The beggars in the alley

That afternoon, Rhode took Lilia out for a walk around the city.

Studying was important, of course, but they couldn't study all the time.

A balance of work and rest worked wonders.

And taking a walk with the little elf girl was naturally the best way to unwind.

The afternoon sunlight wasn't too intense. Slanting rays shone through the gap between two houses, spilling a patch of light onto the ground, where a plump orange cat lay curled up, basking with its eyes half closed.

At the sight of the cat, the little girl suddenly drew her sword from her waist, gripped the hilt with both hands, and settled into a T-shaped stance.

Although it was a short sword, in Lilia's hands it looked almost like a two-handed greatsword.

She stepped forward with her front foot and brought her rear foot up after it, then stepped forward with her rear foot, making it her new front foot. She formed another T-shaped stance, but her whole body had moved forward.

Then Lilia took a deep breath, stepped forward again with her right foot, lowered herself slightly, pushed off her toes, and suddenly accelerated.

This was the signature warrior skill-Charge.

Of course, she wasn't really going to charge into the cat.

Lilia took one step, then another, and on the third, stamped down hard beside the orange cat, sending fallen leaves flying.

The orange cat yowled in fright and fled down the alley. She burst out laughing, then waited a moment before charging again, and again.

Rhode hurried to catch up, pinched Lilia's cheek, and said, "You're being naughty, scaring a cat like that."

"I was practicing," Lilia said with a pout. "This is called Charge. Well? Pretty impressive, right?"

"I know, but you're supposed to charge at enemies, not a cat. Why don't you practice your other skills?"

"Fine. But those are all the skills I know."

Oh, right.

I'd been so busy I forgot.

It was time to find Lilia a new teacher, too.

In this city-in this city, mages were rare, but surely warriors would be easy to find?

Still, Rhode gave her a wicked little smile and asked, "Lilia, you've learned your warrior skills pretty well. I wonder how your math is coming along?"

Lilia had been perfectly happy, but now her smile froze. "Well..."

Rhode had said he would teach Lilia reading, writing, and math, and he had kept his word.

But Lilia clearly didn't enjoy studying those subjects.

Rhode asked, "Have you practiced multiplication and division today? Have you memorized your multiplication tables?"

Yes, this was Rhode's favorite time: teasing a little kid.

All the light had drained from Lilia's face. She hung her head, hunched her back, and let her shoulders and arms droop, utterly dejected.

"Haha, actually, I was thinking of finding you another swordsmanship teacher." Rhode decided to stop teasing Lilia and give her something to be happy about.

"Really?" Lilia brightened again.

"Really." Rhode smiled at Lilia. "But you have to promise me you'll study hard, too."

"All right..."

Lilia put her sword away and trailed behind Rhode.

Suddenly, a group of gaunt, sallow-faced beggars appeared in front of them. The middle-aged beggar leading them knelt before Rhode and said:

"Honored mage, please give us something to eat."

Only then did Rhode realize that he and Lilia had unwittingly followed the cat into an alley.

The surroundings here were much worse than outside, and an indescribable stench hung in the air.

Was this the city's slum?

Now twenty or thirty beggars surrounded Rhode and Lilia, all on their knees. They probably meant no harm.

Though fear showed in their eyes, they still looked up at Rhode pleadingly.

The alley was quiet. Rhode surveyed the beggars, then frowned at their middle-aged leader. "How do you know I'll give you food?"

The middle-aged beggar managed a faint smile. "Ordinary nobles wouldn't bother with us, of course, but mages are all kindhearted people. We... we're just so hungry."

Really? Mages seemed to have a good reputation. So that was why they'd approached us.

Surely there weren't any fake beggars in this world?

It didn't look like it. Every one of them seemed underfed and poorly clothed, and the expressions they turned on him didn't look feigned.

It seemed that beneath its gleaming exterior, this city still had many hidden sides.

"They look so pitiful. Let's give them some money," Lilia said before he could speak.

Little girls really were softhearted.

Yet she hadn't shown the slightest mercy when killing the Great Yeti.

Be as warm as spring toward your comrades, and as cruel and merciless as winter toward your enemies?

Yes, that had to be it.

Rhode nodded to Lilia, then looked down to reach for his purse.

Two silver coins should keep all these people fed for quite a while.

Joy appeared on the middle-aged beggar's face. Kneeling on the ground, the beggars looked utterly reverent, as though they had encountered an angel.

Just then, a faint commotion came from beyond the corner of the alley.

It was a small squad of men who looked like soldiers, about ten in all.

They all wore standard blue armor and carried swords.

The officer leading them had his head and face encased in a thick helmet. His burly frame was covered by a silver breastplate, and he wore a black cloak and silver steel boots.

A sword hilt protruded above and behind his shoulder. He was probably carrying one of those heavy two-handed swords on his back.

The officer stopped about three meters away from Rhode and said, "Greetings, esteemed mage."

Was it because most mages disliked people getting too close? Was that why this officer was speaking from a distance?

How polite of him.

Rhode looked him up and down for a moment, then said, "Hello to you, too. Is there something you need?"

"I'm Lieutenant Drake, and I'm carrying out official duties here." The officer who introduced himself as Lieutenant Drake had only a slit over his eyes, through which Rhode could just make out that they were blue. "Your face is unfamiliar. I take it you haven't been in Durnholde Keep long. Though it's rude of me to say this, I hope you won't interfere with our work."

"Interfere? With what?" Rhode was rather bewildered.

"Good, then." Instead of answering, Lieutenant Drake gave Rhode a slight nod, then sneered, reached out, and seized the middle-aged beggar by the collar, hoisting him forcefully into the air.

Then he slammed him hard against the alley wall.

After a thud, the middle-aged beggar's face twisted in pain. He clutched Lieutenant Drake's hand, desperately trying to pry it loose so he could get his feet back on the ground.

It happened so quickly that even Rhode failed to react. Lilia was so startled that she jumped where she stood.

The kneeling beggars flattened themselves against the ground, not daring to move, though their bodies trembled uncontrollably.