I opened my eyes, greeting the new day. I could feel a smile stretch its way across my face without the usual effort I had to put in. It would seem that yesterday had really helped me unwind. With a sack full of silver and the wonderful memory of the symphony of screams I heard the other day, I felt as though not even my comrades could ruin my mood!

As I walked down the stairs with a strut in my step I noticed the fearful gazes of the other resident of the inn. I love this feeling.

Considering my room was empty when I awoke, I can only assume that Gant had gotten up early to do whatever a knight does in the morning. Probably sword exercises or something. I looked out of a window as I made my way towards the dining area for breakfast and saw a shirtless, sweaty Gant repeatedly swing his sword.

Called it.

It seems Mary was by his side cheering him on. That girl really is far too excitable. I took this opportunity to see what kind of weapon Gant used, as he hadn’t carried it with him during the journey despite wearing his full plate armour. It was a massive thing, as tall and wide as he himself was. That’s going far beyond a great sword.

What’s he trying to prove choosing such a monstrosity as a weapon? Its end wasn’t pointed, but flat instead, and it had no cross guard. It had two cutting edges laterally but was blunt at the flat tip of the sword. It was in all essence a weapon to mow down foes by the dozen, and surprisingly enough he seemed relatively competent with its use, based on the performance he was displaying in his practice.

He seemed to notice that I had begun to watch from the window, and both he and then Mary turned their gazes towards me. Oh that’s quite the reaction! Is that a hint of fear I see? Fantastic, it seems they heard about yesterday. Hehehe, they won’t be ignoring me any time soon, that’s for sure. To actually successfully notice me, I’m impressed considering his previous performances.

And Mary, no need to look so frightened! Surely you’ve heard about inspectors before. Mary’s gaze had only met mine for a second before quickly looking away and pretending to not have noticed me. I gave them both a wave and the friendliest smile I could muster.

“GOOD MORNING!” I called to them.

They seemed startle by my uncharacteristically loud greeting. Usually I was more reserved but still quite an approachable person.

“G-good morning” stuttered Mary.

“Good morning” replied Gant in a somewhat level voice.

I then departed to have breakfast. As I approached the dining area I gave the innkeeper a nod and a smile. The nod he returned, the smile he did not. It seems the poor fellow feels somewhat guilty about hiring me to kill those fellows off. It was legal (almost) so it’s fine! Either way, I’m still happy with my reward, his feelings don’t really matter.

I sat down in my corner and had breakfast on the house. Not having to spend money on such delicious food almost moves me to tears. After finishing off my breakfast I quickly exited the inn and made my way to a nearby bench where I allowed myself to relax. It was a nice spot, with shade provided by a nearby tree. Yet another sunny day.

Today was far less noisy than the previous. Is it just me or are there barely any people on the streets today? They must be late risers. I have no idea why they wouldn’t want to be out an about on such a bright day. Hehehe, I’m sure they have their reason.

The day was calm and quiet, I eventually found myself thinking back to that beautiful tune yet again. A complacent smile had found its way to my face. I wonder when burning people alive became such a source of comfort. If I think back a bit maybe I’ll remember…

Ahhhhh, that’s right. It was our first time burning peo- sending heretics and sinners to Sol. I was 14 at the time and each trainee had been brought a person to burn. The instructors had to desensitize us to such activities after all. I was truly a lucky child. The first thing the man they brought in to be burned said to me was, “I remember you kid! You look just like yer father, hahaha! Did yer like the surprise we left you at yer house! Yer mother was great by the way!”. The man had burst out in laughter before eventually being gagged by the instructors. They didn’t want any mental damage done to their trainees after all.

I was a lucky child. None of the prisoners knew what they were in store for. Hehehe… oh the look on that man’s face when he started to realise his situation. It only came out as muffled cries but I like to think he was begging for forgiveness or something of the like. As he began to burn and his muffled screams resounded across the training area, I couldn’t help but whistle that beautiful tune my mother once taught me. I’d gotten a good amount of revenge for my deceased mother, and by sheer luck.

As I burned prisoner after prisoner during training, I always ended up whistling that tune. It became habitual. Ever since that first prisoner burned alive, every time I killed another with the same method, I can’t help but look back fondly on the memories of my loving mother.

I let that tune play in my head with a bright smile as laid down on the bench and watched the blue sky. I slowly fell asleep, comforted by the memories of my mother and the screams of sinners burning.

