Chapter 81: Comfort

The trouble finally came to an end.

The officers and soldiers who had been looking for trouble slunk back to where they came from, while the refugees who had gathered in circles to watch the commotion gradually dispersed as well.

The noisy chatter in the camp was replaced once more by the sound of the wind and the flapping of tent fabric.

After lingering for a few more moments, watching the back of the Knight Captain, Weiss turned his head away.

Coincidentally, Lortissa beside him was also gazing in the same direction.

Those clear, emerald eyes were following the departing figure of Knight Commander Kryonka, as if she had sensed something.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

The blonde girl withdrew her gaze and shook her head lightly, only the strands at her temples swaying gently in the wind.

“Let’s go back and look after the old man. You still have questions to ask, don’t you?”

“Ah, you’re right.”

Thinking of the request to find the merchant’s daughter, Weiss hurried after the little girl, heading back toward Old Jimurich’s worn-out tent.

Left alone, only Weisswood remained, standing there like a forgotten javelin, her face as sullen as a straw dummy tied to a post.

Those three mercenaries just walked off like that.

From beginning to end, except for the very first glance from the black-haired woman swordsman, the other two practically treated her as if she were invisible.

Weisswood felt stifled in her chest.

These three, they didn’t even take her, an Imperial Knight, seriously.

The more she thought about it, the less she could accept it.

Of course, her subconscious couldn’t fool her either. Aside from her indignation, she was even more curious about that swordswoman called Fiya—just where had she honed such astonishing skills?

Her swordsmanship was far beyond ordinary people. If she joined the army, she could easily make a name for herself in the Imperial military.

Why would someone with that level of strength willingly remain a mercenary?

Although Weisswood generally looked down on mercenaries, she still knew a thing or two.

There were indeed outstanding mercenaries, but such figures could never remain unknown; reputation was a source of income for mercenaries—the more people knew their strength, the more commissions would come.

Under normal circumstances, how could someone so strong still be unknown?

With the thought that observing a bit more could do no harm, Weisswood lifted her foot and followed after them.

But as soon as she poked her head through the entrance, she was met by a pair of deep red eyes glaring sideways at her.

“What are you here for?”

Fiya was just about to sit down. Hearing the noise, she looked up coldly.

Weisswood straightened her back and put on a businesslike attitude.

“K-Knight Commander Kryonka said that camp matters are temporarily under my supervision. Is there a problem with me coming by to check?”

“Now you remember to check on people.”

Fiya didn’t bother to waste words, muttered in a low voice, and ignored her completely, treating her like air.

Inside the tent, the moment Vannie brought Weiss and the others back, Old Jimurich, curled up in the corner, immediately struggled to sit up anxiously:

“How did it go? Is everyone… is everyone alright?”

His voice was hoarse with worry.

Vannie was the first to go over to the straw mat and take Grandpa’s hand, placing the silver coins she had just received into his palm.

“Grandpa, we’re fine! Afterwards a Knight Captain came. He’s a great person! He gave us two Madulu coins—more than a year’s wages working at the farm!”

“Oh my… th-this is… far too much. How can we accept this…”

Weiss put on a gentle smile and explained from the side:

“It was Knight Commander Kryonka who came to deliver justice. The misunderstanding has been cleared up, so there’s no need to worry. He also said to take it as compensation.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he glanced back. Weisswood was standing nearby, so he took the opportunity to continue,

“Sir, this is the knight whom Knight Commander Kryonka specially assigned to stay and take care of the matters in the refugee camp. From now on, if you have any difficulties, you can go directly to her.”

Weisswood’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

What he said was true, but…

When did it become your job as a mercenary to speak for me?

Anyone who didn’t know would think you were the officer.

Despite feeling a thousand times indignant, she still maintained the demeanor of an Imperial Knight in front of the elderly man.

Picking up where Weiss left off, Weisswood nodded slightly to the old man:

“Hello, I am Weisswood.”

“Ah, Knight Lady…”

Seeing that she really was an Imperial Knight, Old Jimurich finally let out a sigh of relief.

“With a knight looking after us, at least for now, we won’t go hungry anymore.”

Seeing the look of someone who had survived a disaster and was instantly at ease, Weisswood felt a sudden pang in her heart.

She had always been proud of her status as a knight, had always believed in fulfilling her duties and responsibilities.

But what was happening in the Imperial Army now?

These stationed soldiers, one after another, none of them had the bearing of a soldier—they withheld rations from refugees, bullied the weak.

Honestly, they weren’t even as good as mercenaries.

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but glance at Weiss’s group again, sizing them up carefully.

This man called Weiss—she hadn’t seen him make a move from start to finish, nor could she sense any magical energy from him. Most likely, he was of average ability.

But the golden-haired girl behind him—though she showed no sense of threat either—her cold demeanor was as frigid as an eternal glacier, utterly out of place with her surroundings. She must not be an ordinary person.

Among the three, the strongest was probably that black-haired swordswoman, Fiya.

While Weisswood was lost in thought, she suddenly heard a little girl’s voice, subdued and full of gloom:

“Um, Miss Knight, how much longer do we have to stay here… When can we go home?”

Her tender voice was filled with confusion and exhaustion.

Seeing the child so upset, Weisswood almost instinctively wanted to comfort her.

But someone was faster.

“You’ll be able to go back soon.”

Fiya’s voice rang out. Although she was offering comfort, her tone held an unquestionable certainty.

Upon hearing this, Weisswood thought these mercenaries only knew how to spout pretty words to placate children.

With more Aberrants showing up, no one knew what was really happening out there. To give people such empty hope—if things got worse, wouldn’t it just make the despair even deeper?

However, after hearing that, Old Jimurich clearly didn’t brighten up.

He let out a heavy sigh, the wrinkles on his face deepening:

“Sigh, even if we’re all safe, we lost Miss Kaderyxi. If we go back to Blackwall City, we won’t be able to answer to the master.”

At last, the conversation returned to the main point.

Weiss perked up at once, seizing the opportunity to resume the investigation that had been interrupted earlier:

“Please don’t worry about that. Finding Miss Kaderyxi is my responsibility. However, you hadn’t yet had a chance to say earlier—exactly where did the young lady get separated from you?”