“It seemed you had some trouble to sleep last night,” Fourth Hope Willow said to the Iyrmen, having been tasked with watching over them.

“Who sleeps peacefully in East Aldland?” Jaygak replied, her eyes meeting Willow’s.

“You asked us to disarm ourselves, then caused trouble,” Jurot replied, more obviously. He had to say things Jaygak couldn’t, for precisely the reason she had stated the previous day.

Nirot grumbled affirmatively at her cousin’s words, while Laygak let slip a small smile.

‘They really are audacious!’ Fourth Hope Willow wondered why the Iyrmen were starting a fight with them. ‘They are Iyrmen, after all.’

Jurot sat with his arms crossed. He was annoyed he wasn’t able to go with Adam, but since Vonda was there, it should be fine. ‘If they cause trouble for Adam, I will speak with Elder Zijin.’

Adam sat within a small room. He was unarmed and unarmoured, as was expected of him, but he sat with the greatest defence of all, that of a sarcasm rooted in bitterness.

Vonda poured Adam a cup of tea, and rather than speak, she just allowed him to taste the tea. He waited for her to sip her own tea first, before he sipped his own. The lightest of fruity flavours pranced on his tongue, but Adam used his magic to change the flavour to taste more like a mango juice he enjoyed in his first life.

“I’m sorry, Adam.”

“What do you have to be sorry about?”

“I should have informed you that I was going to speak with Mother Priest.”

“Why did you need to inform me about that?”

“I spoke with Mother Priest about many things. I kept many secrets, but there were some things I needed to explain, and many things about you.”

“Like what?”

“How you have great abilities.”

“What kind of great abilities?”

“The ability to cast so much great magic while having great abilities with just an axe. That you are a Wizard, a Priest, a Guardian, a Fighter, and so much more.”

“That is quite a lot…”

“Mother Priest should know, since she will make the right choice for the order.”

“What’s the right choice?”

“The choice she will make will certainly be the right choice.”

“I hate when nobles speak like that.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I forgive you, Sister Vonda, but only because it’s you.”

“I know that I have been causing issues asking you to step back.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“It is.”

“You’re not the reason why the Marquise sent a small army to be slaughtered by Iyrmen,” Adam said, sipping his tea lightly. “I’m annoyed that you keep trying to help our foes, causing greater trouble for us in the future, but I also understand the position you’re in.”

“I’m thankful that you are accepting of my beliefs, even in this line of work.”

“That’s not exactly it. As much as I respect your beliefs, I just mean your position as being my caretaker. The Marquise caused us trouble, but it was pretty easy to deal with it. I just needed to give Alex up.”

“You were never going to give him up.”

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“Exactly. We were bound to get into trouble with the noble, because they wanted to cause trouble and didn’t want to step back. Then the Marshal of the East appeared, and we fought him, killing the… house guards, that’s what they’re called, right?”

“Yes.”

“Right, the house guards of the Marquise. The situation has rapidly escalated. I had expected to find some help from the order, but I should have expected this reception.”

“What reception is that?”

“I’m not going to speak ill of your order in front of your face.”

“You will, because you are Adam.”

“I didn’t expect them to be like the nobles, but that was just me being an idiot. Everyone knows that the nobles and priests have a particular relationship with one another. I shouldn’t have expected this place to be any different.”

“Do you believe I am like that?”

“No, but you’re different.”

“I was born and raised here. I am like the order, like all the other priests and acolytes.”

“That’s different. You aren’t a Ray or a Hope. Once you gain that kind of position you get an ego. I mean, you’ve seen it with me. I’m Executive Adam. How dare a Marquise cause me trouble. How dare she send a group of no good dogs to bother me on my journey.”

“You are different.”

“Am I?”

“Of course,” Vonda said, holding out her hands, ready to accept his within her own, before a knock distracted them, causing her to withdraw her hands.

“May I enter?” called a familiar voice.

