Relax, I'm Not a Bad and Suspicious Person!

Ethyria City, Westya Kingdom.

Two people had just returned to the Ethyria garrison military base after completing a mission. A mission that feels very long in both of their lives.

The two people are none other than Legia and Jamie.

Umm, well… actually there was one more person who went home with them.

But the experience of carrying out his mission is like the earth and the sky. He didn't feel the horrors of Death Valley or the war in Blackwinter. Oh~ poor Sam...

Upon their arrival at the headquarters, the three of them immediately reported to their superiors.

They briefed them about their mission, the information they gathered in Farnodt and Huntara, as well as the situation of Commander Kataleya and their other comrades who were still in Blackwinter.

After reporting to the Major, Legia wanted to proceed and meet Duke Grenhall to deliver a message from Kirana.

Unfortunately, when she arrived at the Lord's residence in Ethyria, the Duke was not there as he had gone to the capital.

With no other choice, Legia postponed delivering the message and returned to the military garrison to prepare her things.

After the mission report, Legia and her two companions were granted leave.

They were given a maximum of three months of vacation time. Whether they used it all or not was up to their own decision.

Legia, of course, wouldn't waste this rare opportunity for a vacation. Since Kirana hadn't arrived yet, she intended to use her vacation time to go home.

Legia's home was in the capital of Westya, Rostgard. Therefore, she also planned to deliver Kirana's letter to Duke Grenhall there.

Aside from vacation, Legia had another purpose for going to her house. That is to retrieve money. She needed to return to Death Valley to collect her ordered weapon.

With that reason, Legia went to Rostgard the next day, bidding farewell to Jamie.

She also told Jamie that she would return to Cien's place during her vacation time and invited Jamie to join her.

Jamie shrugged, "Not in the near future. I want to train my sword techniques with Rupture first. But let me know when the time for your leave comes, maybe I can change my mind."

"Hahaha, you wishy-washy bastard."

Legia then left by renting a carriage.

Unfortunately, Legia didn't know that two days later, Duke Grenhall returned from the capital.

Duke Grenhall, who had returned, heard the news that Legia came looking for him from the head servant, Gyo.

"So they have returned?"

"No, sir. Only three people returned, including Lieutenant Legia. Commander Kataleya and the others are still in Blackwinter."

Grenhall furrowed his brows, "Blackwinter... why haven't they returned yet?"

"The Commander is recovering there after participating in the Blackwinter War."

Upon hearing that, Grenhall was astonished and couldn't believe it.

"By the Wind! Why did they join the war instead?!"

Gyo shook his head. He couldn't answer that question. Commander Kataleya, in Gyo's opinion, was one of the few people whose thought process was difficult to predict.

Since arriving in Ethyria, Kirana has always acted unexpectedly.

Although she follows every order, there are times when she takes actions by herself like exterminating bandits, storming the headquarters of the underworld boss, or even injuring ill-behaved nobles.

She does it all by herself in her free time.

To Gyo, Kirana seems like the most disciplined person, but if no one is watching, she disappears from sight.

Duke Grenhall immediately massaged his temples.

Kirana's actions could earn her a disciplinary punishment. Her behavior this time is different from before because now her actions are related to another kingdom.

"Sigh... Gyo, please call for Legia to come here. I want to hear directly from her about the situation they're experiencing."

"Alright, sir."

Gyo went to the military headquarters to fetch Legia.

About half an hour later, Gyo returned without bringing anyone. Duke Grenhall was confused.

"Where is Legia?"

"Lieutenant Legia has gone to Rostgard for a vacation, sir."

"..."

Duke Grenhall stared blankly ahead. He covered his face with both hands.

"Why? Didn't she just arrive three days ago?"

"That's right, sir."

"What about the others?"

"Officer Samuel had just returned to his family home in Bojo Village this morning. Just like Lieutenant Legia, he also took a leave for the next two to three months. As for Officer Jamie, he went to the Abyss border. In the report, it was said that he would hunt and train there for the next few weeks."

Grenhall speechless. He couldn't be surprised anymore by the latest news he had heard.

"They're from Commander Kataleya's team, aren't they?"

Gyo nodded in agreement, "Yes, sir."

"... … …"

In the end, Grenhall could only surrender.

He would listen to the report from the Major. At least for the military leader of Ethyria, he must have known about it, even though Grenhall still wanted to meet the person who carried out the mission directly.

***

Ashur City, Kingdom of Mandora.

Late at night, around four in the morning.

Cien, who had left the Bahman Family residence in the northern part of the city, was now walking towards the east.

Initially, he had thought of going back to the inn, resting, and getting ready to attend the evening auction.

But a certain figure instantly came to his mind.

The figure of a young girl who was said to have lost her will to live and now only remained silent in a tower building.

