Soon, the sun rose higher on the horizon as the ship slowly approached the Middle Continent. Phoebe found herself drenched in sweat when she woke up. She was confused about what was happening, but soon brushed it off, thinking it was because this was her first time traveling alone. She changed her clothes, putting on a cream off-shoulder blouse with black ribbon bow ties, a gathered neckline, long sleeves, a matching cream lace-up corset, and a black maxi skirt. After dressing up, Phoebe went outside to see the view of the sea as the ship approached the Middle Continent. As she stepped out, she felt the early morning cold wind. Soon, she saw the cities of the Middle Continent—many huge buildings far larger than anything in the Outer Continent. Some buildings were ten floors, others twenty-five. As she was mesmerized by the skyline, a man beside her spoke.
"So you're already awake, huh? So that's why no one answered when I was knocking," said the voice of a man.
As Phoebe turned around, she saw Dave, who greeted her with a smile.
"Oh, Uncle Dave, were you calling me? I'm sorry, I just went out to get some fresh air," Phoebe said apologetically.
"It's fine, it's fine. I was just going to wake you up since we're almost there, but it seems you're already awake! HAHAHAHA! What an early bird you are," Dave said.
"Yes, maybe it's a habit of mine since Kanna and I always wake up early to help prepare breakfast for everyone in the orphanage," Phoebe replied with a kind smile.
"Ah, so you're a responsible bird too. Alfred seems to be doing a good job raising good kids like you! HAHAHAHA!" Dave said, laughing loudly.
Phoebe and Dave exchanged smiles. As they waited for the ship to arrive, they casually talked about the orphanage to pass the time. Soon, the ship arrived at the Middle Continent docks. As it anchored, Phoebe prepared her belongings—her travel backpack and rapier—as she readied herself to continue on her journey. After packing, she went to Dave to bid farewell.
As Phoebe approached Dave, she spoke gratefully, "Uncle Dave, I am going now."
"Oh, you will? Then take care. If you ever need help, you can come here since our next travel is set for tomorrow. By then, I can help you," Dave said, smiling with his arms crossed.
"Yes, I will remember, Uncle. Thank you very much," Phoebe said, bowing her head.
"HAHAHAHA, no problem! Alfred's child is a friend of mine," Dave said with a thumbs-up.
As Phoebe left the ship, she was astonished when she noticed three people in cloaks near the exit. Their backs bore the symbol of two wings pierced by a spear. Phoebe couldn't believe her eyes—those same three people wearing that symbol had been on the ship with her this entire time. Soon, the crowd thickened and she lost sight of them. Realizing she was spacing out, Phoebe snapped back and continued with what she was doing.
Soon, Phoebe held a map in her hands, looking toward the western part of the Middle Continent where the Empire of the Brave was located. She walked toward an inn near the academy, which was located in the eastern part of the Empire of Brave. As she walked, she passed a large sign reading, "Welcome to the Empire of the Brave." Tall buildings surrounded her, each with different signs. She also saw many races—elves, beastmen, dwarves, trolls, ogres, mermen, harpies, and many more—walking around.
After walking for hours, a light sheen of sweat on her skin, Phoebe finally arrived at her destination, she saw a charming three-story Tudor cottage with dark timber framing, glowing leaded windows, ivy-covered walls, pink flower boxes, and a steep gabled roof. It was nestled between two apple trees along a quiet cobblestone street at twilight. There were also capsule rooms visible from the outside. Phoebe proceeded inside, pushing open the heavy inn door. The inn was bustling with people—elves, dwarves, and even a troll.
A soft, warm voice welcomed her from behind the reception counter. Standing there, polishing a glass with a gentle smile, was a tall rabbit beastman woman around twenty-three years old. She had long pink hair cascading over her shoulders, snowy white ears that twitched slightly, and wore a crisp cream blouse tied with a ribbon and a neat waistcoat. Her pink eyes sparkled kindly as she set the glass down.
"Welcome to the Twin Apple Blossom Inn, traveler," she said, ears perking. "Room for the night, or just something warm to drink?"
"Hi, I am Phoebe. I want to have a room for one, please," Phoebe said.
"Okay, do you want a normal room or a capsule room?" asked the beastman lady.
"Just a normal room, please," Phoebe replied.
"Okay, then it will be fifteen silver coins," the beastman lady said.
"F-F-Fifteen?! Not eight silver coins? I only have a total of two hundred silver coins… I'll lose it all in weeks if the rent is that high!" Phoebe said in shock.
"Madam, it's thirteen silver coins now. With the inflation in the empire caused by the ongoing wars with the Demon Race and the Three Calamities, how do you expect my business to survive if I still charge eight silver coins—a price from twenty years ago?" the rabbit beastman said, slightly irritated.
"Uh, no, no, no, I'm sorry, Lady Rabbit!" Phoebe said, bowing apologetically.
