The darkness had barely lifted, but the hustle and bustle of a rural work day was well underway in Dellwick's market street. Men and women scampered hither and dither, wrapped in thick, warm clothing to ward off the cold breeze on this slow, overcast day.

This was true even for traders. Because of the heightened bandit activity, merchants began to form their caravans together into supply trains. Travel was a lurch alongside dozens of other fully laden carts, but pooling all of their caravan guards in one spot was the only method of ensuring the passage of goods in and out of the village.

That morning, a woman approached the head of the supply train.

Clutching in her hands a sack of coins and a sealed letter, she called out to the man idling on the wagon, "Excuse me!"

Startled, her nearly fell off his seat. He quickly masked his embarrassment with a grin, however, and, fixing his cap, he turned to her, saying in full cheer, "'Morning, miss! Somethin' you want delivered?"

"Yes..."

Couriers and other travelers flocked to the safety in numbers promised by the supply trains. The caravan hands didn't mind having more warm bodies around them, either, so it was a mutual relationship.

"...here."

As she handed her letter, a cold gust swept across her face. It exposed, for a second, her porcelain skin and jet-black hair.

The woman swung her eyes left and right, taking care not to sway her head in turn. Her shoulder felt heavy all morning, as though it was weighed down by someone's gaze. Or perhaps it was the bitter chill, penetrating through her clothes. Either way, it put her on edge, distracting her from her current conversation.

"Somethin' wrong, miss?" The courier asked.

She shook her head and replied, "It's nothing."

Maybe it's just my hangover.

"Alright then. Where d'you want this?"

"Wyllset. Lower District. Eastern side, by the Augury Tavern."

"Ah, the caravan stop?"

She nodded. "Facing the door, turn left and take the first alley on your right and follow it to the very end."

"H-huh...?" The took off his hat and scratched his head. "Some alleyway in the slums of Wyllset? Come on, ma'am. The courier's fee isn't worth-"

"A girl will meet you there-" With sharpened gaze, she shoved the sack of coins in his face. "-she will receive this letter. Her name is..."

She hesitated for a moment, as she took her breath.

"...Emi."

The man visibly swallowed his breath. With a worried expression, he glanced left and right, before letting out a low grunt. "Urgh..." With one hand, he reached out for the money, and with the other, he slapped himself in the face. "Dang it... I'll make this a special delivery."

A tiny smirk surfaced on the woman's lips, but she was quick to hide it as she then released her grip on the bag. "Thank you."

And as she turned around, she let out a sigh of relief.

Now, then...

With that, she slipped away as quickly as she came and disappeared into the alleyways. She then cast off her rags in a dim corner, revealing the dark blazer and tight skirt beneath. Wiping the sweat off her brow, she treated herself to a tiny smile before putting on on her glasses.

On the way back to the inn, Eris saw two familiar guardsmen on patrol.

Hm? That's my Lady's bodyguard... she seems to be hard at work.

The two seemed to be in the middle of a conversation.

"...how we patrol?" said Grey, "Well, we just walk around the village, don't we? Keep a lookout for troublemakers and then switch shifts back at the post..."

"Ehh...?" Rika gave him a dissatisfied look. "That's it? You don't even chat with anyone?"

"W-well, that's... I mean, we're on the clock, aren't we? People will think we're slacking off and-"

She shook her head and sighed.

"What good will walking around do? All the bad guys would need to do is wait until you're gone and then they're free to do whatever they want!"

"W-well..."

"Listen. There is something more important than just completing all your rounds for the day, and that is..."

She lifted her index finger, authoritatively.

"...trust!"

"Uoooh! Uhh... eh? Are... you saying that people don't trust us?"

"Not that sort of trust. Look around you. These are the people you've promised to protect. But they don't talk to you. You don't talk to them. Do you even know everyone who lives and works here? Do they even know you?"

"Well of course they know me, I live here! Err, well, I guess most of them know me? I mean, knowing everyone... that's just a bit-"

She puffed her chest out as she said, "Well we did, back in Ealdton!"

"In such a large town!? No way!"

"Well, our squad was only tasked to one district, but that counts! And so, because we knew everyone, we could focus our attention on the important few - travelers, strangers and people you know that like to cause trouble! In fact, we hardly ever finished our rounds everyday, since people know to come to us directly if they want any help!"

"Uoooooh!" Grey's eyes lit up in awe. "That's amazing! Can we really do something like that here!?"

"Of course! Dellwick is much smaller than Ealdton, so your team can take charge of the whole thing, no problem!" Then, she spread out her arms and declared, "So, now it's your job then to step up and form that bond of trust between you and the citizens!"

"Y-yes, ma'am!" he stood stiffly in salute.

"Alright! Now, let's go into that shop and greet the owner!"

"Right behind you!"

Alas, the two disappeared from view.

