It was the next morning, I think . The town between the mountains was still cast in shadows . But the sky had a mystical paleness with streaks of red, that was typical of the dawn . I used to work until the morning, and so my instincts were telling me that that was the time . And so, it must be the morning .

Before me are the fallen slaves . I did freeze the wounds on their feet to stop the bleeding . But still, their voices moan without end . Like the voices of the dead .

I was sitting slightly above them, with my chin on my bent knees . I stared dazedly at the ice sword in my hand and absent-mindedly fidgeted with the handguard . As time pa.s.sed, I felt like my heart was becoming colder, just like this sword . And this feeling was not new to me . I had felt something similar, that day in Fhiraldo when the guild had given me an unexpected welcome .

I can hear doors opening in houses all around me . It was time for the town to wake up . People were leaving and gathering to start their work today . It was getting noisy . And then the first resident appeared .

“Wh-what…happened…”

The heavy sound of baggage being dropped . The pale face sees the fallen slaves and then looks at me . Just as the mouth is about to form an accusation, I address him first .

“Good morning . Are you from here? I was just attacked by these slaves, and it would be really great if you could call the guards for me . ”

While I had indeed done it, I was still the victim here, I inform him . And so he swallows the words he had been ready to say, and instead inspects the scene again and nods . And then he runs in the direction that Lisa had said the guard house was located . Thankfully, he was a good guy .

I had to explain it a few more times as people gathered, until finally, the guards came rus.h.i.+ng to the scene . The one in the lead was the captain we had met at the gate . He ordered his men to keep the others away, and they checked to see if the slaves were alive . The fact that I wasn’t immediately arrested meant that they had heard an accurate account at least . I was thankful for that .

When they were done, the captain turned to me . I stood up then and made the ice sword vanish into steam .

“So, you were attacked, eh? Are you injured?”

“I’m fine, as you can see . ”

I raise both arms to show that I was unhurt . He nods at this .

“Well, I will like to hear a detailed account of what happened . Will you come back to the guard house with us?”

“Yes, thank you . ”

And just as we begin to walk away, a voice calls me .

“Hey, Asagi! Hey!”

I look behind me and see Lisa is shouting at me . The guards were holding her back, as the residents were not to get close .

“Who is that?”

“She works at the inn I am staying at . She was also attacked . ”

“Hmmm… You, take that woman to the guardhouse as well!”

He ordered, and two of his men escorted Lisa along with us . “Let me go!” she shouted to their displeased faces, but given that they still glanced down at her chest, maybe they could become friends one day .

“I’m sorry, but there’s one other thing . ”

“What?”

I ask the captain as he walks ahead of us . He answers without looking back . And so I tell him about Daniela, who is still at the inn .

“Hmm, so you want us to call your partner to the guardhouse?”

“Yes, the inn…uh, Lisa . What’s the name of the inn again?”

“The Mountain Mist . ”

“That . There is a light elf there . Please call her . ”

“Understood . ”

He relayed this to the aid next to him . The aid bowed and immediately headed back for the Mountain Mist inn . It must be somewhat famous, as he knew exactly where it was . Well, they were successful enough to buy a hot spring after all .

After that, we reached the guard house after what was a short walk . It was a tall building with white walls, somewhat reminiscent of a police station . I didn’t do anything wrong, but felt oddly uncomfortable .

Once we went through the entrance, I was led down a hall and into one of the many doors that were lined up . Lisa was taken to a different room . Probably so that we could not match our stories . I sat down on the chair that was prepared, the captain removed his helmet and sat opposite of me .

“I am the captain of the guards in Alessa . Backus . What is your name?”

“It’s Asagi . A humble Adventurer . ”

Once introductions were out of the way, the questioning began .

“A resident here notified us that you had been attacked . Did you know that?”

“Yes, I am the one who asked him to . I did make it so that the slaves wouldn’t be able to escape, but I still wanted to stay and make sure . ”

I also added that I would like to thank the man later, as he had accurately described the situation for me .

“I understand . I will tell him for you . And do you know why you were attacked?”

“Those men were former Adventurers who had caused trouble back in Fhiraldo . I and my partner were involved in that . They were sent to these mines upon my request to Fhiraldo’s captain of the guards . ”

“Those men were former Adventurers who had caused trouble back in Fhiraldo . I and my partner were involved in that . They were sent to these mines upon my request to Fhiraldo’s captain of the guards . ”

“Hmm…so you know Russel then . How is he doing?”

Oh? I did not expect to hear his name brought up here .

“You know him too?”

“Well, he is my cousin . Aren’t our names similar?”

In what world? I guess this one?