--Mary POV—

I was scared. I was terrified. When I first saw Cyne he looked like a really nice guy, the kind of person who’d go out of his way to help others. He had dark brown hair and eyes, almost approaching black, and his hair was neatly combed back, giving him a very sophisticated look. Even though Gant and I were late and hadn’t even realised he was there, he had been very kind, immediately forgiving us as though it was nothing. If I had been waiting that long I would’ve been very mad.

He was quite a quiet person on the trip but responded whenever Gant and I tried to talk to him, but the things he was saying were difficult to understand, so we couldn’t include him in our conversation very much. I felt a bit guilty about that.

He always gave off such a calm atmosphere and he was always smiling. He wasn’t bad looking either. He had a sort of good guy face. I don’t know how to describe it properly but his looks were above average and his facial expression was always open and welcoming, matching his dark brown eyes that almost seemed to swim with kindness.

Gant and I were talking on our way to the meeting point about how the third member of our party was going to be inspector. I was really worried, and even Gant seemed troubled by it. Everyone knows that inspectors are recluses and are always mean to everyone. The common people are also scared of them, one mistake and there would be trouble. I’d even heard that part of their job was to burn people alive. It was just too cruel. I didn’t want to be around someone who did things like that and neither did Gant.

So basically when we met Cyne, both of us were really happy. He didn’t look like the person people typically described inspectors to be. Gant probably didn’t even realise it was him because of how nice he looked. We both expected him to look… I don’t know, evil I guess?

When we got to the inn, Cyne got a lot more talkative, going on about how great the food was. I have to admit, he was right. It was much better than anything I’d eaten at the church before. I had quickly dug into the food. I had ordered the same thing as Cyne because I wasn’t sure what I wanted. I eventually noticed the commotion. I think I was the last of the group to notice.

Cyne had already directed his gaze over towards the bad people bullying the innkeeper and his daughter. I couldn’t read his expression very well, but I was sure that he was worried about them. Gant was also looking over there. I could see he was super angry. I expected Cyne to go over there and peacefully resolve it, but in the end Gant beat him to the punch.

Gant quickly dealt with them. Although he did it so easily and quickly, I was still worried. Maybe he had gotten hurt somehow? I’m no good at fighting so I can only support Gant and Cyne. As soon as I realised he was fine I felt so relieved, and told him how awesome his fighting was. Eventually we returned to the table and we had even gotten our meals at the inn free. It just goes to show that good deeds pay off!

As we returned Cyne congratulated Gant, and Gant looked pretty happy to receive his praise. Cyne was just the sort of person who made you feel good when he praises you. It’s probably because he doesn’t say that much, so for him to go out of his way to do so makes you feel happy.

He was still looking over towards the innkeeper. I thought he might still be worried about them, and as if confirming my theory, he excused himself to check up on them. I snuck glances at him and noticed that the innkeeper had a worried face after something he said, but then got more relieved after Cyne whispered something in his ear. I refocused on my food and ignored the rest until I heard that word.

“Heretic”

His voice was soft but it was clear. I looked over and saw Cyne looking at a pendant while crouching by the unconscious bad guys. His smile was different from usual after he put the pendant away. It was cold and cruel. He then dragged the bodies out of the inn. I was worried, and excused myself. I told Gant that he should go to bed before Cyne and me after his meal, and that we would come later.

Gant hadn’t seemed to notice the commotion and just accepted what I said. I stealthily made my way out of the inn and to where some villagers were gathering, carrying wood and straw. They were making something in the centre of an open area just outside the village. I saw Cyne there with the bad guys.

After a while the villagers finished what they were building and to my horror I realised what Cyne was going to do. He bound all 4 bad guys to newly erected pyre, and set it alight. I was frozen in place. I couldn’t run away, I couldn’t stop him, I couldn’t even avert my gaze.

They started screaming after they woke up. I was still frozen, watching the scene in horror. I noticed Cyne’s smile got bigger after the screams started… the same smile I had seen for the past few days. Now that I think back, he never stopped smiling. That’s a bit weird, but I didn’t think about it too much, I was just happy to have a nice person for a comrade. But Cyne wasn’t a nice person. I know that now.

He could easily burn them with his magic in a matter of seconds, but he prolonged their suffering. It was just too cruel.

He started to whistle soon after the screams began. It was a slow and sad tune. I don’t know why but the tune made me want to cry. It just sounded so sad. It even snapped me out of the frozen position I had been in. I took one last glance at Cyne before running back to the inn and hiding under the covers of my bed.

He was smiling… He seemed happy, but he also seemed sad.

The next day I woke up early and decided to watch Gant practice his swordplay to get my mind off of what happened last night. It seems that Gant heard from the other residents of the inn what had happened last night. He seemed troubled. I don’t think either of us know how to act around Cyne in the future.