“Of course,” Adam replied, his eyes falling to the door, which opened to reveal the Mother Priest as well as the Second and Third Hope, who stepped into the area, four Rays, a pair for each Hope, remained outside.

“Two Hopes?” Adam asked. “Isn’t that a little-,” Adam cleared his throat. “Excuse me. I was just talking about how… hopeful this tea is making me.”

“I hope that hope remains as we speak,” the Mother Priest said, taking a seat opposite Adam. “Sister Vonda has informed me of many things, but she has informed me especially that you prefer to speak openly.”

“I’m not good at noble talk,” Adam replied. “I’m too honest for it.”

“I will speak plainly, though it has been some time, for my role is to speak so that one can search for their own truth within the words.”

“Of course,” Adam replied.

“You have promised to us four thousand gold, and I know you intend to keep your promise. I have heard of this trouble with the Marquise who wishes for the sorcerer within your midst. You have adopted these children into your business, a business which deals with magical items, a business which Sister Vonda holds the rank of Manager. I have heard that you have trouble dealing with nobles, and that Sister Vonda, and your companions, advise you on such dealings, trying to keep you from getting yourself killed due to how you wish to bruise the noble’s egos, though you know better.”

Adam smiled, holding up his hands. “Guilty as charged.”

“Sister Vonda has shown incredible growth while travelling with you. If half of what she has said is true, then you are truly as frightening as she suggests.” Mother Priest inhaled deeply and exhaled. “Sister Vonda has grown too much. She must accept the title of Mother, and retire.”

“So you want her back at the order?”

“So that you may cause more trouble without her oversight and bring death to the land with the Iyrmen at your side?” Mother Priest replied, causing Adam to sit up straighter from the shock of her words. “Sister Vonda will be tested, and her vows shall be taken, and she will continue her role within the United Kindom, if she so wishes.”

The Hopes glanced between one another.

“The Order of Life’s Rose will guarantee the children’s safety. I will send a Hope and their Rays to assist you on your travel so that you may return to your business safe and sound.”

“Oh…” Adam paused for a moment, uncertain of what else to say. “Thank you.”

“You should not thank me, but Sister Vonda, who has risked everything to make sure you do not get yourself killed because you are a fool.”

Adam raised his brows even in further alarm.

“What were you thinking?” Mother Priest asked. “You keep aggravating powers you should not have. Yes, it was unfair for you, but you should not have killed the nobles of this land. Even in self defence, it is unlawful. The King’s Law may not affect the Iyrmen, but you are no Iyrman. The nobles in this land aren’t foolish. They understand they can do whatever they want to you and the people around you. If you kill them, even in a way you feel is justifiable, they will find whatever reason to bring down the hammer of the law, even if the law is not on their side. What of the farmers and porters under you? What of their families, Adam? What of Nobby? What of Brittany? What of Fred?”

‘Jesus, how much did you tell her, Vonda?’ Adam thought, looking towards the young priest.

“Look at me, Adam,” Mother Priest demanded, her voice clear and stern, her eyes filling with a hint of anger. “You may not wish to play the games of nobles, but you must. If you do not, you will find that the nobles will continue to strike away at the people around you, all because you are too foolish, because your ego cannot handle that they can do so.”

“It’s not my ego,” Adam said. “It’s because it’s unfair.”

“Yes! Life is unfair, Adam! You, a boy of twenty, cannot change that. Is that not why you created the business? You met the Enchanter, you met the Iyrmen, you were given so much fortune in this life, even your children, and you squander it because you wish to draw your blade at those you dislike, knowing full well that justice within this land is what the nobles make of it!”

Adam frowned, pulling back, the words of the woman continuing to batter him down.

“The United Kindom is a fairness that you have brought into this world with your companions. Iyrmen. Priests of multiple orders. An Enchanter. You, a figure who is unfathomable to comprehend, and yet are so simple that you can be manipulated by a noble who smirks at you in the wrong way.”

Adam clutched his hands together, wincing at her words.