After a long week at work, Kollam finally arrived home in Brunnenheim City. Balancing a bucket filled with fruits and sweets, he knocked on the door.

  As it opened, he grinned. "I'm back, dear!"

  His wife, Esha—a ghoul with silver skin, long black hair, dressed in a modest green dress, and wearing two rings—welcomed him with a warm smile. She hugged him tightly, and as he kissed her cheek, he murmured, "I missed you. It was..."

  Esha smiled softly. "Come inside. Let’s get you settled before we catch up."

  Inside, Kollam sank into the couch, stretching out his arms, feeling the familiar ache in his back—a reminder of years of hardships.

  Esha handed him a large goblet of wine and sat beside him, gently stroking his beard. "Did you work hard? Tell me about your week."

  As Kollam recounted his time helping at the orphanage, his face lit up. He spoke with happiness, cherishing each memory he had with the kids, while Esha listened with a warm smile.

  Later, after a long bath, Kollam joined Esha at the table for dinner. She watched him with a proud smile, teasing, "So, does the tavern’s food beat mine?"

  Kollam didn’t answer right away. Instead, he dove into his meal with evident hunger, pausing only briefly to sip water before resuming.

  Still smiling, Esha added, "My mother was asking about you. She stopped by a few days ago and was sad you weren’t here."

  Kollam nodded between bites. "I’ll visit her tomorrow before work."

  Esha nodded back, though a hint of sadness lingered in her eyes. "Will you be gone long this time?"

  Kollam noticed and reassured her, "No, just half a day. I’ve saved enough to keep us comfortable for at least three years."

  Her smile returned, and she placed a hand gently on her belly. "You’re really working hard for this little one, aren’t you?"

  Kollam smiled, nodding. "Yes, for him, for you, and for those children, too."

  He set down his fork, cupping Esha’s chin and drawing her closer. "When you found me, I was broken and alone. You saved me, gave me a life and a purpose. Thank you, Esha. You’re truly wonderful."

  She smiled warmly, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "But you’ve done so much yourself, my love. Don’t forget, you’re a good person too."

  .

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  .

  .

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  "DAAAAAAAANNNNN!!!!"

  Kollam jolted awake, his heart pounding. He glanced over at Esha, who was peacefully asleep beside him. Shaking, he carefully slipped out of bed, trying not to disturb her. He made his way to the kitchen, his steps heavy and uncertain. After drinking a goblet of water, he sank down onto the cool kitchen floor, letting the tiles ground him. As his breathing steadied, he closed his eyes, letting Esha’s comforting words echo in his mind: *"You are a good person!"*

  Opening his eyes, he whispered to himself, “I did good. I helped kids, I helped the elderly. I’m not a villain anymore... I am a good person... I am... good.” The words brought a fragile solace, though he still shook, his gaze drifting away.

  After a few moments, he forced himself to rise and walked over to the couch, sinking down as if seeking comfort. Staring at the floor, tears welled in his eyes, his voice choked with emotion as he whispered, “I... am a good person. I swear I am! I... am!”

  ---

  Meanwhile, at Cerulea City's merchant guild, Joe followed the guild master down a long corridor to his office. Joe had travelled through several cities before reaching Cerulea, noting that no bounty had been placed on him. This made him wonder why his father hadn’t pursued him, or if perhaps Evangeline had intervened. Despite the absence of any bounty or legal trouble, he remained cautious, finding some peace in his carefulness as he slept outdoors along the way.

  Entering the office, Joe’s gaze fell on a white-haired adventurer sitting with an air of calm confidence. The man wore light armour, a small bow resting at his side, and his face was smooth and unscarred—a testament to his skill and experience.

  The adventurer looked up as Joe entered, rising with a slight bow and a charming smile. “Welcome, Noble Joe. My name is Theoden, at your service.”

  Joe returned the smile with a nod. “Thank you. You’re the one with the information, I presume?”

  Theoden nodded. “Yes, someone like Dan can’t just vanish without leaving traces.”

  Joe took a seat, saying, “I have 600 gold coins on me right now. You asked for 900. Is there any way we can come to an agreement that leaves everyone satisfied?”

  Theoden paused, massaging his chin thoughtfully. *I really wanted the full 900 to leave this kingdom behind for good, but 600 is better than nothing. I’ll need to get as much as I can, especially since he’s a noble,* he thought.

  Looking back at Joe, he replied, “I’ll accept the 600 coins and even help you reach Dan’s city undercover. How does that sound?”

