The story began in the quiet morning at Yoka's shop. Adventurers roamed the shelves, browsing for equipment, potions, and scrolls, while Yoka worked behind the counter, serving his customers. Among them was a witch—a blue-haired woman with scars etched across her face, wearing black lipstick and gazing out from brown, piercing eyes. She carried herself with the confidence of experience, She eyed a magical sword on display.

  Her attention soon shifted to Yoka, who was speaking with another customer but seemed distant, as though his mind were elsewhere. Once the customer left, she approached him, her eyes glinting with curiosity and amusement.

  "Yoka," she said, her tone light yet pointed, "it's been a long time."

  Yoka looked up, startled for a moment before recognition softened his expression. "Reyanna. Welcome. It really has been a while."

  Reyanna’s lips curled into a wry smile. "I’d heard you don’t work here anymore—just drink and sleep all day. But here you are, proving the rumours wrong."

  Yoka shook his head and averted his gaze. "The rumours aren’t wrong. I stopped working. There’s a young man here now—he’s diligent enough to run the place."

  Reyanna opened her mouth to reply, but Yoka cut her off, his focus shifting to the window. "I’ve been thinking about her again."

  Reyanna’s smile faded slightly as she caught his meaning. She stayed silent, letting him continue.

  "I remembered my old friends. *Our* friends. The moment I stopped drinking, it all came back: Joe and his sister Qira, Fenris and Tyva, young Lyra… And us, the Adventurers of Fire."

  Reyanna’s fingers tensed as she suddenly slammed the sword onto the counter. The sound reverberated through the shop, silencing Yoka mid-sentence. Her cold expression hardened further.

  "Enough," she snapped. "Keep dwelling on the past if it suits you. How much for this damn sword?"

  Yoka met her glare with a calm, knowing look. "Take it," he said quietly. "It’s on the house."

  She raised an eyebrow, her expression sharp with suspicion. "Why?"

  Yoka shrugged, offering a faint, weary smile. "Just a feeling."

  For a moment, Reyanna stared at him, her face unreadable. Then, without warning, she flung a small sack of coins at his chest. It hit with a dull thud, spilling gold across the floor behind the counter.

  "KEEP YOUR CHARITY FOR SOMEONE WHO CARES!" she shouted, her voice trembling with fury.

  Yoka didn’t flinch, watching silently as Reyanna snatched the sword and stormed out, her boots echoing in her wake.

  The shop fell silent as all eyes turned toward Reyanna. Yoka remained still, watching her until she vanished through the door, muttering under her breath, "*Never needed anyone but myself!*"

  As the tension eased, Yoka knelt to collect the spilled coins, his movements quiet and deliberate. The customers gradually resumed their conversations, the hum of voices filling the shop once more.

  Later, Yoka sat behind the counter, engrossed in a book, when Murdo entered with a cheerful greeting. "Yoka, I’ve never seen you working here before. What happened to Dam?"

  Closing the book, Yoka leaned back in his chair. "I don’t know," he admitted. "It’s the first time that kid hasn’t shown up. Even when he was sick, he’d always come to work."

  Murdo nodded thoughtfully, then hesitated before adding, "I hope you’re not planning to fire him. He’s a good worker and a decent person."

  Yoka shook his head firmly. "No, I won’t replace him. He’s done a lot for this shop. But if he doesn’t show up soon, I’ll have to look for him."

  Murdo’s expression grew curious. "You think he’s in trouble?"

  Yoka paused, his gaze distant as he thought it over. "No," he replied, though uncertainty lingered in his tone. "At least... I hope not."

  Hours passed, and evening fell. At the courthouse, a crowd gathered to witness the trial of a woman accused of killing Fur, the beloved merchant. Fur was renowned for his generosity—helping the poor, providing shops for those in need, and lending money without interest. His death had shaken the community, and the courtroom was packed with those seeking justice.

  Amidst the throng, a smaller group of people had come for Granma Mia. Some defended her, unwilling to believe the rumours, while others weren’t so sure.

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  The judge’s furious voice shattered the tense atmosphere, echoing through the hall. "WHAT DID YOU SAY, YOU DAMN WENCH!?"

  Granma Mia stood trembling, her eyes fixed on the ground, her frail form visibly shaking under the judge’s glare. In the crowd, Dam watched helplessly, his heart heavy with despair. He wanted to intervene but couldn’t; all he could do was stand there, powerless.

  Nearby, Jane and Kunvy, prisoners awaiting their turn, exchanged angry glances. They were furious at the judge’s blatant intimidation and lack of respect for Mia, but they stayed silent, suppressing their rage.

  The judge bellowed again, "SPEAK!"

  Mia’s voice quivered as she finally responded, barely above a whisper. "I... I didn’t kill him. It was a young girl... blonde, with blue eyes... she... she looked like a noble..."

  The judge’s voice thundered again, veins bulging in his neck as he roared, "YOU DARE ACCUSE A NOBLE? CURSE YOU, YOU DAMN HAG!"

  At that moment, Jane snapped. "AAAA, YOU FUCKING JUDGE! SHE'S AN OLD LADY, YOU ASSHOLE!"

  The crowd erupted into chaos as one of Fur's workers screamed, "DIE, YOU BITCH! SHE KILLED A GOOD MAN!"