Hmm... So Miss Evrika worked as a town guard in Ealdton before? Interesting. And she seems rather proficient at it...

She clicked her tongue.

It would be a bother if security improves a bit too much... after I'm done, I should have Grey and his men replaced.

And so, she continued on her way.

She was about to leave the market street when another strange pair caught her eyes.

Two figures, each wrapped in a dark, ragged cloak, strolled along the row of shops.

Speaking of strangers... they don't look like farmers or traders, but at the same time, they don't wear their weapons out in the open like adventurers do.

Are they Eckhart's? Maybe travellers?

She watched them from the shadows.

One, a titan of a man, or so it seemed from the outrageous silhouette made by his cloak, towered above the other, a little girl whose stark, silver hair Eris just happened to catch a glimpse of right before she turned away. They held onto each other's hands, like father and daughter, as they strolled silently down the street.

From time to time, the girl would seemingly take interest at the stalls on either side of the road, slowing down for a moment, only to be tugged back again. This happened a couple of times, until, on the third occasion, she stopped completely, releasing herself from her guardian.

She stood in front of a general trader who dealt mostly in trinkets and accessories. He was fresh from that morning's supply train, meaning he had just passed the border with Rafale, back from the shining metal city of Govan.

The girl bent slightly over, staring silently at one of the products displayed on the counter.

Meanwhile, the cloaked man must have noticed her separating from him, and stopped.

"Lil," he asked as he turned around, "what is it?"

But as soon as she heard his voice, the girl sprung in surprise and quickly scampered back to his side.

The man glanced at the stall she stopped at. "Was there something you wanted?"

However, the girl only lowered her head and shook it vigorously.

He paused, seemingly disappointed. "I see." And so, he turned back around, pulling the girl along with him. "Let's return to the caravan stop for our next job."

They're gone... Maybe they were just travelers.

Eris clutched her own arm.

But why is it that I feel uneasy about them...?

Back at the inn, Eris assisted Sylphia with her administrative duties, as usual. Most often, this just meant forcing her to sign all the documents they had brought with them to the village.

And that afternoon, many days after they arrived in Dellwick, her Lady had finally managed to complete the very last one.

"Uuuuuugh..." with her head face-down on her desk, Sylphia groaned, "Finally, it's over."

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

After reading through the last document, Eris said, "Indeed, I have received all documents necessary to formalize my Lady's reforms. Thank you for your hard work. I shall now send these ahead by courier."

"Mm..."

As Eris arranged them into a neat stack, she snuck a glance at Sylphia and asked, "My Lady, may we talk about the bandit problem?"

"Hm?" The girl raised her face, and looked at her secretary with her chin flat on the desk. "Sure? What's on your mind?"

"Isn't it time to consider asking for help from Count Rosteforough? Dellwick has suffered for several days under the threat of banditry. At this rate-"

"Oh, this again..." She turned her face back down onto her desk.

"My Lady, please take this seriously."

"I am taking this seriously!" She pouted. "Look, I'm taking care of it, alright?"

"Oh?" Eris' eye twitched. "How so?"

All you've been doing is go spelunking in that dirty little dungeon everyday! You haven't even hired any new guards out of whatever treasures you might have dug up!

"Gh-" She averted her eyes. "Just- you know? Taking care... of it."

In her frustration, Eris failed to suppress her face from contorting, though for only a split second. "My Lady," she said in a  dire tone, "know that we have almost exhausted our resources. If you insist on playing your games, then irreversible harm will-"

"Who is playing games?"

Her shoulders jolted and goosebumps broke out all over her skin. For the first time since they met, the young lady aimed a sharp glare right at her. She didn't even know that she was capable of such a face. But for that one passing moment, she looked nothing at all like the frivolous little girl she knew.

Then, just as quickly as it happened, Sylphia closed her eyes again and let out a sigh.

"Look, I told you I'll handle it, right?" When she lifted her head, her calm expression had returned, with an added smile. "Heheh, despite my looks, I'm still the Legendary Hero, you know?" She then gave Eris a wink and a thumbs up. "I mean... you know, right? A-anyway, come on, you can trust me a little!"

"Bu-" This time, Eris bit her tongue.

Legendary Hero... now, of all times, you claim that title? What, exactly, do you intend to do? What can you do, to begin with, that you hadn't bothered to for the past few days of our stay here?

It's a bluff. It can't be anything but.

At least, that's what she wanted to believe. And yet, all her instincts, honed from years of dealing with crooks, merchants and politicians, often together in the same room, screamed otherwise.

Either way, there was nothing else she could say or do.

And, hanging her head, she said, "Forgive me, my Lady. I was out of line."

"It's alright. I know you only want the best for Dellwick. But I promise you, I won't let these crooks get away with it!"

Eris racked her brain for anything else to say, but she would come up empty. "I understand, my Lady. Well, then, please excuse me."

Thus, she left the room, defeated.

