The Angel’s Offer and a Sister’s Quest

The northern lands were a realm of cold and damp, where an endless forest stretched, severing human territories from the orc tribes of the northern wilderness. These border regions were sparsely populated, presenting immense challenges for those who sought to live there.

This small town was nestled on the fringes of the Kingdom of Shivag. Once, a bustling city named Carvinson stood here, serving as a vital gateway to the north. However, it had been utterly annihilated during the devastating Demon King’s War. Now, the settlement that had risen in its place was a village where a different community gathered, known as Sinka, a name that fittingly meant ‘edge’ in the Northern Tongue.

Vast expanses of land and sprawling prairies characterized this region, offering excellent conditions for animal husbandry. Within the frigid northern climate, only hardy grasses and resilient flora could truly thrive. For the sheep, with their thick, insulating fleece, the biting cold held no fear. Wool production and livestock farming were, thus, the undeniable specialties of this area. Yet, the tale we are to tell today does not center on Sinka itself, but rather on a place located a strenuous five thousand meters beyond its borders. This was the former Lindes Fortress, originally conceived as a formidable bulwark against the encroaching orcs. During the devastating Demon King’s War, it had transformed into a crucial, unyielding stronghold for the human legions, staunchly repelling the demon armies that surged forward like an unstoppable tide. The immense allocation of resources during that conflict had, paradoxically, led to a dramatic improvement in its roads and infrastructure after the war concluded. Consequently, Lindes had risen to prominence, supplanting the ruined Carvinson and transforming into a grand border trade metropolis, a beacon that attracted countless opportunities and much-coveted favor.

Yet, with this burgeoning prosperity, another, darker side of the coin inevitably emerged.

****

“Please, sirs, have mercy! My father was a fallen veteran,” the boy pleaded, his voice hoarse as he stood on the street beside a younger girl. “We beg you, good sirs, show us some kindness!”

“This…” one passerby began, only for another to cut them off with a curt, “Let’s go.” Their desperate presence, however, garnered little sympathy from the bustling crowds. “There are dozens of people like them on the streets every single day,” someone muttered dismissively. “It’s impossible to tell who’s genuine and who isn’t; honestly, it’s best to just ignore them.” The war had indeed ended, but its brutal aftermath continued to unfold. Following the initial euphoria of victory, every nation found itself grappling with severe financial deficits. Meanwhile, merchant factions and other opportunistic entities had amassed vast, illicit fortunes from the conflict. The chasm between the poor and the rich widened irrevocably: the poor grew ever poorer, while the wealthy grew ever richer.

The boy continued to plead, his empty stomach a gnawing void that rendered him incapable of formulating any plan to earn money. He had given his last meager piece of dry ration to his younger sister, and he himself had not eaten a single bite for three agonizing days. His throat was already raw and hoarse from his desperate cries. In such a dire state, if only someone could offer him a piece of bread—a warm, freshly baked piece of bread—no, even a cold, stale crust would suffice. Just one slice, and he would… As these desperate thoughts consumed him, the boy immediately shook his head, struggling to banish such fanciful notions from his mind. If such a bread truly manifested before him, it would surely be nothing short of a divine miracle. He knew he shouldn’t dwell on such impossibilities, yet even as he tried to suppress them, the alluring aroma of bread was already beginning to bloom, tantalizingly, in his imagination…

It was only when he finally opened his eyes that he discovered the source of that tantalizing aroma was, in fact, incredibly close.

Before him lay a piece of bread, not a cold, stale remnant, but a loaf still warm and freshly baked. It bore faint, sweet traces of honey drizzled upon its surface, and its golden-brown, crispy crust shimmered in his famished eyes, as if truly sparkling with an otherworldly glow.

“I can give you this bread,” a voice softly offered. At that moment, the boy’s gaze fixed upon the hand presenting the bread—a delicate, pale hand, gently holding a tissue. Looking further up, his eyes met the figure of a person who seemed utterly pure and pristine, almost ethereal.

