Martisa trudged along the dim mountain path, her mind adrift in a haze of despair.
The villa had burned to the ground, and there was no one left to support her. Alone, she had no choice but to descend deeper into the mountains.
The chaos of her thoughts had come to a standstill. Even when she tried to force herself to think, her mind felt like a solid block. She moved forward without knowing where she was going or why she was going there.
Why had this happened? Why was this misfortune befalling her?
She didn't even have the energy or the luxury to indulge in self-blame.
Grrr...
As she descended from the mountains and entered the city, her stomach growled loudly. Perhaps it was the emptiness inside her or the fact that mealtime had long passed.
"...I should eat something."
That was the first thought that crossed her mind.
She needed to fill her stomach. Surely, if she warmed her body and satisfied her hunger, she would regain some strength.
This was the first time she had been forced to move with such purpose after experiencing a disaster.
"..."
She headed toward the restaurant she owned—a high-end establishment known for serving exquisite imperial cuisine, one of her most profitable ventures among many shops.
"Ugh..."
Normally, there would be a line of customers waiting, but today there wasn't a soul in sight. The restaurant was closed.
Despite being open every day without breaks, the lights were off inside, and not even a single person could be seen.
"Those bastards...!"
This was a breach of contract. If they had to close for any reason, they were required to notify her in advance.
She felt an urge to smash down the restaurant door and demand answers, but Martisa didn't have the strength left for such an outburst.
"Haah."
With a sigh, she moved on again.
This time, she aimed for a grocery store. Some bread would stave off her hunger, and chocolate could replenish her energy.
But this place was also—
"Closed too?! Seriously…."
Stunned, she looked around at other shops: a lens store, a clothing boutique, even a butcher shop.
Why was it only her establishments that were closed?
She could have entered any other restaurant to eat, but she had no money on hand. The gold coins were always carried by her butler or servants.
"…How ridiculous I've become."
Martisa had once lived surrounded by treasures and wealth. Now, she didn't even have enough money for a meal.
As she wandered aimlessly through the streets, her hunger grew more intense. For an elderly woman like herself, hunger was particularly cruel and debilitating.
As fate would have it, she found herself standing in front of a restaurant that served Veritas beef. The aroma wafting from within was so enticing that her stomach growled madly.
"I have no choice…"
Martisa glanced at the necklace hanging around her neck—a large diamond set in gold that had cost her two thousand gold coins.
The thought of selling one of her possessions had never crossed her mind before, but in the face of such unbearable hunger, all bets were off.
"Excuse me! You can't cut in line! You need to wait your turn!"
"..."
Just as she was about to enter the restaurant without thinking, someone grabbed her shoulder from behind and spoke gruffly.
"Hey lady, can't you hear? You need to stand in line."
"...Do you know who I am?"
"I don't care who you are. Can't you see there's a line? You need to go to the back."
"Haah…"
She didn't possess the signature red eyes of an Arahan bloodline; if they had been glowing red, he would have knelt and begged for mercy at first sight.
"No way! You're really stubborn! Hey! Someone do something about this old lady! Am I just supposed to wait here for two hours like an idiot?"
Two burly bouncers approached Martisa and roughly grabbed her arms in an attempt to pull her away.
Fury surged within her as she tried to summon her strength when suddenly someone called out from behind.
"H-Hold on… Is that you, Martisa of Arahan?"
"What? Arahan?!"
"Did he just say Arahan? That old lady is one of their elders?!"
Martisa turned towards him.
His face bore large scars on his arms—this man was Ralph, the captain of the Zatmar Mercenary Group.
"…Who are you?"
"Oh! I used to work as a servant for Arahan! I can't believe I'm seeing you here… It's truly an honor!"
Ralph bowed deeply as if he were meeting royalty.
The man who had been harassing Martisa trembled and quickly knelt down in apology.
"I-I'm so sorry! I didn't recognize you as one of Arahan's elders! Please forgive me just this once!"
"..."
Following his lead, everyone else waiting in line—including the bouncers—instantly dropped to their knees as well.
Martisa sighed softly and shook her head in disbelief.
How could simply mentioning Arahan change their reaction so drastically?
"Martisa! Allow me to escort you."
"What's your name? I'll reward you handsomely when dawn breaks."
"Oh no, it's my honor to serve such a distinguished person! But I don't have enough money for this place… Would it be alright if I took you somewhere else?"
"Very well. This place is too crowded anyway."
Just when things seemed dire, Ralph appeared like an angel sent from above.
Martisa felt relief wash over her as if she'd met someone truly special.
"Well then, follow me!"
Ralph's face lit up with joy as he led the way ahead of her.
Even as they moved far away from the restaurant, people still remained kneeling behind them.
Martisa watched them for a moment before turning back ahead.
Before long, Ralph led them into a dim alleyway.
"…Where are we going?"
"Oh! There's a restaurant I know that's cheap and hearty… Is that alright with you?"
"No problem. Keep leading."
"Yes ma'am!"
She couldn't show discomfort when fate had gifted her with such kindness.
After all, without Ralph's assistance, she wouldn't even be able to satisfy her hunger right now.
Moreover, it felt like her stomach was clinging desperately to her back; she needed something—anything—to eat soon.
"We're almost there! Ha ha! Let's go inside!"
"..."
The place Ralph brought them to didn't even have a sign—it looked more like a rundown shack than a restaurant.
In truth, calling it a restaurant felt like an insult; it resembled something out of a beggar's village instead.
Nausea rose within her—was it from disgust or sheer hunger? She couldn't tell anymore.
"Aren't you coming in? Is it not up to your standards...?"
"No, it's fine."
