These precious herbs should be exclusive to the citizens of this empire and cannot be traded as it''s deemed illegal.


    "There''s even this poisonous herb."


    He was right; these people were doing this kind of lowly stuff to the point of stirring the masses.


    "Bunch of unworthy people."


    Moran didn''t move from his position; he watched quietly, waiting for the right time.


    Crash.


    Oh no! Moran gritted his teeth so as not to make a sound; he had just stepped on a broken vase.


    "Whose there?!"


    Looking around, there was no way to hide, no blindspot to escape. Gritting his teeth, Moran unsheathed a knife, yet a shadow figure pulled him out of nowhere. "Down!"


    The voice of a little girl half screamed and whispered at him. Then, a robe covered them. It was a swift move, and the scent of the girl''s as if a ripe grape made into a fine wine enveloped him.


    "Stay still."


    The girl''s hot breath whispered to his face. He can''t see her face at all.


    The man looked around only to find ruins and nothing more but big scraps of broken vases and wooden planks that were burnt and unused.


    "Rats again."


    The man retracted his body, moving farther away. His footsteps soon disappeared and were unheard. Only then did the girl move away from Moran, squirming away and dusting off the broken woods and pieces she put in haste.


    Cough. Cough.


    "He''s gone."


    The girl moved away, glancing at Moran and tying her veil again.


    The girl was Ett.


    She had asked Akan about the slums hidden from the common populace of Adiand, who she had been watching but didn''t dare to disturb them. Ett secretly got the cartography and entered this den.


    Who would have thought she would meet Moran at the same time. Well, if she looks closely at how Moran came here and became miserable, it was because he was captured by the thugs living in this territory. He can return.


    But what for? Looking at the sheathed knife that seemed a small sword, Ett frowned. Does this guy want to get his revenge?


    Isn''t he too early?


    Moran also observed the girl; when he saw his features, his eyes narrowed, and he remembered the man''s description of who bought him and looked at the girl. Although there are many possibilities that it''s not her, he can''t help but think about it the moment he saw her stature. He shook his head.


    "Why are you here?"


    "Who are you?"


    The two silently looked at each other.


    Ett didn''t reply to his questions, merely pursing her lips in distaste before walking away.


    Whatever, she is not here to see how Moran destroys all illegal trade and markets that he once lived in.


    But Ett was relieved.


    Nothing changed on Moran''s part.


    Albeit earlier in months, it was expected he''d come and destroy this place before going away, but not this early. Only after many years later would he come back. Anyway, there''s a place Ett should look at while it hasn''t still fallen into the rubble.


    "Why did you save me?"


    Moran tested.


    Save him a while ago, or if she''s truly the one who bought him.


    Ett isn''t dumb; knowing the future Grand Strategist with keen eyes, she could choose to say otherwise.


    But.


    Even before she opened her mouth, Moran cut her off.


    "I had drawn you."


    Huh?


    "Pardon?"


    "Fenar described you; you''re the closest and first the portrait accurately. I have it in me; it''s you. Even the same cloak. What''s more, he said you look like a sick patient that coughs to die."


    So that uncle''s name is Fenar. Wait, coughs to die?


    That''s not the point here.


    He just said he drew me. Seeing the blank expression on Ett''s face, Moran brought out a piece of paper.


    Looking at the sketch, Ett was speechless.


    Brother, it''s far more detailed than what she thought. It is not nearly that looks like her in this portrait. It''s more that it''s she! It''s as if you could see at a glance. He even had five sketches of her!


    Are you a Forensic Sketch Artist?


    Was the uncle so bothered by the money that he described her looks to Moran that much?


    Amazing.


    In this age and time where police, much less a Forensic Sketch Artist, does not exist, there is one with such potential right before her.


    I just got caught, and it''s even earlier than in the game, the novel. No cliche at all. Wow. I''m downright stupid, and this young Moran is ultimately talented. I want to recruit you to my team, but I don''t dare.


    "Why did you save me?"


    Moran repeated, folding the sketch he had and putting it in his bag.


    It was not natural in this empire to help each other if they were strangers or without mutual benefits.


    "Mere whim."


    Ett answered, walking away.


    There''s no use to lie anyway. She destroyed the plan for future revelation. Oh well. Small things won''t affect their meeting.


    "Mere whim?"


    He dare not believe it. Yet the words of Fenar rang in his mind. Nobles do enigmatic and cruel things just because of their own whim.


    Ett asked, "Where''s the uncle?"


    Moran smiled, "He''s resting."


    "Oh."


    That''s good to hear. Ett thought he might be in danger if that rich sugar mama ordered someone to silence him because of competing with her.


    Ett coughed, wiping the sweat away from his forehead.


    Dusty and filled with dirt.


    Sure enough, this was the place that the ML had discovered and destroyed, earning the common populace much gratitude.


    "Oh, now I get it."


    If Ett could turn it the other way around, they would benefit from this event by capturing people''s hearts.


    "What do you understand?"


    "Nothing."


    "..."


    In the novel, the ML destroys this Merry House with the help of Moran, who knows the ins and outs of this place.


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    It might be if it was not discovered, but now she blocked the MLs screen event time in this area, so she needs to find an alternative.


    There''s no other way.


    "It''s taking a toll on my health bar."


