The Forest Feeds No Idle Goblins

In a corner of the cemetery behind the Cathedral of the God of Night and Destiny in Plantagenet City, a slender figure in a long, black hooded cloak slowly walked past several gravestones.

This was a corner of the cemetery, a section usually chosen for the burials of common people with little money. The even poorer, such as beggars who died of disease and hunger on the streets, were long since hauled to the earthen hills far outside the city.

The person held a bouquet of white chrysanthemums, walking at an unhurried pace. Their eyes continuously scanned the gravestones, as if it were their first time visiting this cemetery.

Not until they reached a very ordinary gravestone did the person stop. "Haaa," she sighed softly and whispered, "Father, Vivian has come to see you."

The gravestone before her was so plain, indistinguishable from the ones around it, and even a size smaller. If not for being told, no one would ever know that a Baron of the Kingdom lay in eternal rest here.

Besides Baron Merlot's name and the years of his birth and death, the gravestone was bare. There was no epitaph, no final words he wished to leave behind, no confession to the world or the Gods. It was a lamentable sight—that a successful Baron, at the peak of his glory, would end up like this.

Vivian bent down and placed the chrysanthemums she was holding. She was somewhat surprised to see that a bouquet of white flowers had already been placed beside the gravestone. 'Could it have been my brother?'

However, judging by the freshness of the bouquet, it was unlikely to be from Shire. Perhaps one of her father's other friends had left it. Vivian squatted before the gravestone, examining the two bouquets. "So besides the two of us, there's someone else who remembers you, Father."

She lightly stroked the gravestone. The hard texture against her fingertips felt surprisingly similar to her father's stubbled face when she was a child—just as rough to the touch.

"I still don't know where my brother is, but I've confirmed his general location," Vivian murmured to the gravestone, as if chatting with a family member. "Great Mage Affif is amazing. His Divination Technique told me that my brother has been in the Nightmare Forest for a long time, but next year he'll be staying in Yangjiao Town for a while. That's when I'll find a way to get to him."

"But you don't have to worry, Father," she said, gently brushing the surface of the gravestone as if wiping dust from a loved one's face. "My brother is safe. He won't be in any danger for the next year. Old Mister Affif used up a lot of Magic Power just to confirm his situation."

"I'm doing well, too. My teacher treats me very well. Besides making me practice Magic every day, he's now having me drink 'Red Bull' to enhance my learning Ability."

"CAW CAW CAW," the cry of a crow drew Vivian's attention. She glanced back, but seeing nothing new, she continued confiding in Baron Merlot. "Torch City is being renamed now. Our family crest no longer hangs at the city gates."

"All the merchants coming and going are privately saying how much they miss you," she sighed. "Those same people used to complain constantly because you wouldn't lower the taxes. Now, a new group of officials is in charge, and the whole port has been turned into a mess. Everyone is just trying to grab more Gold Coins for themselves, and the merchants have to pay even more than before."

"I still don't know who was behind the plot against our family, but I'm sure that as time passes, those scoundrels will eventually show their true colors. When my Magic Ability becomes more proficient, it will be time for me to avenge you."

"However," she said, her fingers slowly tracing her father's name, "I have to find my brother first. After all, unlike me, he doesn't have a High Tier Great Mage as a teacher."

After speaking for a while longer, Vivian finished wiping her father's gravestone clean. She rose slowly, her eyes fixed on her father's grave, as if her gaze could penetrate the earth and see him sleeping peacefully.

"I have to go now, Father. Once I've found my brother and settled everything, I will move your coffin back to the family cemetery."

With that said, she pulled the hood back over her head, tugging the brim low, and turned to walk out of the cemetery. This was not the customary time for the people of the Fran Kingdom to pay respects to the dead, so the cemetery was virtually empty. As long as she could leave the grounds and blend into a crowd, no one would know that a wanted fugitive had just been here.

The cemetery was utterly quiet, save for the occasional caw of a crow and the cool breeze brushing against Vivian's face. She glanced up at the overcast sky. 'It's about to rain.'

She quickened her pace, intending to leave the cemetery as soon as possible. If it started to rain in the city, a conspicuous person in a long, black cloak walking down a deserted street would undoubtedly attract the attention of patrolling constables.

Just as Vivian reached the cemetery entrance, a voice called out, stopping her. "Please wait a moment."

Vivian froze. She didn't turn around, her mind instantly racing, calculating her next move. She tightened her grip on the Magic Staff hidden beneath her cloak. 'If this is an informant planted by the constables, or a Bounty Hunter lying in ambush, my only way out is to defeat them.'

"Vivian, is that you?" a kindly voice asked. The voice sounded somewhat familiar, making Vivian hesitate.

"Don't worry, child," the old, kindly voice said, drawing closer from behind. "There's no need to be so guarded. You see, I patted you on the head not long after you were born."

Vivian relaxed her grip on her Magic Staff slightly and said softly, "I'm sorry, you have the wrong person."

The person behind her chuckled a few times before speaking again. "There's no need to worry, child. No one can harm you here. As long as I am standing here, no one will dare to take you away."

The tension in Vivian's nerves gradually eased. She remembered who that voice belonged to.

"Archbishop Konrad," she said, slowly turning around. Before her stood an elderly man dressed in a black priest's robe, with two white stoles adorned with gold patterns hanging down his front. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"No, child. I was waiting for you." Archbishop Konrad, his hair and beard completely white, shook his head calmly. "I am very sorry that I wasn't able to help with the Baron's matter."

"Archbishop..." Vivian trailed off, hesitating at his words.

"I wasn't in Plantagenet City at the time. When I heard the Baron had been arrested, I immediately rushed back, but I was too late." The Archbishop took two steps forward and slowly reached out his hand. "Please forgive me for not being able to stop the conspiracy against your family."

"Ever since then, I have been waiting here for you, simply to tell you and your brother, in person, that I am sorry."

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