"I'm sorry for bringing someone so esteemed into such humble surroundings… We're just happy not to starve."
"I appreciate your sentiment; don't feel guilty about it."
"Haha! Thank you for your understanding! Let's hurry inside!"
With Ralph excitedly leading the way inside, Martisa reluctantly followed him in.
As soon as they entered and ducked under the low ceiling, an overwhelming stench assaulted their senses.
"Tch…!"
She seriously considered leaving right then and there; no matter how hungry she felt, eating here seemed unimaginable.
It might be better just to sell that necklace and find somewhere decent instead.
Just as she resolved herself to leave, food arrived at their table unexpectedly.
"Haha! The beef soup here is truly exquisite—plentiful and affordable!"
"..."
Contrary to the dilapidated surroundings inside, the soup placed before them looked quite appetizing—chunks of meat floated amidst rich broth that smelled heavenly.
Without realizing it, Martisa's mouth watered as she picked up a spoon against her better judgment.
"Eat your fill! It's on me!"
"...Thank you; I will repay your kindness generously."
"Haha! If you enjoy it enough—that's all I ask! Please dig in!"
Unable to hold back any longer, Martisa took a large spoonful of soup despite its scalding temperature against the roof of her mouth—it didn't matter now!
Like someone starved for days on end, she devoured bowl after bowl until soon enough there wasn't anything left on her plate!
"Oh dear! You'll need another serving!"
"If you could spare one more—I'd appreciate it."
"It's nothing at all; haha!"
Another bowl of beef soup arrived soon after!
After finishing three bowls in quick succession, Martisa leaned back against her chair with satisfaction washing over her face—the market may say otherwise but this tasted better than anything she'd eaten recently!
Hah… Now I feel somewhat alive again.
Perhaps it was because warm soup filled her belly; sleepiness began creeping in along with a cozy feeling that made her eyelids heavy.
Unbeknownst to her that it was due to "Tufrin's poison," slowly but surely sleep overtook Martisa's consciousness…
Oh no!
Moments later, Martisa jolted awake with wide eyes—this wasn't her villa!
Embarrassment washed over her at having fallen asleep anywhere but home; when she looked around for Ralph he was nowhere in sight.
Looks like I dozed off while he left.
What gratitude welled up inside for him—offering kindness without expecting anything in return!
Thanks to him she'd enjoyed this wonderful meal without having sold off any belongings!
Martisa recalled Ralph's face fondly as she exited the restaurant feeling full and refreshed; only now did clarity begin returning to mind.
First things first—I need to head towards another villa; tomorrow at dawn I can seek help from Samet.
Night had fallen during this time; approaching now would only be rude—and revealing how pitifully disheveled she currently appeared wouldn't help either!
She hurried toward one of her villas located on the outskirts north of Neka city—a bit further than expected…
Hah… This is farther than I thought.
Wiping sweat from her brow while catching breath reminded Martisa how long this trek truly was; walking from central Neka all way north took considerable time!
While being a sorceress meant not needing physical training regularly—the real issue lay within age itself!
"You'll pay for this…!"
As fatigue set deeper into limbs so too did anger grow against those responsible for all this misfortune!
Determined not forgive easily while biting down on lips brought into focus sighting villa ahead finally coming into view!
Overwhelmed by emotion made body feel lighter than air!
Though not visited recently caretaker remained stationed nearby—she'd instruct them prepare warm water then indulge herself with massage followed by bath easing away fatigue soon enough!
Right before entering main gate thoughts remained positive until—
A thunderous explosion shattered tranquility around them!
KABOOM!
In an instant everything joyful crumbled away before eyes—flames engulfing second villa now rising ominously high above ground level!
It felt as though fate awaited patiently just for moment arrival here triggering chaos beyond comprehension!
"M-Must be kidding me! How did they find this place?!"
Her desperate scream drowned beneath deafening roar surrounding flames consuming everything once held dear—
This outer villa designed solely meant refuge remained hidden even from most elders' knowledge yet somehow attackers managed locate target successfully?!
"Hah… What madness…"
Columns supporting structure buckled helplessly under weight firestorm raging through walls surrounding them—
Simultaneously crashing down upon Martisa's world shattering completely alongside everything built throughout years' laborious efforts—
Valuable possessions collected painstakingly over time vanished alongside cherished rose garden tended lovingly alongside loyal soldiers once guarding final bastion now reduced ashes scattered everywhere...
As clarity returned slowly realization struck hard: everything held dear burned away leaving nothing behind except hollow shell remaining where hopes once thrived…
Martisa sank down onto ground staring blankly into ferocious flames licking hungrily at remnants left behind…
Amidst thick haze despair clouding thoughts suddenly something familiar caught eye distance away—
A golden cloth fluttered gently amidst chaos surrounding destruction…
That very item marking beginning downfall spiraling into darkness…
"..."
Without thinking twice instinctively reached out grasping hold tightly against fabric wrapped around square box nestled within luxurious silk material…
Suddenly recognition sparked memories long buried deep resurfacing once again igniting fury anew within heart pounding fiercely against chest—
I remember now…
Etched upon lid lay emblem unmistakably belonging Cherbille family crest engraved boldly upon surface confirming suspicions rising rapidly throughout mind racing wildly…
Meaning conclusion drawn swiftly following realization struck hard:
"Jed Arahan…. It was you all along…"
Inside box lay white handkerchief pristine condition untouched despite chaos erupting around—
Martisa stared intently at cloth lingering moment longer than necessary until flames finally began subside slowly fading away into night sky above watching silently without moving remaining still throughout duration until darkness enveloped everything completely leaving nothing behind except echoes memories lingering faintly upon air itself reminding what lost forevermore…