The Eastern Continent, one of the three powerhouse continents in this vast world, is a region defined by longstanding political divides and formidable factions. Two primary power blocs dominate this land: the Eastern Empire, a coalition of regions ruled under the Emperor's authority, and the Western Independent Parties, a loose alliance of five distinct kingdoms. These include Elfheim, the mystical home of the Elves; Nelfheim, inhabited by stout and skilled Dwarves; Helheim, the dark domain of Demons; Midgard, known as the human kingdom of Hellberg in honour of its heroic founder; and Asgard, a kingdom revered as a bastion of holiness.
Once, the Empire's influence maintained a relatively stable balance of power across these lands. However, internal strife, conflicts among the noble houses, and civil wars eventually drove the Empire to the brink of collapse. As its influence waned, regions formerly under imperial control became ripe for conquest, drawing the attention of neighbouring factions. Refugees fleeing the chaotic lands only worsened the situation, becoming pawns in the territorial ambitions of opportunistic dukes. This turmoil has begun spilling over into Hellberg, where tensions between supporters of the new king and the return of the 1st prince threaten to plunge the kingdom into civil war—a conflict with Arthur and Ellie precariously trapped in the middle.
Helheim Kingdom
Within the shadowy halls of Helheim's citadel, Lord Bohr receives intelligence about the shifting power dynamics in Hellberg.
"Alfred, what's the situation in Hellberg?" Lord Bohr inquires, his voice heavy with anticipation. "I've heard the 1st prince has returned, and his younger brother has claimed the throne. Is this true?"
"Lord Bohr, yes, that's correct," Alfred responds with a respectful bow. "The 12 councils in Hellberg decided to appoint the 2nd prince as their ruler before the 1st prince's return. Now, Hellberg is simmering with tension as both factions prepare for an inevitable clash. It's only a matter of time before open conflict breaks out."
Lord Bohr leans back, considering his options carefully. "Hmm... This seems like an opportune time to make our move," he muses aloud, "but that damn Francis is there. It would be suicide to act while he's present; the man is utterly unpredictable. We'll have to wait patiently or craft an opportunity. Perhaps we can manipulate Arthur into dealing with Francis on our behalf. Very well," he declares decisively. "Let's proceed with that plan. Deploy spies to gather intelligence and maintain a close watch on the developments in Hellberg. If I know Francis's character, he'll undoubtedly go after Arthur, and it's high time Arthur begins his intelligence operations."
Alfred nods in understanding. "Yes, my lord. Our scouts are prepared and awaiting further orders."
The tension in the kingdom of Hellberg is almost palpable, with factions manoeuvring in anticipation of conflict. Meanwhile, In a quieter corner of Hellberg, Ellie's eyes opened groggily, greeted by Arthur's familiar presence.
"Ellie, how are you feeling?" Arthur asked a gentle concern in his voice.
"Better than yesterday, I suppose," she replied with a faint smile.
Arthur handed her a small vial. "Here, it's time for your medicine."
Ellie hesitated, looking at him with suspicion. "Thank you… but why are you here, Arthur? Don't you have other responsibilities? Where's Maria?"
Arthur hesitated before responding. "I asked Maria to let me bring your medicine. I… wanted to speak to you in private."
"And what is it that you want to discuss?" Ellie asked, her curiosity piqued.
Arthur sighed, his face conflicted. "I wanted to apologize again for not protecting you better. And I need to leave on a pressing matter. I'll be away for a few days, and I was hoping you could oversee things while I'm gone. I know it's selfish after what happened, but… there's no one I trust more than you."
Ellie's brow furrowed, but she nodded with a sigh. "You're always so hard on yourself. Fine, I'll cover for you—but only for three days, understood?"
Arthur's face softened with gratitude. "Thank you, Ellie. I promise that when all this is over, I'll marry you."
Ellie's cheeks flushed, and she sputtered, "Eek! Don't say things like that out of the blue! You will jinx it. You better come back in one piece, or I'll find a way to bring you back just to kill you myself."
In the dimly lit Crow Guild, Francis convened with his men and outlined the final stages of his sinister plan.
"Red, is the assassination plan ready to commence?" Francis asked.
"Yes, my lord. We'll strike tonight, right after the final bell. The team is briefed and ready."
"Good," Francis said coldly, his gaze sharp. "Remember, there is no room for error. I want those council members dead by dawn. Failure is not an option."
