First Outing I

"I can't wait to eat the strawberry cake big sister made!" Elle had an innocence we all lacked, she was unaffected by the world because we protected her from it. While the rest of us had long allowed the world's reality to poison us. My siblings mostly due to the family's situation.

"Don't worry I asked her to make a lot since it's your favorite,"

Elle's eyes sparkled with excitement as she skipped ahead, her laughter echoing through the open field.

"Come on you two!"

We spread out the blankets near a patch of daisies, and Elle immediately began picking flowers, her small hands moving quickly as she created a colorful bouquet. She ran over to me, her cheeks flushed with joy, and insisted on tucking a few flowers into my hair.

As manly as I was, I could never say no to Elle's request.

"You have a flower crown now, big brother!"

As we ate, Elle's chatter filled the air. She told us stories about her school friends and the adventures she wanted to go on, her enthusiasm contagious. My elder sisters and I couldn't help but laugh. Elle's delight was the highlight of the day, her presence turning a simple picnic into a memorable experience.

Even my ever focused sisters let loose.

"HAHAHAHAHA, becoming a flower collector is a really fitting dream, Elle!"

.

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After we finished eating, Elle convinced us to play a game. Her nimble feet dancing across the field. It was a beautiful sight, seeing her so carefree and full of life, she embodied what I wished my first life was, I vowed to protect my little sister and carved it on my heart.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the field, we laid down on the blanket, gazing up at the sky. Lying side by side, we gazed at the stars and for a moment, everything was perfect. The day had been about more than just a picnic; it was about creating eternal memories.

A notification suddenly appeared to me.

[Past Glory's Return 1st Act Completed! +25 to all stats!]

[Chain Side-Quest [Gold Is Common] Started!]

[Side-Quest [Gold Is Common]-1st Act: Due to the Duke's interference and the lack of guards and soldiers under the Fellsword Duke, the city of Bordeaux's criminal organizations are bustling to an incredible extent on the outskirts. A gray line between good and evil awaits you but be warned of the great beings that hide among the lowlives.]

"The town? I guess I can't avoid it any longer.."

I enjoyed the stars a bit longer and then we returned home.

Soon after returning from the picnic, I leaped onto the mansion's wall to leave. A large town entered my view, the winds struck my face and my vision appeared to widen as the cloud-filled blue sky, the river near the city, the birds chirping, and the sounds of a bustling market entered my ears. A city resembling Paris in the 1900s. Filled with well-dressed civilians and lamplights.

Like an awakening, the small bubble I was stuck in finally shattered.

"Wheeew~ I never looked at the beautiful sunny sky, nor listened to the beautiful sounds of nature, I was too focused on gaining strength, I can truly see the world now. I can never allow anyone to destroy this."

I leapt into the town not knowing the long entanglement I would find myself in. In the city of Bordeaux and its colossal area, there was a saying I would soon experience.

'Wherever the lights were dimmest, the gold was brightest and the gods were furthest.'

The city of Bordeaux was incredibly large and consisted of beautifully well-crafted buildings, stores, and all sorts of markets and restaurants, and by going straight from the family's mansion I reached the main market.

"It looks to be rather prosperous, and as expected no one has recognized me as the duke's son yet."

I realized the strangeness in my own words after speaking them.

"Bustling? Prosperous? How could that be when the Duke is blocking us from selling to other cities, so he can buy our produce at half price? And these merchants, they all look to be nervous.."

I walked up to a fruit stall to test my theory.

"Hey there, how much for this apple?" My manner of speaking the Lakra(Novel's World) language was noble and more sophisticated, but I hadn't learned a different way which led to my attempts at casual speak to sound a bit awkward.

The merchant looked to his sides several times before answering me.

"We d-don't sell apples here!" he suddenly said while waving his hand to shoo me away.

"Huh?"

I was confused, in front of me was a stall full of fresh red apples but he said he didn't sell apples.

"What are these apples for then-"

The merchant interrupted me.

"You must be new here! Please leave!" he shouted.

I was confused but he immediately looked to his right once again and this time I followed his gaze.

"So that's what it was." I finally realized.

A large man with a sword on his waist was giving the merchant a death stare.

Just to be safe, I checked him with the System Eye.

"System Eye."

[Target Chosen.]

NAME: Jacob Gald

AGE:32

SWORDSMANSHIP: Apprentice.

STATS: Physical-38 Metaphysical-11

Info: A Low-Rank mercenary affiliated with one of the hidden organizations of Bordeaux.

"What are you looking at?" He noticed me looking at him.

I thought to give it a go and walked up to him.

"You there. Can you help me get something?" I asked him with a noble way of speech and a purposefully naive tone and expression.

The mercenary made a mean face as if he was trying to scare me off. Even though I was still young in age, I had the body of a large adult, so his actions were strange, displaying a strange confidence.

"What does that have to do with me? Screw off before you get hurt!" he placed his hand on his sword, so I decided to get straight to the point and whispered a few words.

"What I meant to say was, if you could help me get some Locust…"

Locust was the drug no continent was clear of, extremely addictive, extremely mind-altering, and hallucinogenic, of course, it had a great side effect, a disease called the Violet-Touch.

The man's face changed to a faint smile. As if he was a hyena that spotted prey. It was clear my display of idiocy had worked perfectly.

"You should have started with that, follow me, sir," he said politely.

"Gladly," I replied.

Things seemed to be going well.

I followed the large man through some alleyways and eventually, we reached a dead end.

"Where are you taking me?!" I asked with a facade of terror.

"Don't worry, it's here…the last place you'll see that is! Ramon! John! Serek!"

He unsheathed his sword as 3 other men appeared from the darkness of the alleyway.

"Shit!" I said in an oh-so-scared tone.

Instantly, I was unarmed and surrounded.

"What kind of a person asks about 'Locust' like that? You're either a guard or an idiot! You're dead meat either way!"

The 4 men rushed me with shabby short swords in their hands.

I panicked as this was my first real fight, training with wooden swords and putting your life on the line were different matters.