Chapter 292: Midnight Talk

After that conversation with the veteran, Alice tried to shake off that nagging feeling.

And although she didn’t fully succeed, she at least managed to push it aside enough to focus on something productive.

So she decided to go help the rookie with checking on the rest of the inquisitors.

Staying busy had always been her best remedy against thoughts that led nowhere.

Both of them made their way through the makeshift camp one by one, checking on each man, examining the state of their wounds, and making sure everyone was recovering as they should.

And after a good while of work, Alice was able to confirm, with some relief, that everyone was fine.

Tired and bruised, yes, but out of danger.

The villagers’ care had been, it had to be admitted, surprisingly effective.

Once satisfied, Alice decided the right thing to do was go find the village chief personally to thank him for everything he’d done for them.

And when she finally found him, she got a surprise.

She had expected an elderly man, or at least someone well into his years, as was customary among village leaders.

But the man who received her was surprisingly young, in fact, about her own age, with a kind face and a cordial smile.

"Oh, but it’s you, Grand Inquisitor," he greeted her with a slight bow. "How can I help you?"

"I came to thank you," she replied immediately. "What your people did for us today... I have no words. If it weren’t for you, many of my men wouldn’t have survived tonight."

The village chief waved a hand, brushing it off.

"Please, don’t exaggerate, we didn’t do anything extraordinary," he said modestly. "Anyone with a shred of decency would have helped a group of wounded travelers arriving at their door."

"Even so, I’m grateful," Alice insisted, bowing slightly.

He simply returned a kind smile, seeing he wasn’t going to change her mind.

"Now that I think about it, it’s rather unusual to see the Inquisition around here," he said, changing the subject. "This area is quite far removed from everything, and honestly, the great kingdoms rarely bother coming this far."

He tilted his head with curiosity.

"So, if I may ask... what brings you to such a remote place?"

Alice considered how much to reveal, and settled on the shortest answer.

"We were on a mission," she said, without going into detail. "Things didn’t go as planned, and we ended up lost, far from where we were supposed to be."

"Oh... I see," the chief said, nodding understandingly, not pressing for more. "Well, whatever the reason, the important thing is that you’re all safe."

"Yeah... now if you’ll excuse me, I should go make sure my men are setting up camp properly—"

"Actually, I already took the liberty of arranging lodging for all of you," he cut in kindly. "I’ve set aside a large cabin for your men, where they can spend the night comfortably."

He paused briefly.

"And I also set aside a second, more secluded cabin for you and your companion... from what I understand, you’re the only two women in the group, so I thought you might appreciate having your own space, away from the rest."

Alice was momentarily thrown off by the level of consideration.

"There’s no need for you to go to such trouble," she said, raising both hands. "Any roof would have been enough for us."

"Don’t worry, it’s no trouble at all," the chief replied firmly. "The least we can offer you is one night of decent rest. Please, accept it."

Faced with such insistence, Alice found no way to refuse without seeming rude.

"...Fine," she conceded finally. "I appreciate it."

The village chief bowed his head once more, said a warm goodbye, and left to attend to other matters.

Alice watched him go, and that uncomfortable feeling brushed against the back of her neck once again, but she was too tired to keep dwelling on it.

So she decided that, for that night, she’d allow herself to rest.

And a couple of hours later, well into the night, Alice found herself lying on the bed of the cabin they’d been assigned.

It was a simple but comfortable space, with a bunk bed and little else.

Alice took the lower bunk, lying on her back, eyes fixed on the boards above her, trying to fall asleep.

But unfortunately, sleep wasn’t coming.

Because no matter how hard she tried to relax, her mind wouldn’t stop working, going over everything that had happened that day, again and again.

And it was then that she noticed the top bunk shift slightly.

From the edge of the upper bunk, a head peeked over upside down, hair hanging toward the floor.

It was the rookie, watching her with clear intent to check whether she was still awake.

Alice closed her eyes instantly, pretending to be deeply asleep.

"...Grand Inquisitor," she whispered. "Are you awake?"

Alice didn’t respond, keeping her breathing slow and steady.

"I know you’re awake," the young woman insisted quietly. "I know you... you never fall asleep this fast."

"..."

"Grand Inquisitorrr..."

The voice kept insisting, faint but persistent, until Alice finally let out a resigned sigh and opened her eyes.

"What do you want?" Alice asked, in an irritated tone that couldn’t quite hide her exhaustion. "We’ve got a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

"I know, and I’m sorry," she apologized, still hanging upside down. "It’s just that... there’s something I wanted to talk to you about."

Alice frowned.

"Talk? At this hour?" She ran a hand over her face. "Whatever it is, can’t it wait until morning? I’m exhausted."

"...No."

For the first time since she’d known her, the young woman’s tone lost all its lightness and turned completely serious.

"It’s important to me, and I need to say it now, or afterward I won’t be able to gather the courage to do it."

That shift in her voice made Alice, despite her exhaustion, give her real attention.

She propped herself up slightly on one elbow, looking toward the head hanging from the upper bunk.

"Alright, I’m listening," Alice said, more serious now. "What’s so important?"

The rookie stayed quiet for a moment, as if gathering the courage she’d just mentioned.

And finally, she let it out.

"When we get back to headquarters, I want to submit my resignation," she said quietly.

"...Huh?"