She possessed long, golden hair, a shade so luminous it could almost be called platinum. Her eyes, like brilliant azure gems, were set beneath pupils of the same striking gold, and together they held a breathtaking beauty that was almost shocking in its intensity. The girl’s attire consisted of a simple shirt and skirt, yet coupled with the warm bread clutched in her hand, the boy, for a fleeting moment, believed she might truly be an angel descended from legend.

“But,” the girl interjected, just as he prepared to eagerly reach out. She suddenly withdrew the bread, turning her gaze intently upon him.

“I need you to help me with something,” she stated. “If you can assist me, then this bread will be yours.”

“Yes!” the boy instantly agreed, his voice cracking with eagerness. The girl extended the bread, and she watched as he, without a moment’s hesitation, broke off a large portion and gave it to his younger sister. A satisfied smile graced her lips.

“That’s a truly wonderful bond between you two,” she remarked, her smile softening. “What’s your name?”

“A wandering child has no name,” the boy replied, his voice devoid of emotion. “You don’t need to know what we’re called.”

“Indeed, you’re right,” the golden-haired girl conceded with a nod. She offered a small smile, then retrieved a woven basket from behind her back. “Can you find many people? I assume you two aren’t here entirely alone, are you? Please, gather all your companions; I am in need of your help.”

****

A little later that day, at the entrance of the city’s sprawling casino, the girl stood alone. Her gaze drifted over the dazzling, colorful signs that glittered ahead, then swept across the ceaseless flow of people entering and exiting. In that moment, she hesitated, her foot retreating a step, but ultimately, with a determined breath, she stepped inside the opulent casino.

Lindes boasted a grand casino, which served as the city’s most significant entertainment venue. After all, this bustling city was home to countless soldiers, many of whom were quite wealthy, and where such men gathered, a place for their leisure was an absolute necessity. Outside, the streets were covered in a blanket of snow and thronged with shivering beggars, while inside, a stark contrast unfolded: a hall of warmth and resplendent, gilded luxury.

“Miss, over there, that young lady,” a voice called out. The moment she stepped into the grand hall, a look of profound apprehension flickered in her eyes. She trembled like a wounded little rabbit, seemingly desperate for some form of assistance, and a guard, naturally, felt compelled to respond to such a vulnerable sight.

“Can I help you, little lost bunny?” a guard inquired, a playful whistle escaping his lips. “You know what kind of place this is, don’t you? Beautiful girls like yourself are certainly very welcome here, but if you don’t have any specific business, you truly should leave quickly. The men who frequent this establishment… well, they’re all wolves.”

“Hmm…” another guard interjected, observing the girl’s timid demeanor. “Don’t scare her, little sister. What’s your name? And what brings you to a place like this?”

“I… I’m Anya,” the girl whispered, her voice barely audible. “I’m from Sinka village, and I’m here to find my brother, Anto. Anto Colmensin.”

“…You’re Anto’s sister?” The first guard suddenly froze upon hearing this, his playful demeanor vanishing. “You mean the pharmacist Anto’s sister?”

“That’s right,” Anya confirmed with a nod. “Is he here? Everyone in our village is anxiously waiting for him to return.”

“He might not be able to return,” the guard said with a helpless sigh. “It seems he gambled far too much yesterday and has been held here by Mr. Carmen. If you wish to redeem him, you’ll need to prepare a considerable sum of money. Do you have any money with you?”

“I… I brought a little,” Anya stammered, her voice trembling, “but it might not be enough…”

“In that case, please go back for now,” the more steady-minded guard advised. However, just as he finished speaking, the previously flirtatious guard quickly stepped in front of Anya, blocking her path. “Don’t be like that!” he exclaimed. “It’s not easy for this little sister to come all this way. How about this: I’ll go inform Mr. Carmen personally and see if he’s willing to talk with you.”

“Really…” Anya breathed, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. She smiled back at the now-smiling guard. “Oh, thank you so, so much!”

“Not at all, my dear!” the flirtatious guard replied with a jovial laugh. Yet, the steady guard’s gaze, fixed upon his colleague, had already subtly shifted, a new glint in his eyes.