"... You don't have to do this ..." said Sophia, a little reluctantly.
"I know that, but it looks like these old people are in dire need of that money. So wouldn't it be better for me to give them what they want? "
"… So, isn't anyone going to answer me? … Well, then I will pay with anything. "
"Come on, give me something to give to them." whispered Noah.
After he said that, the system sent five red rocks to Noah, and when he saw those rocks appearing in midair, everyone, except Sophia, did not understand what was happening, it was obvious that there was no space bag with him. 'So how did he do that?' That was the thought that went through everyone in the room.
"…Ready! I think that should be enough, to pay for the room, and also for the clothes. " said Noah, as he picked up the falling stones in mid-air.
With the stones in his hands, Noah started walking slowly towards Sophia, and with each step he took, the eyes of everyone in the room followed him. Without paying any attention to those looks, although they were quite uncomfortable, Noah continued walking slowly, and when he arrived at Sophia, he said "Okay, now my debt is paid." while he handed the crystals to her.
"…Wait! Where are you going?" asked Sophia, when she saw that Noah had turned and was going to the door.
He turned around when he heard the question, and after having taken a brief look at everyone there, he replied, "I'm going to go look for somewhere to stay, especially because apparently poor people are not welcome here."
Noah turned again, and continued walking normally towards the door. But before going through the door, Noah said "I will pay my debt to you too, so don't worry."
After Noah walked out the door, there was complete silence inside the room, at least until Alice asked "" You? " Does anyone know who, or what he was talking about? " because she was confused, because Noah didn't say some while he was saying that.
Everyone looked at each other, but Sophia, who was a bit downcast, spoke while she looked at the crystals "He said that to Daddy ..."
"Huh? And why would he say that to me? " asked Arthur confused.
"You were the one who helped him at some point, so it's obvious that he said that to you."
"Did I help him? … When did such a thing happen? " asked Arthur, being even more confused after hearing his daughter's words.
"(Sigh!) He was talking about the time you chased that blond man away."
"Huh? Are you talking about Chen Shiao? "
"Exactly… and well, I think I lost my appetite, so I'm going to leave. But I wish everyone a good meal. " said Sophia as she got up from the chair.
"... Wait girl, before you go, give me the crystals that man had given you." said the elder.
"How dare you old bastard, let go of my daughter's arm now, before her head falls into your plate." said Arthur with his anger overflowing his eyes.
"Like you…"
"These crystals were given to fix my daughter's room, so you better not make me repeat myself."
After hearing those words, the old man, even though he was afraid, let go of Sophia's arm. So, right after that happened, Sophia realized that it would not be a good choice for her to keep those five crystals, so she turned around after her arm was released, and handed those crystals over to her father.
After doing that she continued to walk towards the door, but before she left the door, Arthur a little sad, because he was seeing his daughter like that, asked "You know you can't leave, no matter how much you want, right ? "
"... Of course Daddy, you don't have to worry about that."
When Sophia said that, her father could see that she was obviously not happy about it, but what could he do?
She was attacked and if it happened again, and they got what they wanted, he wouldn't know what to do, other than that he would probably die going after the culprit. But that would also be something horrible for him, because if he died while trying to end the person who hurt his daughter, who would take care of his wife?
Alice is very sick, although her situation for some time now is much better, she is still clearly trying to hide the pain she feels every day, and this has been ending him all this time, for the simple fact of him not being able to find someone or, some way to cure it.
The only option for Sophia to leave the house would be for her to be escorted by guards, but as has happened at other times, she would certainly somehow get out of their sight, and end up running away. So, the only choice left for Arthur, and for him to keep his daughter indoors, at least until he can figure out why these attacks on Sophia are going on, or find a way to end them all.
Even for that if necessary, put an end to the cause of everything.
*********
'That's it, genius, "I will look for somewhere to stay." Go your tapir, you don't even know this place, so how the hell are you going ...
"Wait! Arf! Arf! … You Really Arf! go away?" asked Sophia as she tried to get her breath back.
"... Yes, but ... what are you doing here?"
"Huh? … I came… I came to take you to the exit. " said Sophia, a little embarrassed.
She was embarrassed by the simple fact that, it was not exactly her goal to go there, when leaving the hall without even knowing why, she just ran over there.
"Huh? … Thank you, I think I really was a little lost in this place. " Noah said as he looked around, and realized that he really had no idea where he was.
But when he heard that response from Sophia, Noah felt something different, a new feeling, something like sadness. Or was that more to be dissatisfied?
And was that really a new feeling for him?