The Afterlife of the Good Person (5)

"Bruises should be treated with something cold. Hold this on your knee for now. Don't move around too much."

Vittorio seemed slightly surprised by the cold but nodded obediently. Leonardo looked down at his knee while speaking to him.

"Do you know anything about medicine?"

"Well, I wouldn't exactly call this 'medicine.' Anyway, young master, since I applied the ointment, don't let any water get on the wound. And you, kid, don't overdo it with the injured area. At least rest for two days. If you're feeling fine, it's better to stay at the inn."

Vittorio, who had been half-heartedly applying the ice, hesitated before speaking.

"I have to go back."

"Do you have a place to go back to?"

"No. I live in an alley, but I have to go back. If I don't, the others will start worrying."

While pouring the water from the basin into the flowerbed below the window, I interrupted their conversation.

"I'll pass the message for you. Just tell me if I need to relay it to those kids, alright?"

"…..Huh?"

Then Leonardo glanced between the two of us before quietly approaching and asking.

"I sensed the presence of the kids early this morning. Is this one of them?"

Sensing their presence already? How long has it been since his training started? I thought to myself that this was truly a fantasy hero moment and answered casually.

"You knew? Yep, they're my capable helpers. It's always good to have ears everywhere."

Just as I flashed a small smile, a knock came at the back door—three distinct knocks. Tap, tap, tap. A steady rhythm. I opened the door without saying a word. It was the kids from Vittorio's group. Before I could even react, they crowded in.

"Vittorio!"

"You guys…"

"We saw you come in here. Are you okay? You didn't get hurt?"

"Yeah."

"What's in this pocket? Oh! It's cold."

"They said it's for the swelling. Apparently, this will help."

The kids were chattering away, talking non-stop. I didn't realize they were such talkative ones. After a while of busy conversation, things seemed to settle down. That's when I jumped in.

"How about letting Vittorio rest here until he's better? If he keeps running around while injured, it could last longer. You know, later in life, his knees will start to ache."

"Yeah, we'll let him rest. We have money! Please help make Vittorio better."

The little ones started scrambling for their coins, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Didn't we agree when we made the deal? Kindness is part of the payment I give."

"Uh…"

"You're not taking any money?"

"Wow!"

The kids were chattering excitedly. Still, I handed them a bunch of plum candies, feeling a bit amused by their eagerness to check on their friend. 

"Go tell the other kids too. Vittorio's going to rest here for a while."

"Okay. For sure!"

"Right. Don't eat too many candies. And be sure to brush with mint leaves. If you don't brush, your teeth will rot. And when they rot, the cavity monster will come and roar and eat you."

"Uh-huh."

The chattering little chicks finally left. I felt drained. Where had all that daytime energy gone?

Leonardo gave a faint smile and said,

"You look like you're the most tired I've ever seen. Both me and that kid… is it a hobby of yours to gather lost souls?"

"Seems like it… I really pick up the strangest things."

Before I could respond further, words flickered in front of my eyes.

[Clear Condition Achieved!]

['Scenario Note #003′ has been successfully completed. There are "2 hours 59 minutes" left until the next Scenario Note assignment. Until the next scenario is assigned, the characters will begin 'Free Actions' to fill the empty spaces in the narrative. Please ensure they act naturally, without recognizing any inconsistencies in the world.]

I thought it might be boring for Vittorio to be left alone in the room, so I placed a chair at the counter and had him sit there. As usual, I prepared the shop for business with Leonardo.

As evening approached, customers arrived. Whether they had witnessed the commotion earlier or had heard about it, they each said something to Vittorio and Leonardo.

"Oh my, was that kid the innkeeper's child? Oh dear, what a disgrace."

"That kid's not here."

"Ugh! That awful nobleman needs to be knocked down a peg or two."

"Hey! I'm not married yet, you know? I'm a young bachelor!"

"Hahaha!"

