Finally!
After working for 6 years in the Earl's household, Delrick has a lot of saving. 180 gold coins and 200 silvers. That's enough money to live in another town with his little sister.
Delrick began working for the Earl when he was 10 years old, and the Earl was kind to gave him some bonuses. Making him felt bad for leaving the household.
If his family were a normal one, maybe he will continue to work there. But, ensuring his sister future are his first priority. Ever since their mother disappeared from their home 18 years ago.
He walked on the roadside, with his bag on his hand, passing the people. A wide smile painted on his face. He can't wait to get home and share the news with his little sister.
Letting his sister attend the school she's been dreaming of, and live far away from their abusive father. Their struggle days has finally paid off. He almost shed a tear at the thought.
Delrick took a turn at some corner. Vibes around him changed instantly. Dirt and unplesant smell filled the air, flies buzzing, rats running between pile of rubbish, and people, either dead, or slept, sat on the dirty ground.
This kind of sight wasn't strange to a people like Delrick. A commoner of the bottom food chain. To survive, is either work hard to the bone or became a criminal.
A single sigh escaped Delrick's lips. He is glad that finally, he will leave this neighborhood, and live somewhere else with his little sister. This kind of environment wasn't good for his sister. She has to live a good life.
While Delrick was walking, the corner of his eyes caught a familiar figure. A tall man, slightly bulky with brunette short hair. The brunette man also noticed him which made him waved toward Delrick.
"Delrick! Long time no see!"
"Gildeon! Yes, long time no see." Delrick greated as he walked closer to him.
"But, why are you here, Gil? Are you on leave?"
The brunette man nodded. "Yeah, my mother's birthday is soon, and I've promised her that I will be home that day. How about you?"
Delrick scratched his neck. "Ah, I've ended my contract with the Earl, well you know..."
Gildeon's lips formed an 'o' then quickly took something from his pocket.
"I see, so, you had enough saving to leave that bastard? Good, good, your sister, Anna, need to live a good life. Oh, here—"
Gildeon handed out a letter toward Delrick.
"What is this?" Delrick asked as he accepted the letter, and take a look at it.
"It's a notice that I got from the head butler on the manor I'm working at. He said, the County of Mistvale are looking for new servants. He gave it to me just in case someone need a work."
"County of Mistvale?"
Gildeon nodded. "It's a county in the Southeast. The one deep inside a creepy forest, I heard that from my colleague. It's very far from here."
Delrick opened the letter carefully while Gildeon move closer to take a peak.
At first, their faces looks normal when reading the letter but as they read more down on it, their mouths are hanging open.
"Holy crap! 10 golds a week? 40 golds in month! I wasn't even paid that much at the Dukedom." Gildeon silent screamed.
Delrick close his mouth and swallowed.
That indeed... very tempting.
Not only that. They even give money for accomodation to get the county with another 10 gold coins. It won't be deduced from salary. Is the Count really that rich to flaut his money like that?
But, as tempting as it is, Delrick already has a plan for himself.
He fold the letter again and hand it out to Gildeon. "I don't think I will need this."
Gildeon pushed his hand away. "Nah, just hold onto it."
"Gil!!!"
A woman voice rang behind them.
They looked behind. Gildeon patted Delrick's shoulder.
"That's my mother, anyway, just hold onto it. See you."
Delrick watched as the brunette man walking away from him, and saw a middle-age woman stood ahead.
A small smile tugged on his lips as he sighed, and put the letter inside his pocket before he began walking again toward his home.
It didn't took him long before he finally see his shabby home. Its roof a bit crocked but it still a good place to stay if his father weren't bad.
Delrick was about to reach the door when he heard his sister crying behind it. Then another scream followed along with the sound of flesh being beaten.
His eyes widened and open the door abruptly.
"Anna!!!"
He froze on the spot. His little sister, Anna, was crouching on the floor while their father swing his hand to her.
"You little shit!!! Did you just talked back to me?! You ungrateful wench!!!"
Anna just kept crouching on the floor. Silent sobs escaped from her bitten lips as their father hit her.
Delrick rushed forward, and held his father's arm.
"Father stop it!!!"
A punch landed on Delrick's face. He stumbled back, and hit the table behind him.
"You ungrateful bastards!!! Did you just stop your father from disciplining your sister?!"
Delrick held his cheek. His ears ringing a little, and dragged his body toward Anna.
He hugged his sister trembling body, hiding her little figure from their father's rage.
"But, why are you here? Aren't you working? Where is the money?"
"There is no money."
The older man tsked, and look around them. Then he saw Delrick's bag on the floor.