  Kunvy immediately shouted back, "WHY DON'T YOU COME HERE AND SAY IT TO MY FACE, LITTLE BOY!"

  The judge’s fury intensified as he barked orders at the guards, trying to regain control. The courtroom descended into a cacophony of shouting and insults, tension spilling over into pandemonium.

  But amidst the chaos, time seemed to freeze for Dam and Mia. For Dam, everything around him faded to silence as his gaze locked on his mother. He stood paralyzed, consumed by helplessness, watching her tremble beneath the barrage of disrespect and accusations.

  For Mia, the noise of the courtroom also dissolved. For the first time, she lifted her head and found herself in a different place—a battlefield littered with the bodies of goblins, soldiers, bandits, thieves, and innocents alike. Sitting in the midst of the carnage was Leon, his figure slumped in a wooden chair, his face aged and weary.

  Mia walked toward him, her steps tentative. She sat beside him, her eyes avoiding the grim scene around them. Leon turned to her with a soft smile. "I’m sorry I’m not by your side," he said gently.

  Mia returned the smile, though her gaze remained distant. "Why are you here, Leon? This isn’t a place to remember—it’s one to forget."

  Leon’s smile lingered as he gazed at the horizon. "I’m searching, Mia. Searching through memories, through places, trying to find something."

  Mia followed his gaze and saw Reno in the distance—a vibrant city with smiling people going about their daily lives. She asked quietly, "What are you looking for?"

  Leon’s eyes shifted to a large mansion nestled within a noble’s garden. His voice was heavy with regret as he replied, "What went wrong? Why did our lives spiral into this? Why are you suffering while I’m not there to hold you?"

  A tear slipped down Mia’s cheek, and she shook her head, unsure how to respond. Leon lowered his gaze and continued, "You don’t deserve this, Mia. For all your deeds, you deserve happiness, not pain."

  Mia’s tears came faster now as she leaned forward to embrace him. Leon wrapped his arms around her, whispering, "I can do nothing but pray that you remain brave and strong. I love you so much, my good wife, my partner. You are my sun and moon."

  The courtroom’s noise snapped back into focus as the judge’s voice cut through like a blade. "YOU ARE GUILTY, MIA DOCKMAG! You killed Fur, a good man. Witnesses saw you, and their identities are protected to ensure their safety."

  Mia’s tears streamed down her face as she nodded faintly, her gaze still fixed on Leon. "I’ll try," she whispered. "Just don’t leave me yet. I’m too weak without you."

  Leon’s form began to fade as he replied, "I will always be with you. Never forget that."

  Suddenly, a heart-wrenching cry shattered the courtroom’s tension. Dam fell to his knees, tears pouring from his eyes. "PLEASE, YOUR HONOR!" he screamed. "LET ME TAKE HER PLACE! SHE IS MY MOTHER! TAKE MY HEAD INSTEAD! PLEASE!"

  The judge’s face twisted in disgust as he spat, "You pathetic little worm! Your mother murdered a good man! She doesn’t deserve death—she deserves something far worse!"

  Dam’s head shot up in shock, his entire body trembling as the judge continued, "Mia Dockmag, you served as a doctor on the battlefield. If you must die, then let it be while redeeming yourself—saving the lives of our brave soldiers who fight the goblins. That will be your damn miserable redemption!"

  Dam clenched his fists, his body shaking with rage, but before he could shout, the guards began dragging Mia back toward the prison chamber. As they passed him, Mia did what she had always done—she forced a smile, her voice calm and steady. "Live happily, son."

  Tears streamed down Dam’s face as he called out, his voice filled with emotion, "I love you too, Mother."

  The moment passed, and Mia was returned to her solitary cell while the other women were placed in a separate one. Jane and Kunvy soon joined her, escorted back by the guards.

  Roy, the guard on duty, locked the cell door before turning to Jane. His voice was hesitant as he asked, "How long this time?"

  Jane cast a disinterested glance at him and replied, "Just a year. It’ll pass. The important thing is I didn’t rat out my family."

  Roy nodded, his voice dropping to a softer tone. "I… I really don’t like seeing you in here."

  Jane smirked faintly, her tone dry. "Roy, I’ll be in prison for a year. You won’t have to see me."

  Roy shook his head, his gaze shifting from Kunvy to Jane. "I don’t like you being in any cell," he said, his voice tinged with regret.

  Jane’s expression hardened as she retorted, "Life’s tough. Sometimes the only work available is illegal. If you hate seeing me in prison so much, then why did you arrest me five years ago?"

  Roy stiffened defensively. "I was a soldier. I couldn’t just let you go. You were a criminal."

  Jane held his gaze, her voice sharp. "Then me being in prison is normal, isn’t it? Keep defending your masters, Roy. They’ll be there to hold your hand when you die for them."

  Roy fell silent, unable to reply.

  Suddenly, Mia began coughing violently. Roy rushed to his office, grabbing a large goblet of water. Without hesitation, he unlocked her cell and handed it to her. Mia drank deeply as Roy gently patted her back. He then retrieved his own coat and pillow, offering them to her for warmth.

  Kunvy watched him silently before leaning toward Jane and whispering, "He’s a good guy. People like him… they don’t live long."

  Jane nodded, her voice uncharacteristically sombre. "I hope not. For once, I really hope not."