C240: Home Bad Home (Part 1)

Chapter 240: Home Bad Home (Part 1)  

Sarah's perspective

After having breakfast with John and others, I went to the town to buy a horse and then rode her to Stansa. Instead of borrowing John's horse, I thought I should've been on my own. It was better.

Now is 7:49 AM.

Currently, I'm sitting on my horseback. My new horse's named Sanra, and I'm trying to get used to knowing her. We've passed the forest which is the border between Veta and Stansa, and now Stansa's border gate is before our eyes.

Sitting on my horseback, I check on my weapons. Now I'm armed with a green Elven sword, an M9 bayonet on my right side belt. A flintlock pistol is also armed, but is strapped on my belt's back.

I'm wearing a leather armor, with leather gloves and leather protector plates on my shoulders and my knees. Honestly... I feel annoyed to wear like this. However, my sis keeps asking me to wear like this for safety... sigh.

Mostly our modern weapons are now left in our Headquarters - Veta. After the Warsaw-Attenta war, we finally ran out of ammunition. Even our ammo crate was blown up during the siege of Veta castle. That's unlucky.

We run out of ammo. Now we can only survive through physical training and using these cold weapons. The smokeless powder cannot be invented. So we cannot re-create ammo for our modern firearms, but can only use the very old ones.

"Lady, stop your movement!". - The Stansa guards started coming out as they spotted my horse approaching the border gate close enough

The border gate is away from me just for a few steps. And these Stansa guards are coming out to check on me.

After the evac from Stansa to Nalta in the war, I decide to retire and handed the Lord's position to my Advisor - Litra. Now I go back to Stansa, just simply wanting to know how much it has been improved when I was away from the place. Hmmm... the difference had been spotted from the guards.

Previously, I used the Police force to be the guarding Stansa region. Currently, no Peacekeeper policemen can be seen guarding the border gate anymore. There might be a chance that the police unit is working inside the town.

However, I only see the guards here. They're all armed like the Capital troops, just the difference is that they wear leather armors and have the Stansa's insignia. Their armors aren't having any jungle camouflage features at all. Seems like Litra follows her homeland's traditional way than ours.

"Alright, Miss". - A guard approached me.  "Show me your citizen card for verification". - He raised his hand, asking me to show him my citizen card

"Eh?". - I was a bit confused while searching for it in my handbag.  "This is okay?". - Then I pulled out a Warsaw crest, I showed it to the man

"Oh".  "I'm sorry for the previous unright behavior". - He bowed to me, as if to apologize to me

"She's a Royal member". - Then he looked at other guards behind him

"I smell some corruption here, General". - My SA spoke to me through SC feature.  "They don't even check on your toys... just keep going". - What do you mean?

"Ummm...". - I gazed at the guardsman.  "Aren't the weapons would be confiscated until the traveler goes inside the gate, Sir?".

"That was before, Lady".  "Now Royal members and Lords are the exceptions". - Then he slowly walked back to his guards.  "They're free to carry weapons inside the gate without being kept to check".

Hmmm... the laws have been changed as well. However, the path is now widened thanks to Stansa guards, I must head in there right now and away.

Then I ride my horse inside the border gate. Getting in there, I look at the town's scenery, and see it's not so different from before. Hmmm... the war had not destroyed many buildings in this region. Everything seems to be fine in my look.

"I'm wondering how's the elementary school right now". - Then I looked down to see Sanra.  "What do you think?".

"She's just a horse, dummy...". - Hey, watch your mouth, SA.  "Instead... chat with me".

"You see anything changes around here?".

"Camera". - Oh, sorry!

I later raise my right wrist while riding my horse on the town's road. The camera and record options will be turned on automatically by my SA. Then I point my wrist around, from the left to the right, even above a few times. Hmmm... I hope the camera recorder's sight is now capturing the scenery of the town.

