"Morning, Claud~ I waited for you to wake up. Let's go get breakfast. I was getting hungrier waiting for you!"

Then go eat breakfast without me... The clock reads... 11am. Why did I sleep for so long, I've wasted most of the day. Better get moving.

I hopped out of bed, but instantly my legs gave way. I managed to catch myself before slamming into the multiple pillows laid around.

"Claud!"

I'm still tired. Status screen, what's affecting me?

"Are you hurt?! You didn't hit your head but are you okay?"

-Abnormal Condition: Exhaustion, Mana Fatigue. Doubles Willpower cost-

Mana fatigue? I must've been using it in my sleep. Darn it. I need to get myself together.

-Willpower: 22/24-

"I'm okay... I dreamt I was still in the forest."

A white lie. I was dreaming about the orphanage. It's been occupying my mind too much recently. Stop thinking about it.

"You're using up twice the usual Willpower! You were emitting mana, throughout last night... Sorry, I didn't wake you up."

No, that's not something you should be sorry about. You probably didn't want to disturb my rest.

"I'll tell the maids to bring you breakfast. You can't move right now! You absolutely can't, alright? I'll bring you the newspaper and books from the library. Stay inside today!"

All the maids shuttled into the room, bringing medicine and food.

One of them tried feeding me, but I raised my hand, declining her help. I can still lift a spoon at the very least.

"Claud! There's big news!"

Sophie came back, hugging numerous stacks of newspapers messily.

There were tons of newspaper articles. Some were even slipping out of her grip.

At the top of the fallen news article, it stated that Ruvere's infighting seemed to have not stopped yet. The Blostmfell's roots were stretching further towards it attracted by the deaths.

She hands me a paper and leans into my shoulder while I'm reading.

"Revere... was that our fault?"

-Willpower: 20/24-

"There were disputes for many years before we were even born. That public lynching would have happened eventually without us. Don't read too deeply into it."

"I know. I just... feel bad."

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The local government did well, deciding to release this information to the public. Since the citizens in Eindall know that a Blostmfell is approaching places of conflict, nobody will want to fight for now. They'll be too scared the monster will come here next.

A week had gone by since I entered the army hospital. I told them everything I overheard, leaving out no details, the Blostmfell, its connection to the civil unrest caused by unknown soldiers and their goal. The paper states the army's mobilizing to take down the Blostmfell. Although it's not mentioned, their secondary objective is most likely eliminating those people in the forest as well.

I'm impressed they made the decision to share this information with the press this quickly. The city's leaders are actually competent and so is the army. The scouts crossed that massive distance twice in only a week. I wonder how high their stats are... They'd have to had fought or avoided monsters along the way. Sophie said the train tracks weren't free from the Blostmfell's spores.

"Claud, what do we do? When can we go back to the academy?"

-Willpower: 18/24-

"We don't do anything. The adults will handle this. Returning to the capital city needs to be postponed for several years. We don't have the stats to navigate the large distance or survive monsters in Blostmfell's forest."

There is still the train route that passes through the Western part of the continent. We could follow it all the way around back to the capital city... But I don't feel like entering foreign territory on foot. Even if we're children, we'd be caught for trespassing.

Passengers have tickets that allow free movement between countries. I don't think these are valid now that the train's unusable. Safe passage between countries in the East and West will be hard.

The train was really important for the continent's harmony. The train brings goods, wealth and tourism wherever it goes so the train, and its passengers are welcome. Money sure does make the world go round. Countries' governments are willing to overlook past hostilities as long as money is involved.

-Willpower: 16/24-

"For now, we can only wait for the train to be repaired. Other countries and cities might send assistance, their economy will be affected if the train stops running-"

She was pouting.

"My lady, the designer from the boutique is here to show you designs for your wedding dress. Please get ready."

"Claud is sick. Ask her to come here instead."

Hmm?

"But, my lady, the etiquette-"

"I said, I want Claud to choose my dress. Bring her here."

Why do I have to? Just go pick a dress by yourself... Don't drag me into this. My sense for fashion is sorely lacking.

"... Understood, my lady."

Sophie's gotten more assertive. Well, that's supposed to be the case in the first place. She's a daughter of a noble family, the maids do not have the authority to instruct her.

A lady with assistants came in bringing an assortment of wedding dresses on adult sized mannequins. Seeing the two of us, I think she's surprised. She didn't show it on her face, but her steps changed pace ever so slightly. They weren't expecting kids these young to be getting married. Getting engaged early is common but being married at 13 is unusual.

"Greetings, Sir Branford and Lady Sophie. We have designed several dresses specially for Lady Sophie. Have any of the dresses piqued your interest?"

"I don't know... Claud, which one do you like?"

Don't toss the ball into my court... I've always relied solely on others to choose my clothes. I don't trust myself to pick something that looks good...

Sophie doesn't seem like she'll take no for an answer. Fine.

Some of these skirts are so large and have cages... How will she move with that on? I don't want her to be uncomfortable. Why does this dress' shoulder pads look... tall? So odd. Even I can tell. This one has leather armor around the neck and chest. What in the world? Is that metal plating?

Oh. This dress looks normal.

I suppose, I'll pick this one? The strap with frills goes around her shoulders instead of over, and it's a bit thin but it covers enough of her body to keep her warm in Autumn. The skirts' not as puffy as the rest either. This will be fine, right? Sophie won't say she hates it, right?

"Ah yes. That dress. Perhaps there are others that interest you..."

The designer didn't sound thrilled. I messed up, I think.

"I like it!"

Sophie...

"I knew you'd choose that one! I don't like those dresses with crinolines. Thank you, Claud!"

Heh. The designer looked hurt. Sorry, lady. It's your fault for putting out so many weird dresses.