(AN: Please don't lynch me, please don't lynch me! Before you throw the first rock at me, remember I did mention that we will be opening up the world and cover some darker themes. I already made concessions against the original version, so please just try to enjoy the arc and know that I will make it right, I promise!)

Underground of Higrove's notorious Slums, in a dimly lit room a battered, beaten and chained girl sat on the ground only in her underwear. Torn remains of her clothing were scattered all around the dirty floor, mixed with her red bloodstains. Strangely, however, her captors left the amulet on her neck untouched, still carefully hidden inside the black leather pouch. She had her face buried in the depths of her kneecaps, she was sobbing.

Maybe this all was her fault. In retrospect, she was naive. She should have been suspicious about the invitation. Who in their right mind would post a public post about it? And who would be stupid enough to actually show up? What was she thinking?

Either way, it doesn't matter now. The worst that could have happened already happened.

However, she still hoped for a miracle. Her savior, her beacon against the darkness. The light that saved her all those years ago and pulled her back from the depth of despair. Her beloved brother.

Even if it's just a wish of the heart, a nonsensical idea, she still clung to this tiny sliver of hope and kept muttering the same sentence under her breath, wishing that he would come and save her from all her heart.

"*sob* Brother, please save me. Brother, please… save me… *sob* Brother… please save me!!"

***Several hours ago, on the streets of Higrove***

After a filling meal, Lily and not too far behind Sir Michael was walking on the streets of Higrove. Lily was silent under the cover of her hood, thinking of ways what she should say to make sure this clingy knight would finally leave her alone and just go away.

Meanwhile, Sir Michael was thinking of possible locations she could invite Miss Lily to and enjoy a romantic afternoon together. He felt that he did really well today and made a lot of progress. He wanted to 'hit the iron while it's hot'.

Gathering his courage, he spoke up.

"Miss Lily, would you perhaps like to enjoy the refreshing afternoon breeze with me? I know a spot that Miss would most certainly find beautiful!"

Stopping in her tracks, and pretending to think about the idea, Lily answered after a few brief moments.

"I'm sorry Sir Michael, but I have to meet up with friends soon, so I have to decline. Perhaps another time?"

"Of course Miss, although I'm sad to hear that you already have arranged obligations, I will take the option Miss advises. How does tomorrow afternoon sound?" Michael advised.

"Sure, that sounds good. See you, tomorrow Sir Michael, and thanks for the help today!" Lily followed up, while happily smiling under the cover of the hood. She finally found a way to get rid of him without hurting his feelings!

Bowing, Sir Michael respectfully gazed at the ground, acknowledging and obviously misinterpreting the meaning behind her words.

"Not at all, I'm happy to assist the eager and new adventurers, and as a knight, it's my duty to protect miss!"

Lily giggled at his response, giving the lovestruck knight another fatal shot in the heart.

"Ehehe, Sir Michael, you sure are funny! But I have to go now, so have a nice day, and see you tomorrow!"

Turning around she started walking towards the direction of the Marketplace, but after a couple of steps, she stopped and faced the knight who kept gazing at her motionlessly, startling him in the process.

"Yes, Miss Lily? Did you forget something?" he asked after the momentary surprise.

"Oh yes, I almost forgot! Thank you for the lunch! It was delicious!" Lily answered with a wave.

"R-right, you're welcome Miss…" Sir Michael mumbled as she kept gazing at the receding back of the girl. As her figure finally vanished amidst the crowd that was heading to the marketplace, disdain set upon his fixture as he thought back that after spending the day with an angel, he has to go back home and look at the ugly sight of his wife…

.

.

.

After finally being freed from Sir Michael's stifling company, Lily was enjoying the fresh air, as she was happily hopping between the crowd towards the Marketplace.

She was heading to the Norton's General Store. There was an invitation posted on the Guild's hall about a vigilante that helped the local district residents free from the terror of the bandit group. Although she wasn't sure what they could possibly want with her, remembering Granny's teachings, she didn't want to refuse the kind gesture.

Besides, she also wanted to check up on the elderly couple and see if they are finally back on track after the break-ins, and the extortion has stopped.

Thinking about how she will tell everything to Aiden when she wakes up, she was cutely giggling to herself along the way.

"Ehehe… I wonder, what will brother say when I tell him that I saved them? Will she be surprised? Happy? Proud? I can't wait to tell him!"

She only came back from her happy reverie when she entered the busy and crowded district and bumped into a chubby back of a woman.

Feeling a light thump on her back, the lady turned around, only to notice a little girl with long golden flocks plopped down on the ground, awkwardly smiling back at her.

"Sorry lady, I wasn't paying attention. Hope I didn't hurt you!" Lily stood back up and immediately apologized.

The plump woman looked to be middle-aged judging from the black hair that already had several silver tinges mixed in. Her face had adorable rosy cheeks that just made her look like an honest innkeeper.

"Don't you worry dearie, I have several layers of protective armor under my skin, hahaha!" The chubby woman heartily laughed at her own joke. When she noticed that her joke didn't hit the spot she intended, she naturally explained it. "Ah, you know, because I'm fat as a well-raised pig just before you would cut it down! Ahahaha!"

"Anyways, are you alright? I tend to be in the way as I get lost in my thoughts… I never know where to start and what to buy. I tell you, missy, shopping is not as easy as it sounds!" She continued, then she extended her hand, which Lily, who was still shocked by the woman's behavior, accepted.

"My name is Maria, and my husband and I run a small food stall on the western side of this marketplace. I know, looking at me, my slender waist and my mere skin and bones body must have come as a shock, right? Hahaha!" Once again, she heartily laughed at her own joke.

Lily awkwardly smiled, not sure how to react. After a few moments, however, she shook her head and followed.

"Hello Mrs. Maria, I'm Lily, and once again I'm terribly sorry for bumping into you like that."

"Don't you worry about that, and just call me Maria, no need for such honorifics! I'm not a noble even if I am as chubby as one! Hahaha! Hey, as it's still lunchtime, what do you say, would you like to come with me? I could offer you a nice, fresh, hot bowl of soup. It even has some meat in it! I don't know what, but trust me, it's tasty! Hahaha!"

The hearty peals of laughter that accompanied almost every second sentence this woman said, quickly turned the awkward situation into a happy one. In just a short few exchanges, the shocked Lily calmed down, and soon she was also cheerfully smiling at the lady.

"I'm sorry and I would really love to, but unfortunately I already had lunch, Maria!" Lily apologized. Even though Granny taught her that it is considered rude to decline such a gesture, she just finished a filling meal, and could not take another bite no matter who offered it.

Well, maybe, except if the offer was about some delicious tarts…

"No worries dear. Our stall will be there every day, so come and find me in case you would change your mind in the future!"

Maria answered with a happy smile. Then looking at the direction of her stall, she sighed and continued.

"Well, I have to go otherwise I don't know what state my stall would come to if I left it in the care of the silly buffoon any longer. Well, Lily, remember my offer, in case you would go hungry, don't worry I can always spare a portion for you, I will not starve to death anytime soon! Hahaha! See ya!"

With a hearty laugh, Maria waved goodbye and left towards the west.

"What a nice lady, I will have to visit her with Aiden later…"

Lily smiled as the chubby woman left, then pulling back her hood and covering her face once again, she continued towards the Norton's General Store.