  Joe raised an eyebrow, surprised. “You’ll accept 300 coins less? Why?”

  Theoden smiled inwardly, thinking, *I’ll let him feel like he’s getting a deal, maybe even build a bit of trust. That way, he won’t be suspicious.*

  Looking Joe in the eye, he said, “You want revenge, and I want money—but connections are valuable, too. Sometimes, it’s about having someone to turn to when no one else will. I’ll help you reach the city discreetly, and in return, someday you’ll help me. A favour for a favour. Who knows? Maybe one day we’ll share a drink in a tavern. What do you say?”

  Joe smiled and rose, shaking Theoden’s hand firmly with both hands. “I’d be honoured, Theoden.”

  Settling back into his seat, Joe thought to himself, *Having an adventurer on my side could be a real advantage if I want to start fresh.*

  Theoden nodded. “Now that we’re agreed, you mentioned in your letter that your payment is in jewellery?”

  Joe nodded. “Yes, but I can exchange it for coins if that’s easier.”

  Theoden shook his head. “No need. I prefer to keep payments in coins and store value as jewellery. You’ve already saved me that step.”

  Joe raised an eyebrow. “Why not ask clients to bring jewellery directly, then?”

  Theoden chuckled, thinking, *Does this guy know anything about the black market?* He replied, “Jewelry can be tricky. Verifying it takes time, and if it’s a scam, the client has already disappeared. It’s not smart to treat clients as potential thieves—it damages trust.”

  Joe nodded and handed Theoden a small box containing the necklace. As Theoden reached for it, Joe asked, “Why trust me, though?”

  Theoden paused, watching Joe’s cautious gaze and thought, Because you’re desperate. With a slight smile, he replied, “I know you want this revenge badly. Anger and drunkenness make men most honest, and in those moments, they’re very clear about what they need. I trust this necklace holds its value.”

  Joe nodded as Theoden took the box, sealing their deal with a handshake. When Theoden left, the guild master rose from his seat, pouring Joe a cup of tea. “Are you sure you don’t need any extra men with you? Dan is dangerous.”

  Joe shook his head. “He’s somewhere in the eastern region of the kingdom, living a new life—probably even using a new name. I doubt he managed that without help from higher authorities. For years, guilds couldn’t track him down, so he must have backing in powerful places. Better I go alone, to avoid raising any suspicions.”

  The guild master nodded. As Joe took a sip of his tea, he continued, “I will find him, but what are the chances I’ll be arrested if I kill him?”

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “Likely,” the master replied, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “With his connections, he’ll be protected. If you’re going to kill him, you’ll need to do it quietly.”

  Joe nodded, drained his tea, and rose, shaking the master’s hand firmly. “Thank you for everything, sir. I really appreciate it.”

  “It’s our duty,” the master replied. “Take that monster down. His victims deserve peace.”

  Joe nodded. “It’s a shame his bandits escaped justice. His crimes weren’t his alone—I’d like to have captured them, too, Pan.”

  “Most of them are dead,” Pan said. “What was left of his gang after Goven’s massacre were hunted down. Only two remain. One is serving a life sentence of hard labour, and the other is set to be executed next month.”

  Joe paused, surprised by this news. “Then why is he the only one still free?”

  Pan sighed. “That bandit group was like a family. They even wore matching necklaces. No one betrayed him, not even under torture. One of them died without a word, despite the chance for freedom.”

  Joe’s eyes widened. “Necklaces? I didn’t know about those.”

  Pan met his gaze. “Yes, small metal necklaces attached near their left shoulders. They were a trademark of his crew.”

  Joe leaned forward, intrigued. “Can I get my hands on them? I’ll pay—though I don’t have much.”

  Pan shook his head. “Keep your money; the guild has already taken enough. The necklaces are scattered across several guilds in different cities. Give me two days, and I’ll have them delivered by owl.”

  Joe sighed in relief as he left, heading to a modest inn where he’d stay until Theoden escorted him to Brunnenheim.

  Settling in for the night, Joe tried to ease his mind, muttering aloud, “I hope Evangeline’s safe. Jogo better tread carefully around the nobles. Is Urien alright? Ebe must be fast asleep by now, I bet. Agatha’s probably teaching her kids before bed. And…”

  He gazed out the window, continuing, “Is Father still working this late? I… I bet he is. Hope he’s not pushing himself too hard. But Evangeline will look after him. She always does.”

  Joe smiled, picturing the scene—a comforting image that felt more like a memory than a dream. He could almost see Jeffrey working into the night, with Evangeline at his side. Agatha would finish teaching and arrive at the office, bringing cakes.