The men nodded, and as Francis left to solidify his influence, the scene shifted to yet another corner of Hellberg.
At the Cat's Tail Tavern, patrons watched as Francis made his way inside. Whispers swept through the room, with many wondering about the prince's sudden visit.
In the tavern's basement, Francis met with his undercover agents from the Black Order.
"Black, have you found anything about Arthur or Ellie in my absence?" Francis asked.
"My lord, we've observed that Arthur's behaviour has shifted dramatically. He's been attracting attention—especially from the 12 council members—with his recent actions and seems to have gained a stronger following."
Francis smirked. "Interesting. He did appear different when I saw him. Something in him has changed, though I don't know what."
As he concluded the meeting, Francis instructed his agents to continue monitoring Arthur closely, with orders to eliminate any informants who threatened to leak information.
In a soft candle-lit chamber, Arthur spoke to Maria as he prepared to depart.
"Oh, Maria, I thought you had already left for the evening," Arthur said, surprised to see her.
Maria curtsied and replied, "My place is always by your side, Your Grace."
Arthur smiled. "Take care of Ellie in my absence, will you? I may not return for some time, but her well-being is in your hands. And by the way, where's the girl I brought here last time?"
"She's resting in the adjacent room, Your Grace," Maria informed him.
Arthur approached the girl in the next room, the one who helped him not long ago. She looked up, surprised but grateful.
"Hey, how are you holding up?" Arthur asked gently. "I hope you haven't been too uncomfortable here. This situation must be strange and unsettling for you, huh? But I couldn't just leave you alone on the streets, could I?"
The girl's eyes welled up and in a trembling voice, she responded, "No, I'm fine. I'm so grateful for everything Your Grace has done for someone like me."
Arthur attempted to console her, "Woah, woah, don't cry. Did I say something wrong? Please, don't cry. Can you tell me what happened? Does anything hurt anywhere?"
"No...HICK! No HICK! No, it's just that I've never been this happy before in my entire life. I never thought I would ever get to enter such a big, grand, and important place. It's an honour to be here with you, Your Majesty," she tearfully expressed her gratitude.
Arthur, amused by her emotional response, assured her, "Huh? Is that all? No need to worry about small stuff. Now that you are here, you don't need to worry about anything while I am around. Pick yourself up from the ground, young lady. We have a job to do, and you are coming with me, got that?"
"Yes!" she replied enthusiastically.
Arthur continued, "Alright, I haven't asked your name, have I? So, what's your name?"
She introduced herself, "My name? It's Momo."
"Okay, Momo. I need your help. Can you help me?" Arthur inquired.
Momo responded with unwavering dedication, "Yes, of course. I will do anything you say, Your Majesty."
Arthur, cautioning her, added, "Oh?! Are you sure about that? You shouldn't go around saying such things, you know; people might take advantage of that."
Momo quickly clarified, "No-no, I am only saying this because it's you. You are giving me food, shelter, and clothing. I can't thank you enough. I am in your debt, so it's the last thing I could do to repay it."
Arthur appreciated her sentiment, saying, "Hmm. If it's like that, then it's okay, I guess. If that's the case, you can drop the formalities. You can just call me 'lord Arthur."
Momo hesitated but eventually agreed, "Yes, my lord."
Satisfied, Arthur asked calmly and politely, "Then if that's settled, Can you answer something for me?"
Momo tilts her head wondering but agrees anyway. "Okay."
Hearing a positive response from Momo, Arthur couldn't hold his excitement and In the heat of the moment grabbed Momo's solder and asked, "Since you were in the streets, you must have picked on a bunch of information. So by any chance Do you know where the information Guild is?"
Momo confirmed her understanding, "Yes."
Later, Arthur and Momo made their way through the bustling Liyue streets toward the information guild. He noticed Francis leaving the Cat's Tail Tavern as they passed, his expression one of calculation.
"Wait… wasn't that my brother?" Arthur muttered, watching Francis disappear into the distance. Arthur continued in his thoughts. " Yes, it's him alright. No one else except royals is allowed to wear that crest. So the question is, what was he doing in the tavern and in the middle of the day? Why do I feel like something's wrong here? Should I follow him? "
Momo tugged at his sleeve, breaking his thoughts."Lord, is there something wrong? Why did you stop all of a sudden?"