"I'm sorry, but I am running a business here. If you can't afford it, then I must ask you to move to another inn instead," she said politely.
"Ugh… so-sorry. I will move out, then," Phoebe said with a grim face.
"Fine," the beastman lady replied.
Phoebe slowly walked toward the door while muttering to herself about the wrong information she received from Director Alfred. As she said Alfred's name, the beastman lady suddenly called out.
"Sniff… sniff… why is it so pricey… I don't know where to go now. If I can't find a place to rent, I can't take the academy examination… Director Alfred, what should I do…" Phoebe said tearfully.
"H—Hey! Wait! You!!!" the beastman lady shouted.
Phoebe turned around in shock.
"Huh? What?" Phoebe said.
"You said Alfred? You know Mister Alfred?" the beastman lady asked.
"W-Well, yes. He's our director at the orphanage," Phoebe answered with a confused expression.
"Orphanage!? Madam, are you perhaps from the Kingdom of Freedom?" the beastman asked seriously.
"Y-Yes, I am… how did you know?" Phoebe said.
"I see. How about you sit here with me at the reception counter? Will you have some tea with me?" the beastman lady said with a bright smile.
Phoebe nodded. They both went to the reception bar, and the beastman lady served her some tea before they began talking.
"So, how is the tea?" the lady asked with a soft smile and closed eyes.
"It's very good! You're really good at this, Lady Rabbit," Phoebe said with glistening eyes.
"Glad to hear that… Well then, ehem, is it okay if I ask how Mister Alfred is doing these days?" she asked.
"He is doing fine. He takes good care of everyone in the orphanage," Phoebe said.
"I'm very, very glad to hear that," the rabbit beastman said with a soft, sparkling smile.
Phoebe noticed the expression the woman made, and out of curiosity asked, "May I ask, Lady… do you perhaps know our director?"
The beastman lightly blushed, smiled, then looked down before speaking.
"Yes, I do know him… he saved our village once when we got attacked by a group of bandits," she said.
"What? He did?" Phoebe asked in astonishment.
"Yes. When I was younger, our village in the east was attacked by bandits. During that time, our village suffered greatly. No rankers wanted to help us because one of the Calamities, the Dark Throne, was causing trouble in the north. Rankers chose to go there instead, since helping against a Calamity boosted their ranking more than helping us—to them we are facing only a small threat, but for us it's chaos. We were traumatized by the pillaging. Even now, I can still remember how horrible it was," the lady said, while Phoebe listened with concern. She continued:
"The only thought in my mind that day was wondering when the nightmare would end. But finally, hope arrived. When a bandit was about to slash me, someone parried the attack. I saw a man with black hair and black eyes, wearing a charcoal coat and black boots, holding a silver sword. On his chest was a silver badge with two wings on the left and right, with the letter C and the number fifteen engraved in the center. That man was Alfred—together with his friend Julius, who is now known as the Captain of Rankers."
"After that, the two of them defeated all the bandits causing trouble. Ever since then, I—no, we—have been forever thankful to them," the woman said.
Phoebe listened, filled with admiration for the director she knew—one who stood with honor, pride, and justice. Then a question formed in her mind.
"Then… if Director was such a great D-Ranker, why did he stop being one?" Phoebe asked curiously.
"It's because of a damn S-Ranker. As I remember it, everything started like this: One day, Mister Alfred was conducting an investigation in an underground city. Down there, he discovered a massive illegal operation—slave auctions, drug production, smuggling rings, and all kinds of forbidden activities. When Mister Alfred tried to shut them down, an A-Ranker who was secretly protecting those criminals appeared and confronted him.
Mister Alfred fought him head-on, but the difference in power was overwhelming. He was crushed so badly that he barely escaped with his life. Even so, he reported everything to the Adventurer Association immediately. A trial was scheduled… but that's when everything fell apart.
The A-Ranker who worked with the criminals twisted the story and framed Mister Alfred. He claimed that Mister Alfred went on a rampage in the building and killed sixty slaves. Then, one after another, several rankers suddenly appeared and claimed they were 'witnesses' to the massacre—fabricated testimonies, all of them.
With their status and influence, their lies drowned out the truth. During the trial, Mister Alfred had no one to stand by him. In the end, he was arrested, stripped of his rank, and branded as the criminal… while the real perpetrators walked away proclaimed innocent."
The beastman lady's voice trembled as she continued. "Years later, when Mister Alfred finally finished his sentence and was released, he didn't return to being a ranker. Instead… he chose to build an orphanage. Maybe it was his way of saving what lives he still could, after losing the chance to save those sixty people."
"He… never told us about any of this," Phoebe whispered, her expression darkening with a mix of shock and sorrow.
"Of course he didn't," the beastman lady replied softly. "He probably didn't want you children to carry the burden of his past… or the pain that came with it."