After six months, Goven Village, once humble and small, had blossomed into a bustling town. Jeffrey’s generous financial support had gone a long way in revitalizing the nearby cave, transforming it into a safe, productive space. Wizards now worked within the mine, using their magic to strengthen the walls—a safeguard that had already saved countless lives.

  Meanwhile, Cox continued working as a blacksmith alongside his son Tyka and grandson Ola, who had recently joined the family trade. Despite his age slowing him down, Cox was patient, carefully guiding Ola through the basics and techniques of the craft. With unwavering determination, he worked tirelessly, refusing to let age or weariness hold him back.

  In another part of Goven, Safle hummed as she prepared lunch for her husband, Ogilvy, who was still employed in the mines. She felt a deep sense of relief, knowing the new safety measures protected him and his fellow miners. Once lunch was ready, she settled into a chair, reading a letter from their son—her fifth time doing so—eagerly awaiting Ogilvy’s return so they could share the news together.

  When Ogilvy finally came home, Safle greeted him with a warm, heartfelt hug. Noticing her cheerful mood, he chuckled, “Honey, you look so happy today. What’s the good news?”

  With a grin, Safle handed him the letter. As Ogilvy began reading aloud, his voice softened, "Father and Mother, I’m working as a knight in Eldoria City now. Uncle Jeffrey helped me find this position, but I know I need to keep working hard to prove myself. Things are going well…”

  When he reached the final lines, his eyes sparkled with excitement. Safle nudged him with a laugh, “Go on, don’t stop! Read the best part!”

  Ogilvy’s voice brimmed with joy as he finished, “I’m bringing home a wonderful woman I’d love for you to meet!”

  With a delighted cry, Safle leaped into Ogilvy’s arms. He hugged her tightly, and together, they celebrated the news—their son had grown, and he was returning home with someone special.

  Elsewhere, Ebe arrived at her family’s old house, where she found her mother, Lyra, dressed beautifully. Embracing her mother warmly, Ebe smiled and said, “You look stunning, Mother.”

  Lyra returned the hug, her face lighting up. “Thank you! I adore this dress.”

  With a playful grin, Ebe asked, “Mother, I’ve sent you so many outfits. Why did you choose this one?”

  Lyra gently kissed Ebe’s forehead, whispering with a soft smile, “Because this was the very first one.”

  Ebe grinned as she stepped into the kitchen, declaring, “Just sit back! I’ll cook something you’ve never tasted before!”

  With a playful smile, Lyra joined her. Ebe looked over and asked, “Mother?”

  Lyra gave her a warm look and replied, “Together, as always.”

  Meanwhile, across town, Kaelen’s old shop and house had found new life with a ghoul healer who had moved in and cared for Kaelen’s books and notes. These resources proved invaluable for his work and became essential to his healing practice.

  As Goven grew steadily over the years, it attracted more people. New shops sprang up, doctors arrived to make names for themselves, and merchants began building their businesses. Though still known as a small town in the Gostave region, Goven was steadily evolving into a bustling community.

  In Eldoria City, the people were excited as King Ralondo arrived to visit Jeffrey, taking a few days to tour the towns and villages he governed. His young son, Riyo, sat by his side, smiling as he greeted the crowds and took in the sights.

  For Jeffrey, this visit was a major milestone, boosting his standing among the noble families. While some nobles felt uneasy about the king’s visit to someone who had only recently joined the aristocracy, they couldn’t deny Jeffrey’s growing influence, especially with his strong supporters. Many of them began to consider him as a potential ally.

  On the final day of his visit, King Ralondo addressed a large crowd, saying, “People of our kingdom, I’m truly pleased today—your joy, Jeffrey as your leader, and the thriving communities here. It’s wonderful to see such growth and happiness. Although I must return to the capital, know that Jeffrey Gostave’s example will resonate across the kingdom!”

  The crowd erupted in applause as the king shook Jeffrey’s hand one last time before stepping into his carriage. Amidst the cheers, Jeffrey caught sight of Evangeline, who was clapping proudly from the sidelines.

  The king then looked to his son, Riyo, who was sharing a final moment with his friend, Jogo. Smiling, Jogo asked, “Riyo, will we ever get to play together again?”

  Riyo grinned mischievously. “I’ll sneak out of the capital to come back here!”

