Thoma was once regarded as the Hero who had protected humanity. He was someone who belonged in the history books for his victory against the Demon Lord. Reality, however, was not so kind to the former Hero. Rather than receiving the fame and praise he deserved, he was being used and thrown away by the very people he had risked his life for. Even this lowly pharmacist had abandoned him.
Twenty years. From a historical point of view it was neither a long nor short period of time but, for those living in the present, it was more than long enough for Thoma to have been mostly forgotten.
'Rotten bastard… Well, who am I to judge him.'
Like many people, the Holy Knight had also grown up to tales of the Hero's adventures. As someone of common birth who had risen to become such a prominent figure in the Kingdom, Thoma had been one of the more popular Heroes during his hayday. And now, under orders from the Pope, he had taken part in a plot to assassinate the man he once admired. Although, his life might have been in jeopardy had he refused this mission.
"Keep your lips sealed," the Holy Knight growled. "If you speak of this to anyone…" His words jolted Kelvin from his trance-like state. "You will be handed over to the Court of Heresy and tortured to death."
Kelvin dropped his coins, sending them scattering across the floor once more. He trembled in fear, having been reminded of just who the man in front of him was. It wouldn't even be considered a crime if the Holy Knight cut down the old pharmacist where he stood, had he been so inclined. All he needed to do was claim that he had been eliminating a heretic to be absolved of any wrongdoing.
"I understand," Kelvin said while nodding vigorously.
***
Ellie looked around the market of Lania, the capital of the Holy Kingdom, with bright eyes. Countless people were present, talking and laughing with one another. Merchants were busy at work in their stalls, yelling into the ever-present crowd to attract customers.
Speaking of customers, they were everywhere, carrying baskets both empty and full, haggling prices, and going through the various wares of whichever stall caught their eye. It reminded Ellie of a fast-flowing river, but one of people rather than water.
She could see mercenaries passing by here and there, wearing whatever armor they were able to afford. There was also the occasional group of Holy Knights on patrol, adorned in white-gold plate armor and wearing their iconic cylindrical helmets.
Turning her gaze away from the market, Ellie focused her attention on the buildings around her. There were clean multi-story houses lining the long, well-paved brick road. This road was one of the main throughways of the city. Looking down it, Ellie could see a massive and awe-inspiring palace in the distance. It was the most beautiful structure she had ever laid eyes on.
A massive wall surrounded the palace and a white flag bearing a golden cross—placed at the very peak of the building—was waving in the wind. Lania, a city of smiles and laughter! Ellie's imagination had been filled with such expectations but now that she was here… her eyes saw differently. On the surface everyone appeared happy, but their happiness was superficial—a facade. If one took the effort to pay attention while looking around, they'd see innumerable poor, unfortunate people scattered about.
Looking down a nearby alleyway, a violent hellscape unfolded before her eyes. Slave merchants cracking their whips, slaves locked away in cages, vagrants begging for food, whores—men and women alike—selling their bodies, groups of addicts indulging in drugs, and even acts of violence and brawls, all happening in places visible from the market area. Everything she had seen was supposed to be outlawed, yet the patrolling Holy Knights didn't even glance in that direction, simply ignoring such blatant violations of the law.
A covered wagon came rumbling by, catching her attention. She glanced at it quickly, but her gaze lingered. The wagon was carrying a cage and within it were demi-human slaves. Their necks and arms were bound by chains and they were all clothed in rags which barely covered their bodies. The demi-humans' eyes were full of fear and despair. The wagon came to a stop right beside her as the slave merchant driving it stretched his back and drank some water. The slaves, parched after their long journey, could only watch in anguish.
Ellie hurriedly pulled her waterskin and offered it to one of the slaves nearest to her. "…Do you want to drink this?"
The demi-human watched her hesitantly. Green skin and a wrinkled face, a muscular build, a long nose and a pair of canine-like teeth popping out from his lower jaw, he was an orc. It's monstrous appearance horrified most people. The orc took a step back, wary of her offer. He kept looking at Ellie cautiously before carefully reaching through the iron bars of the cage to grab the waterskin. With trembling hands, he took his first drink of water in a long time, finally quenching his thirst. Once he had his fill, he passed it on to the next slave. This continued until every slave had received some of the water. When the waterskin was finally empty, the orc reached through the bars once more to return it to Ellie. As she grabbed the waterskin, the orc spoke at long last.
"T… T-thank you, human. I am grateful."
Ellie's face gradually grew brighter as she nodded her head with all of her might.
"Yep, no problem!"
***
His break over, the slave merchant boarded the wagon and left, leaving Ellie to watch as the orc and the rest of the slaves were carted away. She couldn't help but feel depressed.
"…How pitiful," she muttered to herself.
"What is?"
She jumped in surprise as an unexpected question came from behind her. Thoma, who had promised her earlier that he would 'be right back', had finally returned.
"Where have you been all this time?"
"I bought some medicine."
His answer alarmed her. She knew he was getting older, but she hadn't thought he had any serious health issues.
"Are you sick or something?"
He shook his head. "No, I'm fine."
In an attempt to change the topic, Thoma quickly offered her the second bag of medicine.
"This is…?" Ellie accepted the bag and looked at Thoma questioningly.
"It's medicine for you; I was told it's good for anemics. It's expensive, so make sure you use it."
"E-expensive? Did this cost a lot?"
"No, the pharmacist gave it to me as a favor. He's an old friend and he said he was closing up his shop."
"I see," Ellie muttered thoughtfully.
Her eyes turned toward the other bag that Thoma held.
"So what's your medicine for then?"
"It's just a supplement," Thoma said. "I need to start watching my health."
— Ω —