In the outer region of Polskin.
The smell of sewage refuse filled the air as one walked the dark and gloomy winter streets full of vices. A region where people flocked to indulge in their carnal desires; a place where alcohol and drugs never ran
out.
Delor Bar is one of the few places who dealt with anything one could possibly imagine. Looking for a place to stay? Want to experience fine dining? Or when you’re feeling a little brave, you’re even offered... questionable services.
It’s business bordered the line of violating laws. But thanks to the owner behind the establishment, it hadn’t faced any lawsuits. One had to wonder how such a genius had been willing to stoop down in the
backward region of Polskin, where it was humid all year long with but two weathers, rain or shine. An old man dressed in a luxurious outfit of satin and brocade walked inside the building, the jewelries on his body attracted the attention of several customers, but he paid no heed to them as he spoke with one of the staff in an arrogant manner.
That glaring potbelly of his bounced with every step as he made his way up the stairs following the modestly dressed staff. His eyes would travel to every floor with a devilish smirk on his face. Business was booming as ever. He had to applaud himself in the back for making the right decision then.
This blatant action of smirking and an arrogant look of greed in his eyes earned an eye roll from the man who was leading him to the attic of the building. Delor Bar worked as a hierarchy. The first floor held all the normal business one would expect from a bar that doubles as a restaurant. However, as you worked your way up every floor, the dealings done would start to become illegal. Brothels, gambling, and drugs – you name it and Delor Bar has it.
At the last floor before the attic, the sound of cards shuffling and chips clicking against each other bounced off the walls as men and women dressed in masks gambled their fortune. The room decorated in a deep maroon accompanied by black and gold accents. It was clear to see how luxurious the atmosphere of the room is. Even the fat man dressed in satin and brocade looked quite tacky next to the truly rich.
As he admired the bedazzled men dressed in the finest fabrics and women decorated with the most dazzling jewels, the attendant in front of him stood in front of a thick curtain in an obscure corner of the room. After activating what looked like a hidden compartment, the attendant then turned to the man.
“This is as far as I go, sire.”
The fat, old man trembled in excitement as he nodded and dismissed the attendant, who sneakily let out another eye roll before leaving him and resuming his duties. Making his way up the stairs, he could hear the faint tinkling of what sounded like money and hurried up.
Contrary to the previous room filled with priceless and expensive things, the large attic filled only the most basic of furniture. In the far right were weapon racks and a dummy made of metal, a contrast from the ones usually made from straw.
“What brings you here?”
Behind the man stood a girl no older than fourteen, with the finest shade of snow white hair he had ever seen and blue, black eyes that resembled gems.
“You know very well why I am here.”
The girl let out a ‘tsk’ before pulling out five bags filled to the brim with gold and silver. Greed flashed through the man’s eyes as he hurriedly snatched the bags that were set down on the table.
‘Greedy bastard,’ the girl thought as she pretended to smile through gritted teeth. Her calloused fingers dug into the palm of her hands as she contained her anger.
“That is the last of my debt. With this, I am free to go, am I not?”
However, the smile on the old man’s face said otherwise. She knew that smile well. There hadn’t been a single soul who managed to make a decent deal with the man before him. He may be a snake but she knew what she was getting into. The prey will soon become the predator.
“Is that what I said?”
‘Yes, but we all know how much of a huge liar you are,’ she badly wished to retort but held back. “It is stated in the contract I had signed four years ago.”
“What contract?”
Oh how she so badly wanted to rip off that arrogant smile on his fat face. But when she thought of how she would turn the tables made her want to smirk to anger him. Anger turned to amusement as she saw how he kept feigning ignorance at the situation.
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“I see.”
‘How could I possibly afford to lose this moneymaker? If I let her leave, then there is no guarantee that my business will be able to survive the regional conference this year.’ he thought.
Thinking about keeping her locked up inside this dingy attic, the smile on his face grew wider and his eyes crinkled until they resembled crescents.