  Ebe would come in next, tiredly carrying little Ilana. She’d hand Ilana to Evangeline and sit beside Agatha, reaching for a cake as they all chatted quietly into the evening.

  Urien and Jogo would enter next, settling onto the second couch and reaching for cakes of their own, joining the lively conversation. They all laughed, shared surprises, expressed sadness, and supported one another—just as a family should.

  Then, together, they turned toward Joe, who sat slightly apart, distant as always. He looked back at them, a soft smile forming as a single tear slipped down his cheek. Bowing his head slightly, he gave them a silent acknowledgement. They smiled back, resuming their chatter as if to say that he was always part of them—distant, yes, but undeniably one of them. Yet, no matter how real the connection felt, Joe couldn’t bring himself to imagine truly being there with them.

  Meanwhile, in Brunnenheim City, Kollam made his way back from Esha’s parents' home. Their warmth and kindness were always a comfort, and their deep faith had guided him in finding purpose and direction over the years.

  When he returned home, he found Esha reading, her lips curving into a soft smile. Her collection of books, almost entirely comedies, was one of her greatest treasures. Kollam had gifted her a few over time, but most she had chosen herself, carefully curating her little library. He smiled as he sat beside her.

  “Another book? How many do you have now?”

  Esha closed the book with a grin. “One hundred and thirty, all comedies.” She paused, a hint of excitement in her voice. “But this one’s a bit different—it’s the first one I’ve picked up with a romance subplot.”

  Kollam whistled. “That’s a lot of books! So, what’s this one about?”

  Her smile widened as she moved a little closer to him. “It’s about a couple who start out hating each other and end up married. The characters are hilarious. I bought it for three golden coins, but it’s worth every bit.”

  Kollam smiled, leaning in to press a kiss to her forehead before standing up. Esha looked up at him, her expression softening with concern. “Kollam?”

  He turned, noticing the worry in her eyes. “Around this time of year, you always have nightmares. Please… wake me up if you have them again.”

  Kollam forced a smile. “Yeah…”

  “Please!” Esha’s voice was filled with concern. “Promise me you’ll wake me up next time, alright?”

  Kollam nodded, and Esha smiled as she rose and hugged him tightly. He closed his eyes, breathing slowly as her presence calmed him, wrapping him in a sense of peace. He embraced her back, letting himself relax.

  Three months later, with her belly fully grown, Esha was seated beside her mother, Iga. Nervousness clouded her face as she spoke. “Mother, were you scared when you were pregnant with me?”

  Iga, a ghoul with red hair and orange eyes dressed in a flowing blue gown, smiled proudly. “Scared? You were my fifth! I had ten children, for God’s sake!”

  Esha, still anxious, replied, “I’m afraid, Mother. I’ve heard so many stories of mothers and babies who… don’t make it through. I... I..."

  Iga gently patted her daughter’s head, her voice soothing. “Don’t worry, daughter. We have skilled doctors and healers. You’re in good hands, and the twins will be born healthy, just like their father.”

  Esha nodded, reassured as Iga pulled her into a comforting embrace. “My dear little ghoul,” Iga said softly, “you’re my daughter, and I love you. I pray for a long and happy life for you. Don’t break your mother’s heart, alright? Smile—God will bring those two into a wonderful world. Do you hear me?”

  Esha nodded again, tears welling up. Seeing her mother’s eyes also glisten, she gently wiped Iga’s tears, and they held each other close.

  Not long after, her sisters Rona and Jina arrived. They hugged both Esha and Iga, sharing laughter and warm company.

  After finishing another goblet, Rona threw up her hands in mock frustration. “That useless husband of mine wants a fifth child, and here you are fretting over just two? And you were supposed to be the bravest sister!”

  Esha chuckled. “You weren’t scared of pregnancy? The first time must have been terrifying!”

  Jina shook her head, grinning. “You know my husband. We’ve had three kids, and I was as calm as ever. There’s nothing to fear. We’ll be with you, alright?”

  Esha nodded, feeling strength from their embrace. Their bond was strong, holding them together like a close-knit family.

  Nearby, by the lake, children splashed and played while Kollam sat with Gor, Esha’s father, and Houn, her brother. The three men laughed and talked, enjoying the quiet moments together.

  Houn looked over at Kollam. “What are you going to name the baby? I’ve got a few ideas. If it’s two girls, how about Jasmine and Violet—sweet-smelling like flowers. And if it’s two boys, just pick some names that sound halfway decent.”

