Malv is a city within the domain of the Magapath Kingdom, one of the four major kingdoms on the continent of Wettan. Presently, Malv is under the rule of a noble who acts as a link between the city and the ruling authority, the Magapath Kingdom. The Magapath Kingdom enforces the rule that the leader of a city within its dominion must be appointed by the kingdom itself. Furthermore, the ruler of a city within the Magapath Kingdom's sphere of influence must be a noble of the Magapath Kingdom. In other words, a city under the protection of the Magapath Kingdom is not allowed to have a leader from its own local population. The Magapath Kingdom employs such a governance system to facilitate control over its constituent cities.
The leader of a city that is part of the Magapath Kingdom is granted the title of "Advati" by the Magapath Kingdom. Currently, the ruler of Malv is Advati Lucard Morgia Path IV, a fourth-generation descendant of Vergaz Morgia Path. Vergaz Morgia Path was a noble of the Magapath Kingdom who was entrusted by the kingdom to lead the city located on the slopes of Mount Severu. He was the first person to bear the title of Advati for the city of Malv. The Morgia Path noble family has held onto power for at least four generations. Unfortunately, the great responsibility of leading the city has not been fulfilled wisely and effectively by Advati Lucard Morgia Path IV, who currently holds authority over Malv. Unlike his ancestors who were city builders and contributed to its civilization decade after decade, Lucard seems to be dismantling the achievements of the past. Economic inequality is stark, with elite figures monopolizing wealth, and the general population enduring a difficult life.
In Malv, the sharp divide in the living conditions of the people is highly evident. The extensive labyrinthine streets reflect both the economic disparities and the pronounced social strata. For the elites living in the affluent regions of the city, life is an extravagant and excessive celebration. Opulent palaces adorned with the finest silks and priceless gems stand as symbols of power and privilege. These corridors resonate with extravagance, where nobles indulge in insatiable desires that only continue to grow.
In stark contrast, the common people, who are the backbone of Malv, toil under the shadow of the aristocracy's grandeur. Their lives are confined to the cramped and squalid districts below. Narrow, winding alleys twist like serpents among dilapidated homes. The streets hiss with the relentless pursuit of poverty, and the stench of destitution seeps into every stone in the desolate walls surrounding the districts of the common folk.
This stark disparity serves as the lifeblood of Malv, pulsating with tension, discontent, and the fervent desire for change. It is here, amidst the opulence of the nobility and the despair of the common people, that Malv earns its moniker as the "City of Chasms."
(At the end of a dark alley near a major market in Malv)
The dark, maze-like alleys of Malv serve as a hiding place for Bony and Fiona. Now, they must summon the courage to venture out from their refuge and make a concerted effort to find something to eat.
"Fiona, this is the end of this alley."
"Yes," the young girl responded curtly.
"Don't worry; we've done it before. Do you remember how?"
"Yes, Bony... But I'm scared," the girl trembled.
"It will end quickly, Fiona. Trust me, just like before. You'll go to the vendor, pretend to beg and ask for sympathy, and I'll sneak in from behind, avoiding the seller's watchful eye, and take the goods for us to eat. That's our target. Look at the bread seller at the end of this path; it seems there are many customers. That's our chance," Bony reassured her.
"But Bony, what if someone else notices our actions and catches us? I don't want to be imprisoned like before," the girl expressed her fear and worry.
"There's no time to be afraid, Fiona. Let's go; follow the plan we discussed earlier," Bony affirmed his determination and guided the girl to move forward.
Slowly, Fiona emerged from the dark alley and walked towards the bread vendor at the end of the main market street in Malv. Meanwhile, Bony stealthily made his way through the crowd of people heading in the same direction, heading toward the bread vendor.
Fiona reached the bread vendor first and began to execute her part of the plan that Bony had explained earlier.
"Um... Mr. vendor, please have mercy on me. I'm an orphan who has lost my parents. I haven't eaten at all today. Please, would you kindly provide a piece of bread for me?" The girl pleaded with the bread vendor, who was their target.
"Do you think I'd give it to you, little miss?" the vendor retorted to the small girl who was pleading with him.
***
"Good job, Fiona; I'm starting!" Bony appeared ambitious. Bony, observing that his friend had successfully diverted the vendor's attention, quickly left the location where he had been hiding and began to crouch among a few people in front of the bread vendor's stall. In this position, Bony's view was blocked, and he could no longer see Fiona because of the crowd between them. He focused his gaze on the face of the bread vendor and waited for the right moment to seize the bread he had targeted from the bread storage location.
***
Fiona continued her act and kept trying to divert the attention of the bread vendor.
"Um... Mr. vendor, if I had money, I would certainly replace it, so I hope you won't mind if I consider this a debt for now." Fear and sadness radiated from the young girl's eyes.
Unexpectedly,
"All right, this is for you," the vendor answered the girl with a comforting smile and promptly prepared a piece of bread to give to the little girl in front of him.
"Huh?... Is it true that I can have that bread, Sir?" The girl seemed almost disbelieving.
"Of course, today many people have been buying my bread, so it's no problem to set aside a piece for a sweet girl like you, haha." The bread vendor warmly patted the head of the young girl in front of him while handing her a piece of bread.
At a quick glance in the girl's view, there appeared a small hand attempting to reach for a piece of bread from the bread storage location belonging to the vendor. At that very moment, Fiona realized that it was Bony who was trying to take the bread, just as planned. Bony, no longer paying attention to the bread vendor, was currently striving to accomplish his plan. His face slowly lit up with a satisfied smile as his hand successfully secured a piece of bread from the bread storage location of the bread vendor.
"No, Bony, don't continue... I've already got the bread!" Fiona, unable to warn Bony, could only scream in her own mind.
Meanwhile, Bony swiftly withdrew his hand from the bread container and attempted to conceal the stolen bread within the tattered shirt he was wearing.
"What's the matter, young lady? Haven't I already given you bread?" the vendor inquired after seeing the little girl with an expression of extreme fear.
Then, the vendor turned his gaze to follow the girl's gaze, which appeared to be locked on the end of his stall.
"THIEF!!!"