San’s answer was concise. His voice was firm and authoritative. His demeanor and being seemed warmer and more inviting than just a moment ago.

“…!”

“We’re at war. ‘A war for our freedom’… this is why we need your contracts. Didn’t Dite mention this to you all earlier?”

The square fell into silence once more. The crew members couldn’t believe what they had just heard. It went against their common sense.

“Then… you’re saying that we’re more important than the treasure we’re transporting?” the merchant named Laron asked.

“If someone were to tell you to choose between that treasure and your life, what would you choose?” asked San.

“Of course, I would choose my life.”

“I agree with you. Then, why is what we said weird?”

Thus…

Everything changed. The before and after… became completely different.

The contract was like magic. It was a magical spell that would continue until the thirty-one crewmates returned safely back to their hometown.

Cecil the Bard had experienced it with his own eyes.

‘Their war…

Their call…

Their victory…

Their freedom…

And…

The envy of the Gods…’

- Cecil the Bard. Excerpt from “Their Tales: House of Essen” -

Infiltration – Chapter 2

As if overtaken by the night’s darkness, the half-moon shone its moonlight on the forest below. 

However, the forest was still largely shrouded in darkness. Normally, no one would dare step foot inside the forest under these conditions. If a person were to traverse the forest under darkness, that person probably did not...