~ Flashback ~

The freezing abrasive winds of Elior Forest's stagnantly pervasive climate had puckered a certain man's roughly trimmed beard, giving him a haggard look that rivaled a weathered beggar. Every breath that he took had felt like prickling needles being pressed up against the walls of his throat, and his lips were swollen from the prolonged exposure to the biting frost. Exhaustion had started to take a toll on his body, and his boots had started to wear down against his ankles like a rough whetstone being used for padding. Yet the forest had provided him with no respite considering the high probability of possibly encountering just one of the many terrible mabeast that had infested these suspended forests.

Nevertheless, he took the risk to make his journey through this brumal climate that rivaled the tribulations that the self-proclaimed "Holy" Kingdom of Gusteko had offered to its inhabitants. For his services were once again needed in the Village of Sarlon, and his astute insight had comforted him with a reasonable share of amenities what would make this treacherous expedition worth it. His client was someone whom he'd grown a fair acquaintanceship with throughout the years, and had always compensated him with a proportionate supply of pyroxene crystals that had lined the unsung grottoes of this forsaken land.

He had almost cynically laughed at the typical scene that would arise from this usual exchange once he had brought this crystals back to the capital with him. After-all, he was no stranger to the demands of the pompous aristocrats back in the capital, and every time he had brought back a hefty supply of those damnable crystals. The typical assortment of dishonorable vultures would always flock towards it and pick it clean, leaving naught but a smothering carcass that would spread its perishable fragments about the local ecosystem.

In a sense, there was a mutual relationship between the two comparisons. The carcass would benefit the nearby soil with a rich supply of nutrients in wake of its disintegration, and the nobles would sate his pockets by lining them with a rich supply of coins to support his sick daughter. It was a continuous cycle of symbiosis, something that his silver tongue had greatly reaped the benefits of throughout his career as a broker and part time merchant. One that had granted him a vast network of connections throughout the inner workings of the aristocracy. So much so that even promiscuous Lords and Ladies had commissioned him to give them insight into potential marriage candidates. Suffice to say, his family would not go hungry in the near future.

But with all the pleasantries that had accompanied his current status, he also had his own fair share of concerns other than his daughter's current declining health. A daughter whom he had left with a trustworthy caretaker in light of his late wife's connections. And those had included the controversial reforms that had been passed throughout the last few weeks. A series of reforms that may affect his business practices with his shadier clients in the near future. One would have to be blind to not see growing divide between the aristocracy and the commoners, and there are many noble who would rather seem the weak groveling at their feet. Especially those who wish to enslave the demi-human populous due to their unbridled scorn for demi-humans, along with their deep-rooted differences with the demi-human population. And with talks of an unknown plague sweeping throughout the Lugunican royal bloodline. Many nobles and Sage Council members have prepared for the worst case (or best case scenario) should their fears come to pass.

And as many predicted, the Sage's Council was the first establish themselves as acting Regents in light of the royal family's deteriorating health. Using the pretext of acting on their parliamentary duty to manage the Kingdom's diplomatic affairs, meanwhile anyone with more than two brain cells could see that they were trying to further drive in their own interests with such a limited time frame. And with that brash declaration, many of the nobles had quickly jumped at the opportunity to garner the favor of some of the corrupt Sage's Council's board members. Using those connections to further increase their influence and trade empires.

Such an auspicious turn of events had inundated this certain broker with a daring feeling. After-all, it was a rare for such a teeming opportunity to present itself within his line of work. And if this man played his cards right and aimed high enough, he would retire from this line of work and hire an exclusive full-time healer for his daughter. Just this journey alone through this snow-clad landscape had proven to be detrimental to his health, but it was a risk that he was fully willing to take. And he had hoped to use this opportunity to cut ties with this long-time client for the last time. Such thoughts had run through the knackered man as an opening in the forest had manifested before him. Showing him the small, remote, and weathered village of Sarlon. Which had seemed to be eerily tranquil, even for a small village. But the man had known the reason why it had seemed vacant, and it had everything to do with his client.

