"Joe... I will accept whatever you decide, son."

Joe awoke to those words, scratching his arms and head. Despite having slept for a long time, he still felt tired, memories flooding back as he prepared for the day ahead.

Leaving the inn, he made his way towards the centre of the capital, where the towering buildings loomed protectively, their architecture captivating even though Joe had visited the capital many times before.

Taking a seat near the garden, Joe stared at the ground, trying to shake off the memories that threatened to overwhelm him and darken his mood.

After ten minutes, a young man Joe had met the day before approached him and bowed his head apologetically. "Sorry for being late; I was..."

"No need," Joe interrupted him. "In my line of work, being late is better than ending up dead in some alley."

The young man smiled as he spoke. "Ready to go now?"

Joe nodded. "Yes."

As they walked towards the south entrance of the capital, the young man remarked, "It's quite a trek just to travel across this capital."

Joe agreed. "Yes, it's a large capital, larger than any other human kingdom on this continent."

The young man nodded, then asked curiously, "You mentioned you're meeting a friend here. Tell me about him. Last time we met, you didn't have time to talk."

"Sorry about that," Joe replied, keeping his gaze fixed on the entrance. "I was tired, annoyed, ran into an old friend I wanted to confront, and ended up tangling with his daughter instead. It was quite the ordeal."

The young man nodded thoughtfully. "Of course, you have a life to live. No need to apologize. I've got your back, and you've got mine."

Joe continued, "This friend of mine is a bit eccentric, so don't prod too much or ask unnecessary or disrespectful questions. He'll gladly put you in your place if you get on his nerves. Alright, Jogo?"

Jogo nodded in agreement. "Of course, you know me. I keep quiet unless it's necessary."

Joe added, "And he's also a demon, so don't be surprised or anything."

Jogo smiled knowingly. "I already know that. I've gathered plenty of information already."

Joe's gaze shifted from the entrance towards Jogo, a serious expression on his face, silently probing how Jogo had come to know without needing to ask.

Understanding Joe's unspoken question, Jogo responded, "During the ghoul attack, there were rumours about two merchants who fought bravely. While not much was said about the demon, one name stood out— the Honest One, you."

Joe listened intently as Jogo continued, "It brought some pride to your father to see you reclaim your honour and reputation in such a significant way."

Joe sighed mockingly before returning his attention to the entrance. Jogo then suggested, "Want to climb the walls? We can spot your friend from afar up there, plus it's a great view."

Joe glanced at the numerous guards on the walls and around them, hesitating, "They won't let us through, we..."

Jogo interrupted confidently, "Brother, they will let us."

Joe sighed and gestured with his hand, "Alright, you go ahead."

Jogo nodded, confidently approaching the leader and engaging in conversation. Joe observed from a distance, waiting until Jogo signalled him to join.

Soon, they were atop the wall. Jogo glanced at Joe and asked, "Aren't you afraid of heights?"

Joe shook his head, eyes fixed on the bustling activity below with carriages and merchants coming and going through the southern entrance. "Life on the road takes a toll on a merchant. Somewhere along the way, I lost the ability to fear many things."

Jogo nodded thoughtfully, then turned to Joe with a serious question, "Have you killed people? I mean... do you carry regrets for someone you've killed?"

Joe looked at Jogo, his expression gloomy and weary. He admitted, "I regret hurting that guy in Cerulea City, breaking his knees........ And then there was the woman I punched not long ago............ and huh........killing that young goblin in Daekrahm City... it's something I can't shake off."

Jogo nodded, understanding Joe's troubled feelings, and asked, "But why? Were they evil? I know you wouldn't hurt a woman unless provoked. Why did you do it?"

"I don't know," Joe replied irritably. "It just put me in a bad mood those days, so please stop with the questions."

Jogo nodded understandingly. "Of course, but know that your father is proud of you. Just wanted you to know that."

Joe chuckled bitterly. "He wouldn't even look at me. Let's not stretch it to 'proud'. He might be satisfied that I got tangled up with the ghouls."

Jogo hesitated, sensing Joe's mood, and wisely chose to remain silent rather than risk upsetting him further.

The two looked at the road. Jogo was waiting for Yory, Joe's friend, a demon Joe had spoken highly of. Meanwhile, Joe was lost in thoughts of what he remembered as the worst years of his life.

