The day began in Daekrahm City, buzzing with activity, particularly around the city gates where merchants were constantly coming and going. Owls perched on rooftops and walls, watching for any chance to earn a task.

Life had mostly returned to normal, though the industrious dwarves working on rebuilding the city kept the air filled with noise. Their tireless effort was unmistakable, maintaining their reputation as masters of architectural craftsmanship.

Near the northern gate, a young girl was deep in conversation with a merchant by his cart. Shaking his head, he apologized, "I can’t help you, sorry."

The merchant moved on, leaving the girl standing there, disappointed. She frowned, then declared, "I don’t need you. I’ll find my own way."

The girl, around eight years old, wore a beautiful long dress and had blond hair. A delicate necklace hung around her neck. Her fair, flawless skin and clean hands made it clear she came from a noble family.

As she scanned the road ahead, her eyes landed on another cart. "Sir, I have a proposal for you! It’s a serious offer!" she called out.

After several merchants declined her, she found herself sitting on a wooden chair in a garden, head lowered and her expression solemn. "How am I going to get out of this city?" she thought to herself.

A few moments later, determination sparked in her eyes. She stood up and said with resolve, "I won’t let this stop me. I will leave this city!"

Meanwhile, in the market at a dress shop, a female elf showed Yory a selection of girls' dresses. Lana, wearing a beautiful yellow gown, smiled as Yory thanked the owner, saying, "Thank you for picking the outfit for her. You have great taste."

The elf merchant smiled warmly and said, "You're welcome. Safe travels, fellow merchant."

Yory nodded, took Lana's hand, and made his way back to the cart.

When they arrived, Joe was sitting there, reading some documents he had acquired along with a few other items he’d purchased from the guild. He glanced up at Lana and smiled. "Looking good, Lana."

Lana beamed, while Boris, with his usual stern expression and cold, crimson eyes, watched her. Yet, there was something different about his gaze, as though he disapproved of her or thought little of her.

Turning to Joe, Yory asked, "Are we covering the cost of the rooms at the inn?"

Joe waved him off. "No, the castle’s taking care of that."

Yory then noticed small bowls of soup beside Joe and gestured toward them. "Did you pay for these?"

Joe shook his head. "No, our knight friends gave us some farewell gifts for the trip."

Yory grinned at Lana and said, "You heard that, Lana. We're going to enjoy some delicious soup and then explore all sorts of places with different cuisines."

Lana clapped her hands in excitement and hugged Yory. Joe, playfully raising his hand, chimed in, "What about me? Don't I deserve a hug too? I'm exhausted and could use a little love."

Lana smiled and gave Joe a hug as well. Afterwards, Yory started inspecting his cart, while Joe played with Lana.

Half an hour later, a young noble girl, determined to leave the city, sought out merchants heading out, all while carefully hiding from the knights. She crouched behind a cart, keeping a close watch on them, waiting for the right moment.

When the knights finally began to move, she breathed a sigh of relief, only for Lana to gently tap her on the back. Startled, the girl let out a scream, quickly covering her mouth in fear that the knights might hear her.

Annoyed, she shot a glare at Lana and whispered, "You nearly gave me a heart attack! What do you want?"

Lana smiled, lowered her head in apology, and used hand gestures to ask why the girl was hiding.

The young girl stared at Lana and said, "You can’t talk, huh? Anyway, I’m trying to leave this city, but the merchants won’t help me. I know I’m just a kid, but I’m a noble. I’ve got money, yet they still refuse to assist me."

Lana nodded, her smile remaining, though the girl’s frustration was obvious. "I’m just venting at this point," the girl continued. "It’s not like you can help me leave."

Still smiling, Lana gently took the girl’s hand and began leading her. The girl sighed, her voice softening, "I don’t even care if the knights find me. I can’t leave anyway."

Lana kept walking, guiding her toward the carts near the northern gate. The girl let out another sigh and introduced herself, "I’m Tyva, by the way. I can’t stay and play—I’m too upset about my failed escape."

Lana nodded, continuing to lead Tyva between the carts. Tyva sighed again, muttering, "I don’t know your name, but I’ll figure it out. Not that it matters, since none of us are leaving this city anytime soon—"

Tyva cut herself off when Yory appeared, looking at Lana. "Lana, are we all set to leave?" he asked.

His gaze shifted to Tyva, and he added, "Is this your friend?"