He had approached the shanty in the far corner of the village, as he had knocked on its door in a cryptic rhythm. For a good minute, that had been no response, giving the man a slight sense of dread from having ventured all the way to his remote village that didn't seem inviting to outsiders. But his worries had quickly been alleviated as a much familiar face had opened their door. He was greeted with a slight warmth coming from the interior, almost as his client had anticipated the very moment he was going to arrive in this village. And they had shown him a humble gesture from having journeyed to such a remote village.

"Come in quickly and make yourself warm by the fire place, we have much to talk about. In the mean-time, I will prepare some tea and food while you regain some of your bearings." The youthful voice had spoke with a layer of concern in her voice. As she had guided the exhausted man to the reception room that was more spacious than it looked from the outside. The seemingly old man had limply collapsed by the strange "fireplace" that had hosted a blue flame, which had emitted a gentle breeze of warmth that flowed throughout the cabin. "By the way, how's your daughter doing?"

"I've sent a request to a client of mine who knows a well-established healer in the Royal Knights, but so far I've yet to hear back from them." The man had begrudgingly expressed, glowering at his hands that he had held up near the fireplace. "I'm just fearing that the worst will come to pass, considering that her fevers continue to plague her, and her complexion isn't faring well either. If I lose my only kin, I wouldn't know what to do with myself."

"I'm very sorry to hear that, I couldn't imagine what you must be going through. Had I been in your shoes, I would also be turning over every stone in my path just to offer my only kin a chance to live." The silver haired client had morbidly expressed, as she had heated up a kettle of water with her Fire Magic.

"Yeah, well I wish I could hire you in their place, but considering your circumstances… The last thing I would want to become public knowledge is my connections to an infamous Demi-human Alliance commander. And now that certain circumstances have arisen back in the capital, that could very well result in having my entire family's heads mounted on a pike for high treason. The greedy bastards seemed to have the Witch's luck on their side this time." The broker had callously replied to her concerns, such was life for a cautious individual like him. Only for him to be taken aback when he noticed the somber expression on her face, as the broker realized he might taken the joke a little too far. "Forgive me, I seemed to have spoken a little out of turn."\

"- Although your daughter's condition is imperative above all else, make sure to take good care of yourself as well in the process. Do you think your daughter will be happy to learn that you're tearing yourself down like this, trudging through hell and high water just to give her the necessary healthcare that she needs? If you die before she even has the opportunity to recover, it will only leave her with a life full of regret. I've seen countless times before... If that happens, then do you think little old me will be enough to take care of her and appease her concerns?"

"Hmph, you sound just like my late wife. She was always the type of person to pester me with such petty complaints. In the end, that didn't stop her from buying all of those jewelry pieces and dresses from those shady son of a bitches in the commerce district with my assets. Still, the best thing that she ever did was to drive off those flamboyant merchants who tried to marry off my daughter to that pathetic excuse of a nobleman." The man had huffed out with an annoyed expression. After-all, as long as he was able to provide his daughter with the proper healthcare that she needed, then that's all that mattered to him. Why even consider the opinion of a childless half-elf who's never even bore kin of her own?

"I'm just offering some unsung advice for a certain stubborn oaf who refuse to look past his own fallacies and troublesome connections. But I guess such well-mannered advice will probably fall short of your tattered ears anyways." Emilia had quipped, to which the man had let out a gruff, before her countenance had turned solemn. "So Mr. Hardwin, do you think that your daughter's affliction might be the same one that's plaguing the current Lugunican royal family?"

"… I see that you've already aware of the current political situation, Miss Elior. Although, I guess it wouldn't be improbable for such news to even reach these remote parts as well. Supposedly, the news had been kept under wraps for a week prior to the announcement, but some loose-lipped noble had leaked the news within the royal court before they had they opportunity to suppress it. So now that the news is out in the open now, there are many who fear for the Kingdom's standing." Hardwin's eyes had narrowed towards the esteemed beauty that taken after the appearance of a certain Witch incarnate. However, Mr. Hardwin sat unflinchingly in the presence his half-elf client, even in light of her Fire Magic aptitude, Spirit Arts, and her accomplishments as an enemy of the Kingdom. "To answer your question, their affliction isn't the same one my daughter has. That I can be certain of."