"Ungrateful shit dared to lie to me? Tsk!" The man said while he reached toward Delrick's bag.
Delrick's eyes widened. "Father, no!!"
He was about to get up but a kick landed on his abdomen. Anna screamed, and hugged her brother.
"Shut up, boy!" The older man hissed then quickly opened Delrick's bag, and scrambled inside it.
Delrick hissed in pain as he glared at his father. The older man barked a laugh when he finally found his money pouch.
"Yeah, that's it!!! What a good son you are, Delrick, unlike your mother. That wench!"
The older man threw Delrick's bag away, and leave the house with laughter.
Delrick cursed under his breath. That money was their only savior to leave this vile home, and yet his father took it away from him.
"Brother, are you alright?"
Anna's trembled voice rang on his ear. He look at her, and forced a small smile.
"I'm alright, Anna. How about you?" He asked then hold her hands to look for wounds.
Anna's arms full of bruises —fresh, and old. He gritted his teeth.
Anna gave him a smile. "I'm alright, brother. It doesn't hurt."
A small bitter smile tugged on Delrick's lips. He looked at his sister small figure. Her cheek bruised, the corner of her lips bleed a little. He held his breath.
They can't keep living like this.
He need to make money again to leave this wreched home but, he doesn't want to leave his sister either.
If he work with the Earl again, he had to left his sister with their father again, and beaten up if his mood soured.
'What can I do?'
A faint, single hope lightened his mind. He remembered the letter Gildeon gave him.
'10 gold coins...'
The fare to go to the Mistvale County only cost about 50 silvers at most by train. He can use the rest of the money to send Anna away to the school. Both of them didn't need to live in this hell anymore.
Then he remembered the letter said the contract last for five years. It's enough for him and Anna to live without worry.
And when the contract ended, he will look for a small house in another town so, they can live there comfortably.
Delrick clenched his teeth.
'We can left right away!'
"Anna."
"Yes, brother?"
Delrick smiled. "I promised you that I will get you into school, right?"
Anna blinked her eyes.
"Yeah, you did."
Delrick's smile widened.
"I will make that promise came true. We'll leave this house. You will go to school, and I will be working for it."
Anna tilted her head. A frown appeared on her face.
"But, father took your money."
"Don't worry about that."
Delrick slowly get up on his feet, hissing a bit while he held his stomach. His other hand patted Anna's head.
"I'm sorry but I had something to do. So, wait here, okay?"
"Huh? Yes, okay."
Delrick smiled, and leave the house.
He hastened his step toward Gildeon's house. He feel bad for distrubing him but, he is the only one who can help him with this matter.
He stopped in front of the door, taking a deep breath before knock lightly.
The door opened, and showed Gildeon's figure. "Who— oh! Delrick, what,"
Gildeon's eyes widened, seeing a bruise on Delrick's cheek.
"W, what happened?" He stammered as he step aside to let Delrick in.
Delrick entered his house, scratched his neck. "Well, just... usual."
Gildeon shut his mouth, and close the door.
"Where is your mother?"
"She is going to the market to buy some things."
Delrick nodded. He lingered for a moment before he open his mouth.
"About working at the Mistvale County..."
"You want to work there?" Gildeon said almost immediately while he poured water into a glass.
"...yes."
Gildeon gave him a quick glance then put the glass on the table, and gestured him to take a seat.
Delrick sat, holding the glass then took a sip.
"Your money, did that bastard took it?"
Delrick nodded. His hand clenched around the glass.
Gildeon sighed, and sit across him.
"Alright, I will help you but, are you sure?"
"About what?"
"Working at the Mistvale County."
A frown appeared on Delrick's face.
"Why?"
Gildeon scratched his neck.
"Well, you see, yes, I did gave you the letter because of the pay but, from what I heard from my friends in the manor I'm working at, they said this manor is pretty weird."
Delrick raise a brow.
"Weird?"
Gildeon nodded.
"They seem to look for new servants frequently. Dunno why but, there is a hearsay that the County is cursed."
Delrick stared at him with deadpan expression then sighed.
"Maybe they just always short on hands."
"Ugh, but, still. Anyway, I will help you. Let's write the letter and quickly send it. I will pay for it."
Gildeon got up, Delrick followed.
"Sorry, I will make sure to pay you back."
"Nah, no worries. We're slum's rat. If we don't help each other, who will?"
Gildeon grinned then walked to leave his home. Delrick followed behind him.
"Thanks..." he mumbled, a small smile tugged on his lips.
Gildeon just chuckled.
"Let's go to the local bookstore, and write the letter there."
"Alright."