Emily's POV

After finishing her explanation, Emily went back to the bar. She leaned on her elbows and sighed. Business for her inn had not been good since the war started against the orcs. People struggled as taxes increased, so they could only afford the basics. Some of the townspeople would visit during holidays, but that was not sustainable.

Emily saw Leylin as an opportunity. Although it was suspicious for a traveller to visit during a war, she was willing to risk helping him. After he found work, Leylin would have to pay for a room at her inn, allowing her to stay open. It was a win-win situation, and it helped that she felt good doing it. The only risk was that the war had become more dire over time. If Leylin was conscripted, there was nothing she could do to stop him from leaving. She held onto the hope that the Queen's Army wouldn't need to visit a remote place like this.

Thinking ahead, Emily began to consider how she could help Leylin find a job. She considered introducing him to the Bounty Board, but a lot of those jobs were dangerous. Many involved finding murderers, making it very risky, but the reward for completing a bounty was high. Others called for the subjugation of deadly monsters, which ironically was safer.

This reward also attracted a lot of competition, and many of the people drawn were distasteful. A lot of the bounty hunters were worse than the monsters and people they hunted. They would turn against their partners, so the reward would be all theirs.

Considering these things, Emily decided that it would be best to think of something else. Sadly, she couldn't think of any available jobs, and she did not have enough funds to hire him herself.

Reaching this predicament, she gave up. Introducing him to bounties wouldn't hurt if he understood the risks. She still worried that he might be harmed. That would devastate her because she would believe it was her fault.

Emily stood up, decisive. She checked on Leylin before leaving. As she opened the door to the storage room, she saw him butchering a sheep. He let out muffled curses as blood spilled on him, but he continued working diligently. Seeing this odd side of him, Emily found it slightly endearing.

After observing him for a bit, she left. Walking down the road, she waved and smiled to the other townspeople. They called out to her "Good afternoon, Miss Emily," and so on as she moved. The villagers' attitudes toward Emily were a stark contrast compared to their suspicion of Leylin.

Arriving at the Bounty Board, Emily saw one warrant that dominated the space.

Issued by Her Royal Highness on the 12th of February,

The murderer known as The Tailor is suspected to be involved in the murder of 22 people in the Town of Dry Springs and surrounding establishments. It is suspected that The Tailor is a lich masquerading as a human, specifically its victims. The Tailor is wanted dead, and any citizen who completes this task will receive a reward of 10 Gold Pieces from the Royal Treasurer. Please note, the expected danger level of this bounty is severe.

'Nope, that one is way too dangerous,' thought Emily.

She looked at the other, less notable bounties. A few ordered for the subjugation of some minor monsters, one that Emily assumed was a joke said, "Looking for a wife! Reward: ME!" After giggling for a bit, she turned her attention back to the serious requests. The rewards for these were pitiful, only a few Bronze Pieces each. Regardless, there was no other choice. Emily headed back to the inn after handpicking a few of the easier ones.

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