After six months, Goven village, as it was formerly known, had expanded into a major city. Jeffrey's financial aid helped to rehabilitate the cave near the village.

Wizards now worked within, using magic to keep the walls strong throughout mining operations, a safety measure that had saved countless lives.

Cox continued to work as a blacksmith with his son Tyka and Tyka's son Ola, who had joined the family business.

Cox, although being older and slower than his son, patiently taught his grandson the foundations and methods of the trade. He kept working as hard as he could, determined not to let rust hold him back again.

At another house in Goven city, Safle was also satisfied as she cooked lunch for her husband, Ogilvy, who was still working in the mines. Safle felt relief with the new safety precautions at the mines.

After finishing, she sat in a chair and reread a letter from her son, which she had previously read four times, anxiously anticipating Ogilvy's return so she could share it with him.

When Ogilvy returned, Safle greeted him with a hearty hug. He grinned and said, "Honey, you seem really cheerful today. Has something happened?"

Safle quickly gave him the letter. Ogilvy began reading aloud: "Father and Mother, I am presently working as a knight in Eldoria City. Uncle Jeffrey assisted me in finding work, but I must continue to work hard to maintain my position. Everything is going fine..."

Ogilvy's eyes lit up when his eyes read the final part of the letter, and Safle encouraged him, "Come on, keep going! Read the best part!"

Ogilvy's voice was filled with enthusiasm as he read the final lines, "I’m also bringing a wonderful woman I’d love for you to meet!"

Safle shrieked with happiness as she sprang into Ogilvy's arms. He embraced her heartily, and both of them were overjoyed that their son had matured and was bringing a woman home.

Ebe arrived at Lyra's house and saw her mother finely dressed. Lyra embraced her with a warm hug. Ebe beamed and added, "You look stunning, Mother."

Lyra tightened her hug and said, "Thank you! I love this dress!"

Ebe then said, "Mother, I have sent you several clothes. Why did you pick this one?"

Lyra kissed Ebe's forehead, whispering, "Because this was the first one."

Ebe grinned as she walked into the kitchen, boldly proclaiming, "Just sit back, and I'll cook something you've never tasted before!"

Lyra playfully joined her, and Ebe said, "Mother?"

Lyra greeted Ebe kindly and responded, "Together, as always."

In another tale, Kaelen's store and house had been taken over by a new ghoul healer who had moved in and made it his home. He took excellent care of Kaelen's books and notes, which proved to be a crucial resource in his work.

As Goven grew year after year, more people moved there, leading to the creation of new stores, the arrival of doctors eager to establish their reputations, and merchants starting their businesses.

The city was rapidly growing into a bustling metropolis, but for the time being, it was still known simply as Goven, a small city in the Gostave region.

Eldoria City erupted in jubilation as King Ralondo visited Jeffrey, staying for a few days to appreciate the towns and villages he had governed.

Ralondo's small kid, Riyo, sat peacefully by his father, smiling as he welcomed people and took in the sights of the city.

This was the moment Jeffrey cemented his status among the nobles. The other noble families were offended by the king's visit to the territory of a commoner who became a noble. They couldn't ignore Jeffrey's growing influence and authority, which was backed by strong supporters. As a result, more aristocratic families began to consider him a possible ally.

Following the visit, King Ralondo addressed the audience, stating, "People of our kingdom, I am pleased for many reasons! Your happiness, Jeffrey as your leader, and the growing cities and villages. I am glad to see you prospering and content. Though I must depart today, know that Jeffrey Gostave's magnificent example will inspire the entire kingdom!"

As the throng shouted, King Ralondo shook Jeffrey's hand before entering his carriage for the return journey to the city. Jeffrey looked across to Evangeline, who was beaming and clapping her hands.

The monarch then turned to his son, Riyo, who was cuddling Jogo. They both grinned and patted each other. Jogo responded, "Riyo, will we ever be able to play together again?"

Riyo smirked mischievously and said, "I'll sneak out of the capital and come back here!"

Jogo grinned and replied, "Me, too! I'll run to meet you, my friend!"

They embraced warmly before Riyo entered the carriage. Jeffrey then turned to Riyo and stated, "There's no need to run, prince."

Riyo was taken aback and said, "You heard us! As your prince, I tell you to ignore what you have heard!"