"You see anything new?". - While riding my horse, I asked SA.  "Oh, why do they?". - I spotted some civilians walking on the sidewalks, they glanced at me suspiciously

"Yeah... some crazy is raising her hand in the air". - Hmmm! SA! Stop joking!

I later put my right hand back on the rein. I keep riding my horse on the wide stone road to travel, alongside others. Hmmm... this region doesn't seem to be as busy as before, according to me. Somehow this place looks to be poorer than before, not good at all.

"You think right, Sarah". - SA said to me.  "The town before was busier".  "Fewer vehicles on the road, you see it, right?". - Yeah, SA. I mostly see some horse riders or people walking on foot

This place before was richer and busier... now it looks somehow... vanished. Maybe... the war caused this problem. The war had just newly passed 4 months ago, I shouldn't be too serious about this issue. It'll be solved soon.

"Maybe my schedule will be a bit late, SA". - I said to her while looking behind, trying to memorize the scenery of the current town.  "I want to know... if the people still live well enough this time or not". - Then I looked at the road.  "Let's head to the school later, then will revisit my old home, okay?".

"Roger, Private".  "Pip!". - Then SA marked the elementary school's location on her screen in case I wanted to visit it sooner

"Ohh...". - All of sudden, I spotted something while traveling on the road

I immediately rotate my horse and head there. Before my eyes are a couple - two females, a bit one and a little one sitting on an empty corner of the sidewalk. They're... holding a bowl and raising it above. Seems like they're homeless people or something... I must save 'em!

"Ehhh...". - I was confused more as I looked to the right

In another corner on the left sidewalk, 3 people are sitting in there. They cower themselves before the passing people, one is raising his only hand out, begging for money. They must be a homeless family, I assume. A little boy, sitting between his mother and father, the man only has a hand... is begging for food.

While the woman... she's lying on the corner. Her feet seem to have been lost a long time ago, that's a crippled woman.

"I'm down with you, Private". - Heard it, SA

Later I look around the street to find something. Then luckily, I see an outdoor bread shop opened on the right side, at the end of the sidewalk. The baker's sitting on the wooden chair, selling the bread freely. That area is quite crowded with people passing there to buy bread... I must go there.

Later I ride my horse to approach the bread shop on the sidewalk. The people are passing by the shop to buy the meat bread... they're hurrying to get to the workplace. Hmmm... I stop my horse and keep sitting on her, waiting for my turn to come in.

Meanwhile, I return to look at the homeless people who are sitting on both sides of the sidewalks, poor these people. Come on... I must save these people as much as possible, they must be well-fed and have a good shelter.

"Your turn, Sarah". - All of sudden, SA informed me

I later return to look at the bread shop. Somehow... the people are staying away from the shop, some even raise their hands to the bread shop. As if... they're telling me to head there, their turn will come later. So I approach the outdoor bread shop silently.

"Thank you very much...". - While approaching the shop, I bowed to everyone on the sidewalk to thank them

Now I'm standing before the bread shop. However... somehow I feel a little bit... strange with these civilians. My eyes sometimes glance behind to peek at these civilians secretly.

Some are diverting to the left side to walk past the sidewalk. However, some are staying and standing nearby the outdoor shop. That would be usual if they're standing there to wait for their turn to buy.

But no... some of them are whispering to each other or something. Some are peeking at my face before looking away, and start whispering. Hmmm... I feel so nervous about this. Should I go away?

"Young lady?".

"Ah!". - I was a bit startled

Turned out... the baker was calling me. He stands up instead of sitting on the chair, he even puts more bread stored from below on the wooden seeling stall.

"Hi...". - I waved to him, later dismounted from my horse

"What's your order, lady?".

"Ummm... how much is a bread?". - I asked him while pointing to a small bread on the end of the right side stall

"A big one, 15 Gels... the small one, 10 Gels". - He showed me a small bread and a big bread.  "With vegetables and meats, 10 Gels". - Wait wait wait wait!