“Will that be all?” the old man questioned as he threw all the bags of gold into a rucksack and tucked it away in his robe, turning to leave the shabby place. However, just as he breathed a sigh of relief for nearly being able to get rid of the smell of musk, the girl spoke.
Her voice had a hint of amusement as she said, “Remember the promise you made with Hyrel. Wouldn’t it be a pity if you were unable to fulfill his dreams?”
The old man stopped in his tracks. The hand that held the handle of the door trembled that he could not hide it. The girl had seen it clearly.
“Mr. Vankef, is it? You do not know how hard it has been for me to gather information from this dingy little place in the past four years. If it wasn’t because I was in charge in finances, I would’ve never been able to know who the most influential count in Polskin was,” she spoke in a languid voice with delight in her eyes as she saw his shocked expression.
She stood up and patted away the dust from her shabby dress that she had never fail to wear every single day for the past four years. Her hand fiddled with the small butter knife she managed to smuggle inside with the help of an attendant.
In actuality, every single staff inside the building already belonged to her. While she may not be able to leave the premises, it did not mean she couldn’t leave her room. So whenever she had free time, it was spent building relationships with the staff, businessmen if she were a little lucky.
“You—”
“I have a proposal, Mr. Vankef,” she cut off before he could get a word in.
Count Vankef wanted to curse out loud but refrained from doing so as he turned to face her with an expression akin to a tomato. He had thought he hid it so well by dressing tackily and acting with fake class and elegance. But to think she could also see through his actions...
He had no family and had to work hard and involve himself in several questionable dealings for the past 20 years. To think he would be found out by a mere child made him baffled. Now, as he stood in front of the girl with a cursed appearance, he had no choice but to sit back down and hear her out.
“What is it?” he asked rather irritably.
“Now now, there is no need to get all annoyed. What I ask is simple.”
However the look in her eyes made Count Vankef think it was anything but simple. His instinct proven right as he looked dumbfounded at her next words.
“In return for setting me free, let me fulfill the wishes of your deceased grandson.”
“... How do you know about my grandson?”
The girl did not answer, only a small smile decorated her face.
“So do we have a deal or not?”
If it was possible, Count Vankef did not want to let such a talented girl go. She was his gold mine. Anyone who would willingly let go of a gold mine would be considered insane by him, someone who prioritized profit above all else. But remembering the sole grandson of his who had died of the plague five years ago made his heart ache.
Out of all his relatives, Hyrel was the sole person who managed to earn the adoration of his grandfather. His greatest wish was to become a great warrior of the Werdolf Empire in the middle of Karin Continent.
Unfortunately his death meant that his wish would never come true in this life. Also being unable to save him despite possessing vast wealth had become Count Vankef’s greatest regret that continued to haunt him.
Maybe – Just maybe – Passing on the dreams of his 9 year old grandson might help him attain a peace of mind. After a couple of minutes contemplating, Count Vankef ultimately exchanged gazes with the girl, who stared back in the same intensity, letting out a sigh of what seemed to be a mix of helplessness and irritation.
“Deal,” he replied as he shook hands with the girl whose smile could rival the empire’s sun.
“Great. I’ll pack my things and immediately make my way to Agora Institute.”
“Hold on.”
Count Vankef grabbed her by the arm before she could run off to pack her things.
“What?”
“How do you expect to go outside with your appearance?”
Even in the era where vitalis was abundant and numerous talented people with unique appearances showed up, her looks could still garner unwanted attention. It was practically unheard of for a person to possess both white hair and heterochromatic eyes. She could even be branded as a Cursed One if she is not careful.
“Then what do you suppose I do?”
“First things first, what is your name? I can’t very well just let you leave like that, can I? I have to prepare the necessary procedures for my grandson’s proxy.”
At that moment he could’ve sworn that her eyes flashed with shock but it was so quick that when he blinked, it returned to their usual apathetic look.
“Ethel. My name is Ethel.”