Jeffrey grinned and crouched alongside Riyo, adding, "You are welcome to play with Jogo at any time. I am sending him to the capital with you to study."

Riyo looked to his father, who nodded in agreement, before returning to Jeffrey and saying, "Thank you, sir!"

Jeffrey nodded and added, "Just take care of my son, Prince Riyo."

Riyo responded, "Of course! He is like a brother to me."

"My brother! My brother! My brother! "My brother!"

"Brother!"

Joe woke up as bottles of wine fell to the ground. Blinking groggily, he asked Jogo, "Little brother? W...what time is it?"

With a mournful smile, Jogo said, "It's noon, brother. "You need to get up and clean up."

Joe waved dismissively and replied, "Yes, yes, I'll get up in an hour."

Jogo lowered his head and apologized, "Sorry brother, but I need to go to school."

Joe, astonished, said, "School? "But you are still..."

"I'm six, brother," Jogo interrupted. "I need to start studying and set a good example for Father and our family."

Joe wiped his eyes, attempting to digest Jogo's comments. He then said, "Be careful. They may bully you and..."

"They won't," Jogo said with a bold smile. "I'm a noble, after all, born into a noble family. I will be fine!"

Joe reached out to stroke Jogo's head but instantly pulled back, smelling by the aroma of alcohol in his hands. He then said, "Do what makes you happy, Jogo. If you need anything, I’m here for you."

Jogo grinned and sat next to Joe, taking his hand despite the scent. "Let me assist you, brother. I've always needed you; why won't you let me help you now?"

Joe shook his head and turned away. "You can't. I apologize, but..."

Jogo looked at Joe, who had black bags under his eyes, unkempt hair, and clothing that smelled like booze. Joe's savings throughout the years had been spent on booze and sleep, leaving him with little of what he previously had.

Jogo rose up with a defeated sigh, saying, "Father is disappointed, Mother is worried about you, and..."

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"I don't care," Joe said angrily. "Curse that man, and Urien......... all the nobility, and my father again while you're at it."

Jogo was silent for a time before adding, "Ilana is sleeping right now, but she really wants to see you. Even at just two years old, she keeps yelling, 'Jo Jo!'"

Joe said disinterestedly, "No, she is calling for you, not me. What could she possibly like about a drunk like me?"

Jogo glanced at Joe and nodded, thinking, "I know you still have a good heart." As Ilana calls for you, I am calling for you too, brother."

In the domain of nobility, unwritten standards mandate respect depending on one's aristocratic pedigree. Jogo and his sister, born into an aristocratic family, were treated with the respect that comes with their station. Joe, who did not come from an aristocratic family, did not receive the same level of respect.

As Jeffrey's influence and authority rose, it became increasingly difficult for anyone to intimidate or mistreat Jogo and his sister.

Jogo set out for school in the capital, a long voyage organized by Jeffrey to expose him to the hardships of travel while also teaching him crucial lessons.

On the other side, Joe had become a laughingstock among the nobles. His image as a drunken wastrel who wasted his money on pubs and gambling brought him shame and tarnished the Gostave name.

Jeffrey had given up hope after hearing reports about Joe getting into fights, gambling, speaking poorly of him in public, drinking excessively, and causing turmoil. Every time Jeffrey glanced at his kid, he thought of Beatrice and how devastated she must have been to see Joe in such a state.

Attempts to contact Joe were hopeless; discussions seemed like talking to a wall.

Despite this, Evangeline refused to give up. She continued to attempt to connect with Joe, and while he occasionally responded and even smiled, she was never able to fully touch his heart.

In Cerulea City, an adventurer with light armour and white short hair entered the guild and went immediately to the master's office.

After entering the guild, the adventurer sat in a chair and asked, "How much are you willing to pay for this information?"

Joe had showered at Gostave's residence before going straight to Ilana's chamber, where he saw her playing with Ebe.

When Ebe spotted Joe, her grin disappeared. She asked, "Noble Joe? Agatha said..."

Joe dismissed her, saying, "I don't care what she said. I'm here to spend time with my younger sister."

At that point, Agatha entered and stated, irritated and commandingly, "Joe, leave Ilana alone for now. We're going to a party, and she should get ready."

Joe turned to Agatha, irritated, and stated, "She missed me, and I'm here to play with her. No need for the extra bullshit, Agatha."

