The sky grew dim, and the town fell into darkness, with only a hint of candlelight coming from the tavern window at the town center.
The tavern in Seagull Town looked like a large, shabby stable. Nevertheless, it was noisy at night, with people gathering to discuss the strange events of the day amidst the smell of poor-quality ale.
The distressed fleet, the terrifying monster that devoured everything, sailors fleeing the town in madness, and the Lord himself visiting the shore...
Various strange happenings swept across Seagull Town like the sea breeze, stirring ripples of unease in people's hearts.
"The pier by the shore is gone, and there are rumors that many people died there..."
A rough-skinned fisherman showed concern: "Can we still fish in the coming days..."
"Of course we can."
An old fisherman swallowed the cheapest bitter ale and mumbled, "I heard the Lord successfully killed the black monster lurking by the shore..."
"Don't dream about it, the sea monsters can never be killed."
The tavern keeper Ed's voice resonated in everyone's ears.
A middle-aged man with a sun tattoo on his arm sat behind the counter, wiping the wooden cup in his hand and calmly said, "I advise you to stay away from the sea during this period and don't pin your hopes on the lying Lord."
"But..."
Someone murmured dreamily, "Winter is coming..."
The tavern fell silent.
Yes, winter is coming.
In a few days, the cruel white will cover the land, and without food and firewood from the catch, the only fate for the poor is to freeze to death in their small huts.
Ed's expression remained unchanged; his advice had ended.
He had seen too many similar things. After all, in this land ruled by nobility, the lives of the poor were cheaper than the wild grass in the fields.
All he could do was help alleviate some pain for the poor with cheap alcohol before their end.
Ed shook his head slightly, tossing the washed cup aside, but in the next moment, he heard a weak cough.
The faint sound came from outside the door.
Ed furrowed his brow deeply, rising to the tavern entrance, pushing the door open, and then saw an incredibly thin figure trembling in the cold wind.
At the same time, a customer also noticed the girl standing at the door.
"Damn! It's that kid who's recently caught the disease!" He exclaimed, "Ed! You can't let her in!"
Everyone was startled, standing up and instinctively moving away from the tavern entrance.
"I'm sorry..."
The girl retreated in panic, like a frightened fawn: "Uncle Ed... I won't bring trouble into your shop..."
"The cold wind will worsen your condition. You should be resting at home, Wendy."
Ed used his strong body to block the doorway, staring into those helpless eyes, finally sighing, "What happened?"
"Lisa is missing!"
Wendy's lips had turned pale from the cold, her tone becoming frantic: "She didn't come home when the sun set, and I heard that when trouble arose by the sea, little Lisa was there too..."
Ed fell silent for a moment.
"I can't help you." He prepared to close the wooden door.
"Please... please wait! Cough... cough cough..."
Wendy stepped forward, painfully bending down and coughing dark red blood into her palm, then tremblingly removed the pendant hanging from her chest, snapping it open.
A photo was pasted on the inside of the pendant.
In the picture, a smiling man and woman each held two little girls, standing in a garden with gentle and happy expressions.
But now, the colorful background of the photo had faded, and the faces of the man and woman were somewhat blurred. With blood-stained fingers, Wendy tore open the photo.
Behind the paper was a silver coin firmly attached.
She carefully held the silver coin in her palm and pushed it forward.
"Uncle Ed, little Lisa is my only family..." she pleaded humbly.
"Put the money away! I said, I can't help you!"
Looking at the slender figure trembling before him, an unnamed anger rose within Ed's heart.
"What's appearing by the sea is not some damn monster! It's a Celestial Calamity! A Celestial Calamity from the Deep Sea!!"
He roughly pulled up his pants leg, revealing the wooden prosthetics: "Look! This is the result of encountering a Celestial Calamity! Have you forgotten how your parents died!?"
Ed forcefully knocked on his prosthetic legs, his tone growing colder: "If Lisa has truly been engulfed by the Calamity, then no one can save her!"
Wendy wasn't frightened by the suddenly irate man.
She just stood dazed in the cold night wind, her eyes losing their brightness bit by bit.
"I understand. I'm sorry, Uncle Ed."
The terminally ill girl apologized softly, turned around, slowly, slowly walking into the boundless night.
Leaving Ed at the doorway, expressionless, watching the girl's receding figure, his agitation growing heavier.
"Such trouble..."
Ed muttered to himself, subconsciously touching the tattoo of the sun on his arm, and after a moment, he let out a long sigh.
"Wait!" Ed called out to the slender girl.
"As far as I know, the Calamity didn't kill everyone by the shore. Some people successfully survived."
He looked at Wendy's bewildered eyes, his tone as cold as ever: "Tomorrow morning, I'll inquire at the Lord's Mansion for you."
·
The Lord's Mansion in Seagull Town.
Just returned home, Lin Lan was baffled at the moment.
"Where did this child come from?"
He looked strangely at the attendant Jay, as a plainly dressed young girl struggled hard in the servant's hands.
"I deeply apologize, Lord. It's my negligence."
Jay bowed repeatedly: "This little rascal must've crawled under the carriage while we were moving the furnace, then followed us all the way to the Lord's Mansion."
Lin Lan: ...
Seriously, guys, with so many people watching, you let a mischievous child sneak onto the carriage? Are you all blind?
What? I didn't notice either? Then forget it.
"Release her first."
Lin Lan waved his hand: "Find out this child's home and send her back."
But as soon as Jay let go, the little girl darted to Lin Lan's side, reaching out to grasp his coat tightly, her large eyes filled with hope.
"Lord, can you help my sister? She's been very, very sick lately, and keeps coughing a lot of blood every day."
Lin Lan was taken aback, and Jay immediately chastised loudly: "You little rascal! Let go of your dirty..."
"Enough, Jay." Lin Lan interrupted his attendant's words: "Go call the butler."
"Yes, Lord." The young attendant bowed his head and hurried away.
Lin Lan rubbed the bridge of his nose. Though he really wanted to tinker with his newly acquired Molecular Reconstructor, as a Lord, he didn't mind showing a bit of patience for his people.
He looked at the young face: "What's your name?"
"Lisa!"
"Then Lisa, where are your parents?"
"Mom and dad are not around."
Lisa's gaze was innocent, her tone like a bird leaping in the morning light: "Sister told me mom and dad went far, far away, living on white clouds, and they have endless white bread to eat every day..."
Lin Lan opened his mouth but chose to remain silent.
The thin little girl in front swallowed hard when mentioning bread, yet her eyes clearly shone brightly. She envied the days of endless bread, genuinely happy for her parents who achieved bread freedom.
"Lord, can you help my sister?"
Lisa still grasped Lin Lan's coat and repeated her wish: "Since my sister became ill, she hasn't smiled at Lisa..."
The girl's voice grew faint: "If one day mom and dad come back to get us, they'd be sad to see sister like this."
"Why do you think I'd help you?" Lin Lan lightened his tone.
Lisa answered without hesitation: "Lord can sell me! Sister said witches are very valuable!"
"Sell? Witch?"
Lin Lan was puzzled, then he saw Lisa reach up to part her chaotic hair, revealing those special ears to him.
They were slightly pointed ears.