In the darkness of the night, a merchant and his daughter were traveling through the forest.
The merchant was driving his horse carriage, while his daughter sat quietly behind him.
"Today's grain delivery is finally done," the merchant said.
"It took a lot of time today, Father," the girl replied.
The sound of the horse's hooves echoed through the forest. Tak… tak…
"Yes. Mr. Sien has begun preparing for war," the merchant said as he lightly cracked the whip.
The girl sat in the darkness, her face hidden by the night.
"Father… why do people fight wars?" she asked softly.
"What do they even gain from it?"
"Ava, people don't start wars," the merchant replied calmly.
"Kings do. Those who hunger for power. Because of their greed, thousands lose their lives. But ever since the Ocean Organization was formed, wars have reduced."
The girl's name was Ava.
"Father… aren't you scared delivering supplies near this prison?" Ava asked.
"This prison is right in the middle of the forest."
The merchant laughed lightly.
"No. Soldiers are stationed all around this forest," he said confidently.
---
"There— a merchant is coming. Everyone get ready," a bandit whispered.
"And you— today is your first day. Don't mess it up."
There were five bandits in total. Lukas was the newest among them.
"I have to do this properly…" Lukas thought.
"Otherwise, we'll sleep hungry again tonight… Niya, I'll come back soon."
Lukas was eighteen years old.
Black hair, a scar across his face from a sword wound, and torn clothes—everything about him spoke of hardship.
He lived with his younger sister.
The sound of the approaching carriage grew closer.
"Now," the bandit leader muttered.
All the bandits stepped out and blocked the path.
The carriage came to a halt.
"Bandits…? Here… in this forest?"
The merchant's hands began to tremble as he stepped down.
Ava hid behind her father.
The bandits held swords in their hands.
"Hand over the money," one of them said, pointing his blade forward.
"Father…" Ava's voice trembled.
"Don't be afraid, Ava. I'm here," the merchant said, shielding her.
"Listen… let us go," the merchant pleaded.
"Otherwise, we'll call the soldiers."
"Call them," the bandit laughed.
"There isn't a single soldier nearby."
The merchant's body shook.
"Help! Someone help us!"
"There are bandits here!"
"This doesn't feel right…" Lukas thought.
His heart wasn't ready.
The other four bandits moved toward the merchant with their swords.
"Oh? There's a pretty girl too," one of them laughed.
"Tonight might be fun."
He stepped toward Ava.
"If anything happens to my daughter," the merchant shouted, pulling Ava behind him,
"Mr. Sien will not forgive you!"
Sweat poured down Ava's face.
"Enough wasting time," the leader snapped.
"Kill the merchant, take the girl and the money, and leave."
Then he turned to Lukas.
"Go, Lukas. Kill him and take the money."
"W-What… me?"
Lukas's hands trembled.
"Go. We don't have time."
"How can I kill someone?" Lukas asked himself.
Another bandit grabbed Ava and lifted her onto his shoulder.
She struggled, hitting his back, but he only laughed.
"Let me go! Let me go!" Ava screamed.
Lukas stood frozen.
His body refused to move.
Because he wasn't evil.
"I… I can't do this."
Lukas's sword slipped from his hands and fell to the ground.
All the bandits turned to look at him.
"Lukas… do you want money or not?" the leader said, staring into his eyes.
In front of Lukas's eyes, his sister's face appeared.
"I have to do this…"
He picked up the sword and walked toward the merchant.
His legs felt heavy.
Sweat dripped down his face.
"I have to feed my sister," Lukas whispered, breathing heavily.
He stood before the merchant and gripped the sword tightly.
His hands trembled.
But his sister's face remained in his mind.
The other bandits began cheering.
"You can do it, Lukas!"
"Kill him!"
Lukas's heart pounded violently.
He raised his sword.
"No! Please! Help!" the merchant screamed.
"Father!" Ava cried.
Lukas swung the sword downward.
"Sien!" Ava screamed.
Tears streamed from her eyes.
The merchant shut his eyes.
---
Clang.
The sword fell to the ground.
The bandits' eyes widened.
Lukas collapsed.
His head separated from his body.
Blood splashed onto the merchant's face and slowly spread across the ground.
The merchant slowly opened his eyes.
Ava stared in shock.
Everyone stood frozen.
"Because Veder had arrived."
"I don't like this," Veder muttered, looking at his sword soaked in blood.
He pointed his blade at the bandit holding Ava.
"Let her go."
His gaze was cold and direct.
One bandit rushed toward him in rage.
Veder kicked him aside and drove his sword straight into the man's chest.
The remaining three bandits collapsed in fear.
Ava ran toward her father.
"Father… are you okay?"
Her lips still trembled.
"Yes… I'm fine," the merchant said, looking at Veder.
Veder sheathed his sword.
"No Problem," Veder said casually.
"You have a carriage," Veder continued.
"Drop me outside the forest."
"Of course!" the merchant replied, wiping blood from his face.
"You saved our lives."
In the torchlight, Ava's face became visible.
Black hair, pink eyes, and a pink dress.
A soft rose-like fragrance surrounded her.
---
They boarded the carriage, and it began moving.
"Thank you for saving my father," Ava said softly, her hair swaying in the wind.
Veder's eyes rested on the bag of coins.
He smiled quietly to himself.
"So much money…"
---
"Brother Lukas… where are you?"
"Why haven't you come back yet?"