Back at Gostave's house, Jeffrey, Rhothomir, and Bot were meeting.

Jeffrey sighed, "What is your proposal? I'm listening."

Bot smiled and began explaining, "This region is poor, mismanaged, and poorly structured due to that noble family, Zafa and Zok, who perished during the village's dark night. The kingdom will send another noble family to take over, but they aren't known for their benevolence. Yet, the region can't stay unorganized."

Jeffrey nodded as Bot continued, "That's where you come in. This region needs a hometown hero, someone who understands its people's struggles, someone they recognize. You, Jeffrey Gostave, are that hero. You've saved Rhothomir, rescued many members of different noble families, and earned the support of those who want to help you gain power, or at least stay on your good side in times of need. Do you understand?"

Jeffrey was lost in thoughts about all the people he had helped and saved during the war, but the memory of not being able to save Edmund haunted him constantly. He turned to Bot and voiced his concerns, "But governing a region requires a noble, I'm just a commoner."

Bot nodded solemnly, his expression grave as he prepared to broach the toughest part of the proposition. He looked directly at Jeffrey and said, "Marrying a noblewoman—my daughter, Evangeline."

Jeffrey's eyes widened in disbelief, his face reddening with anger. He snapped at Bot with a furious voice, "DO YOU SEE ME AS SOME LOWLY FILTH IN FRONT OF YOU!?"

Turning to Rhothomir, Jeffrey shouted, "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU, RHOTHOMIR!? I LET YOU INTO MY DAMN HOUSE AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY ME!?"

Jeffrey threw his cup aside and stood up, clutching his purple arm in agitation. He yelled, "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE, BOTH OF YOU!"

Rhothomir rose from his seat, but Bot restrained him firmly, sitting him back down. Bot fixed Jeffrey with an intense gaze and commanded, "Sit down, Jeffrey. We're not finished talking."

Jeffrey, consumed by anger, grabbed the table with one hand and flipped it over, roaring, "I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY! LEAVE!"

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Bot stood up, his face flushed with frustration. He shouted back at Jeffrey, "AN ENTIRE REGION RESTS ON YOUR SHOULDERS, AND YOU YELL IN MY FACE! DAMN YOUR STUBBORNNESS!"

Jeffrey stormed away, still seething. "LEAVE MY HOUSE!"

Bot followed after him, shouting determinedly, "NO! YOU WILL HEAR WHAT I HAVE TO SAY!"

Rhothomir intervened, placing himself between them to prevent a physical altercation, but the barrage of curses and shouts rang loudly in his ears, drowning out reason.

After calming down, all three men sat in tense silence. Bot broke the silence, speaking gravely, "The noble family that desires this region, the Missandei family, are merchants at heart. Money comes before anything else to them. They'll develop cities and markets, but it will come at a cost—they'll exploit everything: your labour, your resources, your livelihood. They won't hesitate if they see prosperity for themselves."

Jeffrey looked directly at Bot and asked, "Why me? What makes me so crucial that you need me to marry your daughter?"

Bot sighed heavily, his professional demeanour gone as he regarded Jeffrey seriously. "My daughter, Evangeline, is now 30. No one wants to marry her. Her reputation for being arrogant and mischievous has scared off potential suitors, and those who did propose were only after her wealth as my daughter. Then we heard a troubling rumour—that the king intends to propose to my daughter."

Jeffrey was taken aback, glancing between Rhothomir and Bot in disbelief. "The king? Ralondo, our king?"

Bot's bitter chuckle cut through the tension. "Yes, there's talk that he wishes to marry my daughter. He'll propose after he's finished managing the kingdom in this hard time after the war with Arguand........... I can't allow that."

Jeffrey observed Bot, now a stark contrast from the composed man who had entered his house earlier. The smiles, confidence, and casual demeanour had vanished, replaced by a man who seemed to await his own impending execution.

Turning to Rhothomir for answers, Jeffrey pressed on, "But why? Marrying the king would practically make you royalty. You'd gain authority and..."

"I DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT THAT!" Bot erupted in anger, his forceful response silenced Jeffrey and surprised Rhothomir. Bot continued, struggling to contain his emotions. "I don't care about money. I have it. I... I..."

