They ate hot pot beneath the pavilion in the Discipline Department office. Everyone was there, but Kallen, who had been the first to say he was hungry, was also the first to put down his chopsticks.
Once he entered the lounge, those with work to do rose and left to attend to it. Half the people dispersed at once.
Richard, however, remained focused on timing the beef tripe and duck intestines he was cooking for Philomina.
Alfred walked to the lounge door. Just as he was about to push it open, he saw Puer following him, riding Kevin.
"Coming in?"
Puer patted Kevin's bald head and said, "You go ahead, Radio Fairy. I'm taking Stupid Dog for a walk in the garden outside. His legs are still shaking."
Alfred looked down at Kevin. Kevin gave him an honest, good-natured smile, though the slightly sagging skin on either side of his mouth was twitching.
While everyone else could only imagine how terrifying the consequences of Kallen's hunger addiction erupting would be, Kevin had experienced that terror himself.
When Kallen had said "I'm hungry" in the Funeral Society's Mourning Hall, Kevin had nearly wet himself.
So Puer felt that Stupid Dog seemed to need comforting more right now.
"All right."
Alfred opened the door, entered the lounge, and closed it behind him.
Kallen sat on the bedroom's bay window seat, looking at the beautiful scenery outside.
"Young Master."
"Alfred, I almost didn't make it back."
"I never doubted you, Young Master."
"But some things won't necessarily succeed just because you have confidence."
Alfred smiled. "But the teachings of Order have always taught us to use our limited lives to build a better future together. True Order Followers don't expect to see true success within their own lifetimes. They are willing to devote