"Wait, that means?!". - An empty bread costs 10 to 15 Gels, while a full one with vegetables and meats costs 20 to 25 Gels!

"Isn't that too expensive?!". 

Even an outdoor food store meal in Stansa only cost 18 Gels to be the most. And that was when my land was massively running on funding for the military to prepare for the Warsaw-Attenta war.

Currently, the war is over for so long. But the food price at a bread shop is still this expensive... I know everything needs time to restore after the war but...

"This is the lowest price I can afford, young lady". - The baker later glanced at something beyond me.  "Please buy quickly, customers are waiting".

"Ummm... may you...?". - That's no use...! They won't help voluntarily!

"Ummm... give me a sec". - Then I dragged out my brown money bag, searching for some coins to buy

"Here". - I put 3 coins on the stall, priced 50 Gels each coin.  "Six full breads, please".

The Gel coins I used to pay for the bread belong to the reformed currency. After retaking his power and executing the puppet officials and the Prime Minister, His Majesty made this happen.

Warsaw's currency - Gel coin, was divided into more number coins. It helps to trade easier instead of using a single number coin like other human Kingdoms are doing on the continent.

"Right away". - Then the baker put 6 breads on the stall

"Give me some bags".

The man puts brown bags on the stall, I grab them and fill the breads in those. After having the food to save those homeless people, I think about giving them water.

"Do you have some water?". - I asked the baker

"No no, young lady".

Then I have to find those poor people the water myself. Alright, I must get to them and help them. I only bow to the baker and then get back on my horse. Then I start returning to those people.

While returning to those homeless people, I notice something odd. Around me, civilians are either standing in groups or just passing the sidewalk while talking and whispering to each other. They sometimes peek at me while whispering. Seeing their strange behaviors, I immediately get out of there.

Now... who should I save first? I keep glancing at the family which has an old mom and a little daughter. Later I glance at the family which has a handicapped father, a crippled mother and a little son. Which side first is alright, I must save 'em. Yeah, I must save those people.

I immediately run my horse to the couple of women. When I reach them, I immediately dismount from my horse, I must do it. Hmmm... the old mother, or so I assume. She's gazing at me curiously, so does the little girl who seems to be hungry.

"You two must be hungry...". - I crouched down before 'em, taking out the brown bag.  "Here, fill your stomach". - Then I pulled out two breads and them to the mom's hand

The woman takes the meat bread, her feelings seem to be very shocked. The little girl seems to be very hungry, she immediately snatches the meat bread from my hand. No... it's so bad. The bread falls to the ground. I immediately pick it up.

"Don't worry, it'll never go away". - I used my sleeves to rub on the bread, making it clean.  "Here, girl". - Later I gave it to the little girl

These people seem to be hungry, they immediately eat without thanking me or anything. However... I know their feelings... being starved to the depth of our lives must be very painful.

Then I check on the brown bag, seeing there are only 4 meat breads left. However... that means if I feed 3 remaining people, then one bread will be the only thing that's left. Hmmmm... should I... divide it in half?

Okay. It's worth trying.

I take out one bread and split it in half. Then I give that half-bread to the little girl.

"Sorry, ma'am... I can only afford you this much". - I apologized to the old woman.  "Here, take it". - I gave the little girl the half bread

Maybe I should wander around this town. Even if I can't find a shelter for these people, I should make sure that their stomachs are full. Alright, I'll give them all of the meat breads. Then I'll go to another shop to buy them more good food, I'll try to find them some water too.

Done thinking, I rush back to my horse and run her to the homeless family. Like the previous, I jump down from Sanra and immediately approach the family.

"Here... you must be hungry". - I crouched down before them, later pulled out the breads from the brown bag

The man and the little boy take the food. They keep bowing to thank me while receiving the meat breads. The handicapped man later lifts his wife up. She seems to be very weak or something... poor the crippled woman.