Agatha grimaced angrily as she moved by Joe to pick up Ilana. She attempted to flee while holding her in her arms when Ilana began chanting joyfully, "Jo! Jo! Jo!"

Agatha smiled and replied, "Yes, sweetheart, but we need to go to Mama now."

Ilana, still staring at Joe and shaking her hands playfully, said, "Jo! Jo! Jo!"

Joe approached Agatha and grabbed Ilana out of her arms. He lifted her up and shouted, "Sister! Would you like to play with me?"

Ilana clapped her hands before grabbing Joe's face and pulling on his ears. Joe grinned and began walking away with her. Agatha yelled after him forcefully, "One hour, Joe!"

Joe mocked her and responded, "Or what? "Send Urien?"

Agatha's cheeks flushed with rage as Joe shut the door behind him. Ebe went to Agatha and said, "Ilana wants to play, so let her have an hour. I'll get her ready shortly after."

Agatha nodded and said, "Of course, Ebe. Good work, as always."

Joe was playing with Ilana in the garden. Ilana smiled heartily as she selected flowers and put them into Joe's untidy hair. She grabbed his nose and said, "Jo! Jo!"

Joe grinned and said, "They want you to attend their awful parties. You are a thousand times better here."

As they were playing, Ilana spotted Evangeline arriving. She pointed at her mother and said, "Jo! Fly! Jojo!"

Joe nodded, putting Ilana on his shoulders and sprinting towards Evangeline. Ilana raised her hands in joy as if she were flying.

Evangeline grinned as she hoisted Ilana from Joe's shoulders into the air. Ilana smiled as she hugged her mother.

Joe took a step back and added, "You're going to a party, so be careful."

Evangeline agreed, "Yes, but there's nothing to worry about. And you, Joe? What are you planning to do?"

"Probably drink," Joe responded. "I'm heading out now."

Evangeline nodded sadly and stated, "Jeffrey took all your money."

Joe glanced at her unconcernedly and replied, "I knew that jerk would do something like this, but I don't care."

Evangeline reached out to pat Joe's head, but he backed away, terrified of her touch. He turned aside and muttered, "I'll simply drink on the Gostave house's tab. He'll end up paying for it regardless."

Evangeline nodded and started walking away, then paused and added, "If you want to talk, let me know."

Joe nodded and said, "I'll let you know if there's anything to say."

As Evangeline walked into the house to prepare herself and Ilana for the celebration, Joe talked in a raised voice, his voice tense, "Please!"

Evangeline turned to face Joe, who was avoiding her. He said, "Please protect her. Do not let the nobles corrupt her. They did not obtain Jogo, but who knows what could happen? Please take care."

Evangeline smiled and said, "Of course, son."

Soon after, Evangeline, Ebe, Ilana, and Agatha entered the carriage, joined by six knights. A wizard then utilized teleportation magic to bring them to Roxana, where they would join the noble party.

That night, Joe lurched into the mansion, inebriated, carrying a bottle of wine in one hand and a half-filled bottle in the other. When Jeffrey appeared, he took a leisurely walk toward his room.

Joe cast a fleeting glance at Jeffrey as he walked past. Jeffrey, clearly frustrated, called out, “Joe, we need to talk.”

"About the money?" Joe responded, his voice heavy with disdain. "The damn money I worked so hard for? You may keep it. Is that all?"

Jeffrey stood motionless as Joe strolled past him on his way to his room. Joe went on, "So there's nothing to talk about."

Jeffrey remained silent as Joe slammed the door behind him. Joe sat down on a chair and placed the bottles beside him. Joe muttered to himself, "I haven't seen him in a long time. We used to talk every day, but now? I can't stand to look at his face."

Joe kept drinking, realizing it was the only time his thoughts stopped racing. He only had moments of calm when he wasn't thinking; regrettably, this tranquillity came from alcohol, the one approach he had discovered to be somewhat efficient.

Six months later, Joe fell on the floor of his room, blood pouring from his lips and some drops on the ground.

Jeffrey stood over Joe with his fists covered in blood. For the first time in his life, Jeffrey hit Joe, who began spitting blood as he attempted to get up.

In a burst of wrath, Jeffrey said, "YOU DAMN FOOL! This kid was a foreign noble, and you disrespected him!"

