Arknightcraft Modpack

In the end, Steven still didn’t leave with Kal’tsit.

It wasn’t because he rejected her goodwill, nor because he didn’t want to earn more World Acknowledgement Points.

Rather, it was obvious he still had unfinished business.

“I understand your point, but if you don’t mind, I can accompany her to your so-called Rhodes Island. However, before that, I need to fulfill a promise I made with her.”

“I also promised an Inquisitor to go back with her to the Inquisition for some interrogation.”

The reason Steven gave left Kal’tsit feeling an indescribable sense of helplessness once again.

In this day and age, there were still people so committed to keeping their promises? Did he think going to the Inquisition was some kind of pleasant experience?

How could someone be so enthusiastic about going to prison? What kind of law-abiding citizen was this?

But since Steven had already said so, all Kal’tsit could do was nod.

“Rhodes Island’s aircraft will wait for you to finish what you promised. Once you’re done, meet us in the nearest town.”

With that, Kal’tsit left with her Mon3tr in tow.

She wasn’t really worried that Steven would end up being detained by the Inquisition. What she could see, the old Saint leading the team could certainly see as well. There was no way he’d provoke such a monster without cause.

After the catastrophe they’d endured, the Inquisition was by far the most cautious type of authority in this regard.

At most, Kal’tsit was just a little puzzled by Steven’s eagerness to get himself imprisoned.

But that had nothing to do with Steven. Unaware that his image in Kal’tsit’s eyes had twisted into something bizarre, all he wanted at this moment was to find a cool spot to rest with Gladiia and wait for that little Iberian Inquisitor to show up.

She wouldn’t leave him hanging, right? After all, she’d promised him. If she didn’t come, Steven’s goodwill toward the Inquisition would dissipate completely.

Fortunately, Steven and Gladiia hadn’t been lounging in the shade of a tree for even half a day before they were found by a group of soldiers dressed as Western knights.

“Is there a fight?”

Steven, who had been resting his head on Gladiia’s lap, shot up immediately. But upon seeing the uniforms of the soldiers, he lay back down again.

These were clearly the Penal Battalion mentioned by Irene. Unless they were blind, the chance of Steven’s desired combat and cool displays happening was slim to none.

He might as well stay put and wait for Irene to take him away.

As for making Gladiia let him rest on her lap, Steven didn’t feel he was being excessive at all.

It wasn’t like he was crossing any lines. And hadn’t she caused him enough trouble already? Letting him enjoy a lap pillow wasn’t too much to ask, right?

Gladiia certainly had no objections. If anything, given her current thoughts, having her “dad” resting his head on her lap gave her a sense of happiness born from closeness with someone she cared about.

And so, this odd father-daughter pair continued to rest nonchalantly in full view of the Penal Battalion, leaving the Iberian soldiers unsure how to respond.

Fortunately, the captain of the group promptly contacted his superior, and as a result, Irene quickly arrived on the scene.

From a distance, the young Inquisitor spotted Steven lounging like a salted fish, basking in the sun with his head on Gladiia’s long legs.

Any initial relief she’d felt at seeing him unharmed dissipated immediately. Irene realized that just the sight of this guy’s face was enough to irritate her.

Why was he so… odd?

She’d rushed over as soon as she regrouped with the Penal Battalion and the High Inquisitor, concerned for his safety.

And this guy? He’d casually left her in a dangerous situation just so he could laze around here?

“Don’t you think you owe me an explanation? Maybe even an apology?”

With her slender hands on her hips, Irene dismissed the Penal Battalion before stepping in front of Steven, blocking his sunlight.

“I think a magnanimous Inquisitor like yourself wouldn’t hold a grudge over such a minor issue. Besides, here I am, waiting obediently for you to arrest me, aren’t I?”

Reluctantly sitting up from Gladiia’s lap, Steven stretched lazily and grinned at the young Inquisitor in front of him.

“You have no idea what I went through afterward. If you did, your Inquisition would surely award me a commendation for being a model citizen.”

Compared to Kal’tsit’s cryptic manner, Steven clearly preferred teasing this little Iberian bird. Watching her puffed-up expression as she tried to maintain her Inquisitor’s dignity lifted his spirits.

“I’d actually love to hear your story, but for now, you need to come with me. There’s someone very important who wants to meet you.”

Noticing the mischievous glint in Steven’s eyes, Irene tilted her head back helplessly and got straight to the point.

“Fine. I promised you I’d go, didn’t I? If it weren’t for that, I’d have bolted long ago, you know.”
Brushing the grass off his clothes, Steven stood up and followed Irene obediently.

“Should I thank you for that?”

“You should.”

The two bantered back and forth.

Sometimes, strengthening bonds between people could be surprisingly simple.

Having shared a dangerous experience, the initial distance between Irene and Steven had disappeared.

Now, they seemed more like friends than an Inquisitor escorting a suspect.

Steven enjoyed this dynamic. Talking with Irene reminded him of the times he’d bantered with a female classmate back in his original world—lighthearted and nostalgic.

As for Irene, who lacked much interaction with peers due to her status, she didn’t particularly mind Steven’s constant chatter.

In fact, she was starting to get used to it.

Unfortunately, pleasant conversations were always short-lived. Before long, Irene had led Steven and Gladiia back to the village.

The arrival of the High Inquisitor Dario and a towering, elderly man with white hair but a robust build quickly interrupted their dialogue.

“Hello,”

The polite greeting from the elderly man, whose status was clearly above both Irene and Dario, immediately clued Steven into one thing.

Perhaps he really is that impressive.