Yup, the person Cien meant was his own niece, Lilinette Millard.

Cien wanted to see with his own eyes the condition of his niece. Was she really in despair? Or was she only showing despair but actually doing something behind the scenes?

From the novels and comics Cien had read, it was usually the quietest people, like Lilinette, who were the most suspicious. Who knows?

Moreover, if the girl truly was in despair, Cien would genuinely sympathize with her.

It took Cien more than half an hour to reach the front of the tower.

The tower, made of stone, rose quite high, making Cien tired from looking up to see its peak.

Cien remembered Halima once saying that the tower was initially built as a storage place for historical archives throughout Mandora.

However, about twenty years ago, a large library was established in the capital of Mandora, and all the archives were moved there.

Ten years ago, Cien recalled that the tower was merely a tourist spot. The tower was directly owned by the Bahman Family, which allowed them to do anything they wanted with it, like turning it into a prison for an engaged ruler.

Cien snorted, regretting that such a magnificent tower was being used to confine only one small girl.

Cien began to walk towards the entrance.

He noticed two guards in front of the tower. Unlike his visit to Duke Bahman's place, where he was a friend.

This time, Cien didn't know what excuse to use to gain entry.

So instead of talking too much, Cien walked as usual, making the two guards more suspicious and alert. As the distance closed, Cien neither slowed down nor stopped.

"Hey, who are yo—"

"!"

With his hand concealed under his cloak, Cien had already prepared the [Waterball] spell. When the distance felt sufficient, Cien threw one of his water balls at the head of the questioning guard.

Then he quickly moved, taking the spear from the guard's hand and stabbing the leg of another stunned guard with it.

Cien then gagged one of the guards he had stabbed.

After one of the guards was suffocated and fainted, he chanted the spell "[Waterball]" again, sending it towards the remaining conscious guard. It didn't take long for that guard to also faint.

"Sigh... sorry, I just dropped by for a moment," Cien said as he opened the tower door and stepped inside.

As soon as he entered, Cien fell silent. He suddenly realized that he had no idea where Lilinette's room was located.

The tower was about twenty stories high, tall and large. It would be foolish for Cien to check every room inside.

"Maybe it's better to go back..."

Cien muttered, instantly giving up at the thought of the enormous effort he had to make. However, just as he was about to turn around, his ears caught something.

One of Cien's abilities was his sensitive hearing, which allowed him to pick up faint sounds from a distance, especially in the currently silent tower.

Cien looked towards the source of the sound, walked over, and entered a room with a small table surrounded by bookshelves.

Looking under the table, he found a little girl with curly brown hair huddled in hiding.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Cien greeted the girl, startling her.

"Eeekk—!!!"

The girl screamed loudly, causing Cien to be taken aback, quickly covering her mouth.

"Shhhh! No need to shout, I'm not a bad or suspicious person," Cien reassured the girl in front of him with his eyes.

The girl nodded in understanding. Cien slowly released his hand. But as soon as Cien let go of her hand, the girl wanted to scream again. Cien immediately covered her mouth once more.

"Hey, don't scream, okay?" Cien said, activating the skill in his Fire Glove.

Creating a small fireball in his hand, ready to shoot it at the girl if she screamed again.

This time, Cien saw the girl nodding repeatedly. Cien let go of her hand, of course, with the threat of the fireball. The girl remained silent without a word, although her face looked a bit pale.

"Ugh, you. I told you not to scream. You don't have to be afraid."

"What? Are you crazy? You expect me not to be afraid when I see someone dressed like you?! From head to toe, you are a damn suspicious person!"

"..."

Cien didn't expect the girl to retort. But well, never mind. Cien canceled his Fire Glove magic. Then he began to inquire about the location of Lilinette's room.

"Why do you want to meet Lady Lilinette?"

"Hmm, how should I say it... I want to meet her as family?"

"Family? I have never seen any other family besides Baron Millard and Edmond Millard. And clearly, you are not her mother. Uncle? Heh, they wouldn't go far to Ashur. So, sorry, I cannot grant your request."

"..."

Cien was about to activate his Fire Glove magic again. He chose fire over his water magic because fire was more intimidating.

But before he could activate it, the girl spoke again.

"Go ahead, threaten me. Even if I lose my life, I won't reveal Lady Lilinette's location!"

"..."

Cien decided not to use the Fire Glove because he realized that the person in front of him was not affiliated with either Bahman or Millard.

The servants of both sides would never risk their lives for a discarded baron's child.

"Are you from C-Owl?"

"! ... What are you saying? C-Owl? What's that?"

"Sigh, relax. I'm not your enemy."

"..."

The servant is still suspicious of Cien. Well, how can she not be?

"Ah, well then, this becomes simpler."

Cien murmured as he lowered his scarf and removed his hood, revealing the face beneath the cloak.

"!!!"