your room. Just remember to clean up after."

"I understand. I thank you ever so much for taking care of me. I'll do my best tomorrow to overcome my problem with blood."

And so, after getting changed, Heron rushed out of the infirmary. And as per Irene's guess, he has heard most of the conversation.