  Jogo laughed. “I’ll do the same! I’ll run to meet you, my friend!”

  They hugged before Riyo climbed into the carriage. Jeffrey stepped forward with a smile, saying, “There’s no need to sneak out of the capital, Prince Riyo.”

  Riyo blinked in surprise, then said, “You heard us? As your prince, I order you to forget everything you just heard!”

  Jeffrey chuckled and knelt beside him. “You’re always welcome to play with Jogo. In fact, I’m sending him with you to the capital so he can study there.”

  Riyo looked to his father, who nodded in approval. Turning back to Jeffrey, he said gratefully, “Thank you, sir!”

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

  Riyo smiled. “Of course! He’s like a brother to me.”

  “My brother! My brother! My brother!”

  "Brother!"

  Joe jolted awake as empty wine bottles clattered to the floor. Blinking groggily, he looked over at Jogo and muttered, “Little brother? Wh…what time is it?”

  Jogo gave a small, sad smile. “It’s noon, brother. You should get up and clean up.”

  Joe waved him off. “Yeah, yeah, I’ll get up in an hour.”

  Jogo lowered his head and apologized, “I’m sorry, brother, but I won’t be able to wake you up later—I have to go to school.”

  Joe blinked, surprised. “School? But you’re still…”

  “I’m six, brother,” Jogo interrupted gently. “I need to start studying. I want to make Father proud and set a good example for our family.”

  Joe wiped his eyes, trying to focus on Jogo’s words. “Be careful. They might bully you, and…”

  “They won’t,” Jogo replied with a confident smile. “I’m a member of a noble family. I’ll be fine!”

  Joe smiled as he reached out to pat Jogo’s head, but caught a whiff of alcohol on his hand and stopped, pulling it back. “Just…do what makes you happy, Jogo. If you need anything, I’m here.”

  Jogo, undeterred, took Joe’s hand despite the scent. “Let me help 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’m sorry, but…”

  Jogo took in Joe’s dishevelled appearance: dark circles under his eyes, uncombed hair, and clothes smelling faintly of alcohol. Joe’s savings over the years had dwindled on drinks, leaving him a shell of who he once was.

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  With a sigh, Jogo stood up. “Father’s disappointed, Mother worries about you, and…”

  “I don’t care!” Joe snapped, anger flaring in his voice. “Curse that man, and Urien…and all the nobles, and my father again while you’re at it.”

  Jogo fell silent, then added softly, “Ilana’s asleep, but she really wants to see you. Even at just two, she keeps calling, ‘Jo Jo!’”

  Joe’s expression hardened. “No, she’s calling for you, not me. What would a kid like her see in a drunk like me?”

  Jogo gazed at him for a moment, thinking, *I know there’s still good in you. Just like Ilana calls for you, so am I, brother.*

  In the world of nobility, respect is governed by unspoken rules tied to one’s lineage. Although Jogo and his sister Ilana were Joe’s siblings, they were born into a noble family and received the deference that came with their status. Joe, however, not being of aristocratic birth, did not command the same level of respect.

  As Jeffrey’s influence and authority grew, it became harder for anyone to intimidate or mistreat Jogo and Ilana.

  Afterwards, Jogo set off for school in the capital, embarking on a long journey Jeffrey had organized to expose him to the challenges of travel and teach him crucial lessons. Though a guard would protect him, he would not step in if a problem arose.

  Meanwhile, Joe had become the laughingstock among nobles. His reputation as a drunken wastrel who squandered money on pubs and gambling brought shame and tarnished the Gostave family name.

  Jeffrey had given up hope after hearing reports about Joe getting into fights, gambling, publicly insulting him, drinking excessively, and causing turmoil. Every time he looked at his son, he thought of Beatrice and how devastated she would have been to see Joe in such a state.

  Attempts to reach out to Joe were hopeless; trying to talk to him felt like talking to a wall.

  Despite this, Evangeline refused to give up. She kept trying to connect with Joe, and while he would sometimes respond and even smile, she could never fully reach his heart.

  In Cerulea City, near the merchant’s guild, a short-haired adventurer in light armor walked into the guild and headed straight for the master’s office.

  Upon entering, the adventurer sat and asked, “How much are you willing to pay for this information?”

