It wasn't smooth, but it wasn't bad either. I own a big house—you could call it a guild.
My name is Bawn, I'm 60 years old. I built this place because I was running away from myself, and I ended up forming a family. They're like a family... I don't really know how to describe it. This is a place where people live as if they were one unit.
Because of a war that happened a long time ago, many people were left orphaned and homeless. I brought many of them into my guild, and I've lived with them for 16 years since the war. They were children, but now they've grown up and started taking responsibility for me and for each other.
We protect the town where our guild is located—Reganda. It's a town made up of hundreds of homes and many people. It's surrounded by forest from all directions except the west, where the guild is.
We carry out many missions, the most important of which is protecting Reganda from creatures called "Salamand." They attack people, and the reason for their appearance is unknown.
From the start, things were going well, but my children were a bit reckless. Each of them has a history with that war, and they believe in the importance of saving lives outside. Not only that, but they often put others before themselves.
As their father—or rather, their grandfather—I must support them. But we also search for our daily bread. The food that comes from Reganda's fertile lands, like vegetables, certainly isn't enough.
Everyone works and lives their day in their own way. As for official tasks, we don't have anything that makes us official. Independence was a decision I made myself, and I'm satisfied with it. Still, considering our current situation, we might not last.
Any mistake committed by members of my guild could cause us even more trouble.
Official guilds receive money in exchange for their duties or the help they offer to those who submit requests. And any unofficial intervention by an independent guild will cause the presidency to respond violently and impose penalties.
On days like these, we gather in the guild hall, talk, and eat together. That happens in the evening when everyone's work is done.
I stepped outside... the air was refreshing, and the sky was covered with clouds. It was nearly perfect. I walked a few steps until I saw the children running toward me, shouting and laughing.
"Ha ha ha, Grandpa!"
"Look, a stuffed bear!"
"Ah! I think it's cute, isn't it?"
The children had returned from the city market with Mira. As usual, they came to show me their stuffed toys. Mira greeted me warmly.
"Good evening, Grandpa. I hope you're well and in good health."
"Good evening, my dear. How was your day?"
"It was nice. I brought the Ludo flower you asked for."
"Well done, sweetheart. It'll be useful for the hospital... How's the boy, Kakan?"
"He's showing no progress, but he's under my care... don't tire yourself worrying about it."
"Aha... I'm counting on you for that."
That Ludo flower… it was the last ingredient in the treatment. They didn't need it to recover—except for him.
Mira told me everything was fine. She kept smiling the whole time, and I felt a warmth in my chest. She's a polite girl full of calm. She carries features from both her parents—her blue eyes and long blond hair from her father, and her beauty and kindness from her mother.
Later, Dori and Zanksho returned, and darkness had already fallen. The whole town was asleep in the late hours of the night, while we were still gathered together. The laughter, the cheering, the arguments… all of it, to me, are priceless moments.
Things would be even better if we could return the wounded to their families again.
"Mushroom! Mushroom! Mushroom!"
What's this?
"The winner is the one who finishes their plate first!"
"Aaah!!"
"Damn it!"
Even in what might be a bad situation, these young people still enjoy their time.
"Ha ha ha! Don't you dare challenge those stronger than you!"
…
But I have a bad feeling about Kakan. My knowledge of him is limited, but his story is unclear.
Ah, Elaf… why did you involve yourself with that boy?
Moreover, he's from the Saiza—the most brutal clan on earth. Poor girl… maybe she remembered her early years when she was a child, and lived through what that boy and his companions experienced... maybe that's what pushed her to save them.
But I hope the presidency hasn't found out about this, because that wouldn't bode well at all.
Within this time, we'll see tomorrow what will happen... and he will have awakened too.
Ah… we are headed toward a great dilemma.