Bot's eyes welled with tears, which he wiped away before speaking with heartfelt emotion, "I... I have only one daughter. She was the world of my wife. My wife passed away with one wish: to see her loved and protected. That's all."

Jeffrey stared at Bot, taken aback by the sudden intensity. Bot rose from his seat, grasped Jeffrey's hand tightly, and pleaded, "Please, I'll give you money, I'll give you my life if necessary. I'll cut off my own arm or bury myself in a hole and rot away, just please protect my daughter!"

Rhothomir comforted Bot with a reassuring pat on the back, while Jeffrey questioned, "Why not the king?"

Bot lowered his head, tears falling to the ground as he spoke, "King Ralondo... I don't trust him. His face, his demeanour, the way he speaks... his smile, his manners... they're too perfect, Jeffrey. Too perfect. No one has such an impeccable aura about them... I don't even think he's human!"

Jeffrey looked at Bot, who continued to shed tears. "I've never trusted him. His wife died shortly after delivering Prince Riyo. Now he's seeking a wife, and rumours say he wants my daughter. I don't care what it takes; I just need him away from my little girl. That's all!"

Jeffrey stared at the ground, conflicted. His heart urged him to secure a better life for his region, friends, and everyone he cared for, yet his mind debated whether to throw Rhothomir and Bot out and live out his days with his son.

Jeffrey's mind drifted to thoughts of Beatrice, recalling her cooking as he sat there watching. Just the memory of her brought a smile to his face, and he gently touched his chest, feeling warmth from the recollection.

"Jeffrey?"

Rhothomir's voice snapped Jeffrey back to reality. He glanced at Bot and responded, "I need to ask my son."

Bot frowned upon hearing Jeffrey's answer and retorted, "Your son is young. What wisdom can a child offer us?"

"I don't care," Jeffrey replied calmly. "My son will tell me what to do. If he isn't happy with my choice, then what's the meaning of all this?"

Bot prepared to respond, but Rhothomir intervened, saying, "Uncle, I think we've pushed him enough."

Bot remained silent, and Rhothomir turned to Jeffrey, offering his support. "I hope you choose what makes you happy with yourself, my friend."

Jeffrey stood up and embraced Rhothomir, who returned the hug carefully, mindful of Jeffrey's broken arm. Jeffrey spoke while lightly tapping Rhothomir's back, "Sorry for flipping the table. I..."

"It's alright," Rhothomir reassured him. "Friend, it's alright. I'm here. You can be upset as much as you like. I've got your back."

After Bot and Rhothomir departed for the nearest city to rest, Jeffrey remained seated in his chair, lost in thought. He muttered to himself, "Joe will be back tomorrow. It's only been two days, but I already miss that kid. I hope he returns soon. It's lonely without him."

Jeffrey glanced at his purple arm, still devoid of sensation. Tomorrow morning, a group of nuns would arrive, as Rhothomir had mentioned.

He noticed the tea stains on the floor, reminders of his outburst when he had flipped the table in anger. Retrieving a cloth from the kitchen, he knelt down and began to wipe away the traces. Tiredly smiling to himself, he murmured, "I miss you more than anything. I hope you're at peace. I... I miss you more than anything."

Covering his face with his hand, Jeffrey began to cry silently in his empty house.

The next morning, Joe returned to the village, greeting Urien as he entered. Covered in dirt and sweat, he trudged wearily toward his house. Along the way, he noticed two carriages and thought to himself, "Just like the ones at the temple where I delivered some spices for them. Finally, the nuns have arrived."

When Joe reached his house and opened the door, he was met by a nun walking out. Startled, he quickly bowed his head. The nun smiled, nodding as she said, "Your father is alright. Take care of him."

Joe nodded and closed the door behind him. The nun walked to her carriage, waiting for the other nuns who were using healing magic to tend to the war's injured.

At Gostave's house, Joe walked to his parents' bedroom and knocked softly. "Father?"

"Oohh! Son, come in!"

Joe entered and found his father lying in bed, his arm back to normal. Jeffrey opened his arms, and Joe embraced him tightly. "I missed you, big guy! Where did you go?"

After a quick bath, Joe sat down with his father to eat. He then placed a purse full of coins on the table beside Jeffrey, who smiled warmly. "You've worked hard. What are your plans for all this?"