Arthur brushed off his suspicions, responding, "Oh, it's nothing. I just felt like I saw someone I knew. I must have been mistaken." Arthur continued his thoughts, "No, it's not a good time right now. I have Momo with me. If something's wrong here, then I can't put her in danger, like I did with Ellie."
Understanding his hesitation, Momo encouraged, "Alright, we are just about there. We should go now."
Arthur agreed and strategized, "Hmm, I will check this out when I am done with the information guild and alone. Maybe I can look up something at night. It's not a bad idea; let's go with that."
Eventually, they arrived at the information guild, a nondescript building hidden among the bustling stalls.
"This is it?" Arthur asked, puzzled by the building's humble appearance.
Momo nodded. "Yes, it may look unassuming, but this is the most trusted information guild currently in Hellberg only known to several people."
A loud hoarse voice interrupted with a greeting, "Oh, hello, dear customer. It's been a while since someone visited this place. So, what can I get you?"
As the middle-aged owner emerged from the pitch-black room holding a knife, Momo responded, "A crow hunt by the fox."
Arthur, utterly confused and surprised, muttered, "Say what?"
The owner gestured for them to follow, saying, "Right this way."
The situation unfolding in front of him made him even more confused and puzzled. "Is it me, or did the mood suddenly change here? For now, let's just go with what she does. "
Unsure about the situation, Arthur whispered to Momo, "Hey, Momo, are we in the right place? I'm sceptical about this place."
Momo reassured him, "Yes, this is the most famous and trusted information guild out there. It might look shabby and unsightly and also kind of scary from the outside, but that's just for disguise. What's important is inside. An information guild without disguise wouldn't last very long."
As Arthur and Momo ventured further into the guild through a narrow and dark tunnel, Arthur's thoughts continued to race. Momo, on the other hand, remained strangely composed.
"Why does Momo seem to be acting like it's normal for her? Shouldn't she be scared? Sigh! I have no idea what's going on here. I'm not going to be trapped here, am I?" Arthur pondered.
Eventually, they arrived at a massive door, and Momo announced, "Here we are, and I can only take you this far. Behind this gate, you will find out what you are looking for."
Arthur contemplated his next steps, "Thanks, old man."
Cautious, Arthur prepared himself for anything that might come his way. "Now, the moment of truth. Is it a trap or something else?"
Momo encouraged him, "Lord, you seem worried. Is there something wrong?"
Arthur put on a brave face, assuring Momo, "Haha, no, nothing's wrong, Momo. Now, shall we enter?"
As the heavy door creaked open, Arthur and Momo stepped into an unexpected sight—a place starkly different from the violent world outside, where people often clashed over even the smallest of differences. Here, the air was filled with laughter and warmth, and creatures of all kinds, races, and origins mingled freely, setting aside the barriers that defined their societies. Beasts, elves, dwarves, demons, and humans alike were seated side-by-side, sharing drinks, stories, and hearty laughter. It was as if they had all chosen to leave their pasts and conflicts at the door.
Arthur marvelled at the camaraderie unfolding before him. It seemed like a scene out of a fairy tale, a place where former rivals found solace in each other's company, enjoying the night without fear or resentment. There were, of course, occasional drunken arguments and the rare scuffle, but these were quickly diffused, and the harmony returned.
Amidst the chatter and clinking of glasses, one figure stood out—a bartender whose skilful flair for mixing drinks and performing tricks captivated everyone. He was a mystery wrapped in charm, his movements fluid and mesmerizing, as if every gesture were a piece of an intricate performance. He served drinks with a playful, flirtatious smile, but his presence radiated power and control, suggesting he was far more than just a bartender.
Arthur couldn't help but be astonished. "Whoa! What the hell is this place? Dwarves? Demons? And... wait—is that an Elf?" He couldn't stop his gaze from following a passing, enchantingly beautiful Elf, her silver hair catching the light, and his eyes grew wide with admiration.
"Ahh…! L-Lord?" Momo stammered, noticing Arthur's distracted gaze.
"Ahem!" He tore his eyes away, clearing his throat. "Right, sorry. I got a little… sidetracked." He scanned the room, focusing on the mix of races. "So, there are Elves, Humans—some of them mages—and even a few swordsmen in the crowd who don't look like they'd back down from a fight. But why is this place packed with so many powerful people, and how are they all getting along so well?"
Momo smiled knowingly. "Everyone here has something they need, something they're seeking," she explained. "Some are outcasts, some are looking for work or information, and others are just trying to escape their pasts. In a place like this, people set aside differences to find what they're missing, even if just for a while."
