The next morning after his fruitful adventure mission, Hikaru stirred awake in his cozy room at the Purple Walnut, the soft rays of the morning sun filtered through the window, casting a gentle glow across the room. Stretching slowly, memories from the previous night's meditation and the faint sound of the door opening and closing floated back to him, lingering in the corners of his mind like remnants of a dream.
Although Hikaru liked the company of both Lydia and Loyd, he was well aware that they were Clay’s people, assigned to watch him and possibly use him as bait to lure Kaito. Over time, they had become quite close, but the fight against the catmen had shown him Lydia’s cold-blooded side, making him more cautious around her. The previous morning, while they were still adventuring, he had used the guise of cooking breakfast for Lydia to discreetly look through her belongings, hoping to uncover what she had been so secretive about. Hikaru didn't find anything suspicious, only a Telelink Messenger, which he suspected she used to update Clay about her progress in capturing Kaito.
Today, Hikaru found himself without any special plans. He hesitated to whisk Lydia away for another adventure so soon after completing their previous mission. Considering the toll it likely took on her, he felt it was only fair to give her a chance to rest and recuperate before diving into another one of his adventure missions. So after he was done with his morning physical training session, he found himself with nothing else to do.
“What should I do today?” he mused, noting the empty schedule before him. “Now that I have enough money, I could register with the Ace Society to become a paragon,” he contemplated. However, after weighing the costs and benefits, he decided it wasn’t worth the hassle and the expense.
“Maybe it’s time I checked in on Masaki,” Hikaru mused. It had only been a couple of days since her hand had been restored, but Hikaru couldn’t shake the worry gnawing at him. As he reflected on her aspirations to become an adventurer, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of concern, especially after his recent dangerous encounters during his adventure mission—the ambush by the catmen and the unexpected encounter with a wyrm during his D-rank mission had opened his eyes.
After he made his decision, he immediately headed to the Kaya residence to visit his old home. On the way there, he saw Masaki outside, pacing back and forth in front of the Kaya residence, seemingly deliberating about something.
Hikaru approached quietly, observing her deep in thought. “Hey, Ducky! What’s got you so worked up?” he called out with a playful tone.
Masaki jumped slightly, turning around to face him with a surprised expression. “Loki! You scared me! Don’t sneak up on me like that.”
“Sorry, couldn’t resist,” Hikaru chuckled. “You looked like you were debating the secrets of the universe over here. Everything okay?”
“Actually, Loki, things aren’t okay,” Masaki sighed. “I’m waiting for someone, so can you not disturb me?”
“What happened?” Hikaru asked, concern edging into his voice.
Masaki hesitated before speaking. “Alright, I’ll tell you. After we returned from our trip to heal my hand, Dad decided to hold a celebration. We went on a shopping spree and had a feast throughout the day. One of the shops we visited was our usual tailor shop where my friend Mina works. Mina, a rabbitman girl, greeted me warmly and congratulated me on my recovery. My mom asked her to show me the best dresses in the shop. One dress caught my eye, but Mina hesitated, saying she wasn’t sure if she could sell it because it might be reserved for someone else. My mom, however, insisted, and after some back and forth, Mina reluctantly sold it to us.”
Masaki paused, her expression darkening. “That night, Mina came to our house in tears. It turned out that the dress had been ordered by Gisselle Rowan, the daughter of Viscount Rowan, a week prior. When Gisselle arrived at the shop that same day and found her dress wasn’t ready, she was furious. Gisselle cursed her boss and said she wouldn’t come to his shop anymore. Her boss, in turn, harshly reprimanded Mina. Desperate, Mina begged us to return the dress. My mom initially refused, but I couldn’t stand to see Mina so stressed out, so I gave it back. Mina rushed to deliver it to the Rowan residence, but it was too late.”
“What happened then?” Hikaru asked, his brow furrowing.
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“Mina’s mother came to our house the next night, frantic. She said Mina had been arrested. After witnessing Gisselle being mocked for wearing an old dress, Mina tried to remedy the situation by delivering the dress to Gisselle at the banquet. As she explained the whole situation, Gisselle’s peers ridiculed her further, mocking Gisselle for being told to wear a second-hand commoner dress. Enraged, Viscount Rowan ordered Mina’s arrest. Today is her sentencing, and her mother is desperate. She pleaded with me to help, but I don’t know what to do. I’m waiting for Mina’s mom to come and deliver the news,” Masaki explained, her voice trembling with worry.
In the late afternoon, Mina’s mother finally arrived, appearing haggard with swollen eyes, suggesting she may have cried on her way. Masaki led her to one of the tables in the Kaya residence courtyard, choosing the outdoor setting to minimize potential interruptions from her own mother, who had a knack for stirring up trouble.
