("I will never forget" in Latin)
"Back to what we were talking about earlier," Masaki Chiba continued, "the first time those two made the news was because they killed a fawn—right in the central square of Tanyi City."
"…A deer?" Hesta asked quietly.
"People here are very fond of deer. The story goes that decades ago, one of the city's founders got lost in the nearby mountains and was led back to safety by a herd of deer. Since then, the city square has always had free-roaming sika deer. They're fed by city staff, and people generally live in harmony with them.
"When Shawn and Calvin first arrived, there was some paperwork delay at the base, so the Mercury Needle unit that brought them stayed overnight at a small hotel near the square. That very night, those two brothers slaughtered two fawns that were barely a month old, roasted them right there in the corner of the square. They didn't even realize they had done something wrong—didn't clean up the blood or the severed heads. The next morning, people found the deer herd crying and circling the spot, and only then did everyone realize what had happened."
Chiba paused, raising a finger to her temple. "That wasn't the only incident. These two brothers… they lack a basic understanding of what it means to live in a civilized world."
Hesta froze. That phrase—it was all too familiar to her.
"That's why I disagreed with Morley's approach," Chiba went on. "Every rule in this base that's supposed to protect newcomers has loopholes. No matter their motives, if they want to get close to you and you don't face them head-on, you'll never know peace. Understand?"
Hesta took a deep breath. "I… think so."
"I made a mistake today," Chiba admitted. "Forgot that I needed to make an appointment before taking you out. We'll talk about the real plan this Saturday when I bring you outside. If you're nervous, better stay in tomorrow."
She checked her watch, then pulled a small card from her pocket. "Here's my email and private number. You can contact me if necessary, but remember—important things should always be said face-to-face. Got it?"
Hesta accepted the card. She hesitated before asking softly, "Do you really believe, Miss Chiba… that I can deal with Shawn—with just a gun?"
Chiba smiled faintly.
"Listen carefully, Jane," she said quietly. "In this world, there are three kinds of people who can defy most rules and still be untouchable—nobles, prodigies, and madmen."
Hesta frowned slightly, thinking.
"Nobles have wealth and power, prodigies have rare talent and brilliance… and madmen? They have nothing left to lose. Tell me—do you think Shawn is one of those three?"
Hesta stayed silent.
Chiba's gaze sharpened. "Or are you?"
---
Later that night, Hesta stood alone on the balcony, the silver key cold in her hand. Her thoughts kept circling back to her conversation with Chiba at dusk.
Footsteps sounded in the hallway. She turned and saw Turan open the door. Their eyes met for a brief moment—Turan gave her a small nod before quietly slipping into her own room.
Half an hour later, Liz returned.
She wore the same army-green cap as Turan, her face and uniform streaked with dust. After a quick shower, she reappeared in clean home clothes.
"Where were you today?" Hesta asked.
"Field emergency training," Liz replied.
"Everyone went?"
"Mm-hmm." Liz nodded. "Once you pass your 15-kilometer endurance run test, you'll join the main group too. For newcomers, that usually takes at least six months of solo prep."
"Was Shawn there?"
"Yes," Liz said. "I kept an eye on him and Calvin all day. …You doing okay? No trouble today?"
Hesta shook her head.
Liz smiled in relief, tossing her dusty jacket into the laundry basket. "Did you meet with Instructor Chiba today?"
"Yes."
"What did she say? Why did she insist on lifting the restrictions on Shawn?"
Hesta thought for a moment. "I think… she wants me to learn how to face and solve problems on my own."
"What?" Liz's expression tightened in disbelief. "She expects you to handle this alone?"
Hesta nodded.
Liz poured two glasses of water and handed one to her. They sat as before—Hesta facing the night skyline, Liz leaning against the railing by the living room.
"Maybe she doesn't fully understand," Liz said. "Did you tell her Shawn's a second-phase awakened, a two-year veteran?"
"Yes."
"I don't get it…"
"By the way," Hesta said suddenly, "Liz, do you know what these two phrases mean?"
She handed over a small piece of paper. Liz glanced down and read aloud:
Forti nihil difficile, Numquam obliviscar.
"Where did you see this?"
"On Miss Chiba's neck," Hesta said softly. "Maybe I misremembered a few letters, but that's roughly it."
"Looks like Latin… let me check."
They went to Liz's room, where she pulled a thick classical dictionary from the shelf. After flipping through it for a while, she translated the phrase aloud:
'To the strong, nothing is difficult. I will never forget.'
Both of them let out a quiet, thoughtful sigh.
"She's quite a mystery, Masaki Chiba," Liz murmured. "Did she ever tell you anything about her past?"
Hesta shook her head. "Have you heard anything?"
Liz shook her head too. "Only that she transferred here from District Fourteen years ago. One of the few Mercury Needles capable of solo combat—fearless. My adjutant, Rogen, once saw her fight. She said Chiba's fighting stance wasn't like someone trying to win… but like someone ready to die together with her opponent."
The two lay side by side on the bed, staring at the phrase "To the strong, nothing is difficult. I will never forget."
After a long silence, Liz finally said softly, "Maybe it's because Instructor Chiba is too strong that she can't truly understand what it's like to be weak."
Hesta rolled onto her back, eyes fixed on the ceiling light. Out of nowhere, she whispered, "Thank you."
Liz blinked. "Huh? For what?"
"For spending so much time on me," Hesta said quietly. "This whole thing has dragged on far too long."
"It's my duty," Liz replied. "The base's tech department is still inspecting Shawn's devices. Let's wait for their report."
"And if they still find nothing?"
"Then we keep looking," Liz said under her breath. "He has to pay for what he's done."
(End of Chapter)