Evernatten (7)

TL: Neria

RW: MrScaryMuffin

KOR Check: Neria

The streets were filled with vagrants, making it look like a war zone. Knights were deployed to oversee the food distribution and Pram was sweating profusely as he gave orders to his soldiers. The situation was getting dire.

Were going to drive them away in two days anyways, why are we wasting food like this? said a soldier, expressing the irritation felt by their peers. Others chimed in with their grumbling.

While I feel bad for them, how can we look after them if we dont have enough food for ourselves?

You know, I wouldnt be complaining if we had food to spare. What is the lord thinking, I wonder?

They werent necessarily wrong. People are typically inclined to share only when there is enough to share.

Desir Ajest made her way towards Desir. She motioned to reach out to Desir but stopped, her lips pressed tightly. There was nothing that she could say.

What a shitty feeling, said Desir. It was a feeling that he had forgotten for a very long time. The feeling of despair, being unable to save someone no matter what you do. The feeling of being powerless to do anything in a helpless situation.

Desir clenched his fists.

Anything is fine. If I can just get one hintjust any help

Have you thought of a solution? asked Eyulan. She was overseeing the food distribution and, noticing Desirs presence, was walking towards him..

Knight Eyulan, replied Desir, you speak as if you dont want me to come up with a solution.

Surely you jest. I may have some opinions of vagrants, but how could I let my personal feelings get in the way when the lords territory is at stake? Im anxiously waiting for our tactician to come up with a reasonable solution.

Please dont worry. I intend to do so even without you pressing me.

Im certain you will, since you are a vagrant yourself.

That Desir was a vagrant was actually a lie. In order to win over the lord, Desir lied to created an ideal image of himself. However, there was no need to explain this to Eyulan since her opinion of Desir didnt matter. Additionally, if the lie was exposed, the lord would no longer trust him.

As a tactician, continued Eyulan, you must understand by now that the only solution is to deport all the vagrants. When it comes time to execute that order, Ill be sure that all vagrants are expelled without exception.

Eyulan was simply repeating what the lord had said, but there was an emphasis on no exceptions.

You say you were kneeling to save others, said Eyulan, dont make me laugh. In the end, arent you kneeling to save yourself? Its no different than pathetically begging for your life.

At that moment, Desir grabbed Ajests arm. He had barely stopped her from striking Eyulan. Ajest tried to free her arm, but Desir whispered in her ear.

This isnt like you. Dont be so upset.

I wonder, continued Eyulan, unaware that she had narrowly avoided a slap to the face, why is every single vagrant so selfish and ego-centric?

Just then, loud voices could be heard among the vagrants, gradually climbing in volume. A few soldiers were quickly dispatched to deal with the disturbance.

Did you know that an incident like this occurs every hour? The vagrants are trying to steal each others rations. How uncivilized.

However, the shouting was still getting louder. More soldiers got deployed and were squeezing their way through the crowd.

Is it a fight?

Desir immediately dismissed the thought. Rather than a fight, it looked like the soldiers were trying to stop something. Someone was trying to make their way to Desir and Ajest and the soldiers were blocking the way. It was difficult to see what was going on due to the wall of soldiers around them, but Desir could hear a frustrated voice.

Hey, let go of me! I just told you, there is someone I need to talk to over there!

You may not approach our tactician.

But I know him!

Ajest and Desir shared a blank look. The voice was certainly familiar.

Is that Romantica?

Ajest nodded and the pair made their way towards the commotion. Curious, Eyulan followed them.

I swear I know them!

How dare you claim to know them when youre just a vagrant!

How many times do I have to tell you Im not a vagrant, you moron!

As they got closer, Desir was certain that the voice belonged to Romantica.

Let her go. I do know her.

Oh, sir. The soldier hesitated before stepping aside. In front of them was a young lady.

I told you so! Upset, Romantica shook her fist at the soldiers before turning towards Desir. Its been a while Desir!

Im glad youre okay, Romantica.

Of course! Who do you think I am? Im Romantica, a third circle mage! Romantica put her fists on her waist and puffed out her chest in pride. Seeing her brimming with energy, Desir smiled gently.

Where did you end up?

The Kervan Territory, one days travel from here by carriage. I cleared my quest over there and then saw the Main Quest, which led me here. However, they said I needed some kind of document to enter the castle? Anyways, now Im caught up in this mess.

Desir felt proud of Romantica. She had been able to accomplish a lot by herself.

The situation here looks bad, continued Romantica, why did the quest progression decline?

Since Romantica was in another territory, she was not aware of the current situation. Desir explained thoroughly to get her caught up. He told her about the large influx of vagrants, which caused the quest progression to decline sharply.

The situation is looking bad, Romantica.

The biggest problem was food. There simply wasnt enough to go around.

Public opinion of vagrants isnt too great either. If I dont come up with a solution in two days, theyll be kicked out of the territory.

Desir knew that if that happens, his party would fail the quest. It would be the end.

Hmis that so? said Romantica, tapping her chin.

For the time being, you should rest. It must have been a long trip. Ill let them know to expect you at the castle, said Desir considerately. He wanted to let Romantica rest after her long journey. At the same time, he didnt have a plan to improve the quest progression yet.

Ill gladly accept your offer, replied Romantica, nodding, as you can tell, Im pretty tired. However, is that the only problem we have left to deal with?

Hm?

Will the vagrant problem be resolved if we solve the food shortage?

Desir wasnt sure where Romantica was going with this line of questioning.

Not completely, but probably most of it. The main reason why were driving away the vagrants is because we dont have enough food.

Thats true. No matter what kind of solution we come up with, itll be pointless if we still dont have food.

Having identified the root problem, Romantica crossed her arms and tried hard not to laugh. However, she could not help smiling as she was overjoyed that she had one up over Desir in this situation.

Did you think of something? asked Desir.

Haaa? Think of something? Why do you ask? teased Romantica, savouring the moment, do I really need to think of a solution if I already have an answer?

What?

Ill solve the problem for you. Ill supply the f-o-o-d.

Desirs eyes widened. He could not believe his ears.

How could a nobody like you solve our food shortage? interrupted Eyulan. It was easy to follow the conversation since Romanticas voice was loud. Still, it was considered very rude to cut into a private conversation. That Eyulan was doing so implied that she was looking down on both Desir and Romantica. Romantica turned to look at Eyulan with a cold expression.

A nobody? Who are you to say that?

I am an honourable knight serving Evernatten. The vice captain Eyulan Lilistick.

Oh, is that so? A noble huh? What a fancy title. No wonder you can talk smack.

Romantica glared at the knight. It was not a good first impression for either of them.

How insolent! roared Eyulan loudly, What did you just say to me?

Hey now, listen to me. Didnt you start it first, old hag? Youre the one calling me a nobody. Do you even know who I am?

The knight drew her sword in an intimidating fashion, but Romantic merely raised an eyebrow. Her pride would not let her back down. Seeing that, Eyulan lost her composure and faltered. Then, she spoke once again, this time in a quieter voice.

Arent you a vagrant?

How many times do I have to tell you that Im not a vagrant!? Its starting to irritate me. Ive had enough!

It was at this moment that Desir noticed that Romanticas clothes were unusual.