The morning skies of Horan was ever so bright, painting the distant horizon in warm, sunshine gold. At the foothills of Mount Krevon, wildflowers bloomed in abundance, swaying gently in the breeze, creating a beautiful sight that often persuaded wandering travelers and merchants to linger just a little bit longer.
Within the southernmost edge of the Ardent Empire lay Anfel Village, a rural yet bustling settlement known for its local herb specialties and remarkably potent medicines. Merchants from neighboring villages, towns, and even the main capital often visited its trade hall, eager to secure quality potions and ailment tonics that were difficult to find elsewhere. To protect this valuable trade route and district, village guards, hired mercenaries, and imperial soldiers patrolled the surrounding lands and borders. Yet despite their vigilance, Mount Krevon was still regarded a highly dangerous place for the unarmed. Three bandit camps remained unscathed in its terrains, two fortified like strongholds, the third hidden somewhere deep within the mountainside.
Just north of the village stood a small, weathered cottage. Smoke curled endlessly from its chimney, often accompanied by the loud sound of explosions that rattled nearby windows. The villagers, long accustomed to the chaos, paid it little mind.
This was the home of Rosa.
Rosalind Federclive, a single mother, and Anfel's most reliable supplier of medicine, was as talented as she was clumsy. Fragile glass and vials slipped from her fingers. Cauldrons and chairs toppled carelessly. She tripped over her own feet with impressive consistency. Yet despite the clumsy demeanor, her potions saved injuries and aided the villagers in times of need, and that gave her the forgiveness she needed.
At her side was her beloved daughter, Roselle.
Roselle appeared sweet and innocent, with bright eyes and an easy smile, though appearances were deceiving. She was sharp, cunning, mischievous, and far too clever for her age. Pranks were her specialty, often leaving victims rather confused than angry. Since she spent most of her time helping her mother organize ingredients, cleaning up messes, and running errands, the villagers found it easy to forgive her antics.
One day, inside the cottage, Rosa stirred a simmering cauldron, carefully monitoring the mixture within. Several potion orders awaited delivery, requested days ago by clients from the trade district. Outside, a small caravan stood ready, packed neatly with sealed boxes and crates.
"Rosie, dear," Rosa called, eyes still fixed on the cauldron, "Could you fetch me the Folia Grass and Cinder Twig from the table?"
No response came.
Rosa paused. A flicker of unease and anxiousness crossed her face as she glanced over her shoulder.
The room was empty.
She sighed. "She must have wandered off to bother the neighbors again." Rosa stretched her body, trying to regain her energy. "Perhaps she'll bring back Edel Leaves this time. We're nearly out."
With a shake of her head, Rosa returned to her work, hastening her pace. Without Roselle's assistance, she would need to be careful, otherwise an extra explosion or two was almost guaranteed to happen.
On the foothills of Mount Krevon, a group of rugged men lounged around a makeshift campsite. Several caravans stood nearby, their markings unmistakable belonging to those of merchants. Any passerby would assume a bandit robbery had taken place.
Perched atop one of the caravans sat a broad-shouldered man with a hardened face and tired eyes. He yawned loudly, irritation etched into every line of his expression.
"Where in the world is that Crimson Division brat?" he growled. "We've been waiting here for ages."
"Boss…it's only been twenty minutes," one of the bandits replied cautiously.
"Shut it." The man scowled. "I'm sick of this. Ever since the guards crushed half the mountain camps, the higher-ups have been treating us like disposable trash."
The Crimson Division was the second-largest bandit group on Mount Krevon, stationed to the west. Their messenger was nowhere in sight, late than what was promised.
"I need some air," the leader muttered. "Watch the camp."
He jumped down from the caravan and strode towards the forest, stopping beneath a towering oak tree near the village-facing slope. From there, he could see Anfel Village bustling peacefully below.
"Must be nice," he murmured. "Living without fear…protected by the imperial army." His jaw tightened. "If only they knew what the empire really is."
The Ardent Empire had seized control after a brutal war against the Edelia Kingdom. Official records claimed that all Edelian royal families were wiped out, yet there were rumors that persisted. Whispers of a surviving bloodline. Scouts were still searching for the last remnant of the royal blood.
"Mister, you look awful."
The voice snapped him from his thoughts.
He looked down to find a small girl staring up at him, eyes brimming with curiosity rather than fear.
"Tch. Go home, kid," he said gruffly. "This isn't a place for children. Where's your dad?"
"I don't have a dad," she replied cheerfully. "But Mum's at home. Oh! Do you have Edel Leaves?" She pointed behind him. "They grow on this tree, but it's too tall for me."
"No," he said flatly, turning away. "Ask someone else."
"Mister, are you an idiot? You're the only one here!" the girl declared. "And you left garbage near the roots. Mum says that's bad for the plants. Mister, you are a bad-mannered uncle!"
He froze, bewildered by the words thrown at him by an innocent, little girl.
"What did you just say?"
"Help me get the Edel Leaves," she continued calmly, "or I'll scream for help. Let's see how you like the shiny steel people coming at you!"
He stared at her and let out a huge sigh.
"…Fine. Move."
He planted his foot against the oak tree and delivered a powerful kick. The trunk shuddered violently. Leaves rained down around them.
The girl's face lit up in pure excitement. "Woah! That was amazing!"
She gathered the leaves enthusiastically, stuffing them into her pouch, along with something else entirely.
"Hey, give that back," the man snapped, yanking his dagger from her hand. "Go home now. Have your mom ever told you not to go to the mountains?"
She grinned. "Bye, Mister! I hope you don't step on monster poop."
She ran, her face smiling in pure bliss.
"…What a strange kid," he muttered, watching her disappear towards the village. For the first time in a long while, the man let out a tiny hint of smile on his worn-out face, slightly amused by the eccentric little girl he had just met.
Back at the camp, the Crimson Division envoy was already waiting.
"Seal. Now," the envoy demanded.
The man reached into his pocket.
Nothing.
His stomach sank, ill at ease.
"…Surely not," he murmured.
Roselle returned home beaming with energy, her pouch overflowing with Edel Leaves. Rosa laughed softly, praising her effort and gave her a wonderful hug.
"Mum, look!" Roselle said, pulling out a round, copper seal. "It's shiny. Like my treasure."
Rosa's smile faltered. "Oh no, what have you done, Roselle!"
Just when Rosa was about to reprimand her daughter for stealing something extremely dangerous, the village bell rang, indicating that it was noon.
"Come, Rosie," Rosa said hurriedly. "We're running late. Claude is waiting at the gate."
She tucked the seal away from her daughter and kept it in her own pouch.
The caravan with Rosa's finished items was ready to move, soon to be escorted outside of Anfel Village by a troop of local guards led by Claude, a good friend of Rosa.
The delivery task from Anfel Village to Radel Town, where the client awaited, was set in motion, with high possibility of a bandit assault on the mountainside roads in between.
End of Prologue