Pretending to be annoyed, I could tell the customers had relaxed and were now busy teasing me. Meanwhile, Leonardo was also quite popular, but for a different reason.

"They say you're really strong! Fast too, they say—you didn't even seem to move!"

"You were born with the strength of a bull, weren't you? If the opportunity arises, I might ask for your help. I'll pay well. No strong men around here at all."

"Quite a man of spirit! You shot back a retort right there!"

People continued to talk amongst themselves. The night grew deeper, and it was time to start tidying up the inn. Leonardo, who had been carrying a dozing Vittorio, moved him upstairs and returned downstairs. I waved my hand to stop him.

"That's enough for now, go rest upstairs. It's getting late."

"And you?"

"I still have work left to do…"

At that, Leonardo's expression hardened.

"It's been three days."

"Huh?"

"If a person goes without sleep for that long, they could die. Do you know that?"

I was taken aback and responded with a confused look.

"Are you cursing me or something?"

"That's enough. Go to sleep. Since you've been here, I haven't seen you sleep once."

Leonardo now had the face of a strict instructor. Meanwhile, I tried to brush it off, insisting I'd rather take care of the inn alone and tidy up the first floor instead of doing strength training that I missed earlier.

"I'm not tired, though."

"If you're human, you need sleep. Go and get some rest."

"But I…"

"Do I have to carry you like a kid?"

"No, that…"

"Rest. You look like you're about to collapse."

His tone was firm, not allowing any excuses. From his slightly furrowed brows, I could sense his determination. When he came closer, as if to pick me up, I finally gave in and headed to my room on my own.

After three days, my first impression of my room was rather mundane. It didn't really feel like a room at all—more like a waiting area. I didn't feel like going out again, as I had a sense that Leonardo would catch me, so I quietly lay down on the bed. Despite thinking I wasn't tired, as soon as I closed my eyes, my consciousness faded almost instantly.

Had I been more tired than I realized?

The next day, as I sluggishly got up, letters scattered in front of me, swirling in a disorienting mess.

[Clear Condition Achieved!]

['Scenario Note #004' has been successfully completed. There are "58 minutes" left until the next scenario note assignment. Until the scenario assignment is completed, the characters will begin 'free actions' to fill in the empty spaces in the narrative. Ensure they behave naturally to avoid recognizing the discrepancies in the world of the story.]

And it made me suddenly jump out of bed.

What's going on? What did I do that made Scenario 4 end already? Why did it skip?

Is there a replay service or something?

[Archive Access: Retrieving Previous Scenario Notes.]

Take 1. Mansion (Day/Interior).

Baron Roald and the Viscount Lopez greet each other. Baron Roald is calm, while Viscount Lopez is pompous yet unable to conceal his impatience. 

Viscount Lopez: "So, Baron Roald, what does Count Ertinez think about the joint investment in the trading port…?" 

Baron Roald: (Calmly) "The proposal has been submitted, so he will review it soon." 

Baron Roald: (Internal thoughts) "He's far too busy dealing with his runaway child to focus on these matters. Of course, I'm stuck handling such rudeness." 

Take 2. Mansion (Night/Interior).

A dinner table with meat dishes prepared. At opposite ends, the calm Baron Roald contrasts with the brash and haughty Viscount Lopez. 

Viscount Lopez: (In a displeased tone) "Today, there nearly was a major accident. A half-witted child was blocking the road. I think he did it on purpose to try and extort treatment compensation." 

Baron Roald: "Who was injured?" 

Count Lopez: "No one. That rude kid stepped in and dragged the other away. His status seemed high, but when he dared question me like that, without knowing how to properly address a noble, it was clear he came from a low-born background. He looked peculiar too." 

Take 3. Baron's Office (Night/Interior). Baron Roald sits deep in thought. 

Baron Roald: "Dark blue hair, grey eyes… It's almost like he could be from the Ertinez family… No, that can't be it." 

