Silent People Deserve Justice Too

A small whisper around his ear swished through the air. “Ino, this guy sleeps more than you do. It's nearly midday.” A slim finger then poked the side of his cheek. Sorin was hyper aware now; he felt everything they were saying, but he forced his eyes not to open. Maybe they would leave him.

Still don't want to get up and terrorise people.

Another poke then another. Sorin finally jolted awake from annoyance; he checked to his side, seeing Chikaru’s small form kneeling next to his bed with her finger stretched out.

“This is something Ino would do. Why are you poking me?” Sorin got up from his bed; his gaze turned to familiar-looking clothes. His dark grey robe was on the chair of the only desk in the room. “My robe is back too, it seems. Finally.”

Chikaru stood up. “I was testing your cheeks; I have never met someone so well fed. It shocks me that your cheeks aren't just hollow bones.” She then walked over to the desk, throwing Sorin's robe at him. “Ino went out to get food and supplies to give out; there has been a rather drastic change over the last three months.”

“Guessing if we're going to be giving out food, then it has to be something with a famine of sorts?” Sorin put on his robes, then walked over to the desk where Chikaru had mapped out the entire above section of west acluraria, also various points where a seal tag was placed.

“These seals are teleport points we have; they are all connected to here. We give some food to the commoners who allow us to use their cottage as a base.” Her finger then scans over to just outside the gate. “During the three months you left, they have been optimally attacking these fields at the back. The harvest has been rough. In response, they limited the commoners' rations.”

Sorin gritted his face together. “Of course they have; many farmouth people who escaped said that food was rationed roughly. I never just felt the effects as a mage, of course. But they are doing it even worse now, huh.”

Chikaru gave a small nod before continuing, “These seal points are families who are on the edge of death without our help. The center gives Ino free food as she proved super useful in building things with her spells a couple years back, but their own farming is rough here due to the lack of sunlight. They don't accept new people anymore as well.”

So both sides are struggling during my absence. I definitely can't forgive myself for letting this happen more, but I can't blame myself. I am here, and even if Ino has motives beyond me or against me, I will try my best to help the people.

“Don’t zone out; I won't explain again. The plan is that Ino will deliver food to our seal keepers before catching up with you. Your mission will be to take over a hersh refinery plant where they turn the wheat into bread, then you will take to the main street and give it out too. Proclaim that it's your gift or something that will give you status.”

Chikaru pointed towards the industrial section of the city; it was kept away and guarded by mages who verified everyone. It would be easy to get in; however, nobody tries invading that place as a commoner anyway.

“I can try to do that. But I won't kill anyone, or will I risk anyone's life at the expense of the mission?” Sorin gave his firm stance.

Chikaru didn't even look up at him and continued to explain, “Make sure to be a hero. We need to build a hero for the commoners.” She then stared back at him, “Ino will handle the rest.” Her voice was a bit bitter.

“Is something wrong?” Sorin asked, the room filled with silence.

Chikaru just shook her head. “Stay safe. I don't want to deal with that annoying witch anymore. I hate the look she gives me. At least you don't give me a bad look.”

“A bad look.” Sorin's eyebrows shifted, his expression changing to complete confusion. “Are you saying she hates you?”

“Statistically speaking, it's highly possible. But I want to continue my seal research so I can't get back at her for anything.”

She's basically trapped, willingly but not so willingly; the thirst for her knowledge has enslaved her to Ino. I have been enslaved by my desire to do good. The feeling of being powerless in front of her made me follow her. Her connections are deep. Chikaru and I might have something in common after all, despite our personalities clashing.

“I will even give you a good compliment for your effort just in case.” Sorin gave a wide smile towards Chikaru, who didn't even change slightly, still deadpan through the entire conversation.

“Thank you.” She got up from the desk and went back to her pile of seals in the corner. “I did everything I have to; Ino is already gone. Stand on the seal and pour some magic into it. It will teleport you into one of the buildings nearby the industrial place. Take the pink apple to go.” Her fingers pointed at the stocking shelf; a single bright pink apple stood out for Sorin. She then fully averted her gaze to her seals and started to write.

Time to eat and move out then; I'm not hungry, however. The energy is nicely needed, though. I suppose I will eat quickly.

He walked over to the shelf, his hands stretching out before taking a deep bite into the apple; it was slightly sour with a sweet aftertaste. The apples usually grow around the south-west continent where the climate allows sweetness to develop from sunlight and high levels of acidity in the air; the race there is all non-human, as humans would perish. It's a rare delicacy for him to be handed it.

It's… an interesting taste. I don't mind it, but it's a bit… confusing on my tongue. No matter.

He grabs his staff near his bed, then moves over to the seal shaped as a door. Exactly like the other one, it was all ready for him to divert his magic into.

“I'm going to Chikaru.” He stretched out his hand as an orange glow began to spread.

Chikaru gave a flick of her gaze toward Sorin, ”Mhm.”