CHAPTER 49: CH 49: ALL FOR OUR LORD - PART 1

The Everette settlement was unlike any other.

Where most places shared their meager resources among the people, here the difference between rich and poor was carved into every wall, every street, every face.

On one side, crumbling huts leaned together like sick men trying to stay standing. On the other, mansions with strong walls stood proud, guarded by men in armor who did not even glance at the starving beggars on the ground.

It was not a settlement. It was a cage.

A cloaked figure walked silently through its main road, their steps steady and unhurried.

At their side trailed a man carrying a staff, dressed modestly in travel clothes, his face young but sharp.

His eyes lingered on the emaciated children who rummaged through piles of rotting trash for scraps.

He clenched his jaw and finally spoke, his voice low with anger.

"These people... look at them. Skin and bones. They’ve forgotten what it means to live. All they can do is survive. It’s pitiful."

The cloaked figure didn’t answer.

The servant’s voice grew heavier as his fists tightened.

"They don’t deserve this kind of life. My lady, if you gave me the order, I would free them all. I could tear down this place in a day."

The figure stopped and slowly turned toward him. The shadow of the hood hid her face, but her voice was clear, calm, and cold.

"Louise. Do not mistake pity for righteousness. We do not decide such things. Only our Lord does. Until His will is spoken, we do not interfere."

The young man—Louise—bit down on his frustration but bowed his head.

"...Yes, I hear you, my lady. Don’t worry! I will do as you command and butt out of it."

The two continued onward until a door slammed open nearby. A finely dressed man stumbled out, his chest heaving as if he had run a long distance. He straightened quickly when he saw the cloaked figure and rushed over, bowing deeply.

"Esteemed guests! Please forgive me for not welcoming you earlier. This way, this way. Please do not trouble yourselves with... such insignificant sights. The outer district has nothing worth your gaze."

His smile twitched with nervousness.

Louise’s lips curled in disgust, but the cloaked figure raised a hand slightly. With that silent command, Louise stayed quiet.

They followed the man deeper into the heart of the settlement.

The difference was night and day.

The roads were clean here, lined with flowers.

The houses stood tall, walls freshly painted, banners fluttering in the wind. Well-fed children played with wooden toys, their laughter cutting like knives against the silence of the starving outskirts.

Soon, they arrived at a large hall where several elders and richly dressed men and women were already waiting.

They stood in a half-circle, their smiles plastered on like masks, though their eyes betrayed unease.

The cloaked figure entered without a word, taking her place at the center.

Louise stepped forward, his sharp gaze scanning the room.

"Our Lord sent us for one thing only. The food. Where is it?"

The elders glanced at one another, sweat beading on their foreheads. One finally stepped up, bowing repeatedly.

"There... there have been difficulties, yes. Harvests have not been good, and transporting supplies has been dangerous. But rest assured, esteemed envoys, we have prepared what our Lord requested. Please, follow us."

They were led to a massive warehouse. When the heavy doors creaked open, the scent of grain and dried goods rushed out. Stacks of supplies filled the space—barrels of water, sacks of rice, crates of preserved meat and dried fruit.

Louise and the cloaked figure walked among them, checking carefully. Finally, the cloaked figure gave a single nod.

"It is acceptable."

Relief flooded the elders’ faces. They almost collapsed from the weight of their own fear.

One of them quickly stepped forward, bowing so low his forehead nearly touched the ground.

"Then, please, honored envoy, speak well of us to your Lord. Tell Him the Everette settlement is loyal. We fulfill His will without hesitation."

The cloaked figure gave them a passing glance.

"We will."

With nothing else, she turned and left.

The moment they stepped back outside, Louise’s expression twisted in disgust. He spat to the side, unable to hold his words any longer.

"Corrupt. Every one of them. Those dogs sit on mountains of food while the rest of the settlement starves to death. And still, they dare to act proud? It makes me sick."

The cloaked figure’s steps did not falter. Only when the gates of the wealthy district disappeared behind them did she finally speak.

"Louise. Do not waste your anger. They are not ours to judge. When our Lord decides, such humans will be dealt with."

Louise stiffened at her tone. The cold weight of her words sank into him, and for the first time since arriving, he shivered.

"...Yes, my lady."

The wind shifted. Her cloak fluttered, slipping slightly from her face.

Louise glanced and felt his breath catch.

The girl beneath the hood was beautiful beyond compare—skin pale like snow, lips red like roses, eyes sharp and icy blue.

Yet there was no warmth in that beauty. It was cold, distant, and untouchable. Looking at her was like staring at a flawless statue carved from ice.

She ignored his gaze and kept walking.

They followed the dirt path out of the settlement, the noise of the starving people behind them fading into silence.

But suddenly, the girl stopped.

Her head turned, her icy eyes narrowing as she looked far into the distance. Her cloak swayed gently as the breeze carried a faint scent toward her.

"...There’s something strange."

Louise immediately readied his staff.

"What is it?"

"I can feel it. A peculiar energy... from that direction."

Her hand lifted slightly, pointing toward the distant mountains. Beyond them lay Lucian’s valley.

Louise frowned.

"Should we investigate?"

The girl was silent for a long moment. Then, she slowly shook her head.

"No. Not now. This is not the time to interfere."

Her voice was calm, but there was a sharp glint in her eyes as though she had already marked the place in her mind.

Louise exhaled and lowered his staff.

"As you say, my lady. Then, shall we return?"

She gave a small nod and pulled her hood back into place.

"Let’s take the offering back to safety first. Then we can come back and check on this place."