{Sword}

I ran after the brat who had dashed away. It aint anythin I wanna to do, but she seemed seriously pissed off, and thus thoroughly trashed the brat. I gotta make him apologize one way or another as I dont know what shell do if she gets really angry.

All the time bawlin like a babyis this brat really a boy? Hes cryin round as much as a woman. Just as much as Indrano, considering her circumstances, she aint cryin much at all.

I almost burst into a short laughter when rememberin how she started cryin while bitchin bout the room bein dirty.

The crybaby had holed himself up in a house, probably his home, bawlin in some corner. I slapped the back of his head.

Apparently surprised, he finally stopped cryin.

For heavens sakeare you really a boy? To me you totally sound like a sissy, seein how you keep bawlin all the time.

Freezin while heavin with sobs, he looked my way.

So? You ran away and now? Whats the plan? You havent resolved a single thing. Though I guess your Mom wont blame you even for runnin way. Your lucky to have such a kind Mom. That means even youre still gettin pampered despite bein old enough to take care of your own shit.

The corners of his mouth curved down. Ah, I guess hes goin to start cryin any moment again.

I scratched my head, You really dont get just how blessed you are. Let me tell you a bit bout Indra. She was born a noble. The result of a political marriage as it often happens among nobility. Her father frequently stayed over at his lover, and her mother blamed her daughter for her husband not comin home, always disciplinin and chastizin her. Thanks to that, she had perfectly mastered noble etiquette and language at an age of five. Anyway, when she was five, her mother died, and immediately followin, her father came back, his lovers daughter in tow. Her father dotted on his lovers daughter like your mother been dottin on you, but treated Indra like shit. Whatever happened, Indra was blamed for all of it, you know?

It was Indras fault that the lovers daughter didnt know a thing bout noble etiquette. It was Indras fault that the maids trainin was lackin, and it was Indras fault for it rainin outside. Accordin to her father, at least. So, she fell ill, wanderin between life n death. She managed to somehow survive, but in exchange, shes given up on all humans, sayin that all the humans in this world are selfish and cruel, not bein worth the air they breath.

The brat was listenin while dumbstruck. He stopped cryin, but is he goin to reflect on what he did?

Well, to be honest, I dont give a fuck if shes given up on you. I just dont want her hate of humans to become any worse. Your a rotten piece of shit, who got saved, fed, and helped by her, and yet didnt even say a single word of thanks or apology. Your scum who doesnt think that its his fault after seein your family apologize, but instead blames the person havin them apologize. Thats how Indra regards you. Are you really okay with her judgin you to be like that? Dont you feel anythin when watchin your mother apologize and getting criticized for having failed with your upbringin since your such a fucked up, lil asshole?

And he cried again. Just as I thought that this guy is a lost cause, scratchin my head

I dont wanna!

he shouted.

Throwin a tantrum while screamin dont wanna, dont wanna only works on your parents. Apologize and then thank her properly. Otherwise, shell keep that image of you for the rest of her life.

At that point, it looked like he finally felt like apologizin.

But, it was already too late.

Ooh, I wondered where you went. Thinking that you might have left the city, I headed back to where we left the Ryokus and charge cows, you know?

Indra had apparently searched for me. She was currently standin at the gate. Spottin me, she faced me with a smile.

When I cast a fleetin glance at the brat, he was pullin a scowlin face, displeasure obviously written on it, but

It was my bad! Sorry! He apologized in a way soundin more like shoutin at her.

Feelin relieved, I looked at Indra, but she didnt spare the brat a single glance.

Eh? Huh?

The brat was also lookin disappointed, like hed suffered a heavy blow. Indras eyes were focused on me alone as she cheerfully chatted me up.

Come on, its time to go back! Im really sorry for doing this while were in the middle of adventuring, but we wont be able to go to the capital since Ive got to take the cute charge cows with me. In the end, itll result in us heading back to our base, but youre okay with that, right?

Ah, I see. This is the same pattern she used back when she ignored me. It looks like shes already added the brat to the list of humans to be ignored.

Dont worry, Im cool with that. Rather, our liquor stock has also dwindled drastically. You gotta restock em once we get back. I said while strokin her head.

Well, its the brats fault anyway. Timin matters with things like this. He missed his and now its too late.

His mother, big brother, and Indra dealt with the towns residents.

I didnt feel like gettin blamed for anythin, so I told em the truth. And since I cant put up any requests, I cant file any protest with the guild about this outcome either. Thats why things were finished after I explained the events to the guild.

But, the towns residents are probably pissed off that they had to gather first thing in the mornin due to an uproar solely triggered by the selfishness of the brat. Above all, itd definitely have an impact on their sales for today.

Ive got no clue about how kind the people of this town are, but after watchin the scene with Indra, the towns residents looked like they calmed down a bit. But, at the last moment, this idiot ran away.

? Hey, is something wrong?

Suddenly Indra peered at me with a worried face.

No, its nothin. Let me ask you a lil somethin. Can you take a look round you and tell me the situation?

After becomin puzzled, Indra looked all round herself. But, her eyes never registered the brat.

And it seems the brat also understood as much.

Hey! What is it!? I apologized, didnt I!? I told you Im sorry! Dont ignore me! The brat roared while on the verge of cryin, and tried to grab Indra, but I stopped his hand and shook my head.

You were too late. You dont count as human to her anymore.

Huh?

Whats up, Sword? Indra tugged on my sleeve. Theres nothing here that would require special attention, is there? This town is a bad place. Its also got things I dont want to ever see again. Since Im likely never coming back here again, lets hurry up and join up with the Ryokus and cows. Im worried about leaving everything to the Ryokus.

I see.

The verdict is bad town, huh?

Gotcha, if you say so, it must be right. Lets go.

Sure!

I urged on Indra.

Wait! Sorry! Im apologizing, so please forgive me! Im telling youIm sorry! Heeey! Dont ignore me! Oi, wait!!

The brat tried to chase after us, but I shook my head a second time at him.

Its too late. You better go apologize to each and every resident here rather than botherin with us any longer. That is, if you dont wanna be treated by em in the same way as Indra treats you now.

Once I told him that, he stopped.

Maybe I should have intervened on behalf of this brat. But, I didnt ask Indra to forgive him.

Im well aware that Indra has experienced terrible cruelty by her family. If she put him on her list of humans to be ignored after runnin out of patience with his continuous, awful attitude on top of bein regarded as a rival by a brat who was pampered and loved by his family, Ive got no right to remonstrate her for that.

Not respectin the feelings of my cherished partner is unthinkable for me. After all, the brat got a family whos goin to cherish him no matter what happens.

Even if no one else does it, at least I should treat Indra as the most important person in my life.

We left through the gate, leavin behind the brat who was sobbin while rooted to the spot.