Mina’s mother, her voice trembling and tears streaming down her cheeks, relayed the devastating news to Masaki.
“Hiks... they sentenced Mina to a lifetime of enslavement,” she managed between sobs, her voice choked with emotion. “Hiks... for what they consider her role in tarnishing the Rowan household's reputation. Please, Masaki, hiks... you have to do something.”
Because Mina’s mother continued to weep, Masaki reached into her pocket, offering her a handkerchief. “Here,” she said gently, her voice filled with sympathy. “Please rest assured, aunty. I will immediately speak to Viscount Rowan and appeal for a lighter punishment. Mina doesn’t deserve this.”
Mina’s mother nodded weakly, wiping her tears with the handkerchief. “Thank you, dear,” she murmured, her voice still trembling with emotion. “Aunty will go with you to speak to Viscount Rowan.”
Just as Masaki was getting ready to leave, Hikaru intercepted her. “Wait up, ducky,” he called out, “how do you plan to approach Viscount Rowan? Do you guys even have noble insignia to enter the aristocratic gate?”
Mina’s mother glanced at Hikaru, her eyes still wet with tears. “The owner of the tailor shop is a baron,” she explained. “So aunty has several patches borrowed from Mina to enter the first ring. We should be able to get through the aristocratic gate without any trouble.”
Hikaru nodded, a determined look in his eyes. “Alright then, I’ll come with you guys,” he said firmly. “The more, the merrier, right?”
On their way there, Hikaru hired a carriage to hasten their trip, paying it from his own pocket money. Inside the carriage, an air of discomfort lingered as Mina’s mother remained tearful, while Masaki offered quiet words of solace. Despite the somber mood, the carriage wheels continued to turn, steadily propelling them closer to the Aristocratic Gate.
After a brief journey, they arrived at the Aristocratic Gate. Upon showing noble insignias to the guards, they were granted entry. Without delay, they proceeded directly to the Rowan residence, their hearts heavy with anticipation and worry.
Once they arrived at the residence, the guards denied them entry, citing the need for an appointment. However, they were not easily deterred. Determined to speak with Viscount Rowan, they waited outside the residence gates, resolute in their decision to wait for his eventual return.
Five hours later, as dusk began to settle, Viscount Rowan’s carriage finally appeared on the horizon. The weary trio, having waited patiently, straightened up at the sight. As the carriage rolled to a stop in front of the gates, Mina’s mother sprang into action. With tears streaming down her face, she rushed forward and knelt before him.
“Please, my lord,” she pleaded, her voice quivering with desperation. “Have mercy. My daughter, Mina, may be clumsy, but she had no bad intentions. Please, let me carry out her sentence on her behalf.”
The Viscount paused, looking down at the kneeling woman with a mixture of anger and disgust. “How dare you, filthy Beastman, approach me with such a request!” he thundered, his voice echoing through the courtyard. “Your daughter’s actions have tarnished my family's reputation, and you think you can simply take her place? Ridiculous!” He sneered, his eyes cold and unyielding. “Her sentence stands. I will not entertain any appeals.” Hikaru and Masaki watched with bated breath, their hopes for a glimmer of compassion shattered by his harsh words.
Determined, Masaki stepped forward and knelt beside Mina’s mother. “Please, Viscount Rowan,” she began, her voice steady but imploring, “I am willing to pay for her crime with coins. Just tell me how much.”
The Viscount's eyes narrowed as he considered her offer. “You think you can buy your way out of this disgrace?” he scoffed. “If you truly want to pay, it will cost you one platinum coin.”
Masaki’s heart sank at the exorbitant demand, but she remained resolute. “But the dress only cost 30 silver coins,” she protested.
The Viscount's sneer deepened. “The cost of the dress is irrelevant,” he retorted. “The damage to my family's reputation is worth one platinum coin. If you cannot pay, she needs to work at Rowan’s establishment called The Red Curtain as a skill slave. There, she will be required to produce at least one platinum coin’s worth of soulstones, a task that will likely take her at least 30 years to complete.”
As the tense moment unfolded, Hikaru gently tugged on both Masaki and Mina's mother, urging them to rise. He could sense the Viscount's resolve and knew further pleading would be futile. As the Viscount ignored their presence and entered the residence, Hikaru stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Masaki's shoulder.
“Leave everything to me,” he said, his voice filled with determination. “Remember, my savior Lydia! She has a lot of connections in high places. So, calm down. I’ll find a way to right this wrong,” he assured them.
With a nod of assurance and a lot of persuasion, Hikaru led them away from the residence. He guaranteed them that he would solve their problem, while his mind raced with plans to aid Mina. They agreed to let Hikaru handle their problem while they waited for the good news.