Chapter 42: Calculated Generosity and a Hidden Message

“Thank you for holding back, Master.”

“Ha, look at this kid. Did you really think I’d lose my temper and run wild?”

Fiona let out a dry laugh at Logan’s words as they quickened their pace.

At this, the disciple asked his master in an awkward voice.

“…You came down to our village because of people like that, didn’t you?”

“Stop it, no matter what, he’s royalty. As bad as my temper is, I wouldn’t do something that crazy. And…”

“…?”

Fiona was about to ask Logan if he was okay but swallowed her words.

‘There’s no need to ask…’

Looking at Logan’s face now, he seemed fine.

However, Fiona, who had trained him since childhood and watched him for a long time, knew for sure.

‘There’s no way he’s okay.’

His current expressionless face was merely a mask to desperately hide his pain.

When Irene appeared before them with Narcissus, Fiona wondered if she was seeing things.

It hadn’t been long since Renate told her that Irene had not only fallen for the hero at first sight but had also treated Logan poorly during the subjugation journey.

But this time, she appeared with another man, Prince Narcissus, arm in arm, as if to show off.

It was truly absurd.

‘That crazy b*tch…’

In fact, as Logan had feared, she had almost stormed out in anger.

Not because of Narcissus’s arrogant and haughty attitude, but because she was so angry at Irene.

It wasn’t enough that she didn’t reciprocate her disciple’s feelings, but to betray, deceive, and hurt him again.

Even she herself.

Was this furious and boiling with rage…

In Logan’s case, how desperately must he have suppressed his emotions to not show it in front of those two.

There was no way he was okay.

Therefore, Fiona decided to change the subject.

“Is it okay to just retreat like this? It looks like all our relief efforts so far will be in vain.”

“That’s right! We’ve served the people so much, how can they all be like this!?”

Those who had expressed such gratitude just a short while ago.

Had immediately changed their tune when those who distributed more abundant and better goods appeared.

At this, Logan calmly nodded and said.

“It’s alright. This was somewhat expected.”

“Expected?”

“Yes, I expected them to follow our relief efforts, even if belatedly. However…”

The amount of wealth they were distributing was enormous, more than he thought.

“Just how much have they been embezzling all this time… I certainly didn’t expect that much.”

“Ha… You’re telling me. Crazy b*stards, if they had eaten less and distributed even a little to the people, the number of suffering people would have decreased in the first place.”

More people had died of starvation or disease during the war with the Demon Lord’s army than those killed in attacks by demons.

If they had shown a little kindness and care to the people with the goods they were distributing now.

No, even if they had exploited them a little less, the situation would have been very different.

But what was the point of talking about this now.

If Anastasia hadn’t been there in the first place, they would never have distributed anything.

“For now… I’ll hurry back to Anya…”

Logan’s party quickened their pace to return to Anastasia.

---

“Logan…!”

As soon as Anastasia saw Logan’s party returning, she approached him, calling his name in a worried voice.

She wasn’t particularly surprised when she first heard that Narcissus’s party had entered the slum area.

It was something she had somewhat anticipated when discussing the plan with Logan in the first place.

However.

‘Irene, that woman, what on earth… What kind of person is she!?’

Her mind went blank when she heard that Irene had appeared with Narcissus.

It wasn’t just that they were together.

They had reportedly walked around arm in arm like lovers, as if to announce it to everyone.

She hurriedly and worriedly checked Logan’s complexion.

At this, he gave a faint smile and said.

“Anya, I’m alright. Nothing particular happened with the Prince, so you can rest assured.”

“Ah… Yes, Logan…”

Anastasia couldn’t bring herself to ask Logan about Irene.

But it seemed she didn’t need to hear his answer.

He had probably answered that he was alright, including that matter.

“We need to discuss what to do next, so let’s go back quickly. There’s nothing good to be gained from confronting the Prince right now.”

“Alright, it seems we’ve distributed all the supplies for today, so let’s go back quickly. Renate.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Everything has already been taken care of.”

At Renate’s words, Anastasia nodded and boarded the carriage with Logan.

“Hmm? Aren’t you coming, Fiona?”

Renate asked, looking at Fiona with a curious gaze as she waved goodbye to Logan, who had boarded the carriage, instead of following.

“Yeah, I’ll stay here with Hannah to gather information on what those Prince b*stards are up to, and keep an eye on things separately.”

“Huh? Me? I have to go back and take care of the kids… Ouch!”

“Where do you think you’re going, trying to clock out already! You’re far from repaying your debt, kid!”

“Ah, I get it!”

Renate nodded, watching the two bicker as usual.

“…Yes, that sounds good too. But be careful.”

“Hmph, don’t you know my skills?”

Fiona snorted at her friend’s concern and asked.

To this, Renate shook her head and replied.