“I suppose… Russell is doing well . He was very good to us . ”

“I see, I see . Very good then . Haha . I guess I can’t hinder you too much if your a friend of Russell . Well, you are the victim here, in any case . You will be freed without taking any blame . ”

“That’s a relief . But, there is something I want to ask you about . What is going on here with the monitoring of the slaves? I don’t understand why they seem to be free . ”

Yes, that was the biggest reason for this whole mess . They should have been properly watched . Instead, it was me who was being watched and chased . What the h.e.l.l was happening?

“About that…to be very frank, those who are in charge of monitoring the slaves are a gathering of sc.u.m . They think their job begins and ends with striking with their whips . Their thoughtless methods have caused a number of slaves to die, and it’s become a daily routine for them to confiscate their earnings . However, even all of that is not enough to allow us to make a move . We are not in the same department, you see . Because those men were sent from the royal capital…”

Backus clenched his fist with frustration .

“The slaves were able to escape due to their disinterest in monitoring them, but we too have to bear some responsibility for this incident . After all, we did not take the necessary measures, even though we knew it was possible that someone would arrive, who they had a grudge with… I am truly sorry . We will prevent this from happening again by increasing the number of men on patrol, and who is on watch . ”

His look was earnest, and I felt like I could trust him . But more than anything, he was Russell’s cousin . The person that had helped me the most in this world .

“And also, about the slaves…what will you do?”

My heart goes cold in an instant .

“What do you mean?”

“You can increase the years of their sentence, or have them executed . In terms of the law, I can move with a higher authority than the management office . If you prefer it, I can easily have a noose around each of their necks . ”

I couldn’t help but smile at this nostalgic question . He was a kind man as well .

“Hehe…Russell asked me the same thing . ”

“He did, did he?”

“He did, did he?”

“Yeah . ‘I have the authority to hang them’ he said . ”

“That is quite similar…”

I chuckle as Backus looks a little disappointed . I guess they really were cousins .

“As for my answer…”

Just as I was about to tell him, the door was banged on loudly .

“Apologies for disturbing you! We have brought over the partner!”

“Enter . ”

“Yes, captain!”

Apparently, Daniela had arrived . I heard her unusual, frantic footsteps approaching, and then she burst through the door .

“Asagi! Are you alright!?”

“Yeah . Morning, Daniela . ”

“What is that nonsense! Were you injured!?”

Her hands patted down my arms and stomach . That would actually really hurt if I was injured . Not a good idea .

“I’m fine . I immobilized them before any damage was done . ”

“Ahhh…that is good . When I heard that the slaves attacked you while I was sleeping, I became so frightened…”

Daniela crumbled to her knees . I got off of the chair and onto the floor in order to support her, my arm going around her shoulder .

“Did you really think those guys were gonna beat me?”

“I know more than anyone that you are strong…but, I was worried . ”

“Thank you, Daniela . ”

She stared at me with teary eyes . She had been so worried for me . That made me happy . Her slightly reddened cheeks looked very cute, and I could feel us getting closer and closer as we looked into each others’ eyes .

“Asagi…”

“Daniela…”

“Asagi…”

“Daniela…”

Then our lips were so close that they could touch, our eyes close…

“Cough! Ahem! Cough, cough…!”

We quickly separated . Where were we again? The guardhouse . Who am I? Oh right, the stupid b.a.s.t.a.r.d that Backus brought in for questioning .

“You have done more than enough to convey your fondness for one another! Now! I would very much like to hear your opinion about the punishment for the slaves!?”

He looked like he was on the verge of snapping . He drained a cup of water that had been brought to him and slammed it down on the table . My shoulders jumped .

“Asagi, by slaves, does he mean…”

“Yeah, the same Adventurers that Russell sent here . They saw me walking in town and attacked . ”

That was all Daniela needed to understand the situation . She stared at me .

“Asagi, I will not say anything this time . The decision is yours . ”

“Are you sure? It might have been me who was attacked, but you are still involved in it as well . ”

“And yet, I will leave it to you . I want you to decide . ”

So saying, she stood up and moved back to the wall . She would listen from there… My decision was already made . So I wanted her to stay and hear it .

I sat back down and faced Backus .

“Backus . I want you to increase their sentence . ”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes . I want to believe that humans are capable of change . ”

That was the answer I had decided on as I sat in the town square until morning .

“…I understand . You have my word as Backus White, captain of the guard . They should be grateful for the magnanimity of the Adventurer, Asagi . This warmth of feeling will surely reach them, and perhaps help them rehabilitate . ”

Being surrounded by his kind smile and by Daniela, I felt my heart begin to rise in temperature once more .

It was the next morning, I think . The town between the mountains was still cast in shadows . But the sky had a mystical paleness with streaks of red, that was typical of the dawn . I used to work until the morning, and so my instincts were telling me that that was the time . And so, it must be the morning

 .