"Here you go". - I saw the boy was eating the bread in rush, so I grabbed out half of the bread to give him.  "Be careful... just eat slowly". - Then I headpatted the boy.  "They won't go away, just eat slowly for safety".

I stop looking at the boy but glance at the father. He's chewing the pieces of bread, later takes some of them out to feed his wife. Poor these people... I hope John won't be mad if bring them home. They can live in his castle as servants... will be well fed and well treated.

However... John doesn't like to have men servants in his castle at all. He only recruits women in his castle... sigh. About my sis's castle... that place doesn't seem to be safe, I assume that. Because... her castle is full of women as well.

Uncle Lerer's homeless group is nowhere to be found after the war. I cannot find anyone to save these poor people. However... I can find a way to help them. I believe that.

At first, I must rent these people an inn. Hmmm... should I ask Litra to recruit them in her castle as we-

"Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough!". - All of sudden, I was thinking but later heard someone coughing

"Cough! Cough! Cough!". - Turned out that coughing came out near me.  "Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough!". - Later I looked down... and!

"Oh no!". - The son who was eating the bread previously, was now coughing non-stop.  "Help me! Help!!! Someone please help me!!!!". - I roared, trying to call for the help

"Danny! Danny! Danny!!!!". - The father fell down and hugged his son, trying to help the boy

"He's being choked while eating, Sarah!". - It's dangerous, SA!

"Sir!". - I called the father.  "Please let me help, aid me!". - I reached my hand to the boy

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!". - I moaned painfully

"Urrrrrgggghh... it's hurt...". - Someone just had thrown a rock in my head, that thing fell below my feet

I feel so hurt so I get up, later I look around. Surprisingly, many civilians can be seen standing, surrounding me. Their faces seem to be unpleasant. Some of them can be seen holding tools... such as kitchen knives, hammers and... what the hell they're thinking about?!

"I smell something dangerous, Sarah".  "You should better run away". - What do you mean by that?

"By the way, you're bleeding... but it's not too big". - Huh? However... I felt my head's backside was burning a little

Later I'm shocked to see my palm has some blood. Maybe... the rock caused my head to bleed. However, now I'm wondering why these civilians are surrounding me.

"What's wrong, people...?". - I asked the people, they were still glaring at me

"Cough! Cough! Cough!". - I was startled to hear the boy's cough, it wasn't over yet.  "Wait wait wait! Let m-". - I tried to reach the boy.  "Cough! Cough! Cough!!!!". - The boy coughed loudly, later suddenly fainted

"Danny!!!". - The father howled in his pain, crying while hugging his unconscious son

"No no no...". - The boy's still alive, I must save him bef-

"Hey, you there!". - All of sudden, a yell pointed at me

I take a look in that direction, and realize that one of the civilians was the one who yelled at me. They're very aggressive for no reason.

"Is that her?!". - Some of these people loudly asked others

"Yeah, that's her!". - Others yelled, even pointed at me.  "That fucking bitch, she came back here!". - Some started approaching me.  "The Goddess helped us! She gave us a chance to revenge!".

"Hey hey hey hey!". - Some Stansa guards started running to me, they covered me.  "Everyone, stop right now!". - A guard who seemed to be the leader, yelled at the people.  "Put down your weapons, immediately dismiss or will be jailed in custody!".

"Nonsense!". - Some hustled the guards, trying to shove them away but failed.  "Arrest her! Why are you people so stupid?!". - Some scolded me, they kept pointing at me.  "You also hate her then why do you protect her, huh?!".  "Beat her! Stab her! Kill her! Let her know what is pain!".

"What are you with you?!". - I was bewildered, I yelled, trying to understand them

"That was all your fault!!!!". - They pointed their middle fingers at me, scolding me.  "Shut the fuck up and die!!!".  "Arrrrrggghhhhhhhhh!!!!". - They charged at me

"Stay down!". - The Stansa guards started using their spear butts to hit the civilians.  "On the ground! Do not move! Do not!". - The guards yelled while pointing their spear heads to the people, as well as the lying ones on the ground

"Tell me what happened!!!".