“That’s why I’m telling you to be careful. I’m telling you to tone down that temper of yours.”

“Haa…? You don’t trust me either?”

“Hmph, it seems Logan already gave you an earful. You probably think it’s not noticeable, but I wish you’d take a look in the mirror.”

“What…?”

At Renate’s words, Fiona touched her own face, checking her condition.

“Ah…”

She couldn’t help but let out a sigh.

She couldn’t see her own face because there was no mirror, but feeling how hot it was, her face must have been very red with anger.

At her appearance, Renate let out a deep sigh as if finding her pathetic and boarded the carriage.

“Hmph… Then I’ll leave my foolish friend in your care, Hannah.”

“Yes, please go back without worry, Sir Renate! I’ll take good care of Fiona unni… Ouch! Why did you hit me again!”

“Shut up, kid!”

“Hmph… Will she really be alright…”

Renate watched the two bickering again with a worried gaze for a moment before boarding the carriage.

---

Inside the carriage returning to the Imperial Palace.

Anastasia looked at Logan’s face, who was silently gazing out the window, with pity.

‘Logan…’

‘Is he heartbroken because of Irene, that woman, after all?’

‘How disgustingly did she behave with Narcissus to make him look so sad?’

Logan’s face was expressionless, so it wasn’t overtly obvious, but she could tell.

His insides must be burning black.

She wanted to quickly and gently envelop his hand and offer warm comfort.

But…

‘Renate…’

She couldn’t help but hesitate because of the escort knight who was also in the carriage.

Her nagging had increased considerably these days.

But since she couldn’t just leave him like this, she pleaded strongly with her eyes.

‘Renate, I can’t leave Logan like this!’

At this, Renate squinted her eyes and looked at her.

‘…Do as you please. Since when did you ever care about what I thought?’

The escort knight who replied like that shook her head and turned her gaze out the window.

‘Renate… you’re too much…!’

Anastasia felt an overwhelming urge to protest to Renate.

But right now, Logan was more important.

She immediately and cautiously reached out her hand to him.

“Logan…”

“Anya…?”

Logan looked at Anastasia, surprised by the warm touch that gently enveloped his hand.

“What is it? If it’s about what happened in the slums, you don’t need to worry at all. Didn’t we somewhat expect the Prince or the Church to show up and interfere with our work? Of course, I didn’t quite expect the amount of wealth they possessed to be that much…”

Logan rambled on, as if trying to make an excuse for something.

To him, Anastasia smiled gently and slowly shook her head.

“I’m not particularly worried about that. Even if their intentions are impure, it’s much better if the struggling people receive more goods and their lives improve for now.”

At those words.

“Ah…”

Logan once again realized that Anastasia was truly a person dedicated to the empire and its people.

Unlike himself, who had been worrying about how not to lose public opinion to them, she didn’t really care much about public opinion itself.

What she was worried about now.

‘It’s me…’

Was only one person, himself.

Realizing that, Logan silently took Anastasia’s hand with his other hand and gently held it.

“……”

“……”

Logan and Anastasia, having reaffirmed each other’s feelings once again.

The two of them quietly waited in the carriage, without any words, to return to the Imperial Palace.

---

“Poor citizens! Eat your fill! And don’t forget to take plenty of rations as well!”

Narcissus continued to shout in his characteristically appealing voice, inciting the citizens.

“Now, everyone, please line up properly and wait patiently. There are plenty of goods.”

Irene, too, though it was bothersome and annoying to help him, smiled as gently as possible and distributed goods to the people of the slums.

“Unni, thank you!”

A young girl who received the goods reached out her hand to thank her.

At this, Irene tried to avoid the touch of the dirty slum girl’s hand, but.

She saw a small note clutched in the child’s hand and had no choice but to receive it.

‘This is…’

Checking the contents.

[I want to talk to you separately. Can you come to the back alley?]

A short memo was written.

‘Logan..!?’

Irene didn’t know who the sender was, but she somehow felt it might be him.

“Excuse me, can you take over here for a moment!”

“Lady Irene? Ah, yes, I understand.”

She hurriedly entrusted the distribution of goods to a nearby attendant and spoke to Narcissus.

“Narcissus, I’m going to go further inside for a bit and let the people know! That Narcissus is working hard for the people.”

“Hmm? Alright, I’ll count on you, Irene. Thanks!”

Narcissus was a little puzzled by Irene’s sudden departure but didn’t pay much attention and gave his permission.

At this, Irene felt her heart pound and hurriedly made her way to the place written on the note.

And as soon as she arrived at the location written on the note, she looked around, searching for Logan.

Then.

“Ha… You don’t even remember Logan’s handwriting?”

A woman’s voice, filled with disappointment and disgust, came from behind her.

Startled, she whipped her head around to see.

“…Ms. Fiona?”

A red-haired woman was visible, leaning against a wall with her arms crossed.