Before me are the fallen slaves . I did freeze the wounds on their feet to stop the bleeding . But still, their voices moan without end . Like the voices of the dead

I was sitting slightly above them, with my chin on my bent knees . I stared dazedly at the ice sword in my hand and absent-mindedly fidgeted with the handguard . As time pa.s.sed, I felt like my heart was becoming colder, just like this sword . And this feeling was not new to me . I had felt something similar, that day in Fhiraldo when the guild had given me an unexpected welcome

 .

I can hear doors opening in houses all around me . It was time for the town to wake up . People were leaving and gathering to start their work today . It was getting noisy . And then the first resident appeared

 .

“Wh-what…happened…”.

 .

The heavy sound of baggage being dropped . The pale face sees the fallen slaves and then looks at me . Just as the mouth is about to form an accusation, I address him first

 .

“Good morning . Are you from here? I was just attacked by these slaves, and it would be really great if you could call the guards for me . ”.

 .

While I had indeed done it, I was still the victim here, I inform him . And so he swallows the words he had been ready to say, and instead inspects the scene again and nods . And then he runs in the direction that Lisa had said the guard house was located . Thankfully, he was a good guy

 .

I had to explain it a few more times as people gathered, until finally, the guards came rus.h.i.+ng to the scene . The one in the lead was the captain we had met at the gate . He ordered his men to keep the others away, and they checked to see if the slaves were alive . The fact that I wasn’t immediately arrested meant that they had heard an accurate account at least . I was thankful for that

 .

When they were done, the captain turned to me . I stood up then and made the ice sword vanish into steam

 .

“So, you were attacked, eh? Are you injured?”.

“I’m fine, as you can see . ”.

 .

I raise both arms to show that I was unhurt . He nods at this

 .

“Well, I will like to hear a detailed account of what happened . Will you come back to the guard house with us?”.

“Yes, thank you . ”.

 .

And just as we begin to walk away, a voice calls me

 .

“Hey, Asagi! Hey!”.

 .

I look behind me and see Lisa is shouting at me . The guards were holding her back, as the residents were not to get close

 .

“Who is that?”.

“She works at the inn I am staying at . She was also attacked . ”.

“Hmmm… You, take that woman to the guardhouse as well!”.

 .

He ordered, and two of his men escorted Lisa along with us . “Let me go!” she shouted to their displeased faces, but given that they still glanced down at her chest, maybe they could become friends one day

 .

“I’m sorry, but there’s one other thing . ”.

“What?”.

 .

I ask the captain as he walks ahead of us . He answers without looking back . And so I tell him about Daniela, who is still at the inn

 .

“Hmm, so you want us to call your partner to the guardhouse?”.

“Yes, the inn…uh, Lisa . What’s the name of the inn again?”.

“The Mountain Mist . ”.

“That . There is a light elf there . Please call her . ”.

“Understood . ”.

 .

He relayed this to the aid next to him . The aid bowed and immediately headed back for the Mountain Mist inn . It must be somewhat famous, as he knew exactly where it was . Well, they were successful enough to buy a hot spring after all

 .

After that, we reached the guard house after what was a short walk . It was a tall building with white walls, somewhat reminiscent of a police station . I didn’t do anything wrong, but felt oddly uncomfortable

Once we went through the entrance, I was led down a hall and into one of the many doors that were lined up . Lisa was taken to a different room . Probably so that we could not match our stories . I sat down on the chair that was prepared, the captain removed his helmet and sat opposite of me

 .

“I am the captain of the guards in Alessa . Backus . What is your name?”.

“It’s Asagi . A humble Adventurer . ”.

 .

Once introductions were out of the way, the questioning began

 .

“A resident here notified us that you had been attacked . Did you know that?”.

“Yes, I am the one who asked him to . I did make it so that the slaves wouldn’t be able to escape, but I still wanted to stay and make sure . ”.

 .

I also added that I would like to thank the man later, as he had accurately described the situation for me

 .

“I understand . I will tell him for you . And do you know why you were attacked?”.

“Those men were former Adventurers who had caused trouble back in Fhiraldo . I and my partner were involved in that . They were sent to these mines upon my request to Fhiraldo’s captain of the guards . ”.

“Hmm…so you know Russel then . How is he doing?”.

 .

Oh? I did not expect to hear his name brought up here

 .

“You know him too?”.

“Well, he is my cousin . Aren’t our names similar?”.

 .

In what world? I guess this one?.

 .

“I suppose… Russell is doing well . He was very good to us . ”.

“I see, I see . Very good then . Haha . I guess I can’t hinder you too much if your a friend of Russell . Well, you are the victim here, in any case . You will be freed without taking any blame . ”.

