"But those people, of course, always acted as if it were only natural: 'I told you so.' 'It's fine, this is normal.' 'You've already done great; you just need to accept reality.' 'This job is still more suited to men.'"
Sonia pulled out her tobacco pouch and began rolling her third cigarette.
"You know, they always sounded so righteous and eloquent, so rational, neutral, objective, and sincere."
Sonia's gaze focused on the tobacco in her hand.
"In the end, I almost believed them—maybe I really had messed up. Maybe I really wasn't suited to being a soldier?"
Flower of the Fortress turned back and grinned at Tales.
"Right?"
Tales did not answer immediately. He sat on the ground with his back against the watchtower, his hands resting on his knees, his expression profound.
They always sounded so righteous and eloquent...
At the royal banquet, the scene of Vice Captain Vogel forcing D.D. to go to his death was still vivid in his mind.
"I'm not like you. I didn't mess up."
The youth suddenly spoke.
"I can solve this. I'm just working hard and adapting. I need time."
Sonia's hands paused as she rolled the cigarette. She turned to look at Tales.
"Adapt?"
Flower of the Fortress smiled at first, but her expression quickly turned cold.
"Luori, it seems you really did mess up."
Tales frowned.
Sonia finished rolling the cigarette and sneered.
"And you messed up more than a little. Otherwise, you wouldn't be living in a dead man's house, your father wouldn't have come to find you in secret, and Jinnie wouldn't have roared and threatened me into coming here to discipline you."
Tales had not been convinced before, but he looked up in surprise at that.
"Jinnie? Lady Jinnie?"
Sonia expertly clamped the cigarette between her lips