Rene followed Hesta all the way outside. The midnight sea breeze blew away the last bit of drunkenness, and he couldn't help but shiver.
"Didn't you say that you and I are easy to talk to," Hesta said suddenly, "Why didn't you say a word during this whole journey?"
Rene opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word for a long time. In the end, he could only laugh dryly, "Did you... hear it?"
Hesta smiled, "Don't be nervous."
"I'm not nervous, I'm not nervous...haha," Rene bowed even lower, "You are, do you have anything to ask?"
"No rush, let's take a walk here first and let's talk about other things."
Rene didn't dare to say anything. He followed Hesta and only dared to use his peripheral vision to look at the expressions of the people around him.
He observed Hesta's clothes and shoes with some concern. In less than two hours, she changed from her previous clothes and wore the coat and shoes provided on the cruise ship, but it looked like her hair wasn't wet either. It's like taking a bath...
"Have you been in the Third District recently?" Hesta asked.
"Stayed."
"You must have heard about the 'Assassin' too?"
"I heard something... that several nobles were killed."
"I was on the team hunting down assassins," Hesta looked ahead, "I feel like these nobles are not very clean either..."
"No nobles in the livable land are clean!" René said quickly, "These people are the scum of the entire society, and no one can be cut into pieces when they are launched!"
"Are you familiar with them too?"
Rene laughed twice again, "No, no, we have been in contact before. You can tell by looking at me and Gobelin. I will never get along with these people. After all, I am——"
"I spent King's Day last year at one of them's manor," Hesta said softly, "I played a game with them at that time."
"Queen's game?"
"Yes, it's quite interesting. Have you ever played it?"
"I've played it once or twice, but the stories are quite cliche. I guess them every time I hear them."
"Really," Hesta couldn't help but look sideways, "I told a story at that time, and no one could guess it for a long time."
"Then you can tell me," Rene said with a smile, "I'll listen to it."
Rico stopped.
The three of them stood in the open space at the stern of the ship. The sky was gray, with dark tides undulating in the distance, and clouds stacked up and stretched toward their heads.
"Many years ago, a woman in the wilderness left her five or six-year-old daughter and died in a habitable place. Many years later, her daughter came for revenge. However, when she stood in front of her enemies, they told her, 'We have never met your mother, because many years ago, only a fourteen-year-old girl came to us.' The two sides were at loggerheads, but no one was actively lying," Hesta raised her head , "Tell me, what's going on?"
"Ha, you don't have to guess, it's so simple!" René said with a smile, "The dead woman lied about her age. She thought she could enjoy the glory and wealth by seducing the nobles, so she coaxed the nobles to tell her about herself. Only fourteen years old. The nobles did not lie - because they were simply deceived! Haha..."
Seeing Hesta didn't speak, Rene stopped smiling, "...I wonder if my guess is right?"
Hesta clenched the cane in her hand, and she slowly raised her head: "...fast and accurate."
"It's nothing," Rene replied, "I have seen this kind of situation many times in the wilderness. Some women who are young and small can still pretend to be pregnant even if they are in good health. Girl, unless you take her to have her bone age measured, you really can’t peel off that layer of skin.”
"You really have seen a lot in the wasteland, René." Hesta whispered, "Those things you just said to Tasia must have been experienced personally... huh?"
Rene felt that there seemed to be some subtle emotional changes in Hesta's words. He was a little unsure and had to look away, "I really drank too much tonight. I shouldn't have said those things. It was indeed too much. I think now I think it scared the little girl..."
"What should I say about you? Are you smart? Are you quick to respond?" Hesta seemed to be joking, "I just mentioned her to you, and you went to alienate her from me?"
"This... where to start - Ms. Hesta, you... don't get me wrong, I will no matter what -"
In a panic, Rene was about to explain, when Hesta suddenly laughed.
"Then tell the truth," Hesta said softly, "what do you think about Tasia?"
"...Yes, I have some thoughts," Rene swallowed a few times, "but I really don't have any ill intentions, I just want to tease her."
Hesta stood up from the wheelchair slowly, holding on to her cane.
René gestured to help him, but he didn't dare to actually touch her, so he had to slowly follow Hesta to the side of the boat.
"Have you decided on the list of candidates?" Hesta asked.
"I've thought about it, but...do you want it now?"
"right."
Rene quickly took out a pen and paper, wrote the names of three people on it, and then handed it to Hesta.
Hesta took it and saw that Rene's own name was first.
"Even if you don't write yourself on it, I will keep you safe," Hesta folded the note. "After all, after getting along with me these past few days, you are still very capable."
"...There are still many shortcomings."
"Rene, I can really trust you, right?"
"Of course!" René immediately raised his head, looked into Hesta's eyes, and patted his heart hard, "I treat you like I treat my father—"
"Then let me ask you, what is going on in the 15th District?" Hesta also stared intently into Rene's pupils, "You mentioned Roboglier's night banquet in the First District so secretly before, You should know something...but you seem to have some scruples and think you can't tell me?"
"I...I did promise some people...not to say anything." Rene stuttered, "It's...important...I..."
"If someone finds you leaking information, will they punish you?"
"……yes."
"You think I can't?"
"No, no, no..." Rene shook his head like a rattle, "I... Hey, why do you care about the 15th District? A mercury needle like you has long been able to live freely and freely for the rest of his life!"
Hesta picked up the note with three names written on it and raised it in the air. The note rustled in the wind.
Rene couldn't help but raise his hands and frowned, "...I understand what you mean. Whatever you want to know, I will tell you everything and I will never hide it!"
Hesta withdrew her hand and said nothing.
"There is a rumor, I don't know if it is true," Rene whispered, "District 15... contains all the technological heritage of the Golden Age."
(End of chapter)