"Hmmm, I'll take your word for it I guess. Although, it still worries me that the Sage's Council will make it a priority to crack down on former Demi-Human Alliance members and the demi-human population as well. Considering that many of its councilors on that Council had formerly served as commanders within the Kingdom during the demi-human war, many have deeply-rooted grudges against our former cause. I wouldn't put it past them to pursue their quarry now that they have seized the opportunity. Especially now the royal family has fallen severely ill, this would be the perfect opportunity for them to secure their positions within the Royal Court, and crack down on any naysayers aiming for higher pedigrees. I wouldn't find it inconceivable for them to open an investigation into my whereabouts, especially the whereabouts of Cromwell, and Sphinx. Something that the Royal family had denied to them time and time again, no matter how much they've tried to persuade them otherwise. Its makes me ponder whether the Royal Family had actually been sympathetic to our cause, but I guess that would be a discussion for another time." Emilia had ruminated over the specifics of the ordeal. Only for the tea-kettle to start hissing, signifying that the brew had been nearly complete. She had then pulled out a tray out of a cupboard and had fetched two wooden cups to host her guest.

"That only scratches the surface of what's really happening behind the scenes. Supposedly, Captain Marcos Gildark has ordered a division of the Royal Army to march towards the border with Vollachia as well. Since there's been reports of some Vollachian regiments stationing their troops near the border of the Hyclara plateau. It makes me wonder whether the news of the Royal Family's affliction had reached the ears of the Vollachian Emperor, considering that this would be the perfect opportunity for them to make some quick land-grabs before the Kingdom even has the opportunity to notice. Not to mention that recently there's been a mass arrest of supposed Vollachian spies within the Royal Capital itself. If that doesn't turn a few heads, then there's no hope for this Kingdom's future." Hardwin had stated, as his mind wandered towards the suppositions of a probable nightmare scenario on the horizon.

"Still, I don't think the Vollachian Emperor would be foolish enough to launch a full-scale invasion during such a dire time like this, considering that he's been dealing with his own fair share of dissidence within his own Royal Court. And the fact that the Sword Saint will be their direct counter to all their invasion efforts, is something that will halt their plans at least in the meantime."

"Don't let that distract you from the fact that there is more than one variable worth considering. In the midst of all this madness, I doubt that those who shall not be named will stand idly by while the Kingdom completely folds upon itself. Not to mention that The Kingdom of Gusteko will probably take interest in our dissent to as well. The question is, which side will be the first to act? I'd wager my doppelganger's vile fanatics will host one of their "ceremonies" in the typical magistral and grostesque fashion within some remote village like they usually do. The sick bastards will try to make a mockery of Lugunican Knight Order's weakness, which in turn will be met with the outcry of everyday civilians who just want the Knight Order to put a stop to the madness. As well as the scrutiny of the nobility, who may pull out the necessary funding to combat these fanatics. I fear that this rift will cause a split within the Knight Order, which will ultimately distract them from exterminating the growing threat that is her following." Emilia had stated with a bitter tone in a voice as she had tried to stifle the mere thought of what the Witch Cult had done to her in the past. She wouldn't afford those vile creatures any more attention than what was due for them, as her mind had meandered over to the her more pressing concerns at the moment. Going on to prepare her guest the warm stew that she had made earlier, which was made with the doer's (deer's) venison that she had hunted two days ago.

"And you would be correct with that assumption, as seen throughout the last two weeks. There has been a total of 28 merchant carriages that have gone completely missing along the trade route towards Kararagi, and 14 others on the way to Vollachia. It's been quite disruptive to the operations of the Merchant's Guild, to the point where even the Sage's Council has started to take notice as well." Hardwin had elaborated, as Emilia's eyes had hardened from the unsettling feeling that had well up in the pit of her stomach.

