After finishing the commission from the official office, Ignis was told to take a break for a while.
It just so happened that his Belisarian Furnace needed to replenish some nutrients before it could support another activation, so he was more than happy to enjoy some leisure time.
After eliminating Sophie, who had been corrupted by Tzeentch, Anby discovered that the tablet she had thrown away earlier miraculously suffered no damage. Ignis carried the unconscious Kevin on his shoulder and followed the data guidance on the tablet to exit the Hollow.
Now, Ignis could use the psychic power granted by the Emperor to do other things—such as altering Anby and Kevin's memories. This ability seemed to appear in his mind out of nowhere, but he took it as a manifestation of the Emperor's divine power.
After leaving the Hollow, Ignis modified Anby and Kevin's memories regarding Lady Sophie to prevent them from being tainted by Tzeentch. Now, Anby and Kevin only remembered that after destroying the rampaging Typhon mech, they were knocked unconscious by the blast wave.
As a result, when Nicole saw a weary giant carrying an unconscious Anby back, she immediately had Billy drive her to the hospital—and Ignis was ordered to rest.
Today, Nicole had taken Billy and Nekomata to collect a debt, leaving Ignis alone in the house. After devouring a large meal, the Salamander, chewing on a half piece of rebar like a snack, decided to bring some food to Anby.
Carrying a lunchbox packed with warm food, the Salamander spotted Emile while waiting for the bus.
The young artist's bruises had mostly healed, but his expression looked rather gloomy.
"Hello there, Emile." Ignis called out to him, and only then did the boy slowly come back to his senses. "What's wrong? You look a bit down."
When Emile saw Ignis, he sighed deeply before greeting him. "Good afternoon, Mr. Ignis."
"Did something happen? You don't look too good."
"I…" The boy's lips trembled for a moment before forcing out a smile. "I'm fine, really."
Seeing Emile's forced expression, Ignis shook his head. Teenagers always wanted to act tough—refusing to talk about their troubles—or perhaps, in his case, his environment forced him to maintain that false sense of strength.
"You know, we're friends. If something's bothering you, you can tell me." The Salamander's eyes, glowing like a furnace, looked upon him warmly and gently. "Keeping everything bottled up inside never feels good. It helps to talk about it."
The boy lowered his head, staring at the ground. His hands clutched tightly at the seams of his pants, his knuckles whitening from the effort.
His inner struggle lasted for a while. During that time, Ignis remained silent, quietly watching and waiting for the boy to speak on his own.
"Am… am I a bad kid?" Emile's voice was barely louder than a mosquito's hum, yet Ignis still heard the suppressed sobs hidden within.
"Why would you think that?" Ignis decided to let him explain first.
"I… I sent my father to prison…" Emile stammered. "Mom and the neighbors all think I'm an unfilial son. I… I testified against my own father before the officers."
"I might've caused Dad to lose his job, and made Mom lose face with the neighbors…" He lowered his head, desperately trying not to cry. "But… but I didn't even know the officers were at my house that day…"
"I don't understand. Why do you think it's your fault?" Ignis knelt down on one knee and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Didn't your father end up in prison because of his own actions? Because he had to face the consequences of his behavior? If taking responsibility for one's mistakes counts as being wrong, then this world truly is hopeless." Ignis spoke softly. "Was it really you who sent your father to prison? Or was it his own fault? He struck you in front of the officers—far beyond what anyone would call discipline."
"They arrested him because he broke the law. What does that have to do with you? You were just there—the victim, even."
"Even if your father lost his job, wasn't that the result of his own actions? Why should the blame fall on you? If your mother is being shamed by gossip, isn't it the one who gossips are in the wrong?"
Hearing those words, the boy lifted his head. Ignis gently wiped away the tears at the corners of his eyes.
"From beginning to end, you were the one who was wronged—the one who was beaten. Why should a victim feel guilty? You're the one who has the right to stand tall."
"Your father's attitude toward you, me, and the officers was completely different. Your mother doesn't dare to talk back to those who gossip about her. In the end, they all pushed the blame onto you."
"I want you to understand—they're shirking responsibility. But the real fault doesn't lie with you."
Ignis patted the boy's thin shoulder, the strength of his hand almost making him sway.
