What exactly happened at that time, Merka could actually guess roughly.

But how should I answer?

I may have the courage to die without hesitation if necessary, but I don't even know how to make a choice.

I'm not... I'm not afraid... but Sister Jeanne, I really don't know what to do.

If I could just focus on doing the right thing without worrying about making the correct choice.

Or rather, it would be great if Sister Jeanne could be by my side forever.

Merka perhaps relied on Sister Jeanne more than he thought.

Especially in such uncertain moments, in the face of Osuruo's anger, Merka was really confused about which side to stand on.

Merka was afraid that he made his choice out of fear of Osuruo's punishment and scolding.

"Merka! Tell me, what did they do when they were playing games at noon?" Osuruo turned to Merka, his tone revealing firmness and unquestionability. He knew that Merka probably didn't play with the kids, but read books under the eaves of the courtyard.

If I tell the truth, then everyone will definitely be punished. But if I lie, maybe only Osuruo brother will be hurt.

So, if I lie, does that mean I'm standing for the interests of the majority? Is this... my action considered right, or even just?

"They were playing hide-and-seek, everyone scattered and hid in different places, so no one probably knew where the others were," Merka calmly said. "I was reading, maybe I was too focused and didn't notice who entered brother's room."

Merka's lie was extremely skillful, only lying from his own perspective, making it impossible for others to know the truth by questioning.

Osuruo raised his arm in anger, but found no outlet to vent and reluctantly put his hand down.

"Tsk, look at all of you... both Romeo and I are very disappointed," Osuruo looked at the tear-streaked face of Romeo, who was about to lose control of his disguise magic, and felt that he had to end his anger today. "Let me advise you, the person who stole things, don't let me catch you, otherwise you will pay a heavy price!"

Osuruo probably never realized in the end.

It was just an angry and simple threat, but it became the most inappropriate thing he should have said in his life.

Replacing Romeo, Osuruo tidied up the dinner plates and changed into clean clothes. He quickly coaxed Romeo into bed, covered him with a blanket, and had to go to bed early himself. Tomorrow he would have to figure out a reason for his inexplicable absence.

The night gradually deepened, and the incredibly lonely night revealed a hint of sweetness.

Hamlet, with tired shoulders and some rather worthless ironware in his hands, returned from the orphanage's entrance.

Juliet opened the door.

"Everyone... what happened today?" Seeing the silent children in the dining room, Hamlet realized that something was not quite right today.

"Today... something happened," Juliet scratched her cheek.

"But it's better for you to find out tomorrow, Osuruo has already lost his temper today, and everyone is tired."

"You're the leader of the children, you probably know how to handle this, go to sleep first." Juliet said a few words without a clear beginning or end, like a whispered prayer. Then she went back to her room to sleep.

"How mysterious..." Hamlet placed the retrieved ironware at the doorstep of his room, roughly washed himself with rainwater, and went back to his room to sleep.

-------------------------------------------------------

Two hours later.

"Merka, please think of a solution!" Macbeth had already pleaded with Merka not for the first time, "When Hamlet comes back, he will definitely figure out who stole the things!"

"What's wrong? You're showing so much concern for the thief, could it be you who stole it?" Merka frowned, originally thinking that the situation had been resolved, but now it seemed different.

Macbeth bit his lip and remained silent.

"How many people are involved?" Merka hesitated for a long time before finally asking.

Macbeth nervously clasped his hands together and twisted them.

"All people?" Merka's tone was more of a statement than a question.

The herd mentality among children can be severe. Sometimes, a few words from certain individuals can escalate into a whole group drama.

Macbeth nodded slightly.

What should they do now...

Although Romeo's brother forbade it, Othello actually smoked every day, so it shouldn't be that serious.

I should stand on the majority's side... That's what justice is, right?

"Do you still have some red powder?" Merka asked calmly, like a rising sun of hope in Macbeth's heart.

At this moment, Merka still didn't understand that red powder doesn't cause addiction for ordinary Acadia people. Their addiction is washed away by the smoke they inhale while smoking, and their bodies even become healthier as a result.

Moreover, red powder is not exclusive to adults. Othello can consume it, not because he wants to, but because of his work obligations. One guest gives a little, another guest gives a little, and to appear like a normal person, Othello gradually developed an addiction.

Red powder is actually a demon tailored for the accursed children.

"Well, there's still a bit left. What do you need it for?" Macbeth asked.

"Hamlet brother understands you well... so it's best to make him an accomplice," Merka said after a brief pause for thought.

"Put the red powder in his drinking water or food. Anyway, make him consume the red powder, make him an accomplice, and he probably won't bother you anymore..." Merka suggested.

"Then... should Merka take some too?" Perhaps it was the mention of being an accomplice that made Macbeth's sensitive heart overly nervous.

"Are you afraid I'll betray you?"

"No, don't worry, I'm definitely on your side..." Merka, as gentle as ever, gently touched Macbeth's head.

He still thought that this matter, like any other, could be overcome with just intelligence and tenderness.

——————————————————————————

[Awake again... sigh.]

[I don't know the names of the boy and the girl, because the children didn't tell Merka.]

[The conversation between the boy and the girl is Merka's speculation.]

[It represents the will of the group, the result of every child giving tacit consent to this matter.]

[Hehe, I didn't expect Merka to still be so naive at times.]

[Feels quite adorable.]

In a hazy state of consciousness, Turing fell asleep again.