"Sometimes I wonder where you get all this information from, but considering your line of work. It shouldn't surprise me too much." Emilia had sighed at her guest's eccentricities, as she had brought over the tea set to a low table which had cushioned seats arranged in an orderly fashion. One look around the cabin had afforded Mr. Hardwin with a sense of dutiful cleanness. Despite the cabin's worn out exterior. Still, it was a lot better than being stranded out in the freezing forest with no easy way home. She had then made another trip towards the Kitchen's counter top to bring over the warm stew, which had been decorated with some garnish one would see in the likes of a typical family dwelling. Which had contrasted against the those pathetic excuses one would call food at the local tavern.

"Still, all these disappearances within the Kingdom implies that the Royal Guard isn't doing a very good job at securing the trade routes and manning provisional guardposts. Although, when they're up against the likes of her following, I could see why-" Emilia had added before offering a helping hand over to her guest to help him get readjusted from prolonged exposure to the elements. He had waved off her gesture, and had shakenly tried to pick himself up only to fall over onto Emilia's helping hand, whose strength had prevented him from falling completely face first onto the pinewood flooring. "Close call..."

"Yeah… Close call indeed..." Hardwin's gaze had shamefully averted away from his client, while simultaneously pulling himself up to join her in a much needed supper after coming all the way to this remote village. The jaded merchant had then preceded to make an effort to eat his hosts concoction, carefully stirring it with a wooden spoon to distribute the heat evenly throughout the bowl. The corner of his lips had slightly salivated from the hunger that had taken precedent now that he had the opportunity to rest from his arduous journey, before he had shakenly brought the seemingly mesmeric substance to he the tip of his lips. His eyes had shot her almost an offended glare once the substance had entered his mouth.

"… I see that your cooking has seem to have taken quite the leap into the abstract, Miss Elior… You're really setting a fine example for the remnants of the elven community." He had added with a subtle hint of sarcasm, nearly on the verge of expelling the culinary abomination out of his mouth.

"Well, when you barely have any salt to work with, some alternative measures have to take place. And I'll pretend I didn't hear that last remark." Emilia stated indifferently to his complains, as a tinge of irritation had presented itself on his face.

"I'm saying your cooking tastes like shit… Long-ears. No amount of salt would be able to fix this..." He had crassly chided her in a more direct manner, as an amusing smile presented itself on Emilia's face.

"Goodness me, thanks for the compliment Mr. Hardwin…" Emilia had quipped albeit sarcastically as well. Before her gaze turned towards him in a troubled manner. "But on a more serious note, if I were you, I would try to get some sustenance in my body after such a long journey, even if it tastes like Dragon's dung scrapped off a carriage wheel."

"Well… It isn't the worst thing I've ever had. One of the taverns in Priestella makes this stew seem like like a masterpiece in comparison… Still, I question whether or not you're really half-human, if all you eat are these rancid abominations."

The pair continued to talk about the Kingdom's affairs for the remainder of their meal, satisfying the esteemed silver haired client request, as a roiling blizzard had started to pummel the exterior of the cabin. The howling winds outside had also picked up intensity as well. Signified that the broker would not be able to depart until at least after the break of dawn. But his client was thankfully accommodating to her recipient, much to the ire of a certain contracted spirit. Whom had cursed the man's presence with every fiber of his being.

Eventually, after a few days, the storm had seemed to have cleared out of the vicinity, much to the relief of everyone involved. The man had throughout his stay had rearrange some of the parchments that he had carried with him. While simultaneously checking to make sure he had gotten the proper amount of pyroxene crystals before he had ventured back to the capital. He had readied his gear once again, bundling himself with the hide of the doer that his client had harvested. Her client had even taken some time out of her day to heal some of his lingering ailments with water magic, when he had known that his client usually would go off to train rigorously for 10 hours a day. Her spirit was also clearly not happy with the man's presence, and he did not want to earn the ire of such Great Spirit. Once he had stepped out the shanty, he had reluctantly gave her one last glance with a tinge of regret when he did so. After all, she did save him all those years back. But he had known he had already repaid his debt to her countless times over. It was finally time to move on and settle down to finally take care of his remaining family.