"Try to see that your parents' attitude toward you comes from what they inherited from the previous generation. They simply don't know how to handle things differently."
"But you—your education should help you break that cycle. Learn to understand and forgive their mistakes, while also thinking critically and judging right from wrong for yourself."
"For now, you're still a minor, and can't live independently yet, so being under their control is unavoidable. Still, once you finish that badge design, I'll pay you for your work."
"I believe that once they realize your talent can truly earn money, their attitude will soften."
Emile nodded and took out his battered phone. "Mr. Ignis, can I have your Knock-Knock account? It'll be easier to contact you. I'm afraid a phone call might reach you at the wrong time."
"Sure thing." The Salamander nodded and took out his own phone, adding the boy as a friend. "Where are you taking the bus to today?"
"I'm going to buy some art supplies. My dad broke my old ones." Emile sighed again.
"In that case…" Ignis transferred some money to the boy through Knock-Knock. "Consider this an advance payment."
"R-Really?" The boy stared at the number on the screen, astonished. He had never imagined his art could be worth that much. He could buy not only his usual affordable supplies, but even some of those top-brand ones he could only dream of.
"I told you, I really appreciate your talent. This is just the down payment—finish early, and there'll be a balance later." Ignis stood up. There were fewer idle thugs around now—it seemed that after the Mountain Lion Gang's and the Public Security's last visit, most of the local gangs had gone quiet.
But this wouldn't last long. Since the government of New Eridu hadn't established an effective system of control here, new gangs would soon emerge to fill the void. Another gang war was bound to erupt. Unless it affected the Cunning Hares, Ignis had no intention of interfering.
The thugs who'd threatened Ironclaw Bear's men earlier had compensated for the blown-up gate, but by now they were long gone, leaving the gate wide open.
Ignis got on the bus with the boy. After chatting along the way, Emile's mood noticeably lifted—as it should. Youth should burn bright like a furnace flame.
After waving goodbye to Emile outside the bus, Ignis entered the clinic where Anby was staying. The place was small—or perhaps just too short—as the tall Salamander had to duck his head to get through the door.
The smell of disinfectant was sharp. The waiting area was crowded with patients—mostly locals, judging by their clothes and weary faces. Many were children, crying and struggling in fear of injections and IVs.
After asking an elderly nurse about Anby and mentioning the Cunning Hares, she pointed him toward a hidden door leading to her ward.
Passing through what looked like a medicine cabinet, Ignis discovered the clinic's true size—far larger than it appeared. It was practically another world back there. Many of the patients and their companions didn't look like ordinary citizens; some even bore visible signs of ether corrosion. It was clearly an underground hospital catering to Hollow Raiders.
Carefully avoiding the bustling medical staff, Ignis located the nurse's station and confirmed Anby's room number.
Say what you will, Nicole always treated her people well—she'd even arranged a private recovery room for Anby. Ignis couldn't help but wonder if the payment from their last commission would be enough to cover her medical expenses.
When he pushed the door open, the first thing he noticed was Anby's headset—mostly because her pale hair and sickly complexion made her almost blend into the sheets.
"You're here?" Anby sat up quickly. "Tell Nicole I'm fine—I can rest back at home."
"You know how it is. Once Nicole decides something, she rarely changes her mind." Ignis raised the lunchbox in his hand. "I brought you some food."
"The bills here are steep… The Cunning Hares might run into a deficit this month." Anby took the lunchbox and opened it—only to find meat and fish dishes inside. "The doctor said I should eat light."
"In that case, I'll just take it back then." The Salamander reached out as if to grab it, and Anby quickly turned away to shield her food.
"You don't have any symptoms of ether corrosion, right?"
Anby stuffed a piece of rib into her mouth. "Nope. The doctor said aside from exhaustion, I'm fine."
"Nicole's out with Billy and Nekomata collecting debts," Ignis said, watching her devour the food. Judging by her appetite, the hospital meals must've been awful. "Just focus on resting. Nicole said she's already paid the fees."
"I'm bored. Can't even use my communicator—the signal's jammed for security reasons. When I get discharged, I'm watching ten movies. And I want burgers."
"I can't smuggle in a movie, but I'll bring you a magazine next time. As for burgers, I can try making some." Ignis packed up the lunchbox.
"Really?" Anby's eyes sparkled.