Chapter 3 - Dream Of Home (1/2)

-18 years later-

In a small village inside the Waru Mountains, there was a small forest where a cottage peacefully stood in the center of an open clearing.

The autumn leaves blanked the rocky ground, adding flavor to the simple environment.

Suddenly, the growls and roars of wild beasts reverberated in the area, breaking the tranquil atmosphere.

As the roars traveled to the clearing, the wooden door of the cottage was flung open, revealing a thin girl.

The young girl looked sixteen-eighteen years of age, with flame-colored hair and purple eyes that vigilantly swept her surroundings.

”Grandpa, I am going to Aunt Meng's!”

”Alright, now you be careful out there!” The holler of the aged man was followed by a bout of a coughing fit.

Hanging her bowstring over her shoulder, the girl swiftly dashed out of the little cottage, speeding into the distance.

In the seven realms of the Asirian Universe, the Sybil Realm was situated in the center. As a land of mountains, hills, and cliffs, it did not possess much value in terms of natural resources. Its citizens' only sources of income were in the form of precious stones, raw minerals, and colorful gems dug from the depths of the earth.

However, not every venture into the depths of the mountains in the quest for gems and precious stones yielded fruit.

To make up for this deficiency, locals attempted to create their own sources of income by planting grains, herbs, and vegetables. They then sold them out to the more prosperous residents in exchange for bags of cornmeal, litters of oil, and packets of salt.

Hunting was a commonly seen hobby among the poorer civilians as it was their only way of acquiring meat to supplement their diet. Because meat was a commodity accessible only to the wealthy, the locals had to hunt wild beasts for their own.

As such, the ordinary residents here lived lives filled with hardship, struggling every day to survive and stay alive.

The girl familiarly made her way out of the rocky forest, appearing before a fenced village. The village had a population of less than five thousand, the residents' buildings made out of huts and shacks. The mud walls in colorful shades of red, brown, yellow, and white were about the only attractive features of the homes.

Men went about cutting logs in small shops, the women set stalls on the streets, selling warm bread and herbs while little kids played around their parents' working stations as they chased one another. There were a few kids helping their parents attract customers through dance performances and singing.

Smiling lightly at the scene, the girl sneakily approached the kids from behind. Placing her finger on her lips in a quiet gesture to their mothers, she picked one up and raised her into the air.

”Ahhhhh!”

Caught by surprise, the little girl screamed at the top of her lungs, swinging her hands and legs wildly as she shrieked.

”Hahaha, Versailles is at it again.” Laughing uproariously, a simple-looking, buff man cutting logs in a shop across from the women's stalls, remarked.

”Yes, it is always a delight to see these little devils scared out of their mind every morning.” A woman beside the buff man remarked in amusement.

”You would think they would have learned better by now. But no, every morning Versailles does the same thing, and every morning, their reaction remains the same.” The woman in front of the stall shook her head, a smile on her lips as she watched the scene.

”Versailles, are you here to pick up the herbs you requested for your grandpa?” Asking, she rummaged through her collection of herbs, trying to find the right mix.

”Yes, Aunt Meng. Grandpa's illness seems to have taken a turn for the worse. I tried the old method, but there was no result. I want to try this new concoction.” Versailles replied as she carefully placed the flailing kid down.

”Versailles, how could you do that? Humph! I am not talking to you anymore!” Pouting, the girl stamped her foot and ran off into the crowd of children chasing each other around.

”Hahaha, well girl, you made her upset now. How are you going to console her this time?” The buff man good-naturedly teased.