"Miss Elior… I- I want to inform you that this is where we part ways. In spite of my own reluctance when it comes to settling down to properly care for my daughter after my late wife's passing. You have seen how this line of work takes a toll on my being, both physically and mentally; but I chose to ignore it all for my daughter's sake. Even now, a part of me is telling me that there's still room for us to continue our business with one another. But considering that both my health and my daughter's health are continuing to deteriorate, especially now that my knees have shown their signs of age. I have finally decided to take up on your unsung advice and settle down for a while. At least until my daughter makes a full recovery. We might eventually cross path again some time in the future, but until that happens, this is farewell." Hardwin had revealed, much to the surprise of Emilia. To his relief, a small smile had stretched across her lips.

"You needn't say more, I'm almost glad you had finally decided to take some steps in the right direction. After all, who would know that this is the right decision to make better than your "personal" healer. So go, and heed this place no more of the limited time you have in this world. Redirect your efforts to healing the bonds that have been strained for so long, and focus on spending quality time with your daughter. As you said, this may be not our last encounter with each other. But it will definitely be one of the most significant ones. Fortune smiles upon you, my friend. I bid you farewell." Emilia had reassured his worries, hoping to motivate him to pursue a common life. They had gave themselves a firm handshake before Hardwin had turned on his heel, and embark on another long journey back to the capital.

The word "friend" had stuck out to him like a holy sword on its scabbard. After all, he had never really considered himself friends with anyone, considering that a lot of his clients were the clandestine type or only sought his business. Nor did he get personally involved with anyone outside his family. But something about that word had weighed down on his heart after hearing it directly from her mouth. Almost like a precious treasure that had been cast into the mouth of the abyss itself. A warm feeling at started to brew inside of him, a part of him want to be able to see his client's face one last time. Even if it was in the search of his services. However, even in the midst of such a prospective contingency, never in his wildest dreams would he imagine that his world would collapse in untold tragedy and despair.

~ Present Moment ~

Hardwin was listlessly cleaning some of the mead-kegs within the Freezing Dragon as his boss was preparing for the wave of patrons that typically flocked to their establishment during the late hours of the day. His mind had ventured back to that farewell with his former half-elf client, a set of contradictory thoughts had started pervade his mind. Why did he think about her in that particular moment? Perhaps that particular moment had provided him with the last strands of hope he had within his now hallow soul. After losing his daughter in such a tragic turn of events that had him desperately searching anything to give her a chance at finally being able to live. But his world had started to completely fall apart after realizing that his efforts had been in vain. Not only had he cursed himself for taking that journey towards the outskirts of Sarlon that day. A part of him had even wanted to blame his client for requesting him during that torrid blizzard. Alas, he knew that the blame didn't particularly fall on her. But more on his negligence for not taking more time out of his work to bond with his only kin. For a time, he had lost his will to live, and nearly had contemplated ending his life. And he would have succeeded had it not been for the intervention of his now employer. Now, all that he could do was reflect on his mistakes and seek to make the most of his life in this dragon-forsaken tavern.

In the corner of his eyes, he had caught a peculiar sight as a black haired elf had entered this remote part of the bar. There was a certain sense of deja-vu that had parsed through his being at the newcomer, but he continued to focus on his work. Not minding them any business. Never did he expect that the new patron would so boldly approach him as he was busy cleaning the kegs of their pungent sap.

"It's been a long-time, hasn't it Mr. Hardwin? Almost seems like we were fated to cross paths here." The patron had amicably called out his name, as a certain sense of shock him to the core. He thought that he had hidden his identity pretty well after keep a low profile for so long. But that didn't mean that he still didn't do business with some of his underground associates either. Alas, it seems that his curated efforts were for naught.

"- Is that you, Miss Elior?" He had inquired with a strained voice, a part of him want to think that this newcomer was just an illusion. A petty illusion that was playing tricks on his mind after a long work day. He was brought back to reality once his former client had further decided to elegantly bow in front of him, as to reassure is doubts. Even after confirming his senses, a part of him wanted to vanish at that very moment.

"Yes it is, my friend. I have come to you for one final request. So in exchange, I wish confer to you about a certain discovery that I have made recently. One that involves your now late daughter." She had added with a serious tone towards the end of her request. His eyes had widened for a moment, questioning how she caught wind of the information surrounding his daughter's death. Before a more aggressive and serious tone had taken over him.

"Tell me more..."