  Gor and Kollam laughed, and Kollam replied, “I just hope God gives me the strength to protect them, and that they grow up to be good people, whether they’re girls or boys.”

  Gor nodded approvingly. “Well said! Houn, maybe you should take a lesson or two from Kollam.”

  Houn smirked. “I’ve got better things to worry about.”

  Everyone laughed, while Kollam sat back, drifting into his thoughts. Their voices faded into background noise as he was overwhelmed by a sudden, intense heat, like flames consuming everything around him. When he looked up, he saw visions of people from raided villages lying lifeless on scorched ground, their bodies engulfed in flames. The air filled with desperate screams—“Please! I have a child! Save us! We’ll die! We have nothing left! God, help us! Burn in hell for this!”

  His vision cleared, and he found Houn and Gor staring at him, concern etched on their faces. Houn spoke gently, “It’s rare to see this happen during the day. Are you alright?”

  Kollam blinked at them, disoriented, as though he didn’t recognize them. His gaze wandered frantically before he stammered, “W…where… is Esha?”

  Houn and Gor quickly led him to the lake, splashing water on his face to help him regain his composure.

  As he calmed, tears rolled down his face. He whispered, “God help me… God help me… I’m a bad person… I… just want Esha. I… want peace…”

  Struggling to steady his breathing, Houn and Gor brought him to the healer.

  Meanwhile, after a long day, Esha and her sisters helped their mother prepare for a family gathering. Together, they set the table, arranging everything for their husbands, their remaining brothers, and the children.

  Gor and Houn soon returned with Kollam, and Iga, noticing them, scolded lightly, “It’s late—wash up, and let’s eat!”

  The two men nodded, giving Kollam an encouraging pat before heading off to clean up.

  At the healer’s, Houn and Gor learned that Kollam was experiencing episodes of fear, which could improve with a balanced lifestyle and rest. They were told that while Kollam needed to face these inner struggles, he could benefit from a steady, supportive environment.

  Kollam pleaded with them not to spoil the family gathering, wanting to face his struggles alone. Gor and Houn respected his wishes but made it clear they wouldn’t leave his side, ensuring he felt their support during this difficult time.

  Later that night, all the women gathered in Esha's room, sharing stories and laughter, while the men settled down for the night—some in the available rooms, others in the basement, and a few, like Gor and Houn, outside in the garden. In Brunnenheim, where safety was a given, it was common for people to sleep under the stars.

  Kollam, however, sat alone by the lake, gazing up at the moon. He took slow, steady breaths, eyes closed as tears traced paths down his cheeks. Clutching his chest, he whispered, “God… please have mercy on me. I’ve done terrible things. Help me. I’m weak and afraid, just as I always have been. Please… help me.”

  When he opened his eyes, he saw his hands trembling, his beard and cheeks damp with tears. He remembered Iga’s comforting words: “Remember, son, you never know when God might listen. Always pray for what’s best for you so that God can help make it happen. Do you understand?”

  Looking up at the vast night sky, Kollam took a deep breath, his right hand resting over his heart as he murmured, “God… if I could ask for just one wish… please grant it, and I’ll never ask for anything more…”

  Memories flooded back: his past crimes—the killing, the thievery, and the suffering he’d brought to innocent people who might have been like this family, if not more. He saw the faces from the villages he’d ravaged: Tsvetoria, Morgenfeld, Drachenwald, Goven, Schattenheim, Lunagrad, and countless others. The echoes of desperate screams and pleas haunted him, a relentless reminder of the lives he’d destroyed as he plundered these villages, silencing anyone who dared to resist.

  He thought of the bandits who had followed him—some drawn by desperation, others coerced by corrupt nobles and ruthless authorities.

  Opening his eyes, he made his decision. In a trembling voice, he prayed softly, “God… please protect Esha and my children, and watch over Iga and Gor, Jina and Rona, Houn, and the entire family. Keep them safe for me. This is my wish.”

  Meanwhile, in Gelia City, as midnight struck, a knock echoed at the door of Han, the renowned pet owner. Sitting up in bed, he rubbed his eyes. “Did the kids and my wife come back early?” he murmured to himself. “They weren’t due until morning.”

  Rising quickly, he hurried downstairs to the door. As he opened it, he was startled to see Joe standing there, a white-haired man behind him.

  “Noble Joe? I…” Han stammered, bowing slightly.

  “Han,” Joe interrupted, his voice firm, “I want the three pets I bought from you.”