"You killed them!". - They scolded me once again, trying to reach me.  "My family, my dad! My wife! My son!!!!". - Many yellings sounded at the same time, making me feel very annoying

"But what do you m-".

"Shut the fuck off, you fucking bitch!". - They hustled, trying to push away the Stansa guards but couldn't.  "You left us after the evacuation! You made a black bitch to rule the land!".  "You didn't do anything to save our children in the school!". - The guards were struggling to form the spear line walls to protect me.  "And you! Many of our men volunteered to join the military in Veta!". - Wait... the last line... I didn't know about this at all!

"You let that fucking monster kill them!". - They raised their tools, trying to rise up against the guards.  "We sacrificed ourselves to save your ass! And you casually watched us die and did nothing!". - The angry crowd was crushing the guards, they kept pushing them closer to the end of the wall

"Yarrrrghhhhhhhhhh!!!!". - Guards started pushing back the civilians.  "Stabs! Stabs! Smash! Smash! Slams! Slam!". - It seemed to be very brutal, some must've died during this short riot

"Last warning! Do not step further! I said last warning!". - The Stansa guard's leader yelled, threatening the angry civilians who were trying to slay me

"Not yet!!!!". - The people started grouping in the large number, they were holding tools tightly

"Bitch, don't try to be a living Goddess!". - They stepped closer to me, but later fell back since many spear heads pointed at them.  "You're a fake! You fucking fooled us all! You fooled all of us! Making us think you're good!". - Later they stepped closer, only stopping as their faces were about to touch the spear heads.  "You protected those criminals, we saw what you did that night!". - Did they remind me of the execution scene on the day His Majesty restored his real power?

"You're misunderstanding!".

"Bullshit!!!!". - Some of the civilians grabbed the spear lines, some grabbed the pointy tips.  "There's no one in this world who will protect criminals!". - Their hands bled, their blood kept draining down the spear lines.  "But you! You protected those killers! You accepted to forgive 'em, huh?!".  "You kill people! You must be executed! That's justice!".  "You killed our kids! Our families! Why don't you die!". - Some civilians started rushing toward me

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!". - More yellings and bloodshed coming out, more people falling on the ground

"Behind you, Sarah!". - All of sudden, SA alerted me

"You killed my son!". - Turned out the father who lost his child was charging at me with his bare hands

"Wait!". - I dodged his punches.  "Please let me explain! Your boy! Your son is still alive!". - He didn't listen to me, so I had no choice but to dodge continuously.  "Please listen to me! He's still alive!". - I tried to glance at the boy... seemed like his life was currently hopeless, poor the father!

"Urrrrrgggghhhhhhh!!!". - I was punched in my chin, and I fell to the wall

"Arrrrrggghhhhhhhhh!!!". - The father was in his madness

"Get down! Fucking on the ground right now!".  "Now!!!". - Some Stansa guards rushed to the man, they crushed him on the ground but he kept resisting non-stop

"Please stop the violence!". - No idea left to end the riot, I pulled out my flintlock pistol and pointed it to the sky

"Bang!".

A gunshot had been fired. Hearing the gunshot, everyone seems to be shocked and afraid. The fighting later stops, the people keep looking at me, as if they're concerned about the earlier gunshot.

"Run now, Sarah!". - SA alerted me again, I managed to run to Sanra

"Whinnies! Whinnies!". - My horse seemed to be panicked when I mounted on her, but I shortly took the control

"Whinnies! Whinnies!". - Then I controlled my horse, running away from the riot

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Everything seems to be stable right now. However, I'm still staying in Stansa instead of getting out of this region. Currently, I'm watching the elementary school Happyland from afar. It never changes, even before, during and after the Warsaw-Attenta war.