“That’s a relief . But, there is something I want to ask you about . What is going on here with the monitoring of the slaves? I don’t understand why they seem to be free . ”.

 .

Yes, that was the biggest reason for this whole mess . They should have been properly watched . Instead, it was me who was being watched and chased . What the h.e.l.l was happening?.

“About that…to be very frank, those who are in charge of monitoring the slaves are a gathering of sc.u.m . They think their job begins and ends with striking with their whips . Their thoughtless methods have caused a number of slaves to die, and it’s become a daily routine for them to confiscate their earnings . However, even all of that is not enough to allow us to make a move . We are not in the same department, you see . Because those men were sent from the royal capital…”.

 .

Backus clenched his fist with frustration

 .

“The slaves were able to escape due to their disinterest in monitoring them, but we too have to bear some responsibility for this incident . After all, we did not take the necessary measures, even though we knew it was possible that someone would arrive, who they had a grudge with… I am truly sorry . We will prevent this from happening again by increasing the number of men on patrol, and who is on watch . ”.

 .

His look was earnest, and I felt like I could trust him . But more than anything, he was Russell’s cousin . The person that had helped me the most in this world

 .

“And also, about the slaves…what will you do?”.

 .

My heart goes cold in an instant

 .

“What do you mean?”.

“You can increase the years of their sentence, or have them executed . In terms of the law, I can move with a higher authority than the management office . If you prefer it, I can easily have a noose around each of their necks . ”.

 .

I couldn’t help but smile at this nostalgic question . He was a kind man as well

 .

“Hehe…Russell asked me the same thing . ”.

“He did, did he?”.

“Yeah . ‘I have the authority to hang them’ he said . ”.

“That is quite similar…”.

 .

I chuckle as Backus looks a little disappointed . I guess they really were cousins

 .

“As for my answer…”.

 .

Just as I was about to tell him, the door was banged on loudly

 .

“Apologies for disturbing you! We have brought over the partner!”.

“Enter . ”.

“Yes, captain!”.

 .

Apparently, Daniela had arrived . I heard her unusual, frantic footsteps approaching, and then she burst through the door

 .

“Asagi! Are you alright!?”.

“Yeah . Morning, Daniela . ”.

“What is that nonsense! Were you injured!?”.

 .

Her hands patted down my arms and stomach . That would actually really hurt if I was injured . Not a good idea

 .

“I’m fine . I immobilized them before any damage was done . ”.

“Ahhh…that is good . When I heard that the slaves attacked you while I was sleeping, I became so frightened…”.

 .

Daniela crumbled to her knees . I got off of the chair and onto the floor in order to support her, my arm going around her shoulder

 .

“Did you really think those guys were gonna beat me?”.

“I know more than anyone that you are strong…but, I was worried . ”.

“Thank you, Daniela . ”.

 .

She stared at me with teary eyes . She had been so worried for me . That made me happy . Her slightly reddened cheeks looked very cute, and I could feel us getting closer and closer as we looked into each others’ eyes

 .

“Asagi…”.

“Daniela…”.

 .

Then our lips were so close that they could touch, our eyes close….

 .

“Cough! Ahem! Cough, cough…!”.

 .

We quickly separated . Where were we again? The guardhouse . Who am I? Oh right, the stupid b.a.s.t.a.r.d that Backus brought in for questioning

 .

“You have done more than enough to convey your fondness for one another! Now! I would very much like to hear your opinion about the punishment for the slaves!?”.

 .

He looked like he was on the verge of snapping . He drained a cup of water that had been brought to him and slammed it down on the table . My shoulders jumped

 .

“Asagi, by slaves, does he mean…”.

“Yeah, the same Adventurers that Russell sent here . They saw me walking in town and attacked . ”.

 .

That was all Daniela needed to understand the situation . She stared at me

 .

“Asagi, I will not say anything this time . The decision is yours . ”.

“Are you sure? It might have been me who was attacked, but you are still involved in it as well . ”.

“And yet, I will leave it to you . I want you to decide . ”.

 .

So saying, she stood up and moved back to the wall . She would listen from there… My decision was already made . So I wanted her to stay and hear it

I sat back down and faced Backus

 .

“Backus . I want you to increase their sentence . ”.

“Are you certain?”.

“Yes . I want to believe that humans are capable of change . ”.

 .

That was the answer I had decided on as I sat in the town square until morning

 .

“…I understand . You have my word as Backus White, captain of the guard . They should be grateful for the magnanimity of the Adventurer, Asagi . This warmth of feeling will surely reach them, and perhaps help them rehabilitate . ”.

 .

Being surrounded by his kind smile and by Daniela, I felt my heart begin to rise in temperature once more