Drunk, Joe grinned as he stood up, mimicking his father's fury. After spewing out another mouthful of blood, he growled, "That little shit was just annoying, so I gave him a piece of my mind."

Jeffrey enraged, exclaimed, "HE'S A DAMN NOBLE, JOE! How did I end up with a son like you?"

Joe looked at him and laughed louder. In a rage, Jeffrey grabbed him and pushed him against the wall, trapping him in place. "Why are you laughing? "Have you lost your mind?!"

Joe smiled as he told Jeffrey, "I suddenly recalled an old man with a damaged arm. His son worked hard to feed him, and now the same elderly guy is furious and indignant. How adorable!"

Jeffrey fell silent, remembering the young Joe, who had previously worked valiantly to help them. He then glanced at the current Joe, seeing just a hollow, alcoholic guy who had tainted his family's reputation. Jeffrey clenched his teeth in rage and said, "That son wasn't you, and that old man isn't me. You are a mistake—an old wound I didn't realize existed. You're a nasty finale for a wonderful kid I used to know. You are not my son, and you will never be that kid again. Now get the hell out of my sight, you useless piece of shit!"

Joe smirked mockingly as Jeffrey let him go, spitting on the ground as he prepared to respond. Just then, Evangeline stormed into the room, her eyes filled with horror. "JEFFREY! What in the hell did you do?!"

Ignoring her, Jeffrey strode out of the chamber. Evangeline, frantic, yelled out, "Ebe! Get me a healer!"

Soon, the healer came and began caring for Joe, who took a sip of wine and shouted, "Just leave me alone. I am fine."

The healer looked at Ebe, who shook her head, indicating that there was no reason to pursue a drunk guy.

Evangeline struck Jeffrey across the face in an angry outburst at his office. Staring at him, she said, "HE IS OUR SON! How could you do this?!"

Jeffrey shot back, “THAT ASSHOLE DISRESPECTED A DAMN ELF NOBLE! HE CAME FROM THE ELF KINGDOM, FOR GOD'S SAKE! AND HE TALKED BACK TO HIM!”

Evangeline fell silent for a moment before looking at Jeffrey with a stern expression. “Don’t you ever lay a hand on him again! Do you hear me, Jeffrey! He needs help, not a damn beating!”

Jeffrey stared at Evangeline, silence stretching between them before he spoke. “He isn’t your son, Evangeline. He’s my damn mistake—a mistake I ignored. Don’t get in the middle of this.”

Evangeline met his gaze with fiery anger. “Joe has always been there for me, Jeffrey. He’s not just a burden; he’s someone who listened to, respected, and loved me as his mother. I won’t let you treat him like this. I don’t care about blood relations or any of that nonsense! He is my son, and I love him just as much as my own children. So don’t you ever lay a hand on him again, Jeffrey! If you do, you’ll have to go through me. Do you hear me?”

Jeffrey sighed as Evangeline walked out of the office, leaving him alone to process the confrontation.

That night, Evangeline and Agatha sat down for dinner. The meal was eaten in silence until Agatha could no longer hold her thoughts. She looked at Evangeline and said, “You need to let that kid go, Evangeline. Please, just leave him alone. He’s a burden to this family…”

“The dinner is quite good,” Evangeline said, cutting off Agatha. “I’ll ask Jeffrey to give the chef a raise. He really knows his craft.”

Agatha sighed and continued eating, then added, “I deserve a raise too, after all the headaches I’ve had from this house.”

A month later, that night, Joe staggered into his room, drunk and collapsing onto the floor while clutching a half-empty bottle of wine. As he got up and began drinking again, he noticed a letter on his pillow.

He squinted at it, his vision blurred by alcohol. His hand, trembling slightly, reached for the letter.

Moments later, as he unfolded the letter, the words started to emerge from the fog of his inebriation. Joe’s eyes widened as he absorbed the letter's contents, the gravity of its message cutting through his drunken haze. He set the wine bottle aside and read the letter again.

“Dear Sir,

We, the guild of Cerulea City, with the assistance of one of our adventurers, have gathered some information regarding Dan, the bandit leader you are searching for. We expect you to come to us, but first, we require payment. The adventurer will not accept debts, promissory notes, or any other form of payment except coins. The amount required is 900 golden coins. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, The Cerulea City Adventurers' Guild”