Arthur nodded slowly, taking in her words. "So, it's kind of like a sanctuary for the broken, a place where no one's background matters as long as they don't disrupt the peace."
"Exactly," she replied, gesturing subtly towards the counter. "But we're here for a purpose. See that bartender? Give him this." She handed him a thin, gold card marked with a five-star symbol encircled by the word 'VIP.'
Arthur stared at the card, his eyebrows raising in surprise. "A VIP card? How did you get something like this?"
Momo glanced away, a hint of mystery in her eyes. "It's a long story, and I promise I'll explain everything later. Right now, you should go. I'll wait here."
Arthur studied her for a moment, still curious. "Fine, but don't forget—you owe me an explanation."
"Yes," she replied, her tone firm but gentle.
Following Momo's instructions, Arthur approached the counter, holding up the gold VIP card. The bartender's playful expression shifted to one of respect, and he nodded, gesturing for Arthur to follow. They weaved past the tables, through a hidden door behind the bar, and down a short, dimly lit hallway until they reached a luxuriously furnished VIP lounge.
"Wait here," the bartender instructed before leaving.
As Arthur took in the lavish decor—richly coloured tapestries, plush chairs, and a faint, pleasant scent of incense—the bartender returned, this time carrying a sleek, black card embedded with a glass orb protruding on either side.
"Here," the bartender said, holding out the card. "This is what you came for. Take it and don't lose it, because there won't be a second chance."
Arthur took the card, studying its odd design. "This is it?" he asked, unsure. "But… I came here to gather information—"
The bartender cut him off with a knowing smile. "Just release your magic into the card while focusing on what you want to know. It will reveal the information you seek. But be careful—it's a one-time use. Once you use it, the card will disintegrate."
Arthur nodded slowly, pocketing the card. "Alright, thank you for everything."
The bartender waved off his gratitude with a smirk. "Huh? Thanking me? I'm just doing my job, kid. Now, off you go."
Before Arthur could respond, the bartender pressed a hidden button on the wall. The floor beneath him gave way with a sudden click.
"Wha—?!" Arthur barely managed to gasp as he was suddenly dropped through a hidden chute. He shouted in confusion as he tumbled down, sliding wildly through a dark tunnel.
A Few Moments Later...
After a stomach-churning descent, Arthur finally emerged, unceremoniously sliding out of the chute and landing with a heavy thud in an unfamiliar alleyway. He groaned, disoriented, and pushed himself to his feet, only to find Momo waiting with a calm smile.
"Whew! That was one hell of a roller coaster ride," he muttered, still dizzy from the fall. "What the hell was that anyway?"
"Oh, Lord Arthur, welcome back!" Momo greeted him with a grin. "So… how was your trip? Did you get what we came for?"
Arthur sighed, dusting himself off. "Don't even ask." He held up the black intel card as proof, then tucked it away. "We'll talk about it later. Let's get to the inn before sunset; I'm in no mood for any more surprises today."
Momo chuckled, taking the lead. "Right this way, my lord."
As they walked through the crowded streets, Arthur glanced back at the hidden entrance, still baffled by the bizarre experience but intrigued by the mysteries it promised to uncover.
At the Plum Blossom Inn
The inn had a warm, rustic charm with wooden beams lining the ceiling, casting soft shadows in the dim evening light. The innkeeper, a grizzled older man with a friendly smile, looked up as Arthur and Momo approached the counter.
"Hello, how may I help you?" he asked, his eyes twinkling as he took in the unlikely pair.
Arthur nodded politely. "We'd like to stay here tonight. Do you have rooms available?"
The innkeeper tilted his head, eyeing them with a hint of mischief. "Yes, we do. How many would you like—two rooms or one?"
Arthur opened his mouth to reply, "Hmm… Tw—"
But Momo cut in quickly, leaning forward with a pout. "One room, please," she said, glancing at Arthur meaningfully.
Arthur turned to her in surprise. "One room? Are you sure? You can have a separate room if you want. Don't you want a little privacy?"
She shook her head, her tone leaving no room for argument. "No, I want to be by your side no matter what."
Arthur blinked, trying to hide his confusion. "Ehh?!"
The innkeeper chuckled knowingly. "Ehehehe, young love these days…"
"Ouch!" Momo muttered as he playfully bopped Momo on the head. She rubbed her head with a small grin, unfazed.