Lana nodded and gently patted Tyva on the back, encouraging her to speak. Tyva hesitated before turning to Joe and asking, "Sir, could you help me get to Giraf village? I have money, and I don’t mind your cart, even if it’s a little dirty."

Joe smiled and gestured toward Yory. "You’ll want to ask him—he’s the merchant. I’m just a friend."

Lana chuckled, while Tyva turned to Yory with an unimpressed expression and asked, "You're the merchant?"

Yory nodded, "Are you disappointed?"

Tyva's face clearly showed her dissatisfaction as she replied, "I’m sorry, but your friend looks quite dashing, fitting the image of a merchant, while you..."

Joe smiled, but Yory, looking annoyed, asked, "And what do I look like?"

Avoiding Yory’s gaze, Tyva glanced at the other carts and commented, "You look sick, like you're on the verge of death. I thought for a moment this handsome man was escorting you on your final journey."

Lana and Joe couldn’t hold back their laughter, while Tyva continued avoiding Yory’s eyes. Irritated. Yory tapped her lightly on the head, causing her to yelp and clutch her head.

Yory declared, "I look sick!? I happen to be the most handsome demon in this kingdom!"

Just then, a passing knight, unaware of Tyva’s presence, called out to Yory, "Looking good, brother."

Beaming with pride, Yory responded, "Thank you, brother!"

The knight smiled and continued on his way, leaving Yory standing a little taller and prouder.

Tyva bowed her head and apologized, "I didn't mean to upset you, I just..."

Yory cut her off, turning to Lana, "Lana! Let's go. I'm not going to stand here and endure this impertinent little brat insulting my good looks!"

Lana gently took Yory's hand, but Tyva quickly grabbed his other hand, pleading, "I'm truly sorry for my rudeness! I just want to leave the city. I have money, and I promise I'll be silent the entire journey if that's what you prefer."

Yory eyed her with suspicion and asked, "You're a noble, right? Why would you need simple merchants? Your father or mother could get you a luxurious carriage like every noble has."

Tyva's gaze fell, a deep sadness overtaking her. She whispered, holding back tears, "My mother divorced my father three years ago, and he kept me to prevent her from taking me. Now, with everyone occupied and my father gone, I can finally leave and search for my mother."

Yory studied her for a moment before saying bluntly, "I don't care about your family drama. If you’ve got the money, that’s all that matters to me."

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Lana smiled and hugged Tyva, who clung to her, still wiping her tears. Joe, watching the young girl closely, asked, "Are you Yufs' daughter? The lord of this city?"

Tyva nodded and added, "Yes, but I think he's dead because the ghouls took him."

Yory’s expression shifted as he pieced it together. "That’s why no merchant wanted to help you! No one wanted to get involved with a noble’s affairs. Well, little princess, if you want me to take you out of here, you’ll have to pay double."

Without hesitation, Tyva agreed. "Of course, anything!"

Joe and Lana exchanged disappointed glances. Joe, his voice filled with disdain, said, "You're a demon! Exploiting a vulnerable young girl like this? Shameless abyssal monster!" Lana nodded firmly beside him.

Yory grinned, unfazed. "I don’t care. When opportunity knocks, the merchant in me answers."

As Yory chuckled with greed, Tyva handed over her payment, and Joe and Lana shook their heads in disbelief.

Afterwards, Joe helped Lana and Tyva onto the cart. Meanwhile, Yory quickly wrote a short letter. With a sharp whistle, he caught the attention of an owl perched on the wall nearby.

The owl’s sharp eyes locked onto Yory, and it swooped down, landing on the cart.

Yory held out the letter and said, "Falkor, the priest in the castle."

The owl regarded him with a tilt of its head, then accepted the letter and took off, calling out, "To Falkor! To Falkor! Yes, sir."

Meanwhile, in the castle, Falkor was buried under a mountain of papers and reports, his eyes heavy with exhaustion. The workload seemed endless.

A few minutes later, Christana entered, carrying even more documents. She noticed his fatigued expression and suggested with a gentle smile, "The market has some fresh apples with honey. Let’s take a break and grab a few for the kids—and ourselves."

Falkor glanced at her, smiling faintly while still skimming through a report. "That sounds like a good idea. I could use a break."

As Christana returned his smile, she added, "With the noble removed from the chain of authority, the weight of responsibility falls on your shoulders now."

Falkor sighed and nodded. "I know. But Chrisa, have you had any luck finding Tyva? Yufs’s daughter?"