After getting away from the angry crowd, I intended to get out of this land. However... later I found a clothing shopkeeper who seemed to be a kind old lady. She kindly gifted me a free cloak to cover myself from the people.

She also reminded me to understand people's unright feelings. She explained that they had gone through many bad things in the past, and they misunderstood me a lot.

However, the main reason that made them become that bad... was caused by the current Lord. She said that Litra keeps ruling wrongly, she makes the people get wronged and misunderstand me ever since then.

Now I'm standing from afar, staring at the small elementary school. "I wish I could build it bigger ", I speak to my mind. Due to the military fund and His Majesty's limitation order, this school couldn't be built big to educate children.

"Sarah, you're thinking about going there?". - That's right, SA

"Listen to me".  "Stay away from there and head back to Veta, right and away". - But... just visit the kids, let me do it

"No is no!". - Sometimes my device is very annoying.  "Alright, I'll inform your sis and Commander".  "Pip!". - Then SA turned on the private calling, she was calling John and my sis privately

I ignore her advice and approach the school. This school's built outside of the town and is located near the field side of Stansa castle. Maybe after visiting the school, I might head to my old home to see Litra. Under her rule, everything looks so different, I see it's quite bad.

I know the post-war problems in this Kingdom still remain. However, the way she rules doesn't make the people believe her, or either give them a better life.

This time is quite empty of people around here. However, I put the hood on my head and then approach the school. I drag my horse Sanra with me, by holding the rope strapped to her neck and pull her with me, step by step.

"They're around you, Sarah". - Huh? What do you mean?

"The protectors, they're around you". - Sent by my sis?

"Yes".

Does my sis always put agents around me just to protect me from everything? I feel so suffocated. Hmmm... but I soon calm down and approach the school silently. A short time later, I'm now standing before the school's metal gate. Peeking inside, the school seems to have been rebuilt after the war.

The school's roof and its floors used to be collapsed previously in the war. Now everything seems to have been rebuilt, I'm so glad. However... I don't see any child students in the schoolyard at all. Hmmm... maybe this time is the class time, so they're not showing.

How can I get into this school right now? I want to walk around to see its activities. The school gate is closed, the side gate on the right is also closed as well. Maybe... I should stay right here till a school guard shows up.

"Oh, young lady?". - All of sudden, a blue clothing old man stepped out from a mini blue house on the right

That man wears a blue uniform, with a blue cap that has a "Happyland" symbol marked in the middle of the blue cap. This man's a school guard, he sees my appearance so he approaches the gate.

"Ummm...". - I stepped closer to the gate, facing the guard.  "May I come inside, Sir?".

"What are you up to from coming here?". - He was a bit cautious about me or so.  "Wearing that suspiciously, even wielding weapons that freely out there". - The old man later realized something.  "Are you a noble, young lady?". - Suddenly, he bowed to me, as if to apologize

"I'm sorry for the previous attitude". - Then he rushed to the side gate, took out a pack of keys from his belt.  "Here, you're free to go wherever you like here, please come". - His attitude immediately changed, so strange

"Bows...". - I bowed to the old school guard deeply, later got into the school through the right side gate

"Ummm... my horse". - I looked back to see my horse, wondering where I should park her

"Just let me keep it for you, young lady". - He gently got to my horse, he grabbed the rope and dragged her inside the schoolyard.  "Hey, young lady needs help, come out!". - He yelled at the mini house

"What the hell, Sir?". - Three more school guards came out from the house

"This young lady, needs help". - Then he came close to those young men, whispering to their ears or something

"Uhh, alright". - These men immediately took my horse, led her to the house and strapped her to a fence

"Don't worry, Miss...". - A young school guard spoke to me gently.  "She'll be well guarded, please go around the school whenever you like".