"All right then," Arthur said, sighing as he turned back to the innkeeper. "We'll take a single room."
"Perfect," the innkeeper replied, handing him a small iron key with the number engraved on it. "Room 404, up the stairs and to the left."
In Room 404
As they stepped into the room, Momo froze in place, her gaze fixed on the lone bed in the middle of the room. The room was cosy but modest, with a single window overlooking the bustling street below, a worn armchair in one corner, and only one bed.
"What the… hell?" Momo muttered, her cheeks flushing. "Why is there only one bed?"
Arthur rolled his eyes, folding his arms with an exasperated sigh. "You were the one who insisted on a single room, remember? Why are you surprised now?"
She crossed her arms and pouted, glancing away. "Hmph! I just thought there might be two beds, that's all."
Arthur sighed, taking a seat on the edge of the bed and patting the space beside him. "Well, now that we're here, let's get down to business. Back at the guild, you mentioned you'd explain everything later. Well… it's later."
Momo's playful expression faded, replaced by a look of seriousness. She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts, before sitting next to him.
"All right," she began, her voice tinged with sadness. "It's a long story… It all started when my village was raided. They looked like knights, but they weren't part of any army I'd seen before. They attacked without warning. The adventurers from the guild tried to defend us, but they were overwhelmed. Those who resisted were killed, and the rest of us… were captured."
Arthur's gaze softened. "Captured?"
"Yes," she said, her voice low. "I was out on a herb-collecting quest for the adventure guild when it happened. By the time I returned, the village was destroyed. My parents were missing… probably taken with the others. I tried to find them, but the raiders caught me. They offered me a choice: resist and die there, or surrender and go with them."
She paused, her hands gripping the edge of the bed tightly as she relived the memories. "I couldn't let myself die without knowing what happened to my family. So… I surrendered. They took me to a slave house, crammed with more than a hundred people, but I never saw my parents there."
Arthur listened, each word hitting him with the weight of her suffering. "That's… terrible."
"It didn't stop there," she continued. "We were forced into training, made to fight against the empire itself in some twisted campaign. They wanted us to fight their wars. Those who survived were either killed or sold off to slave traders afterwards. I… was one of the unlucky ones sold to a noble."
Arthur clenched his fists, anger and sorrow mixing within him. "How did you escape?"
Momo managed a small smile, though it was laced with bitterness. "One night, while the noble was distracted, I slipped away. I had no one, and nowhere to go. I lived on the streets, stealing what I could to survive. Then, one day, someone approached me, offering me a way out. They took me to the information guild, asked me to gather information, and paid me according to what I found."
She shook her head. "For a while, it worked. But then, one day, the noble I'd escaped from spotted me. My cover was blown, and the guild expelled me. I ended up back on the streets, I lived in the streets with what little savings I had left after I ran out of them only the hard-earned fifth-class VIP card I had left which I had kept for absolute emergencies."
Arthur took a deep breath, absorbing everything. "So that's why you seemed so familiar with everything back there, how you moved around without fear."
Momo nodded, looking down. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. It's not exactly the type of story you want to share right away."
Arthur placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about it. You did what you had to do. If I were in your position, I'd probably have done the same."
A faint smile touched her lips. "Thank you, Arthur."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment until the distant chime of a bell rang through the night air, signalling midnight.
Arthur yawned, stretching his arms. "That's the midnight bell. It's getting late. We should get some rest; tomorrow's going to be a busy day. We might have to search an entire city to find that guy."
Momo looked away, blushing slightly. "Okay."
He leaned back, patting the bed beside him with a wry smile. "And don't get any ideas. I don't plan on giving up the bed."
With a small laugh, she found herself at ease despite everything, lying down on the floor next to him with a blanket Arthur had pulled from the closet. The two lay there, side by side, each lost in their thoughts but bound by the quiet understanding they now shared.
Name: Momo
Age: 16
Weight:42 kg
Height: 5'6"
Constellation: Libra
Personality: Compassionate, strong-willed, protective
Likes: Reading, martial arts, nature, friends
Dislikes: Cruelty, oppression, violence, selfishness
Dreams: Freedom, justice, martial arts mastery
Relationship: Arthur's loyal ally, bodyguard, subordinate
Skills: Martial arts, scouting, spying, assassination
Jobs: Guild's spy, Arthur's escort, assassin
Special Trait: Empathetic