Christana shook her head. "We’ve confirmed she hasn’t left the city, but we haven’t found her yet. We're still searching."

Falkor stood, stretching his tired limbs, and mused, "She’s smart enough to avoid unnecessary danger, especially now, when every lad is busy in the city. Let's—"

Suddenly, a tapping noise interrupted him. Both Falkor and Christana turned towards the window. Christana walked over, opening it to allow the owl to fly in.

Christana reached out to take the letter, but the owl flitted away from her grasp, squawking, "You're not Falkor! You're not Falkor!"

Startled, Christana stepped back as the owl darted toward Falkor’s office. The bird fixed its gaze on him, asking, "Falkor's the priest?"

Falkor nodded with a slight chuckle as the owl handed him the letter. He gave the owl a golden coin, and it swiftly flew back to the window, proudly announcing, "I delivered it to Falkor! I delivered it to Falkor!"

Opening the letter, Falkor read aloud: *"Falkor, I've located Yufs' daughter. She wants to travel to Giraf village to reunite with her mother and has paid me generously for assistance. Just thought you'd want to know, in case you were searching for her."

A smile spread across Falkor’s face as he handed the letter to Christana. "Looks like our search is over," he remarked, his voice lighter. "Now, I really want that apple."

Back at the city gate, Yory rode alongside Joe in the cart, while Tyva and Lana were hidden out of sight. A knight nearby spotted Yory and called out teasingly, "Leaving the city already, demon?"

Yory grinned wickedly, replying, "Yes, you filthy human."

Laughter echoed between Yory, Joe, and the surrounding knights. The knight added with a grin, "Yory and Joe, if you ever come back, promise me you'll try Sifra—the best soup in the city, made by my wife’s own hands."

Joe flashed a broad smile, replying, "We promise. Your place will be our first stop."

The knight beamed and shouted, "Move out, lads! The world’s waiting for you."

As Boris set the cart in motion, the knights waved and whistled at Yory and Joe, who waved back, appreciating the lighthearted camaraderie.

An hour later, Yory turned around and said, "Alright, you can come out now. It’s just us."

Tyva and Lana peered out from their hiding spot, and Joe reassured them, "Feel free to play or grab something to eat. Relax until we reach Giraf village."

Tyva clasped Lana’s hand, her voice filled with gratitude. "Lana, you're the reason I'm leaving the city. Thank you so much."

Lana beamed and nodded. Tyva, with a smile, took out a beautiful necklace and gently placed it around Lana's neck. "You're my first real friend," she said softly. "I hope we have a long and wonderful friendship."

Lana’s face brightened with joy as she hugged Tyva, who eagerly returned the embrace. Both girls shared a rare moment of genuine friendship, a stark contrast to the often shallow world of nobility.

The rest of the journey passed pleasantly as Tyva and Lana played games together in the cart, their laughter filling the air.

As the night settled in, Yory and Joe set up a modest camp. The fire crackled warmly, sending up the rich aroma of a fragrant soup filled with herbs and tender chunks of meat.

Joe glanced at Yory and remarked, "Lana's only three. She needs more than just meat to grow strong. We should be making her something more balanced."

Yory grinned, replying, "Joe, the responsible big brother. I get the feeling this isn’t your first time taking care of a kid."

Joe nodded, explaining, "I have a younger brother and sister. I had to look after them when we were younger. My brother grew into a fine man, but my sister... she went from a sweet girl to a spoiled brat."

Joe handed Yory a plate of soup, which he gratefully accepted. Yory then shared, "I’ve got plenty of siblings myself. Most of them turned out to be admirable men and women—except one. But I’m proud of the rest."

Joe looked at him sincerely. "I hope the best for them—and for us. Life’s tough, and it only gets harder. So, I wish health and prosperity to everyone we care about in this land."

Yory raised his plate, with Tyva and Lana following suit, and proposed, "Cheers to good food and great company."

Joe smiled and added, "Cheers!"

As they dug into the meal, Tyva suddenly stopped, staring at her plate. Lana noticed, gently taking her hand. Tyva looked at Lana, her face breaking into a big smile. "It’s delicious! Thank you, Joe!"

Joe beamed. "Eat up, there’s plenty more where that came from."

Once their meal was finished, Lana and Tyva quickly drifted off to sleep in the cart. Joe and Yory opted to sleep outside, wrapping themselves in blankets. Even though it was summer, a cool breeze whispered through the air, signalling the nearing of autumn.

