The duel city was once again rowdy with talk of Yuri’s party.
“Hey, guys, did you hear? The mix-blood did it again.”
“If you’re talking about driving out the Tormentor, then hats off to him.”
“I was half in doubt when he made a speech about it, but who’da thought he would really go and do it?”
“It was disgusting to see those fake duelists prancing around on their high horses, after all. And now we can go to the dungeons with a bit of peace of mind.”
“They say they got all the slave incident victims this time. Good work, I say.”
“It’s a bit of a gray area, though. Babel staff was pretty pissed.”
“Still, you gotta admit, it was pretty refreshing to watch the Flame Deva chasing around Navie’s goons.”
“And the Ice Jailer freezing them into fine works of art was also a sight to behold.”
“Come to think of it, I hear the Beheader lent a hand as well. Do you reckon it was his idea?”
“Nah, he’s the Deva’s brother, so he helped out, is all. Friend of mine went to see how it all turned out and heard the receptionists saying it was all the mix-blood’s idea.”
“Come to think of it, Haring was involved again. Anyone know anything about that?”
“I heard he offered info on Navie’s gang. I guess he can do good now and again.”
“Speaking of Haring, he apparently paid more than ten million in support money for the victims. Maybe that’s why he was gathering money?”
“He was involved, so maybe he’s just trying to redeem himself. Well, at least he used it for something good, so I’ll forgive him for the ten copper he shook me down for.”
“He got two of my silvers. Though, I just found them on the side of the road.”
“Oi, those silver were mine, give them back this instant, you bastard.”
Haring smiled bitterly as he gazed at the bulletin. “...Good grief, the people here sure like to get worked up.”
He was back in the holding cell in Babel Tower. His release had been temporary, and now the staff members were all busy interrogating Navie and his men, so his verdict—while it would probably be in his favor—had been put on hold for the moment. At least, that was what Mirka told him.
Strangely enough, he didn’t feel too bad here. Up to this point, he never really had a place where he could kick back and take it easy. Now he had a place to be.
As he basked in his thoughts, the wall to the jail abruptly swung open. “Mr. Haring, would it be alright if I let in a visitor?” a staff member of Babel asked.
“...A visitor? Is it the brat?”
“No, two girls from outside.”
“...Whatever. Let them in.”
The staff member left, and one girl came in. And Haring...opened his eyes wide.
“It’s been a while, Haring.”
“...Yeah, it has been a while,” Haring curtly replied to the young Beast Tribe girl across the glass pane.
A girl he had saved from Navie. She had filled out a bit since he last saw her, but he would never mistake her for anyone.
“You eatin’ well, Foley?”
“...You still remember my name?”
“Haven’t forgotten a single one of you... It was my job to keep an eye on you guys, remember?”
When he answered as such, Foley stroked the ends of her drooping rabbit ears with a troubled look on her face. “I got called in by someone from Babel. Apparently, they found my brother.”
“......Really?”
“Yes. They got the date and time of the transaction from the testimonies, arrested the person who bought him, and confiscated him back. I think he’ll be resting back home for a while.”
“......I see.” Her words did bring him a sense of relief, but Haring’s expression immediately hardened back up. “I’m sorry. Sorry it took so long to free you all, and sorry your brother had to go through all that.”
“N-No, not at all! There’s nothing for you to apologize for! It’s all...every last bit of it is the fault of that man who tricked us.”
While a slight shadow still crossed her face, Foley made a cheerful smile.
“Thank you for fighting for us,” she warmly told him. “It may take some more time to forget the past...but I think it’s because of you that we can move forward.”
Just seeing that smile made him feel like his actions carried some modicum of worth. So Haring reciprocated the gesture.
“Don’t let a bad guy trick you next time.”
“If that happens, will you save me again?”
“I’ll save you whenever you want. But next time, one copper won’t be nearly enough.”
Just as Foley let out a giggle, she suddenly raised her face as if she had just recalled something important. “Come to think of it, I met someone at the docks who said they came to see you, so we came here together... May I bring them in?”
“Mn? Well I don’t mind, but...why didn’t you come in together?”
“Err... According to her, because you’d be really, really surprised,” Foley said and then scampered out of the room.
Haring could hear the sound of some sort of cart rolling in the corridor and—
“Haring! I heard you got into a fight for someone again!”
The moment he heard the voice, Haring rushed up to the glass.
A Dragon Tribe girl in a wheelchair. Her body had wasted away somewhat, and she was thinner than he remembered. The months and years had gone by, so she was more of a woman than when he last saw her. And yet—it was as if her voice was the one thing that never changed.
“Dear me, when dad told me, I felt fed up beyond belief! You are definitely going to lose out in life with that personality of yours! Seriously, it looks like becoming a duelist hasn’t changed you in the slightest!” she said in a teasing tone and then broke into a laugh. Her appearance might have changed, but the vestiges of her old smile remained.
The girl who altered the meaning of his own name.
“Loads of things happened when I was asleep, right? I came all the way here, so you’d better tell me everything!”
And then the girl asked the same question she always would.
“So, Haring! What story are you going to tell this time?”
Haring hung his head. The tears streaming down his face prevented him from looking her in the eye.
“Yeah...it’s gonna be a long story this time.” His voice shook as he violently rubbed his eyes. “I’ve got loads of things I want to tell you.”
Clumsy as it was, Haring did his best to smile.