After my business with the rchant was done, I stayed in the kingdom for a little while to see the status of the forest.
Apparently, the monsters there stop spawning after a certain number, and only increase their number by "natural" ans. If the population drops enough, the spawns will resu though. At least, that's what everyone has been reporting.
Thanks to this, we can safely control their numbers.
Mia reported that she's been getting experience from the monsters, so it seems there isn't a level cap inside the kingdom. Well, the rchant's existence already proves that, but the interesting bit is that it's possible to use the kingdom as a secondary ans of acquiring experience.
The only problem with that is that for that to be worthwhile, we'd have to expand the land and hope strong monsters spawn, resulting in the kingdom losing its current safe zone status.
For now, I believe it's better to refrain from creating unnecessary risk inside the kingdom, so after confirming the overall strength of the horned rabbits and killing a few to maintain the quota, I went back with Anna.
It was about ti for dinner, and since I had volunteered for today's hunt, Licia and Ellie were charged with cooking since the others either didn't want to deal with that or didn't know how to do it.
It's still amazing how they use the sa ingredients and utensils I do and still co out with sothing that tastes completely different.
I tried to help them with the dishes later, but they refused saying that I should kick back and relax, and since they were emanating very strong housewife energy I wasn't strong enough to resist.
Once that was done everyone returned to the kingdom one by one, except Claire and Licia who remained with
on the sofa, resting their heads on my lap.
We were "watching" sothing on TV, but to be honest I wasn't paying attention. The warm feeling of their cheeks and the way their hair was entangling was so calming that I found myself completely focused on caressing them.
Claire: "What did I tell you? He likes it."
Licia: "Hm... I still think the other way around would work better..."
Claire: "But it would be too much work, also, I wouldn't be able to pay attention."
As much as I'd like to call her out, everything she said ended up being right.
Still, it's pretty clear to
that they are doing this to help
relax a bit. And while I'd like to say they don't need to trouble themselves with sothing like this, I already know that any comnt I make on that will be imdiately rejected.
I also appreciate it a lot and there shouldn't be a problem in indulging myself every once in a while.
Miwen: "Have you two made peace already?"
Ever since the incident, it seed like they weren't on good terms with one another. I prioritized getting out of the dungeon before talking to them about it, but now that it's just the three of us it's as good an opportunity as I'll get.
Licia: "Mm... I don't know... It wasn't anything that serious, we just had a disagreent so..."
It's that kind of situation where things didn't escalate enough to create attrition, but things beca awkward and neither side seems to know how to best approach reconciliation, even more so since both seem to still maintain their opinion.
I didn't want to give this any chance of permanently hurting their relationship, so I decided to listen and help them out...
Claire: "I swore my loyalty to him, if he wants
to fight, the opponent doesn't matter..."
Licia: "I get that. If a fight broke out I would also help, but it seed like you weren't going to hold back at all..."
Claire: "Yeah? That's because I wasn't."
All of this started due to them having different opinions about how to deal with Roy and Sam once they viewed them as potential enemies.
Due to their relationship, Licia was going to hold back to not hurt them.
On the other hand, as soon as they presented a threat, Claire was ready to strike them down as if they were the sa as the other mbers of that party.
Licia: "But you also know them, wouldn't you feel bad about it?"
Claire: "I guess... but that wouldn't impede . As his sword, once pointed to an enemy I'll do my job. I'll only hold back if he tells
to, my allegiance takes precedence..."
Licia: "...But that's... you'll end up hurting yourself then. I think ultimately that would hurt Miwen too since he cares so much about you. Do you really think he desires unthinking weapons that hurt others on his na without batting an eye ?"
Hmm... that's a bit hard.
In the end, both show concern and loyalty to
in different ways.
While my own actions are more biased towards Claire's, as in, if an ally turns into an enemy I don't think I'll be as rciful as Licia might expect, it's still true that I want them to think and co to decisions on their own, so as far as the argunt is concerned, I'd rather Claire was honest to her feelings and held back without
having to tell her to if she feels bad about it.
They were so close to each other, but they didn't look at one another while they spewed forth their thoughts. As for , since I was still patting them, I could feel as they beca more restless...
Eventually, silence started to take over as they couldn't agree and waited for
to give my take.
I couldn't bash Claire's loyalty and determination since I really appreciate it. But at the sa ti, I would like them to avoid going against their own moral code or feelings, there's no way I would feel happy seeing them killing their own hearts
Miwen: "You do realize it's
you're following right? I only take a good decision like half the ti, and even then there's a bunch of caveats."
Claire: "aning...?"
Miwen: "aning that you should trust yourselves and your feelings as much as possible. I count on you to fill in where I lack and I learn a lot from watching the decisions you guys make. Above all, you're free to make your own choices under , so if you truly want to devote yourself to that extent, I won't go against it. In this case, though, I'd prefer you didn't try to kill Roy and Sam...
monsters don't really matter, but when it cos to people, I think it's better to be careful before deciding to outright kill."
There are a few problems with killing people. Outside of morality, people create connections, and if you unilaterally sever this connection, you might find yourself with a target behind your back without even knowing about it.
Monsters don't care about each other, they won't seek revenge. People will, and that might create a series of problems later on down the line, so I'd like to consider carefully before deciding to take soone's life.
Of course, if my own life is at risk or the girls, then there's nothing to think about, but in this case, we already knew we could deal with them without going all out, and even though it might be an to say this, the fact is that the addition of Roy and Sam wouldn't change anything.
I know I was a bit vague with them, but this helps them reach their own conclusion about how to act, which-
Beatrice: "That's convenient isn't it?"
Hm?
I recognized Beatrice's voice coming from the kitchen. I thought she had already gone back to the kingdom, but it seems I was wrong.
Since she was quietly reading a book in another room I didn't even notice her presence at all.
Beatrice: "You know... loyalty shows itself in many ways... and while it's correct that you can both demonstrate loyalty while imposing limits on how far you're willing to go against your own beliefs in the na of your allegiance... the best way to be loyal is to act on behalf of the one you're sworn to while considering what is it that you can do and what is it that they desire..."
Licia: "So... you agree with ?"
Strange. I didn't get the impression that Beatrice was in accordance with Licia at all... if anything, it seed similar to my own feelings, a bit in the middle of the road, but...
Beatrice: "Not quite... sotis what people desire and what they think they desire is different, leading to what might look like contradictions. You might have to dig deeper into soone's character if you want to act per their true desires. It might lead you to actions that go directly against the one you're following, but if it's to fulfill for his own good, isn't it also a case of loyalty?
Perhaps even more so than soone who acts based simply on the surface desires shown to them..."
Licia: "... I guess... but what are you trying to imply? Even Miwen said that-"
Claire: "I think she's saying I was right."
Beatrice: "That's not what I ant, but since it's getting a bit late I'll be going now..."
And just like that, a pop-up that asked for permission to enter the kingdom appeared for . It seed like Beatrice had nothing left to say so I let her go.
As I thought, she and I have a similarly nasty personality when it cos to "other people
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