>>5454257"Wouldn't that resentment run over to Vlad's side too."
"Oh, we are already there. The mere existence of people who can grow stronger by exercising their thoughts instead of their muscles already proves to be a nuisance to some, but they are far too late to get rid of it. If they made an attempt on my life, for instance, they wouldn't dare to remain here." Michelle pridefully declared.
"Seeing how he saved Erica with little disregard to himself, I worry what Vlad would come to if someone close to him actually died." Rickert pondered with a finger to temple. "There's always a possibility that Barnham could die in war, though."
"I don't really feel like thinking about that, it leads into the thought of Vlad dying first. He's the sort of man who has a thrill for disadvantages, the lower his chances, the more challenged he feels on solving things his own way. And while I'm happy that he always pulled through... There might be one day where he doesn't."
"But like you said before, that wouldn't mean the end for his ideals, right? Whoever dies first would be a martyr for the other's cause. Barnham dying would mean an added resolve to fight for peace, while Vlad's would work as a means to barge their way against your enemies."
"I suppose you're right... There isn't much a frail old woman can do other than try to get with the times and tidy his home. Be it in peace or war, the reason we fight shall always be the place and people we can celebrate our victories with."
Rickert smiled, looking at the playful Erica trying on some of Cindy's makeup powder.
"Barnham will probably return here after a few days, now that he's established a few bases in other towns like Cromwell and Enoch, he's rarely stopping by." Michelle declares after helping Rickert with his groceries.
"Perhaps I will speak to him in another day, for now, I need to take care of some errands." Revigorated to speak to Griffith, Rickert understood that there were only people who wished to live in peace without killing in both sides of the war. Yet the one he aligned himself with previously... He still had to confirm on who he should resign with.
"So that's Griffith double agent, huh?"
"Yeah, perhaps one good shot at him might do it, just when he goes inside his mount, it'll be covered by the canvas, I doubt anyone will even see it!"
"Alright, but be quick"
A few soldiers overheard a man speaking of good terms with their enemy, and attempting to slay Rickert before he left, they would make sure the spy would not spill any information.
"And, one, and two, and Three--!"
Rickert wasn't deaf. And he did not pass through weeks of travel in this wretched world without an arsenal of his own, mounting a crossbow behind his carriage, the young man aimed several bolts the size of knives right at the group's heads.
Too scared to even make a peep, Rickert asked them politely.
"What do you need, gentlemen?"
