The next day, I didn't need to go looking for anything. The feeling came before I even stepped through the mansion gates, like a silent warning that the environment outside remained the same—or perhaps a bit heavier. The air felt the same, the streets kept their usual movement, but there was something different in the way people reacted to our presence, as if they had already reached a conclusion and were now just repeating it among themselves.
We headed toward the guild, keeping our usual pace. There was no reason to change our routine because of comments, but completely ignoring it didn't make sense either. I needed to hear more, understand how far it had spread and how it was being interpreted.
Lyannis was the first to break the silence, walking beside me naturally. "You know what's interesting about all this? No matter what you do, they'll always come up with something."
"That's nothing new," I replied.
"No, but their creativity can be surprising sometimes."
Liriel didn't find it amusing. "I still don't see a reason to find this funny."
"Because you take it too seriously," Lyannis replied, keeping her light tone.
"And you don't take it seriously enough."
Elara stepped in before it went further. "Discussion won't solve this now. The focus is elsewhere."
Vespera nodded. "We need to understand the source. Who started it, who spread it, and who's sustaining it."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "In the end, it doesn't matter. They'll all respond the same way when the time comes."
Scarlett walked a bit closer today, different from the previous day. There was still discomfort, but now it came with attention, like someone learning to deal with the situation instead of just reacting to it.
"Are you really going to listen to all of this?" she asked, glancing slightly at me.
"Yes."
"Even if it's… this?"
"Especially because it's this."
She stayed silent for a moment, then nodded slowly. It wasn't something she would do, but she was starting to understand why.
As we approached the guild, the movement was already intense. The sound of conversations, metal, and footsteps filled the air even before we entered, but this time there was something more. A layer of attention that hadn't been there before, as if our presence was somehow expected.
As soon as we stepped inside, some conversations lowered. Not completely, but enough to be noticed. Others simply changed the subject, while a few kept going as if nothing had happened.
I didn't head straight to the counter. I stopped near one of the side areas, where several groups usually gathered. It was the kind of place where people talked more than they should, especially when they thought no one important was listening.
And it didn't take long.
"I heard he doesn't accept men in the group."
"Of course he doesn't."
"That's why he only walks around with women."
"That's not normal."
"Definitely not."
Lyannis glanced at me, holding back a smile. "Look at that, it evolved. Now there's a theory."
"And a bad one," Liriel replied, clearly irritated.
I remained silent, listening.
Another group, a bit farther away.
"There must be some kind of control."
"Magic, maybe."
"Or they're just… easy."
Before Liriel could react, I raised my hand slightly. She stopped immediately, but her expression didn't soften.
"That's crossed the line," she said, her voice low and controlled.
"Yes," I replied.
Scarlett looked toward the group, clearly bothered. "They don't even know what they're talking about."
"They don't need to know," Vespera said. "They just need to believe."
Elara kept her gaze fixed on the environment. "This isn't just commentary anymore. It's becoming distortion."
Rai'kanna took a step forward but stopped when she realized I hadn't moved yet.
"You're going to let this continue?" she asked.
"A little longer."
Lyannis tilted her head slightly. "You want to hear everything."
"I want to understand how far it goes."
"And you don't understand already?"
I looked around. Some avoided eye contact, others observed more directly, but few held their ground without looking away.
"I understand enough," I replied.
The group that had been talking earlier continued, now quieter, but still audible.
"He thinks he's untouchable."
"Someone should put him in his place."
"I want to see if he's really all that."
This time, I started walking.
Not rushed.
Not hesitant.
Just direct.
The voices faded as I approached, until they stopped completely when they realized I was heading straight toward them.
Three adventurers.
None of them weak.
But none of them prepared either.
They fell silent when I stopped in front of them.
The atmosphere around us shifted. Some people pretended not to pay attention, but it was obvious they were listening.
I looked at each of them, unhurried.
"Go on."
One of them tried to hold his posture. "Go on with what?"
"You were talking. Go on."
Silence.
The second looked away.
The third crossed his arms but said nothing.
"If you have something to say," I continued calmly, "say it directly."
The first hesitated for a second, then forced a smile. "We were just talking."
"Then talk."
No one answered.
The tension grew heavy.
There were no whispers anymore. No distance.
Just silence.
Liriel was ready to act. Rai'kanna too. Vespera watched every detail. Elara analyzed the environment. Lyannis seemed interested. Scarlett… was tense, but didn't step back.
I took a small step forward.
"You were loud enough to be heard," I said. "Now you're quiet."
The third finally spoke, but without firmness. "It wasn't anything serious."
"Then say it."
He didn't.
None of them did.
The silence stretched for a few seconds, until the first one sighed, clearly uncomfortable.
"Sorry."
The second nodded quickly. "We weren't thinking."
The third looked away. "Just talk."
I observed the three for another moment.
There was no real intent there.
Just noise.
"Then think before you speak."
They nodded almost at the same time.
"Yes."
"Right."
"Won't happen again."
I held my gaze for another second, then stepped away without saying anything else.
Behind me, the environment began to return to normal, but not like before. The silence that remained wasn't comfortable. It was attentive.
We returned to the center of the guild.
Lyannis was the first to speak. "I liked it. Simple."
Liriel still seemed dissatisfied. "It was too little."
"It didn't need to be more," I replied.
Rai'kanna agreed. "They already broke."
Vespera added. "And the rest saw it."
Elara nodded. "That changes overall behavior."
Scarlett looked at me, more steady now. "So that's what you were waiting for."
"Yes."
"For them to expose themselves."
"Exactly."
She took a deep breath, as if she had finally fully understood.
We left the guild shortly after, without taking a mission, without extending our stay. It had been enough.
Outside, the movement continued, but the looks were different. There was still curiosity, still judgment, but now it came mixed with caution.
And that made a difference.
As we walked back, no one spoke for a few moments. The silence wasn't heavy, just… adjusted.
"This isn't over," Scarlett said at last.
"No," I replied.
"But it changed."
"Yes."
Lyannis smiled slightly. "Now it got more interesting."
Liriel let out a small sigh. "I'm still going to end up breaking someone."
"Probably," Rai'kanna said.
I kept walking, eyes forward.
The whispers hadn't stopped.
But now…
they knew I was listening.