"Now that is the right question! You're going to apologize and stop being mean to others. If you can start doing that, I'll train you. Deal?" I asked, though Cindy still looked hesitant.
I could understand why she felt conflicted, but facing her mistakes head-on was the only way forward. Cindy had made bad choices, and now she had to make amends.
"Do you think... you could come with me when I apologize to everyone?" Cindy asked softly.
I nodded. "Sure, but we'll gather everyone together tonight. For now, let's go see Renna. She was really worried about you."
"Renna was worried about me?! After I tried to hit her?!" Cindy asked in total disbelief.
I offered her a hand up. "She's the one who told me what happened and asked me to bring you back safely. She understands why you've been upset, and she cares about you."
"I... I don't even know what to say to that," Cindy murmured.
"Just make amends, and I'm sure things will turn out fine. Now, let's jog back," I said.
Cindy let out a quiet sigh and nodded.
We set off at a steady pace and cleared the forest in short order. Renna was waiting near the tree line, her face lighting up with relief as she ran over to meet us.
"You both made it back! I was starting to worry one of those Lesser Terror Lizards had got you!" Renna laughed nervously.
"He actually saved me from one," Cindy admitted, looking up at me. "If it hadn't been for... wait, what are we supposed to call you?"
"Good question," I said with a smile. "I'll think of a name eventually, but for now, just call me Man."
"Well, Man saved me. Otherwise, I'd be dead," Cindy said quietly.
Renna took a sudden step back, staring at me. "Don't tell me you killed a Terror Lizard with your bare hands?!"
I threw my hands in the air. "Why does everyone keep assuming I fought a giant lizard bare-handed?!"
"Well, you're stronger than anyone I've ever met, and you have this dangerous presence—like you're hiding incredible power," Renna explained. "It's not that I don't trust you, but your aura is definitely strange."
Cindy nodded in agreement.
I shook my head, then cleared my throat and gave Cindy a subtle nudge.
"Oh... right," Cindy stammered, turning slowly toward Renna.
"Hmm? What's wrong?" Renna asked.
Cindy looked away briefly, struggling to find the words. "I'm sorry for trying to hit you, and for being so mean lately. I've been so angry and frustrated about Kelly leaving, and I took it out on you."
Cindy looked back into Renna's eyes—and the moment she spoke those words, a glowing message materialized in my mind:
[Karma System Activated!]
[1 Karma Point Gained. 1/5 for First Skill.]
The notification faded as quickly as it had appeared, but I managed to catch every word. So this is how the System triggers... through good deeds and restoring balance.
"Oh! Well... thank you for saying that," Renna said shyly, looking away. "I knew how hard it was for you when Kelly left, but I just didn't know how to help."
Watching the two of them, I started to pick up on the subtle dynamic between them. But before I could dwell on it, a loud cry echoed across the settlement.
"RIDERS!"
Both girls snapped their heads toward the sound, their expressions instantly shifting to tension.
"What does that mean?" I asked, observing the sudden spike of frantic activity around the huts.
"It's Countess Eliza," Renna spat, her voice laced with anger. "She rules the town to the north, but she acts like she owns our village too."
"That's because she commands trained warriors that none of us can fight!" Cindy hissed nervously. "We have to obey them, or they might attack us or drag some of our women away!"
Looking at the two of them, it felt like their personalities had completely flipped. Renna looked eager to throw hands despite having no real power, while Cindy was taking the pragmatic, protective stance, warning her to stay calm.
They'd make a cute couple, I thought briefly, though now is definitely not the time.
"Get me a heavy cloak or a robe that can completely conceal my face and body," I instructed. "I want to see how these people act before deciding how to handle them."
Renna nodded and immediately sprinted toward the village huts.
"What are you planning?" Cindy asked, falling into step beside me as we walked.
"I want to gauge what kind of leader Eliza is," I said plainly. "If she's just misguided, I'll deal with her appropriately. If she turns out to be genuinely malicious, I'll handle her accordingly, too."
"I don't think she's evil, just terribly misguided," Cindy explained. "Her mother, Countess Margaret, was very kind and always left our village in peace. But she died three years ago in a riding accident, leaving Eliza to inherit everything. Eliza never had formal administrative training because her mother expected to rule for many more years."
"That's useful context. Thank you," I noted as we entered the village square. "For now, act naturally and introduce me as a traveling wanderer staying here for a few days."
Cindy nodded just as Renna came running back, holding out a long fabric garment.
"I found one that should fit!" Renna gasped, handing over a large pink robe.
I stared at the garment, suppressing a grimace before pulling it over my clothes. "Thank you. Now, Renna, I want you to go into your tent and stay there until Cindy comes to fetch you. Understood?"
I narrowed my eyes slightly to reinforce the point.
"What? Why?" Renna asked, attempting to pull a big, innocent pout, but I saw right through it.