In the quiet hours of the night, Tyva silently slipped out of the cart and headed towards the woods.

Joe stirred and, gripping his dagger tightly, alerted Yory, "Did you hear that, Yory? The little girl went into the woods."

Yory, with his warrior's instinct before his merchant’s mindset, was already awake. He knew the importance of staying alert; in their line of work, it could be the difference between life and death. Rising quietly, he replied, "I'll check it out. She’s my client, after all. Go back to sleep, Joe."

Joe nodded, lying back down with his dagger close, while Yory ventured into the dark woods, guided by the faint sound of rustling leaves.

After a while, Yory spotted Tyva perched on a tree branch, tears streaming down her face as she stared at the moon.

He approached slowly, careful not to startle her. Tyva glanced briefly at Yory before turning her gaze back to the moon, trying to wipe away her tears.

When he reached her, Yory sat down on the same branch, his eyes also fixed on the moon. He offered, "Crying here won’t change anything, and it won’t help if a wolf decides to make a meal out of you."

Tyva glanced at him, her tears slowing. "If I die, I guess it’s an easy payday for you," she muttered with a hint of bitterness.

Yory shook his head, smiling softly. "As a merchant, failing to fulfil my promises is the worst thing I can do. It’s a matter of pride, not just as a merchant, but as a warrior too."

Tyva nodded, beginning to understand. Yory added after a pause, "You’re a good girl, Tyva. You should go back to your mother and live a good life with whatever your father left for you."

Tyva’s tears flowed again, but this time they came with words she had been holding back. "My mother didn’t leave my father by choice. She found out about his secret. She tried to save him, but he wouldn’t let her, and he... cast her out of the city."

Yory remained silent, allowing Tyva’s pain to linger in the air. He didn’t press her for details. Instead, he nodded thoughtfully, realizing there was more to her situation than just a desperate escape.

Yory gazed at Tyva, who continued wiping away the tears that seemed endless. She sniffled softly and spoke through her sadness, "I just wanted a home where I could hug them, laugh with them, and live happily... not spend my days alone in a grand castle, without my mother or a single friend. Just cold walls and fancy, tasteless food."

Yory turned to her with a thoughtful expression and remarked, "I used to be a noble too and trust me, the food tasted just as bland. Maybe it’s because I wasn’t happy with my life either... or maybe the chef really was lousy at his job."

Tyva let out a soft laugh, finally breaking through her sorrow, as she wiped more tears from her face. Yory offered a little more comfort. "You’re still young. You’ll overcome this, and one day, you’ll grow into a fine woman. What your father did is his burden to carry, not yours. There’s nothing you can do but accept reality and move forward."

Tyva nodded, a faint but genuine smile forming on her lips. "Thank you for your kind words, Yory."

Yory smiled back, then, in a playful tone, added, "Hey, you paid for top-tier service, and I even threw in some wisdom for free, little brat."

Tyva grinned, her spirits lifted and then asked, her tone more serious, "It’s definitely good service, Yory. But can I ask you something? And please... be honest. What will the ghouls do to my father?"

Yory met Tyva's gaze and answered honestly, "The families of the ghouls your father and Gyv killed in the past will subject them to the most gruesome torture imaginable. This could include things like cutting out their tongues and other unspeakable acts... until they beg for their own deaths. At that point, the ghouls will grant their wish and end their lives, but not without prolonged suffering. By now, they're likely no longer alive."

Tyva took a deep breath, nodding slowly as she processed the grim truth. "Thank you for being honest. It’s horrible... but what they did to others before was even worse."

Yory sighed and stood, offering his hand to help her down from the branch. "Come on, let's head back. I’m exhausted from chasing after a spoiled little noble brat."

Tyva chuckled, the weight of the moment easing slightly. "You look like you’re the one about to starve to death."

Yory laughed, shaking his head. "Now you’re making jokes? I should’ve left you crying up here all night!"

They both shared a laugh, the tension between them dissolving. Yory glanced at Tyva with a warm, genuine smile. "Starting tomorrow, focus only on yourself, your friends, and your mother. Let the ugly memories sink into the past, where they belong."

Tyva nodded, her spirits feeling lighter. Yory added with a playful grin, "And if you ever end up marrying some noble, don’t forget me when I show up at your doorstep, begging for a little coin!"

Tyva laughed again, this time with joy untainted by sorrow or regret. "I’ll never forget you, Yory!" she promised, her smile brighter than before.