Delta led the two to a single-story house on the west side of the estate. It used to be a family chapel, but now the interior walls had been removed and it had been slightly expanded to serve as a classroom for children above the age of ten. Through the windows, Jorgen and Dalia could see children of various ages sitting at long desks in groups of five. Some were engrossed in writing, some were folding paper airplanes, and others were gazing out of the window. As soon as they spotted the newcomers, they quickly turned to their companions to share something in hushed tones. Although it was still morning, two lamps had been lit inside.
"Please wait here for a moment. I'll go fetch Miss Althea," Delta said before heading towards the classroom door. He paused there for a while before returning, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Staven said she slipped away after her first class... there's really nothing I can do. But please rest assured, she won't go too far. It might be best if the two of you head back for now, and I'll notify you as soon as Miss Althea returns home."
"Staven? The estate owner who rents out the school building?" Dalia asked.
"Yes. He doubles as the language and history teacher. He's actually quite the scholar, so his classes are decent, but he simply can't manage the unruly children."
"I'd like to meet him."
"Why? Lady Dalia, that doesn't seem necessary..."
"Bring him over," Jorgen interjected. He was curious about the person who had offered his property for such a low price to be used as a school building.
While Delta went to fetch the person, Jorgen and Dalia still remained silent. They were like newly assigned work partners who shared a common goal but hadn't found the right way to communicate. Before their conversation the previous night, they used to speak freely while looking at each other's faces, and they would occasionally use physical cues to draw attention to specific points. But now, a sense of awkwardness seemed to divide them, creating a space meant for only one person.
Jorgen typically preferred solitude; even during interrogations, he would use well-timed silences to pressure the suspect. But now, he wished Delta would bring Staven out soon to break the current silence.
Delta took longer than Jorgen expected to return with Staven. When Staven emerged, Jorgen saw Delta lead the way, followed by a neatly dressed man wearing a monocle. This man walked with a slight hunch, his right hand's five fingers covering the area above his abdomen, as if protecting something from falling. Upon reaching Jorgen and Dalia, he briefly glanced at Dalia, then quickly averted his gaze, turning his attention to Jorgen.
After Delta introduced the two, Staven spoke, "I am Staven Mistrmantle. After her first class, Althea Everlock left the classroom without my permission, and apparently, no classmates attempted to dissuade her. As her teacher, it is not that I disregard her capriciousness, but I must be responsible for the entire class, not just one student. Furthermore, truancy is a common occurrence for Althea, and her lack of change in this regard led me to continue with the remaining lessons in the classroom. Do you have any questions?"
"We didn't ask for such a detailed explanation," Jorgen remarked. What was the matter with this man?
"Mr. Staven, no one questions whether you've fulfilled your duties. We already have a fair understanding of what kind of child Althea is," Dalia said. "Do you know where she went?"
"I apologize, I only know that she violated school rules by leaving class, and I have neither the obligation nor the energy to delve into the reasons behind shirking her studies or her subsequent whereabouts. This is a matter within the Everlock family's jurisdiction."
"You could've simply said you don't know, Staven," Delta chimed in. "The time of these two gentlemen is valuable. Spare them from your usual rhetoric."
"I'm simply trying to avoid one misunderstanding: if I am deemed inadequate, it would only be on the level of not understanding why Miss Althea chose to skip class. Moreover, pardon my bluntness, but this is an unreasonable demand beyond my role as an educator..."
"Enough, enough. Both of you, he's just like this. Perhaps it's best to go back," Delta interrupted.
"Mr. Delta, please be cautious in your words. Your impatience and lack of appreciation for sound rational thinking are well-known. However, refrain from misleading these esteemed guests of Stormwind with your misguided perceptions. Considering your role as the mayor's secretary, I hope you can exhibit more awareness befitting of that position."
"Shall we go back?" Jorgen asked Dalia. He noticed that during Staven's conversation, his gaze almost never landed on the individuals he was addressing, as if reciting lines to thin air.
"Mr. Staven," Dalia didn't respond to Jorgen. "This room designated as a classroom has poor lighting and ventilation. It's also quite a distance from the main road, with limited space around it. Since the town has paid you rent, why not provide these children with better accommodations? I've observed more suitable houses along my way here, and it seems you aren't utilizing them. Is it due to financial constraints?"
"No, no. Lady Dalia, please do not mistake me for a money-minded individual. Perhaps you've heard, the Mistrmantle family has a glorious history. We were the only nobles with the courage to become pioneers in the Darkshire. While I am the last of our lineage due to the war's misfortunes, I still uphold the dignity of this manor established by our forebears. These bricks and tiles, though aged and worn by time, symbolize the forward-thinking courage of the Mistrmantle family. This is something the children of Darkshire cannot understand until they acquire enough knowledge. Thus, until they possess the understanding, I cannot allow them to use the main rooms of the manor. In fact, I reside in what used to be a storage room. Even if I were offered tenfold or a hundredfold the rent, my stance wouldn't waver."