    She needs that herb for Veralis'' sister. Illegal trades often have some benefits. It''s not impossible that it could be found here.


    Ett had escaped through the usual cave and should not have taken long. Besides, "Huff."


    Stamina is negative. Vitality stat is in shambles. If one of the men noticed them, she was a goner. Stealth is down the cap.


    Their body is already tired; her knees are trembling, shaking like a skeleton ready to do some voodoo dance.


    "You, why are you tailing me?"


    Moran was behind her, and he would follow her whenever she moved to another narrow street. Stopping where they couldn''t be seen, she faced him with a placid face.


    "Where are you going?"


    "N-None of your business."


    Ett coldly rebutted and coughed. "Do your own thang."


    Thang?


    Moran frowned. His brain quickly turned for its closer word.


    Ting!


    Was it supposed to be a thing? "Fine."


    As he was about to turn away, Ett opened her mouth, "Just don''t destroy the Han Flower. It''s mine."


    Moran frowned further before smirking, "If you can find me, that is."


    For some reason, this little girl knows his thoughts. What a dangerous feeling.


    She can''t follow him; she''s already huffing like a tired dog. She looks pitiful. Moran escaped to the other side, not noticing Ett''s dull smile, which slightly concealed half of the shadows.


    He just took the bait.


    You think that was important to me.


    Yet you still walked away, hehe, that''s the most important right now.


    Ett kneeled, wheezing, tired from walking and climbing upstairs. Geez, when the ML owned this, it was beautiful and well-renovated. Now, it''s making her frail body turn worse. She can''t just let Akan do this for her; there are things that she must do herself.


    "Hello?"


    Huh?


    Ett glanced at the person four meters away from him. A beggar child not far from her age, and he looks like he has been beaten badly.


    "Um, hi."


    This boy is right on time; she doesn''t have to look at the map anymore. Ett thought Moran would be a good guide, but she should bait him.


    "Are you new here? Do you want to escape?"


    The boy asked.


    "Do you want to escape?"


    Ett asked back; the boy shook his head, smiling sadly, "I can''t escape, but I can help you."


    Old and new wounds and dried blood from different intervals, some even last a day or two. His neck was severely bruised, with a head gash, blue-violet marks on his arms and blooded lips that she was familiar with, a way to stop himself from screaming. This boy is badly abused.


    "You''re stupid."


    "Wha-What?"


    The boy was extremely appalled. He is…he lowered his head. "Yes, I''m I''m stupid. But I still want to help you."


    "…"


    Quick-witted too, but still stupid and kind, as if selfless. It''s still foolish to not escape when you have a chance. Why stay still? He knows his situation well and still wants to help an unknown stranger.


    "Who is it?"


    "Yes?"


    "Someone you''re protecting, how are you related."


    "Just…just a friend."


    Friend… A sardonic, down-sided smile passed by Ett''s lips.


    "Do you think your friend won''t leave you for his freedom?"


    The boy bowed down.


    This person in front of him was using a tone full of contempt and distrust. It was apparent how she was mocking his conviction. Yes, it''s hard to trust in the situation that they live in. Yet, his friend was the only one he had.


    "He, he did leave me."


    "Then why are you here?"


    "I''m waiting for him; I know he will never abandon me."


    The boy smiled positively like a radiant moon that would never dim, even if darkness surrounded him. "He is smarter than me, too."


    All Ett could do was stare at him before she blinked her eyes.


    Even if she convinces him to escape with her, this person will remain here even if the world crumbles; those pained but resolute eyes are not developed and decided just like that. Hah. What is she even doing here?


    Right, never mind, she''ll look for the location herself. This extreme trust being displayed irks her insides.


    "Best of the best."


    She just uttered, passing by him.


    This person can save himself but chooses to wait for someone else. Ett doesn''t want to communicate with this kind of person. You see, she thinks like a promise, and trust from a friend is far more distant than being half away from the world for her. Much more to a world like this.


    "Hey. Where are you going?"


    After shooing off Moran, there comes another one.


    "Shut up, noisy."


    "Hic."


    The boy followed her closely and whispered, "Why are you going to the second boss''s place?"


    Second boss? Then that means Moran went to the First Boss. Wait, why does she feel like she''s in a game with how this person calls those traders with their titles.


    Ignoring him, Ett followed what was on the map using her candle, making sure not to be seen or heard by anyone.


    "I can help you."


    "Help yourself."


    "I…"


    Feeling footsteps nearby, Ett took a second or two to look at the map, trying to remember as much as she could before taking a broken ceramic to cover the wick instead of blowing it. Who knows if they have a dog nose? That would be dangerous.


    After a couple of minutes, the footsteps were gone. Ett''s knees trembled as she supported herself. Ugh, this is what she hates when being outside for long with so much walking to take. Look, even sitting for a bit and then getting up makes her tired.


    "You look pale."


    Ett exhaled a breath.


    "Hey, let me help you."


    "Go away."


    "But why? I just wanted to help you."


    Ett doesn''t want this kind of kindness. She doesn''t like it.


    "I''ll get burned by you."


    "What?"


    "Your light," Ett pointed behind him; it was dark and gloomy, yet the moon showed his weak and small stature like a firefly of the night; nevertheless, Ett was caught in his eyes.


    His inner self cannot compare to his unclean appearance.


    "It blinds me."


    "???"