Chapter: 403

Alice was no stranger to injury, but now, absent the pressures of active duty, she could afford to heal at her own pace.

After ensuring Alice's comfort, Norah broached the subject of the previous day's incident. “Alice, what happened at the café? It's unlike you to be injured like this.”

Alice's response came with a light-hearted chuckle, though the story she recounted was anything but. "Just a moment of foolishness on my part. I went back to rescue a little girl and ended up shot twice."

Alice had initially found safety but had foregone immediate reunion with Norah, knowing Norah was with Sean and in no immediate danger.

It was the sight of a lonely little girl on the street that had spurred Alice into action, a decision that ended with Alice rescuing the girl, whose mother whisked the girl away without so much as a backward glance.

“After that, I just lost consciousness from the blood loss," Alice concluded, her tone one of resignation to the unforeseen consequences of her compassionate act.

Norah left out the details about the two men's attempt to rape Alice.

She only shared that she was the one who took Alice to the hospital.

"Doing a good deed once in a while nearly got me killed." Alice experienced the discomfort from her injury, looking sad. “I sometimes miss our old days at the organization, when we could do as we pleased, shielded by our assassin identities. If we didn't like someone, we simply got rid of them."

Back in those days, Alice was unfamiliar with kindness, her mind constantly focused on finishing tasks.

Norah gently ran her fingers through Alice's hair. “But Alice, don't you think it's better to be free? To do as you wish without any Limits?"

At the organization, failing to achieve objectives always led to penalties.

Norah, a citizen of Cesland, had gone through a lot of hardship from an early age to develop her abilities. However, given the choice, she'd never join the organization. It was too painful and exhausting.

Several times, she thought about ending her life by jumping off a skyscraper. But her desire to keep living pushed her forward. She refused to die in such a sad, simple way.

Tears quietly filled Alice's eyes. "Norah, you just don't get it."

“It's been years since we last met. Why talk about the organization now? Let's focus on more joyful topics."

“Alright, thanks again for saving me."

Whenever Alice was hurt on missions with Norah, it was always Norah who came to Alice's aid. It was fair to say Norah treated most of Alice's injuries.

“No need for being polite with me. After you're better, come and visit me in Cesland."

"That sounds wonderful. I've always wanted to see Cesland, but without any news from you, going there seemed like it would be for nothing," Alice revealed. That was the reason she had remained in Lochdeer of Otland all this time, holding onto the hope that if Norah ever came back, they'd have their chance to meet again.

“Let's make sure we stay in contact. If you ever need help, just let me know." Norah brandished her phone. "Since you're hurt, I've decided to extend my stay in Otland a bit, another two weeks, to look after you. If anything Like this happens again, I'll be here to assist."

The bullet injuries Alice suffered were significantly worse than those Kaiden and Kason endured, with the amount of blood lost enough to fill a large bowl.

Alice made a grim joke. "Seems like getting injured is a way to earn your attention. Maybe I could handle a bit more pain.

"Please drop that harmful idea, okay? Thinking about getting injured isn't right. You need to get better fast so you can come to see me in Cesland."