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「Lorenzo! Over 'ere!」

「Ah, you two!」

Thonvir waved at me from outside the clinic, with Ysolva scuttling to hide behind him. It seemed like they were here to get their injuries healed.

「I heard ya picked a fight with th' District Master. Even I didn't think ya'd go that far...」

「It was less of a fight and more of a... civil disagreement. Some force is required in those cases, you know?」

「Don't sound too civil t' me, but whatever. He deserves whatever comes his way anywho.」

I peered through the fogged-up window glass and spotted a familiar face. Her mess of tangled-up violet curls was unmistakable.

Her mother's still breathing... Looks like we made it...

「Incidentally, why are you out here and not in there? You need to get that laceration checked out. And Ysolva could do with some first aid.」

I glanced at the dried gash across Thonvir's temple and his sister's many cuts and bruises.

「T-th' resident healer ain't here accordin' t' th' big guy. So we're waitin' fer him.」

「Even then, couldn't you have waited inside?」

Ysolva peeked her head out from behind her brother's back. Though typically timid, it appeared as though she wanted to say something to me.

「B-b...」

「Hm?」

After a few seconds, she successfully got out what was on the tip of her tongue.

「B-b-big bro said he was afraid t' speak t' th' girl inside.」

「Y-Ysolva..!」

Finally, it clicked.

「Ohoh..? So that's what's going on...」

My titters gradually intensified into full-blown laughter. It understandably caused the boy to flush with embarrassment.

「F-for all that pluck you showcased back there, you sure do have a cute side! Wait, don't tell me you came all this way to apologize to her! Haha! You're seriously adorable!」

「S-shut up ya ninny! I'll kill ya fer real! And stop bein' so loud!」

I continued to tease him until we were suddenly interrupted.

「Who's making all this noise out here? There are patients that need rest—」

There stood Oleena, the young girl who effectively rescued the orphans from Seyna's clutches. She locked gazes with me as soon as she stepped out.

「L-Lorenzo...」

「Speak of the devil...」

Thonvir avoided her and kept his head down. His contrite soul was no doubt haunting him like a meddlesome specter.

Oleena invited us to come inside and sit on chairs by her mother's bed—she and I conversed about a variety of subjects. The girl was remarkably witty and well-spoken for her age.

Nine years old, she aspired to be an orator.

The Church would frequently send evangelists to her quiet village. Their meticulously crafted diction and intoxicating ardor would captivate her for hours on end.

Her mother had planned to send her to school, but with the village's bankruptcy looming over their household, she couldn't have possibly afforded the tuition fee.

A dream job you never want to give up huh..? Must be nice to have a clear goal...

Amusingly, Thonvir was rather subdued during our chat. I took note of his uncharacteristic reticence and thought of redirecting the attention onto him.

「A little late... but I don't believe you've met my friends over here.」

「Oh! Apologies. I didn't mean to ignore them. My mouth tends to move on its own.」

「No worries. You're an affable personality—you've totally regaled me.」

First, I introduced Ysolva. Surprisingly, she was able to properly greet Oleena.

Wait... doesn't that mean she's totally afraid of only me..?

Then, I moved on to the older brother, who was in a fluster even before I'd spoken his name.

「Nice to meet you, Thonvir.」

「Y-yeah... nice t' meetcha too...」

I gave him props for being stubborn. Despite the flawless set up, he still refused to give an apology.

So... I beat him to the punch.

「Thonvir... by the way...」

I bowed my head the same way Rysef did when he apologized a couple of months ago. The message got across faster this way.

「I'm sorry. I snapped at you back at the prisons without thinking. I should've composed myself before lashing out like that...」

「W-what?! That's water under the bridge ya ninny! Quit playin' dirty!」

He then remembered the girl who was present during the ordeal in question was staring right at us.

He bowed his head the same way I did and apologized.

「I'm sorry. I made fun of ye and yer mother back at the prisons without thinkin'. I should've—」

「Hoh? It's about time you apologized. I'll give you a 2/10 for that attempt. Make up your material next time.」

Oleena shot an icy stare at the young boy. His face turned whiter than a ghost's. He was in for it now.

「I-I was in th' wrong... I humbly request yer—」

「Boooring. Maybe it's the accent that's throwing me off...」

「I was in... thee wrong... I humbly request... yowr—」

「Stop right there. Instead of referring to yourself as "I", use your name.」

「Thonvir was in th'— I mean thee— Thonvir means thee—」

「No, no, no... it's missing something... Try going "Ooga Booga" after every word...」

「Thonvir, ooga booga, was, ooga booga, in, ooga booga, thee, ooga booga, wrong...」

He gave up and retreated to his sister's back. A ludicrous role reversal that tickled Oleena to the point of tears.

I too enjoyed a schadenfreude from the boy's suffering.

「Hahaha! Don't fret! It was a mere jest. I'm sure you have your reasons for saying what you did at the time. Mama always said it's better to forgive than hate.」

He peeped from over Ysolva's shoulder with a whimper.

「R-really?」

「No. You think it'd be that easy?」

Suffice to say, the boy didn't trust anyone after that.

Eventually, we all shared a laugh about it and resumed with conversation. Oleena's charisma was enough to break the ice. Even Ysolva was compelled to speak at one point.

We had a grand old time until a pair of arms decided to smoosh us together.

「Awww! You all made up!」

「M-Melyn..? Why are you here? Go bother the new kids...」

She bopped my head and stuck out her tongue.

「The Sentinels are nearly finished with your rooms. We only have sleeping bags in stock so you'll have to make do with them. Is that okay..?」

「Yea... it's better than th' piles of hay they force us t' sleep on.」

Thonvir had miraculously recovered from Oleena's flurry of mental attacks. The damned girl rivaled Melyn in terms of cheekiness. Hell, she probably topped her in snappy replies.

Ga-chak!

Entering after the thief girl was the resident healer. His top hat was like a landmark you could use to instantly identify him.

It didn't even take a second for him to be recognized.

「Maksa?!」

Thonvir jumped from his seat and yelled out the man's name.

Wait... Thonvir did..?

And thereby hangs a tale.

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