4. A Plea From My People.

The afternoon sun cast long golden shadows as Maria and her group stepped onto the bustling docks. Tired adventurers and busy merchants filled the air with the din of voices and the shuffle of goods. Amid the noise, a distraught woman stumbled between travelers, her voice cracking with desperation as she begged each passing adventurer for help—only to be brushed aside, ignored as though invisible.

Maria paused, her gaze locking onto the scene, her brow furrowing as she watched the woman fall to her knees, still pleading in vain.

Alice tugged at her arm gently. "Mary, let's just go. We have enough troubles already."

The princess shook her head slightly. "Rowan, Sara, you're free to go. Get some rest."

Rowan hesitated, concern flickering in his eyes. "Your Highness, perhaps I should come with you—"

Maria raised a hand gently, cutting him off with a small smile. "No, Rowan. I intend to solve this quickly, and you both need to rest before our next dungeon expedition."

He paused, then bowed his head. "As you wish, Your Highness."

Sara, the mage, offered a quiet nod as they walked toward the guild for dinner.

Alice followed reluctantly as Maria approached the woman, whispering skeptically, "Judging by her attire, she's probably a prostitute."

Ignoring Alice’s remark, Maria approached. The woman's eyes widened with recognition, tears filling them instantly as she approached the swordswomen.

"Your Highness! Please, I beg you!" she wailed, dropping to her knees and clutching Maria’s hands desperately, fingers trembling and gripping as if her life depended on it.

"My daughter—she's just a child! They... they took her! Please, you must—!" Her voice broke, overwhelmed by sobs, tears cascading uncontrollably down her face, mixing with dust and despair.

Maria knelt swiftly, lifting the woman gently to her feet with a warmth that steadied her trembling limbs. Her voice, though soft, carried a commanding kindness. "I'll help you. Please, tell me everything."

The woman held Maria’s hands, her breathing steadied and tears still in her eyes. After a moment, she nodded, finding strength in Maria’s reassurance.

The woman nodded gratefully, wiping her face with the back of her hand. "Come... please, come to my home. I’ll explain everything there."

They walked through winding streets that opened into a humble yet clean neighborhood where many Ernians resided. Although modest, the streets were orderly, markets lively, and homes neatly maintained despite their obvious poverty. The scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, mingling with laughter of children playing nearby.

Upon entering the district, people on the streets hurried toward the Princess, eyes pleading, voices overlapping in desperate appeals.

"Princess Maria, please! My brother, they took him!"

"Your Highness, they took my son last night, please do something!"

"Princess, my wife vanished without a trace two days ago—you're our only hope!"

"Help us, please, Your Highness! My child was stolen right from our home!"

"Your Grace, we have no one else to turn to!"

Alice stepped forward assertively.

"Calm down, everyone! We're here precisely to address this matter."

Maria didn’t simply stand and listen—she moved through the crowd, taking the time to hear each person individually. She met their eyes, asked questions gently, and held trembling hands with calm assurance. Her expression was steady, her voice unwavering, offering comfort where she could. Though she could not yet promise outcomes, her presence alone seemed to bring a sliver of calm to those around her.

"I promise you, I'll investigate immediately," Maria declared solemnly, her gaze meeting as many as she could. "We will bring your families back."

A murmur of gratitude rippled through the crowd.

"Thank you, Your Highness..."

"Bless you, Princess Maria."

As the voices quieted, Alice glanced at Maria and noticed the faint lines beneath her eyes, the slight weariness behind her composed expression. Yet the princess stood tall, offering strength to those around her with unwavering grace.

She turned back to the woman who had guided them there. "Let's get back to where we stoped, shall we?"

The crowd gradually dispersed as Maria followed the woman toward her modest dwelling.

They arrived at a modest flat, at a blue-stoned alley. The woman ushered them inside, nervous but grateful asking them to took their seats.

Maria nodded politely, sitting in a chair, followed by Alice.

The woman sat across from them, fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve. "I work at the Pink Mermaid, so I hear things... sometimes more than I want to. The Red Hand—it's a criminal group. They deal with everything: from extortion to smuggling and drugs... especially that cursed fairy dust."

Maria’s expression shifted subtly. Her gaze drifted.

Alice gently touched Maria’s shoulder, bringing her back to the present.

The woman, continued, "And lately, I’ve heard that kidnapped people have been taken to a hideout in the woods outside the city. Near the western gates."

Alice narrowed her eyes. "How do you know this?"

The woman hesitated. Then, quietly, she admitted.

"One of my clients... he's involved. Not someone high-ranking, but he talks. Said they were told to gather a large group of people. People the city guard wouldn’t rush to protect, and who couldn’t afford to place bounty requests at the guild. Someone is pressuring them."

Maria and Alice exchanged a look.

"Someone powerful enough to pressure a gang..." Maria murmured.

Alice frowned.

The conversation fell into silence for a moment.

Eventually, Maria stood.

"Thank you. Your info might make all the difference."

The woman nodded quickly and led them downstairs. On the way, she explained in detail how to reach the hideout—describing a narrow trail branching off from the main road near the western gates, leading into the woods where an old watchtower had long been abandoned and repurposed. As they stepped out onto the street, she paused.

"Good luck," she whispered. "Please... bring her back."

Maria gave her a reassuring smile—but then her gaze shifted, softening at the sight of a familiar figure nearby.

"Well, if it isn’t our dear Mister Lifesaver." Maria called out with light warmth, offering a friendly wave. "It seems fate has brought us together again."

Lied turned at the sound of her voice, raising a brow. He blinked, puzzled by her words, then straightened his posture and cleared his throat.

"I’m just here for a job, that’s all."

Maria turned slightly to the woman. "With the guild’s support, it’ll be easier to bring the missing people back safely."

Lied opened his mouth to object, but stopped short as the woman clasped his hands, eyes shining with gratitude.

"Thank you, sir! Thank you for coming!"

Maria smiled serenely. "Could you wait inside for now? We’ll take it from here."

The woman nodded and stepped back into her building.

Once the door closed, Lied crossed his arms. "What’s going on?"

Alice looked him over, cautious.

But Maria had already turned toward him, her voice calm. "It started earlier today, at the docks..."