"Thanks...". - I only knew to bow before these kind men

However, their kind attitude makes me a bit concerned, quite confused. Because... it shows me like they're humble and flattering me instead of showing their real thoughts. These school guards keep lowering their heads every time my eyes glance at them. That kind of action is very like the way a guard does when his Lord glances or heads to talk with him. Not good at all.

"Young lady". - Later the old school guard called me.  "Please put away the hood, in here is not hot like outside". - Oh, seemed like he was noticing the hood on my head

But little did he and others know, I wear this hood to hide my face from being exposed to the people. Should I say to them that I have a reason to not pull the hood out?

"You better keep your face covered, Sarah". - I know, SA... but I hope these people won't do anything bad if they see my face

"Agents are around you... they'll come in to save you if you're in danger".  "However, you shouldn't get the hood out, just keep it there...". - Please let me have a chance, SA

"...". - She kept silent.  "Alright... but be careful".

I slowly put my hand on the hold that's covering my face from the school guards. Silently... I pull it down and my face is exposed to these people, alright. The school guards look at me, they smile when they see me show my face before them...

Seems like everything is alright now.

"Wait... is that her?". - All of sudden, a young school guard noticed my face

Others' faces later cower gradually, showing me as if they're grumbling. These men start stepping back, and standing close to each other and whispering... about me.

All of them, don't seem to be happy at all after I showed them my face. I try to peek, and see their eyes are full of anger and their close palms seem to be squeezing. Should... I... should I say something to calm these people down?

"That's enough". - All of sudden, the old school guard said to them.  "You guys get inside, I'll take it from here". - Then he pointed to the house, asking his men to get in there

Those young school guards shortly head inside the house without looking at me while going. However, I could see some of them glare at me when they were getting away from my sight. Some even whispered coldly, as if these men hated me to the bones.

"Young lady...". - While thinking, the old man's voice made me startled

"Don't worry please... I just wanna talk". - He approached me slowly, very calming.  "Welcome you back, my Lord". - He later kneeled one leg before me, lowering his face to bow to me

"Please stand up, please stand up...". - I raised my hand to the man

"Thanks, my Lord". - He grabbed my hand to accept my aid, I later pulled him up

"I'm sorry for what I had done". - I lowered my face.  "People must be hating me a lot... that's my fault".

"You did nothing wrong, my Lord...". - He looked at me with his understanding eyes.  "You did your best, you made no one of us have to separate from our families". - The old man's eyes later showed me some tears, but he kept resisting crying

"My son and I... we volunteered to fight in Veta".  "Sobs... sobs...". - The old man started sobbing.  "And he... he...". - The old man put his forearm to his eyes, wiping his tears.  "I saw it all... I saw what truly happened".  "Sobs... sobs... sobs... sobs...". - Then he kept sobbing, but kept trying to wipe his tears.  "I won't blame you, my Lord... you're so heartful".  "People are wronged about you... they misunderstand you...".

"I'm sorry...". - Then ai hugged the old man, trying to comfort him from his loss

"Please return, my Lord...". - The old man hugged me tighter, as if to beg me to return to be the ruler.  "When you go away, everything goes bad... people go helpless...". - His face fell to my shoulder, sobbing.  "People gathered in Stansa... they thought the government would help 'em".

"They're men of war... women and children... their families".  "Sobs... sobs... sobs...". - While sobbing, the old man slipped down from my hands, he was losing his balance to stand.  "My daughter... she joined the Army... now I cannot find her anywhere". - I also crouched down as the old man, trying to comfort him

"The government did not do anything to help those on the streets...". - He looked at far away.  "They're women and children... they lost their families... their husbands...".  "What if... my daughter was one of those people?".  "Sobs! Sobs! Sobs! Sobs! Sobs!". - He lowered his face more sobbing non-stop

Now I must do something, only I can do it.

While hugging the crying old man, I look at the school before my eyes. I've made up my decision, I'll visit the school and the kids later.

Now... I need to return to the castle, to meet Litra.