  At the Gostave mansion, Joe showered and went straight to Ilana’s chamber, where he saw her playing with Ebe.

  When Ebe noticed Joe, her smile faded. 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 little sister.”

  Just then, Agatha entered, irritated, and commanded, “Joe, leave Ilana alone for now. We’re going to a party, and she needs to get ready.”

  Joe turned to Agatha, annoyed, and replied, “She missed me, and I’m here to play with her. No need for the extra bullshit, Agatha.”

  Agatha scowled as she moved past Joe to pick up Ilana. As she attempted to leave with Ilana in her arms, Ilana began joyfully chanting, “Jo! Jo! Jo!”

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

  Ilana, still looking at Joe and waving her hands, called, “Jo! Jo! Jo!”

  Joe approached Agatha and took Ilana from her arms. He lifted her and shouted, “Sister! Want to play with me?”

  Ilana clapped her hands, then grabbed Joe’s face and pulled on his ears. Joe grinned and began walking away with her. Agatha shouted after him, “One hour, Joe!”

  Joe mocked her, replying, “Or what? Send Urien?”

  Agatha’s cheeks flushed with anger as Joe shut the door behind him. Ebe turned to Agatha and said, “Ilana wants to play, so let her have an hour. I’ll get her ready after.”

  Agatha nodded and replied, “Of course, Ebe. Good work, as always.”

  Joe was playing with Ilana in the garden. She giggled as she picked flowers and placed them in Joe’s messy hair. She grabbed his nose and said, “Jo! Jo!”

  Joe smiled and said, “They want you to go to their dreadful parties, but you’re much better off here.”

  As they played, Ilana saw Evangeline approaching. She pointed at her mother and exclaimed, “Jo! Fly! Jojo!”

  Joe nodded, lifting Ilana onto his shoulders and sprinting toward Evangeline. Ilana raised her hands in delight as if she were flying.

  Evangeline smiled as she lifted Ilana from Joe’s shoulders and held her up. Ilana beamed as she hugged her mother.

  Joe stepped back and said, “You’re going to a party, so be careful.”

  Evangeline nodded and replied, “Yes, but there’s no need to worry. And you, Joe? What are your plans?”

  “Probably drink,” Joe said. “I’m heading out now.”

  Evangeline nodded sadly and remarked, “Jeffrey took all your money.”

  Joe looked at her nonchalantly and replied, “I figured that jerk would pull something like that, but I don’t care.”

  Evangeline reached out to pat Joe’s head, but he backed away, avoiding her touch. He turned aside and muttered, “I’ll just drink on the Gostave family’s tab. He’ll end up paying for it anyway.”

  Evangeline nodded and started to walk away, then paused and added, “If you ever want to talk, just let me know.”

  Joe nodded, replying, “I’ll let you know if there’s ever anything worth saying.”

  As Evangeline entered the house to prepare herself and Ilana for the celebration, Joe’s tense voice called out, “Please!”

  Evangeline turned to face him as he avoided her gaze. He said, “Please protect her. Don’t let the nobles corrupt her. They couldn’t get to Jogo, but who knows what could happen? Just… take care of her.”

  Evangeline smiled and assured him, “Of course, son.”

  Soon after, Evangeline, Ebe, Ilana, and Agatha boarded the carriage, accompanied by six knights. A wizard then used teleportation magic to take them to Roxana, where they would join the noble gathering.

  Later that night, Joe staggered into the mansion, drunk, with a bottle of wine in one hand and another half-empty bottle in the other. When Jeffrey appeared, Joe slowly walked toward his room.

  Joe gave Jeffrey a fleeting glance as he passed by. Frustrated, Jeffrey called out, “Joe, we need to talk.”

  “About the money?” Joe retorted with bitterness. “The damn money I worked so hard for? Take it. Is that all?”

  Jeffrey stood silent as Joe walked past him toward his room. “So, there’s nothing left to talk about,” Joe muttered.

  Jeffrey stayed silent as Joe slammed the door behind him. Joe dropped into a chair and placed the bottles beside him, muttering, “It’s been ages since we talked. We used to talk every day, but now? I can’t stand to look at him.”

  Joe kept drinking, finding it was the only way his mind would quiet down. Those brief moments of peace only came when he wasn’t thinking—unfortunately, a calm he could only reach through alcohol, the only thing he had found to bring any relief.