He trails off, unsure. 

Main Characters: Baron Roald, Viscount Lopez 

Scenario Clear Condition: [Baron Roald learns about Leonardo.]

There were scenes where Leonardo didn't appear. Well, stories often have multiple perspectives.

More importantly, if the plot is going this way, Leonardo might get involved with the Ertinez family sooner than expected. There must be a reason why Leonardo is set up as the child of a count. After all, wasn't Leonardo's basic setting originally that of a wild and unruly second son of the Ertinez family?

At this early stage of the story, when the protagonist's main drive is revenge, it's hard to introduce more complex character arcs. The best development to show so far would be something like the reversal of the "wild" second son who returns to the count's family in the body of the character named Leovald.

No, enough thinking about the plot. I should focus on my role in the scenario. How much weight does my character have in the story?

[Viewing personal information.]

Rank – Minor Character (Scenario Weight 4.00%)

Role – Suspicious Innkeeper of Sinistra

Script – [Bosses around Leonardo.], [Runs the inn day and night.], [Takes care of the street kid, Vittorio.]

Dialogue – None.!Warning! – If your scenario involvement reaches 0.00%, your existence will be erased. (Main scenario failure)

Taking into account that my initial involvement was 0.02%, the upward trend isn't bad, but I still haven't shaken off the "minor role" label. It seems like Vittorio at least qualifies as a supporting character.

At this point, I have no idea when I might just vanish into thin air like ashes, so I can't really take this lightly. Drenched in mental fatigue, I quietly sat down, washed my face, changed, and left the room.

The inn's first floor was neat and tidy. The tables had been moved aside for cleaning, and chairs were stacked on top of them. Only one chair had been set down on the floor, and there sat Vittorio.

He was swinging his feet while watching Leonardo, who was doing push-ups with one hand. It wasn't just that I was late because I'd been re-reading the previous scenario, but it also felt like I had overslept.

"Wow, I'm last."

Leonardo, his shirt discarded some distance away, nodded silently, perhaps quite satisfied that he had caught me sleeping in. Shuffling over, I approached Vittorio to check on his injury.

"Mm, good. The ice treatment from yesterday seems to have worked. If you warm it up again tomorrow evening, it won't hurt as much. If there's still swelling, just keep your leg elevated above your waist."

Vittorio nodded. The sharp energy he had carried when we first met in the alley was completely gone now, replaced by a quiet, subdued boy. Though his demeanor remained slightly withdrawn, after being washed and properly dressed, he looked like an ordinary child. I thought about giving him a plum candy but decided against it, thinking, 'dessert comes after the meal.' I headed toward the kitchen.

With two injured people, I figured the meal should help replenish their energy. It's basically just food rich in protein, carbohydrates, and fats, but maybe I'll emphasize the protein a bit more for Leonardo, who's into exercising.

Hmm. Sandwiches should be good today.

I took out some bread and sliced it to a good thickness. The meat was stewed in broth to make it moist, then thinly sliced and placed on the bread. Traditionally, this would just stack the meat without any other ingredients, but since we've got a growing boy and a hungry young man, I added eggs, cheese, salty bacon, and vegetables to make it a bit thicker.

Honestly, I knew Leonardo's stomach wouldn't be satisfied with just sandwiches, so I also made a light potato salad and beef stew with the leftover meat.

Since we had to cook enough for six portions, I ended up making less work for myself, thanks to Leonardo, who helped out after he washed up. For the record, the six portions were split into: 3 for Leonardo, 1 for me, and 2 for the growing boy, Vittorio. I don't eat that much in the morning, so it wasn't an issue.

Vittorio carefully bit into the freshly made, warm sandwich, and Leonardo, with all his refined table manners, consumed an amount far from "refined" but entirely normal for his appetite. By the time they were done eating, the scheduled scenario assignment time had come to an end.

[Wait time expired, a new scenario note has been assigned.]