Witt made quite a ruckus. The city had declared martial law these past few days. The city lord vowed to find John Shield's killer.

Patrol officers swarmed the streets, searching house by house for suspects.

Truth was, it was all for show. They wanted residents to fear the nobles.

To make them feel: "Dare kill a noble? We'll tear this city apart to find you!"

But this would fizzle out.

Witt had covered his tracks too well. The final fireball erased all fight traces at the mine. Even John's body was just a charred lump, unrecognizable.

Patrol officers strutted arrogantly, barking orders at residents.

As armed lackeys serving nobles, they wouldn't kill outright. But they'd "confiscate stolen goods," grabbing whatever they wanted.

Resist? That meant disrupting Cesecity's law and order. Then batons would fly, beating rebels bloody.

Worse, bold officers groped girls. Some even threatened: sleep with me, or I'll arrest you.

The officer searching Kaelxi's home was one such creep.

He leered at Kaelxi opening the door, hand reaching for her curvy hip. Witt slapped it away hard.

The officer rubbed his stinging wrist, snarling threats to arrest Witt. "You broke Cesecity's order! You're linked to the killer!"

Kaelxi held back the furious Witt, stopping him from killing the man on the street. She took silver coins from a small box, apologizing to the officer.

"Hmph. Smart move," the officer grinned, strutting off like a victorious gladiator.

Witt felt he'd burdened Kaelxi. If he hadn't acted rashly, she wouldn't have lost that money.

Kaelxi smiled warmly. "No, Witt. Thank you. You saved me from his hands."

Witt scratched his head, flustered like a praised child.

"It wasn't that big a deal, Kaelxi."

Kaelxi thought inwardly: *You've taken plenty of liberties with me too.*

Next day, a blob of meat pulp appeared on Cesecity's streets. Folks assumed a stray dog got flattened by a carriage.

Only Kaelxi and Witt knew the truth.

Witt had "talked" with the officer all night. Kaelxi sneaked out, hiding nearby to watch.

She'd planned to slit the officer's throat while Witt slept, reclaiming her coins.

But Witt moved faster. He saw her fake-sleeping peacefully, tucked her in gently, then slipped out quietly.

Kaelxi followed him silently until he found the officer.

She'd never seen Witt this violent—a stark contrast to his warmth with her.

*Could he... really like me?*

*No way.*

Kaelxi stayed hidden, fearing his bloodlust might turn on her too.

*I'll end up as Elf jam!*

After the "chat," Witt left. Kaelxi beat him back to her room.

Soon, Witt entered. "That officer was reasonable," he said. "I got your coins back."

Kaelxi gushed, "Witt, you're so good to me."

Inside, she screamed: *Who says no under your fists?!*

Days passed. Kaelxi settled into routine. Mornings: baking bread with Witt. Afternoons: secretly collecting city tolls. Evenings: delivering bread to beggars with Witt.

At night, Witt wanted to share her bed. But Kaelxi insisted—he reluctantly slept on the floor.

Finally, she had the peaceful life she'd dreamed of.

Neighbors saw them as a young couple.

Slowly, Kaelxi felt a scary thought creep in.

*Living with Witt... isn't bad?*

She shook it off.

*He's like my pet dog. This is just companionship.*

*People get lonely. Pets help.*

*Yeah. That's it.*

To Witt, Kaelxi was perfect.

Time passed, yet nothing deepened between them. Kaelxi subtly pulled away. Witt couldn't grasp why.

This time, he truly didn't understand.

Today, delivering bread to beggars, they spotted patrol officers in West District. They grilled each beggar.

Of course, they found nothing. Beggars couldn't kill John Shield.

The officers glanced at Kaelxi and Witt, then ignored them. *Anyone feeding beggars must be noble—or filthy rich. Not worth trouble.*

Thanks to superhuman hearing, both caught the officers' chatter.

"You think these beggars won't be scapegoats? What now?"

"Easy. Drag one to a dark cell. Hold him three days."

"When he's broken, begging for death, he'll confess."

"And if he still refuses?"

"Their kids are the weak spot."

"Threaten the children. They'll fold."

"Even if they backtrack later, it's too late."

"If they cause trouble?"

"Slap them with 'disturbing the peace.'"

"Pick whatever charge fits."

The officers kept arguing. Witt's fists turned bone-white, knuckles crackling.

Kaelxi thought: *Typical noble lapdogs.* She feigned ignorance. "Witt? What's wrong?"

"Kaelxi, those bastards plan to frame a beggar!"

"My honor won't let someone take my blame."

"But what can we do? Will you turn yourself in, Witt?" Kaelxi gave him a pitying look, like he was an idiot.

"No, I'm dumb but not stupid, Kaelxi." Witt sounded hurt. She'd doubted his smarts.

He frowned, thinking hard. Then his eyes lit up. "Kaelxi, I've got a great idea."

"If you kill all the nobles and their lackeys... no one will need scapegoats, right?"

"I'm so smart!"