  Six months later, Joe collapsed on his room floor, blood dripping from his mouth, staining the floor.

  Jeffrey stood over him, fists bloodied. For the first time, he had struck Joe, who spat blood as he struggled to rise.

  In a furious outburst, Jeffrey shouted, “You damn fool! That kid was a foreign noble, and you disrespected him!”

  Drunk, Joe grinned as he stood up, mocking his father’s rage. After spitting out another mouthful of blood, he growled, "That little punk was annoying, so I put him in his place."

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

  Joe laughed even louder, locking eyes with him. Enraged, Jeffrey grabbed him and shoved him against the wall, trapping him. "Why are you laughing? Have you lost your mind?!"

  Joe smirked and replied, "I just remembered an old man with a busted arm. His son used to work his fingers to the bone to feed him, and now that same old man’s all outraged and indignant. It’s kind of cute, really."

  Jeffrey fell silent, recalling the younger Joe who had once worked tirelessly to support them. He looked at the man before him now—a hollow, drunken shadow who’d disgraced the family’s name. Clenching his teeth, Jeffrey hissed, "That son isn’t you, and that old man isn’t me. You’re just a painful reminder of a boy I once knew. You’re not my son anymore, and you’ll never be that kid again. Now get the hell out of my sight, you worthless shit!"

  Joe smirked in defiance as Jeffrey released him, spitting on the floor as he prepared a retort. But just then, Evangeline burst into the room, her face stricken with horror. "JEFFREY! What have you done?!"

  Ignoring her, Jeffrey stormed out. Evangeline, frantic, called out, "Ebe! Fetch a healer!"

  Soon, the healer arrived and began tending to Joe, who took another swig of wine and muttered, "Leave me alone. I’m fine."

  The healer glanced at Ebe, who shook her head as if to say it was pointless to bother with a drunk.

  Overcome with anger, Evangeline stormed into Jeffrey’s office and slapped him hard across the face. Staring him down, she demanded, "HE IS OUR SON! How could you do this?"

  Jeffrey snapped back, “THAT BRAT DISRESPECTED A NOBLE ELF! HE’S FROM THE ELF KINGDOM, FOR GOD'S SAKE! AND HE HAD THE GALL TO TALK BACK TO HIM!”

  Evangeline fell silent for a moment, then fixed Jeffrey with a fierce look. “Don’t you ever lay a hand on him again! Do you hear me, Jeffrey? He needs help—not a damn beating!”

  Jeffrey held her gaze, a tense silence hanging between them before he spoke. “He isn’t your son, Evangeline. He’s my mistake—a mistake I should’ve addressed long ago. Stay out of this.”

  Evangeline’s eyes burned with defiance. “Joe has always been there for me, Jeffrey. He’s not just a burden; he’s someone who listened to me, respected me, and loved me as his mother. I won’t let you treat him like this. Blood or no blood—he is my son, and I love him as much as any of my own children. So if you ever lay a hand on him again, you’ll answer to me. Do you understand?”

  Jeffrey sighed as Evangeline turned and left the office, leaving him alone to process their confrontation.

  That night, Evangeline and Agatha sat down for dinner, eating in silence until Agatha finally spoke up. “You need to let that boy go, Evangeline. Please, just leave him alone. He’s nothing but trouble for this family…”

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

  Agatha sighed, resuming her meal before adding, “Then I deserve a raise too, with all the headaches I get from this house.”

  A month later, Joe stumbled into his room, drunk, collapsing onto the floor with a half-empty bottle of wine. As he pulled himself up and took another swig, his eyes landed on an envelope resting on his pillow.

  He squinted at it, his vision blurred, and with a trembling hand, he picked up the letter.

  As he unfolded it, the words slowly began to cut through his drunken fog. Joe’s eyes widened as he read, the weight of the letter’s message sobering him. Setting the bottle aside, he read it again.

  “Dear Sir,

  We, the merchant guild of Cerulea City, along with one of our adventurers, have gathered information on Dan, the bandit leader you’ve been searching for. We expect you to come to us, but first, payment is required. The adventurer will not accept debts, promissory notes, or any other form of payment besides coins. The amount needed is 900 golden coins. We look forward to hearing from you.

  Sincerely,

  The Cerulea City Merchants' Guild”