Under the night sky, the entire village lay wrapped in slumber.

The wheat fields outside the village stood bare after harvest.

Lanche and Enami walked along the field ridges, slipping into the small woods ahead.

Flickering firelight glowed faintly between the trees.

Tracking the source, they found several men huddled around a campfire, debating the terrifying strength of that butler they’d just encountered.

“I never even saw him coming—just got knocked flat in an instant,” one man recounted with exaggerated gestures.

“Which noble house does he even serve?” None could guess.

“Lucky he didn’t kill us. Decent of him. We should warn the others not to go near that place.”

“Even if we didn’t warn them, no one would dare. A butler that principled? His master must be truly noble. We shouldn’t trespass against such a house.”

The others nodded in agreement, praising the butler as a true example of nobility.

So many nobles preached etiquette and grace while acting like wolves in silk robes.

Lanche overheard them shift to discussing recently murdered nobles—all corrupt, all deserving their fates. The killers could repent and earn the gods’ forgiveness.

But murder the just and kind? The Penitence Chamber would reject such sinners. They’d be hunted down to uphold sacred doctrine.

Just like Enami, who’d betrayed her own kin. They’d hunt her to death.

“You’re pretty evil yourself,” Lanche said, eyeing Enami suspiciously.

“They’re slandering me!” Enami shot back, indignant.

“And robbing people aligns with their doctrine? They just claim your family’s wealth was ill-gotten, so it’s ‘fair game.’ You buy that?”

Lanche had almost thought them principled believers—not bad people.

But this principle felt... flexible.

“So they seem aware of recent murders and robberies?” Lanche asked.

“Oh, ‘requesting’ from the wealthy. It’s part of the Confession’s teachings,” Enami replied casually.

Her own raid on the Kleyn family convoy had followed the same logic.

“How so?” Lanche pressed.

“Well...” Enami recited smoothly, “The Confession teaches: fear not noble authority. Take what you need from the wealthy—not from the poor who need it too.

Beneath the gods, no one is born noble or lowly. We are all divine creations—equal brothers and sisters.

The noble today may be lowly tomorrow. The lowly today may rise tomorrow. It is the cycle of life.”

Lanche found it compelling. No wonder the Penitence Chamber drew so many followers.

“So because of this ‘Confession,’ more dare to kill nobles?” Lanche mused.

Before this, class divisions ran deep. Nobles held sacred authority, endorsed by the Church—the gods’ own servants. Defying superiors was unthinkable. Advancement required proving courage and wisdom to the gods themselves.

“Roughly,” Enami said. “Aren’t you going to act? We’ve been crouching here so long my legs are numb.”

“No action. Let them leave,” Lanche ordered. “You tail them. Find their hideout.”

“What? You’re joking!” Enami snapped. “I’m the one being hunted, and you want *me* to track them?”

“Shh!”

Lanche tried to calm her—but the men had already heard rustling. Weapons were drawn.

With no choice, Lanche pulled Enami away.

Seeing no intruders, the men exchanged grim looks. They doused the fire and hurried off.

Once at a safe distance, Lanche coaxed, “Find their base. I’ll wipe them out. Then no one hunts you.”

“Why not wipe them out yourself? What if they catch and kill me?” Enami crossed her arms, scowling.

“No time,” Lanche shrugged. Before she could argue, he turned stern. “Who’s the boss here? *Your* mess, not mine.”

“But—you promised to help! You’re sending me to die!” Enami stamped her foot, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “I thought you’d protect me. I misjudged you!”

“Don’t pull that on me!” Lanche glared, unmoved. “No moral guilt here—I’ve got none to spare!”

“Tch.” Enami grimaced. *Sadistic pervert.*

She had no choice but to obey.

Lanche watched her go, satisfied.

He wasn’t heartless—Enami was no innocent. This was her duty.

“Employees always complain. If I coddle you, how will I ever sip tea in the sun?” he muttered, perfectly justified.

This was clarity, not cruelty.

In this world, someone always bears the burden for another’s peace.

To live leisurely, shed useless guilt.

If Enami died? Not his burden. She’d chosen this path. He wasn’t some saint saving souls.

After squeezing Enami dry, Lanche returned to bed. By dawn, he was back to sipping tea in the sun, as if last night never happened.

Meanwhile, Kestia heard from Sileus about intruders at the mansion. She simply nodded. “Guard the valuables and Lanche. The others don’t matter.”

Sileus bowed.

Without further words, Kestia departed with Liya for the Royal Capital to investigate the murders.

But they sought only footprints—not motives. They never questioned *why* commoners now dared kill nobles.

Outraged nobles demanded the Knighthood hunt down these “demons” and deliver swift punishment.