And at the same time, a noisy girl entered.

"Sylphieee!" All smiles as usual, the heroine's bodyguard, Evrika, skipped into the room. "I'm done with my patrol!"

"Ah! Rika, welcome back! And just in time, too! I have an errand for you to run."

"Eeeeeeh!? I'm not lugging any more boxes around, you hear!?"

"No, no, it's not that. Come on in."

Amidst that noise, Eris closed the door behind her, leaving the two alone in her Lady's room.

When she was sure that she was not being watched, her face contorted with unmitigated rage.

Damn it all!

She clenched her fists and gnashed her teeth as she wailed inside mind.

If she doesn't give it up, soon Dellwick will actually be ruined!

Everything I've worked for... everything I've planned... will all be for naught!

It is as if she does not realize such a disaster will destroy her as well!

That stupid, lazy, annoying, self-centered, arrogant brat...!

She panted.

It took some time before she calmed down, and when she did, the first thing she did was fix her glasses.

I have no choice... I need insurance.

That afternoon, Eris wandered around the market in search of Roderick, but found no sign of him anywhere. She even made several passes by the basket weaver, but the store was open for business, though lacking in customers.

Where is he? He should already be up and about.

She continued her hunt for a short time before finally giving up.

Tsk. Did he leave the village?

But just as she was about to head back, a man bumped into her shoulder.

"Ngh," she grunted, "Hey, mind where you're-"

But right as he passed her, he bent down and whispered into her ear, "Big sis wants to talk to you. Now."

By the time she could take a glimpse, he had already walked past, and soon disappeared into the next corner.

That is... Eckhart's, huh? What could she want?

She sighed.

Damn it, fine. I'll just put this off for tomorrow.

Eckhart was at their usual place, near the forest. The young woman, herself in farmhand's clothes, waited beneath the shade of a tree with arms crossed.

Eris approached her and went straight to the point. "So, what do you wa-"

Then, without warning, the disguised rogue drew her blade and pointed it at the unsuspecting woman's neck.

She felt the sharp wind hitting her skin from the swing of the dagger. Her baffled expression soon turned sour. "What is the meaning of this?"

The young woman returned her glare, grumbling, "I should be the one asking you. What the fuck is happening? This isn't what we agreed upon."

She lifted an eyebrow. "Drop your knife. I have no idea what you're talking about. Isn't 5 gold pieces enough?"

"Y-you don't? You better not be lying."

"Shut up and tell me already."

"Guh-!" Heaving a sigh, she finally withdrew her blade. "Shit... everything's gone to shit," she grumbled as she rubbed the back of her neck.

"What?"

"You really don't know?"

"I told you, I don't." She shook her head. "But let me guess - a botched raid? I was recently removed from my post in security, so I don't have any details."

"Eh!? Isn't that bad?" she said in a hushed tone, "Are they onto you?"

"Not likely." Eris waved her hand dismissively. "The little brat probably just wanted to play guard for a while."

"Play? Well whatever your little lady is playing, it's giving me hell."

Her brows furled. "What do you mean?"

The rogue leaned her back against a tree and said, "Not just a botched raid. Lots of them. I've lost two good men already. Many more fresh recruits and other lowlives."

She then looked Eris dead in the eye.

"I'm missing almost a third of my outfit, Eris."

"W-" A chill ran down her spine. "-What!? How can that be? There are hardly enough guards left to protect the village, much less the trade routes!"

The girl clicked her tongue. "I was wishing you could tell me."

"Then..."

"I can't keep up this up. Money is one thing, but the fuckups are traveling by word of mouth. I can't find any fresh bodies willing to be thrown into the grinder." Her eyes narrowed. "And there's no way in hell I'm sending my good men into any more raids."

"Wha- but-" Flustered, Eris could not find the words to express her frustration. She then turned away and bit into her finger.

What's happening!? Are the other lords intervening already? No, that can't be. A detachment of guards large enough to quell this level of banditry can't possibly slip under my nose, even if I'm not directly involved with the security!

"Well?" Eckhart asked.

"I..." She bit her tongue. "I don't know."

"Well this is a pinch," she flippantly said, turning away and crossing her arms behind her head. "I never thought the day would come that you wouldn't have a solution for something."

"Shut up."

"Well." She stretched her arms out and let out a moan. "That's all I wanted to say. We might do some smaller raids from time to time, but we're going to lick our wounds for a while."

"I... understand," Eris muttered as she lowered her head.

"So, what are you going to do now?"

"I can't afford to fail. I'll figure something out."

"Huh...Well, hang in there." She grinned. "Though, if you end up a wanted woman, I will always have a spot for you!"

Eris leered at her in response. "You must be joking."

Eckhart jumped back and sneered, "Ahaha! That's the scary face I know!"

"I said, shut up."

The pair soon went their separate ways, and Eris returned to the inn with a grim expression.