Especially at the end, Mortia's departure became the final straw that broke the camel's back. The young girl—still not yet fully mature in mind—felt an overwhelming sense of abandonment.
Perhaps… I really was wrong.
Leflina thought to herself. At that moment, her convictions wavered. Even that mysterious sense of mission she had always felt began to seem ridiculous.
Maybe Mortia was right. Maybe it was just the delusions of someone entering adolescence.
"She was right… An idea that is correct should be one that can be widely accepted. I shouldn't try to stand out like this…"
Leflina regretted her impulsiveness.
Just then, the café door opened once more.
A black-haired girl in a white dress walked in. Gracefully, she folded the small white parasol she'd used to shield herself from the sun. Holding it lightly in one hand, she walked—neither fast nor slow—to Leflina's side.
She sat opposite her.
"My homeland has an old saying," the girl said softly. 'The prisoners in a cave will always call the first person who sees the sunlight a madman.'
"A madman…?"
Leflina murmured the word. After a long moment, she looked up at the girl in confusion.
"But everyone thinks I'm wrong…"
"There is nothing wrong with your thoughts," the black-haired girl replied calmly.
"They simply do not align with the interests of the beneficiaries of today's society. Nor do they belong to this era."
"That speaker left because he represents the new nobility. Your ideas threaten the foundation of his power. And those commoner students left because the only way they can rise above their class is by flattering the new nobles—hoping for some chance to overturn their fates."
"So it's not that everyone thinks you're wrong. It's that everyone present belongs to a different class than you."
"Different… class? Then what class do I represent?"
Leflina looked at her, lost.
She didn't know why, but she instinctively trusted this girl. Perhaps because when everyone rejected her, this person was the only one who didn't. Or perhaps their ideals simply resonated.
But the girl didn't answer her question directly. Instead, she asked:
"What group of people do you think is the most numerous in this world?"
"The most… numerous?"
Leflina thought for a moment.
"Farmers?"
"Yes and no."
The girl smiled gently.
"Farmers, workers, slaves—even merchants—can all be called the people. They are the ones exploited by nobles and capitalists, yet they are also the main force driving human civilization."
"And yet, they receive only a tiny portion of society's wealth."
"That is the class you represent. Do you still think your ideas will find no supporters?"
"So… that's how it is?"
Leflina stared blankly. The words struck her like lightning.
In that moment, she felt as if she had found a soulmate—someone who truly understood her. It was almost a feeling of meeting someone she should've known long ago.
"Because education is monopolized, and survival is difficult, most people can't afford to question or resist. They can only let nobles and capitalists lead them by the nose.
"If you want society to accept your ideas, the path will be unimaginably difficult. You may even lose your life along the way."
"That is why—without enough strength—pushing for change recklessly will only give others an excuse to eliminate you."
With that, she rose gently and placed a hand on Leflina's shoulder before walking away. Leflina stared dazedly at her departing back.
Just as the girl was about to open the café door, Leflina called out:
"Wait! I still don't know your name!"
The girl stopped, turned her head slightly, and said with a meaningful smile:
"If we meet again, I'll tell you."
And then she left.
Leflina sat there, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, in another corner of the café, the real Hel watched the scene with amusement. Niv, curled in her arms, tilted her head in confusion.
"Master, didn't you say changing society from the bottom up is nearly impossible? Why tell her all that?"
"Nothing much," Hel said lazily.
"It's just… rare to hear such ideas in this world. It felt familiar."
"It's a pity she has no special bloodline and only average talent. Without strength, she can't change society. But her ideas can become a spark—one that ignites this decaying empire."
"And once I become a demigod and rule this world…She will be my first chosen governor."
"Master just wants a free laborer." Niv mercilessly exposed her.
Knowing Hel's lazy nature, even if she unified the three empires, she would dump all the work onto her subordinates and spend her days lying on Anna's lap doing nothing.
Still, having such a cute girl to help share the burden made Niv quite happy. At least there would be one more unlucky soul to take on the workload.
"Don't say the truth out loud."
Hel rubbed Niv's cat head in annoyance. Then she looked once more at the still-thinking Leflina, shook her head, and walked to another corner.
There sat a man drinking coffee alone. The newspaper in his hand was intentionally held upside down.
Hel pulled out the chair opposite him and sat without hesitation.
"Jack the silk merchant on East Street sent me."
"Oh? A referral?"
The man lifted the brim of his wide hat, revealing a warm smile.
"Tradevog Trading Company, Intelligence Department. A pleasure to serve you."
Meanwhile—
Niv, controlling Hel's avatar Lyco, walked toward the city outskirts.
But strangely, the once-bustling street had become unusually quiet.
Suddenly—A luxurious carriage sped toward her and screeched to a stop.
A hulking man in a suit stepped out, speaking in a deep voice:
"Miss, my young master wishes to invite you to his estate."