Morning came quickly.
Adrian didn't feel refreshed at all.
"…Why does every problem in this world involve swords?"
"You get used to it."
Adrian turned.
Kael stood there, already fully prepared.
"…I don't want to get used to it."
Courtyard
Knights gathered again.
But this time—
Less chaos.
More control.
Count Rosenberg stood before them.
"We end this today."
Simple.
Direct.
Adrian liked that.
Plan Discussion
A map was laid out again.
Leonhardt stepped forward confidently.
"We sweep the forest and eliminate them."
Adrian sighed quietly.
Again with the brute force.
[Reputation Opportunity Detected]
"…Can I say something?" Adrian asked.
The Count nodded.
"…They rely on the forest," Adrian said.
"So don't fight them in it."
A pause.
"…Force them out."
Kael frowned.
"…How?"
"…Block the exits," Adrian said.
"Set small fires—not to burn the forest, just smoke them out."
Silence.
Then—
"…Simple," Kael said.
"…And effective," Sebastian added.
[+8 Reputation]
Leonhardt clicked his tongue.
"…Anyone could think of that."
"…But you didn't," Adrian replied calmly.
Execution
The plan worked.
Smoke filled the forest edges.
Bandits panicked.
They rushed out—
Right into waiting knights.
Short fight.
Clean.
No chaos this time.
Adrian watched from a safe distance.
"…Yeah, I'm staying here."
[+10 Reputation: Tactical Contribution]
Aftermath
The remaining bandits were captured.
No strange suicide.
No hidden tricks.
Just… done.
"…That was easier than expected," Adrian muttered.
Kael looked at him.
"…Because of you."
"…I accept praise in food form."
Seraphina Scene
She approached him quietly.
"…You avoided unnecessary risk."
"…I prefer living."
"…And thinking," she added.
A pause.
"…You're different from other nobles."
"…Lower expectations help."
She almost smiled.
[+4 Reputation]
"…You didn't try to stand out," she said.
"…I tried to survive."
"…That's exactly why you stood out."
Final Scene
Count Rosenberg watched from above.
"…Efficient."
Sebastian nodded.
"…And controlled."
"…He may be worth investing in."