“Flint Cove, I’ve heard of it too.”

When even Nordix spoke up, the fighters’ expressions grew serious.

“The district is indeed underdeveloped, but its internal security is fairly solid. As the Commander said, if Tie is to attend a children’s home, there is probably no better place.”

Flint Cove was located in the inner section of the Isera River — a small enclave.

It was separated from the commercial quarter by only a single street, and despite its reputation as a backward district, the crime rate there was low.

“So in that Flint Cove, or whatever it’s called, no one will recognize the little one?”

At Bale’s question, Nordix nodded.

“The probability is high. In the capital — especially in central districts like this one — mercenaries are rarely discussed.”

The commoners living in Flint Cove were, essentially, the working class.

Those who built buildings in the capital under short-term contracts, laid roads, repaired broken sewer pipes.

And the primary beneficiaries of their labor were, of course, the nobles.

“It’s enough to look at the newspapers published in Flint Cove. They mostly write about the exploits of Holy Knights — not a word about mercenaries. Isn’t it necessary to emphasize how great and distinguished the upper class is, so that commoners will work more obediently?”

At those words, Bale’s face twisted.

But Nordix did not stop there.

“With mercenaries, however, it’s the opposite.”

The Imperial Court believed that the more the necessity of mercenaries was emphasized, the lower the honor of the Holy Knights would fall.

Unlike knights, even a commoner could become a mercenary.

Yes, they had to risk their lives, but mercenaries could besiege magic crystals and accumulate wealth surpassing that of nobles.

They could attain even greater fame.

The Imperial Court did not want such facts reaching the ears of the residents of Flint Cove.

Sometimes excessive hope makes workers defiant.

That was precisely why, in the central districts of the capital, news about mercenaries was presented in a reduced form.

“Of course, nobles still obtain information about mercenaries — through their own channels. Some even secretly place private commissions...”

But the commoners of Flint Cove do not hear about mercenaries.

No one tells them, and no one openly discusses such matters in their presence.

Moreover, they believe that beyond the Ancient Border everything is extremely dangerous because of magic crystals.

Under such conditions, the ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) maximum information they receive is a rumor that some mercenary group visited the central branch of the Rewards Bureau.

“In other words.”

Nordix took a sip of water.

“At the very least, in Flint Cove Astie will not have to worry so much about others’ gazes. In any case, less than outside.”

Silence fell over the banquet hall.

While Bale, with a displeased expression, picked up his utensils again,

Valentis addressed Tie:

“If you wish, I will find out whether there is an educational institution in Flint Cove that you could attend.”

Tie’s eyes widened, and all gazes turned to her.

She set aside her bread and fell into thought.

“Flint Cove....”

A place where people build buildings, lay roads, clear clogs.

A district of small wages, looked down upon by arrogant capital nobles.

‘...When Tie lived in Korea, our neighborhood was sometimes like that too.’

‘Ah, Mr. Park, what happened to your face again?!’

‘Nothing. I went all the way to Pyeongtaek and they didn’t pay for the job. When I asked, they attacked me...’

In her memory surfaced the time the uncle from apartment 103 had a huge bruise on his face.

The aunt from 203 had worried and lamented then.

‘A drunk started being rude, ugh. Saying if you live like this you’ll always do odd jobs... better to keep your mouth shut. The police came — only then did he calm down.’

‘What does profession matter, really, how many crazy people there are!’

‘I’m thinking of quitting the odd jobs and going back to construction. My back seems better...’

‘That doesn’t mean it’s healed! The doctor said not to strain it if possible. Or there’ll be trouble!’

‘What, should I ask my children for money in old age? Your situation isn’t much different.’

Tie had been small, but she could feel the bitterness in the adults’ voices.

There are many different professions in the world, and if a job is not bad and not illegal, it deserves respect.

Father, who “earned for a day and lived for a day,” had always been the proudest person in the world to Tie.

“Tie will go to Flint!”

Having finally decided, she exclaimed.

Everyone stared at her in surprise.

Tie gulped down her milk and added:

“Tie will go to Flint, make friends with the people there. Like with the Commander, and Uncle Stone Builder, and Sister Adeline! And also play with kindergarten friends...”

Valentis froze for a moment, then a gentle smile appeared on his lips.

“Very well. I will consider the specific plan gradually.”

After breakfast.

Tie and the fighters once again locked themselves in the conference hall.

Tie began reading the second volume of the imperial organizational chart, while the fighters reviewed materials concerning other continents.

But once again, until sunset, there were no particular results.

After going through about two-thirds of the second volume, Tie said she would rest a little and went to her room.

As she walked, Pupu, already settled on her shoulder, quietly comforted her.

“Kyuu...”

Lucarion, who since arriving at the ducal residence had remained quiet, added:

“It’s fine. In the remaining volumes it will surely be there.”

But the unease would not leave Tie.

“Kkamani, Tie just had a very-very scary thought.”

“What thought?”

“That maybe Papa isn’t even in the general chart...”

Lucarion could not answer.

He himself could not guarantee that the man would truly appear in the general organizational scheme.

Meanwhile, Tie sighed and opened the door to her room.

But her eyes immediately widened.

“Oh? This isn’t Tie’s room?”

Behind the door was not the place where she had slept yesterday.

Antique but well-kept furniture exuded a soft scent of wood.

Intrigued, Tie stepped inside.

Passing over a soft carpet, she saw a desk where she herself could have sat.

“Waa.”

She pulled out a chair and climbed behind the desk.

The areas frequently touched gleamed with polished wood.

“Lucarion, look. The desk is very pretty!”

Giggling, Tie opened the front drawer.

“Eh?”

Inside lay a thick leather notebook.

Tie took it out and turned it in her hands.

It was a bundle of parchment sheets, reinforced on the outside with dense leather.

In the lower right corner of the cover, in small letters, was written: “Theseos.”

“There’s a clasp! Like Tanifang’s sticker album.”

Excited, she unfastened the buckle and opened the notebook.

And naturally began reading the lines inside.

Gradually, the child’s lips parted.

It hurts to watch the family suffer.

But I have already grown accustomed to pain.

Perhaps it would have been better not to return alive from there.

I will always be nothing but an obstacle to the family.

I do not want to think about how much more I will destroy them.

If only it were possible to stop all thoughts....

“Eh? Very bad words...!”

Tie finished reading the page and rose in confusion.

“What are you doing here?”

Someone’s hand gently gripped her wrist.

Tie flinched and dropped the notebook.

Before her, leaning against the door, stood Uncle Bird Droppings — Leonardo.