Joe pushed the purse toward Jeffrey, who paused in his meal, looking puzzled. "Son?"

Joe glanced down at the table. "I want to support our family, and it's just the two of us now..."

Jeffrey remained silent as Joe continued, "And Lyra too—she lost Edmund. If the kingdom doesn't send her the monthly payment, she'll be hopeless. The other women in our village who lost their husbands have families to support them. Lyra doesn't have anyone besides her daughter."

Jeffrey nodded thoughtfully. "You've grown into a man faster than I expected. This is your money, and you should decide what to do with it."

Joe then asked, "Do you have something you want to ask me?"

Jeffrey was taken aback, looking at Joe with surprise as he continued, "When you have that expression on your face, it usually means you have something to ask but aren't sure how or when to ask it. You can ask me anything, regardless."

Jeffrey smiled gently, setting the soup aside. "Son, a noble approached me today. He suggested I could help this region, perhaps even become a noble myself and lead. But it comes at a steep cost—a cost I need you to decide if it's too much."

Joe nodded attentively, meeting Jeffrey's gaze as he spoke further. "He wants me to marry his daughter, Evangeline, I believe her name is. My heart urges me to help our friends, but my mind tells me to turn him away the next time he visits. What do you think, Joe?"

Joe looked at Jeffrey and, for the first time, saw a smile he had never seen before. It wasn't a smile of tiredness, anger, or regret—it was a lost smile. Jeffrey seemed lost, and in that moment, Joe realized that he was his father's anchor, the guiding path Jeffrey needed, the path he knew to be right. A father and a son, navigating their way together.

At the present moment, Joe was smiling as he looked into the distance between merchant carts. He saw Boris dragging a cart, with Yory and Lana talking and laughing together.

Joe let out a small laugh, which Jogo noticed and asked, "You saw him? Which one?"

Joe smiled and pointed with his arm while pulling Jogo closer. "That pale one, who looks like he's about to die."

Jogo nodded as he observed Yory and Lana, thinking to himself, "He looks weak, yet with my speciality, he is dangerous or at least has an air of intimidation."

Over by Yory's cart, Lana was thrilled, her eyes fixed on the towering walls, "Yory! Walls, walls!"

Yory nodded, gently patting Lana's head. "Yes, wait until you see the inside."

Lana hugged him from behind, her eyes fixed on the walls and the grand gates that enhanced their beauty.

Reflecting to himself, Yory thought, "I've been to this place before, but always directly to the castle. Now, as a mere merchant, I'll cherish this moment with Lana."

As they approached the entrance, knights began inspecting the carriage, while a golden-armoured knight engaged with Yory in a conversation. Meanwhile, Lana bounced in the cart, clinging to Yory with excitement.

The golden knight smiled warmly. "Your daughter seems quite thrilled."

Yory returned the smile. "Yes, indeed, she truly is."

The golden knight smiled and signalled to the others to let Yory pass. She turned to him and nodded, "Welcome to the capital, dear merchant."

Yory nodded in acknowledgement as he passed through the gates. Lana's eyes widened with wonder as she took in the bustling scene: the towers, shops, carts, wizards and witches, lizard people, and adventurers. She hugged Yory tightly, laughing and jumping with excitement.

"YORY! LANA!"

Both Lana and Yory stopped the cart at the sound of a familiar voice. Yory dismounted and helped Lana down, both turning to see Joe and a young man walking toward them.

Lana ran excitedly towards Joe, leaping into his arms. He smiled widely. "Big girl, I missed you!"

Lana beamed with happiness. "I missed you too! Joe, where were you?"

Joe chuckled. "Here and there, I was everywhere!"

Joe began tickling Lana, making her laugh as she played with his small beard and hair.

At that moment, Jeffrey patted young Joe's shoulders and said with a smile, "Joe... I will accept whatever you decide, son."

Young Joe nodded thoughtfully, beginning to ponder as Jeffrey stood by, smiling and ruffling Joe's hair.

Yory approached and embraced Joe, who hugged him back as they patted each other’s backs.

Young Joe looked up at Jeffrey, gripping his beard, and said earnestly, "Father..."

Lana, curious, glanced at the young man beside Joe and asked, "Joe, who is this guy?"

Joe smiled, holding Lana in his arms. "This is my younger brother, Jogo Gostave," he said warmly.