Chapter 84: Gifts from the Young Lord

『This is why I love my wife...』

Vritra nodded with approval as he gently stroked his chin.

Everything around him seemed frozen in place.

It wasn't that he'd stopped time or anything like that.

This was just how the young lord experienced the world because of his incredible speed.

To him, everything and everyone moved slowly, like watching an hourglass where each grain of sand took ages to fall. He could hear every breath, notice every little movement.

Nothing escaped his attention.

『She never listens to me when I tell her not to worry about those sick people. After all, she's a heroine. It's like trying to convince a snobbish, rich guy to care about the poor—it's just not in their nature. But I can't complain, can I? It actually works out in my favor.』

Vritra glanced to his left and saw Butler Neron standing there with a calm expression.

The old man nodded at him.

Taking a few steps forward, Vritra positioned himself between the Serathen knight and Luciana, who had already stepped back in fear.

『Tch, silly woman...』

She was brave, but the idea of death—especially being cut in two—would scare anyone.

『Now, let's see...』

As time remained slowed down, Vritra focused on the knight's face and felt the texture of his armor and sword.

『Just like I expected, the armor of the Serathen knights is as strong as the tealstone that Duranzia uses for making armor. But in the end, it's all the same... weak.』

Shaking his head in disappointment, he effortlessly pressed a finger against the armor, watching it slowly compress as if he were pushing his finger through butter.

『Alright then...』

In an instant, time snapped back, and a powerful surge of wind burst in front of the knight, sending him flying like he'd been hit by a train.

BOOOOOOM!!

This sudden movement shocked not only the princess but also Sophia, who had only just drawn her sword.

"Wait, what──?!"

"Wh-, When did he...?"

One moment, the knight was about to strike down Luciana, and the next, he was rolling on the ground like a ragdoll, five of his fingers broken and his jaw snapped.

They couldn't believe their eyes.

It felt as if they had skipped a frame or two in time, suddenly arriving at this surprising moment.

"M-, MY FINGERS!!"

The knight screamed at the top of his lungs. His broken jaw likely hurt the most, but the pain was overwhelming, so he focused all his anger on that.

ARRRRRGGHHHH!

He held his trembling right hand, staring at his five broken fingers, now purple and swollen. He didn't need anyone to tell him he would never hold a sword again.

"My... fucking fingers..."

Tears streamed down his face as he gritted his teeth, sniffing back the mucus that threatened to run down his nose.

He refused to cry in front of these filthy commoners; it would bring shame to Lord Arcellion's army.

Vritra ignored the painful cries of the knight and walked back over to Luciana.

"Are you okay?"

He draped his arm over her shoulders.

In other parts of the lower levels of Kaalen Tower City, the red-haired nun walked around, observing the place and its people. She noticed that many of them were starting to look healthier and, more importantly, happier.

It didn't make any sense.

Just a few hours ago, when she had checked on them, they had looked like they were ready to die and move on to their next lives.

But now, they seemed different.

The change was obvious.

『When did all this happen?』

Some were wearing cleaner clothes, while others were drinking fresh water from new wooden cups. Even the children who still had rotten skin from their awful diseases were running around and playing with their friends.

『Did Sadim do this?』

A wide smile appeared on her face.

[Rosemarie's affection for the "hero" Sadim Goldtouch has gone up by 50 points!]

She quickly tiptoed over to a nearby civilian sitting by the roadside, munching on some dried fruits.

When the man saw her, he nodded happily and held out a piece of fruit with an innocent smile.

"Oh, Sister Rosemarie! Please, have some fruit!"

"No, no, that's fine. You should eat more, please..."

She gently placed her hand on the man's thin, trembling hands and pushed them back. As much as she wanted to enjoy a nice piece of fruit like that, she couldn't accept food from someone so impoverished.

『Besides, if it's Sadim who got them all this, I'm sure he brought me something nice too. Not that I'm desperate or anything... I'm pretty content.』

Rosemarie nodded to herself.

"Was it the Red Rogue who got you all this?"

The name "Red Rogue" was well known in the village. He was the hero dressed in beautiful crimson armor who sometimes brought them fresh food, clean water, and clothes.

It was also Sadim's secret identity.

Any good that happened in the lower levels of Kaalen Tower City was always his doing.

"Haha, it's actually not the Red Rogue this time..."

This time was different.

Rosemarie tilted her head in confusion.

"Wait, it wasn't him?"

"Not at all, haha. He brought us some food this morning, but it didn't reach everyone, and most of the adults, like me, sacrificed their portions for the children."

"I see..."

Rosemarie's eyes narrowed as she hummed thoughtfully.

She looked back at the man.

"So who got you all these? Lord Arcellion?"

It could never be him, of course, but no other name came to mind, especially since the nobles at Kaalen Tower City were even worse than Lord Arcellion.

The old man chewed on his fruit as he shook his head slowly, trying to remember the name of the man who had given them these supplies.

"I think his name was God Dionysus..."

"He's a god...?"

Rosemarie's eyes lit up a bit.

[Ding! Rosemarie's affection for the host has gone up by an impressive 50 points!]