As Staven continued, his gaze lowered, his tone unvarying, much like striking a damaged wooden door with uniform force and speed.
"You are selfish, Staven," Dalia said.
This statement surprised both Jorgen and Delta.
"A person devoted to their beliefs might appear selfish to others... Yet, someone as noble and educated as you, madam, will soon understand my intentions. If there's nothing else, I must return to teaching. The children have waited long enough... I mean those who are willing to learn."
Dalia didn't say anything more and turned around to leave. Jorgen followed her.
"I dislike his eyes," she said. "They always seem to be avoiding you... but they're actually probing."
Jorgen understood her meaning. Staven's gaze, while focused on the ground, often lifted momentarily, and in those instances, his eyes became suddenly sharp, accompanied by nervous twitching at the corners. This reminded him of a coiled snake, flicking its tongue. While Staven exuded no real threat, it was undeniably unsettling. Despite his consistently indifferent tone, as if entirely disinterested in the reactions of others, he was actually meticulously observing Dalia.
Partially in annoyance towards Staven and partially to ease Dalia's mood, Jorgen said to Delta, "I doubt any child would enjoy having him as a teacher. Did Elro ever consider replacing him?"
"Of course he did, actually mentioned it recently. But he... he said something like 'educating the next generation is how I maintain the family's honor,' and then mentioned that if he were moved from that classroom, he would raise the rent tenfold."
"That sounds far from normal," Jorgen said.
"What can I say? You've seen it yourselves, he's an odd one, but behavior-wise, he hasn't really crossed any lines. Otherwise, Commander Joseph would've probably found a reason to remove him long ago."
"His hypocrisy disgusts me," Dalia said. "If he's so adamant about protecting the manor, why let these houses and lawns deteriorate?"
"No wonder it's Lady Dalia. After just one conversation, you've seen right through him. This guy is actually a spendthrift. He decided to rent out the houses to us because he was out of options. He doesn't have the money to maintain the manor. The last remaining legacy of the Mistrmantle family, he used it to print thousands of copies of his poetry collection. And guess what? He only managed to sell seven or eight copies."
"Poetry collection?" Jorgen asked.
"Written by himself. If you asked him about his occupation now, his first answer would still be 'poet.' Though I'm just a minor clerk, I did earn a literature credit from Stormwind University, and I have to say, I can't make head or tail of his works. It's said that he even bribed the Royal Academy of Poetry, and while they took his money, they didn't actually do anything for him. Now those thousands of poetry books are stacked up in a small room beside the classroom we just left. They're all high-quality hardcovers, in case you didn't notice."
"If you're talking about the bribery... Jorgen, is there a way to find evidence?" Dalia asked.
"That's not too difficult. Although we don't usually investigate institutions like the Royal Academy of Poetry, I can arrange for it. What do you want to do?"
"I'm not sure," Dalia seemed to realize that asking Jorgen such a sudden favor was quite out of character. "I just... don't want the children of this town sitting in dim rooms all day while being watched by someone like him."
"It might be better to talk to Elro first before making any decisions. I share your negative impression of Staven, but remember, Dalia, we're not here to manage this town."
"But, Jorgen..." Dalia took a deep breath. "No. You're right."
After the awkwardness between the two, Dalia's somewhat impulsive suggestion actually put Jorgen's mind at ease. While he couldn't immediately agree with her on how to handle Staven, both ethically and practically, he also didn't want his refusal to make her think he was asserting "privileged abuse."
"I know you're thinking of the children," he said. "Once the main matters are settled, these issues can be addressed gradually."
"It's wonderful that both of you are thinking so much about Darkshire. To be honest, personally, I also believe it would be best to..." Delta paused for a moment. "Oh, isn't that Miss Althea? Miss, where have you been?"
Althea was standing not far from the carriage, her hands in her pockets, looking in their direction. As Delta ran over to approach her, the mongrel dog, Pick, emerged from under the wagon and barked at him. Delta took a step back, and Althea crouched down, picking up Pick. She didn't move from her spot, waiting for Jorgen and Dalia to approach.
"I was looking for you, Althea," Dalia said.
"I saw the carriage and knew you were here," Althea replied. With her right hand, she scratched the dog's neck while holding it. Pick seemed a bit restless, trying to break free, but she held onto its head. "I threw the stone in there. What's up? You wanted to talk, right?"