The Fang Dock is one of the largest ports in the River Domain, bustling with commercial activities. Various vendors were selling goods on the streets, and the smell of baking bread and meat was mixed with exotic spices.

Millia stood at the entrance of a small inn, waiting for Eric and Heidi to return from the harbor. Dressed like a distant merchant, she could hardly tell her gender.

They set off at midnight and arrived at the Fang Dock in the River Domain just as the sky was getting light. They didn't expect the ships going south to have already departed in the morning. They could only rest and wait around the dock, trying their luck to find a boat that would take them downstream the fastest.

Facing the bustling crowd, Millia stood under a canopy, trying to conceal herself in the afternoon shade as much as possible.

The crowd parted on the road. A black horse and a black-clad figure appeared before Millia. It was Ethan, who had indeed returned to his own territory. Ethan dismounted, and Millia gestured for him to walk down a quiet alley outside the inn.

Milia pulled back her hood in the empty surroundings, her expression betraying an ineffable weariness. It wasn't just the arduous journey weighing on her, but also the heavy burden of confronting a truth she'd rather ignore. Ethan couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between the woman before him now and the noble lady he first encountered in the halls of Lawrence City.

"Have you found Joseph's home?" Ethan cut to the chase. Milia's despondent gaze suggested she'd stumbled upon someone unexpected at Joseph's house. "Kenny isn't dead," Milia let out a bitter chuckle. "He swears he didn't harm Joseph. According to him, he was only trying to assist Joseph onto the carriage, unaware of why Joseph had suddenly shown up in Lawrence. Kenny suspected Joseph might have been seriously ill and hoped to take him to the temple for treatment."

"But we both know the truth. I've asked around Lawrence City, and no one has seen Joseph recently. Kenny's story is too neat. Joseph miraculously ran back to Lawrence from the river domain, only to meet his end at your doorstep, conveniently providing Kenny with a 'corpse' for his staged death and escape. Do you buy into this?" Ethan's laughter dripped with skepticism as he eyed Milia.

Milia hesitated, unable to offer a response. "Kenny claims you're extorting him, accusing him of Joseph's murder. That's why he's avoiding you. He insists he's never laid a hand on you."

"Madam, I have no interest in Kenny's gold!" Ethan's frustration bubbled over, his voice rising in indignation. "To you, I'm just a hired sword after money. Yes, I did accept Thomas's payment to accompany his messenger, Marber, to Lawrence City that night. We arrived under cover of darkness, and I told Marber I needed some air, only to stumble upon the scene at your doorstep."

"Are you saying you didn't intentionally seek out Kenny?" Milia eyed Ethan suspiciously. "I no longer believe in coincidences. If you want us on your side, honesty is your best bet."

"Oh, so you're considering an alliance with me?" Ethan's tone softened, lips pursing. "I apologize, madam. I admit my appearance at your doorstep that night wasn't mere happenstance. I had personal matters to discuss with Kenny."

Turning away, Ethan delved into his past, memories etched deep within his soul. "I have a younger sister, almost a decade my junior," Ethan began, his voice tinged with sorrow. "Our mother passed away when she was born. As wanderers, we scraped by in the river domain, clinging to each other for survival."

"My sister vanished. At the time, OLVE New Alliance was recruiting at Fangtooth Wharf, where I sought answers about her disappearance. That's where I crossed paths with Kenny. I trusted him, your late husband. He seemed like a rising hero."

Milia fell silent, understanding Kenneth's natural charisma and persuasive charm. Ethan's trust in him, akin to a desperate wanderer's reliance on a savior, wasn't surprising.

"Kenny promised to help me find my sister, so I stayed with OLVE, met Joseph, and aided their cause," Ethan continued.

"What exactly is this organization?" Milia probed. "Are you truly just providing aid and shelters for river domain wanderers?"

Ethan shook his head. "At least, that's all I've seen. Brother Joseph is well-regarded among the wandering werewolves here, despite his reclusive nature in Shoadan village. Many tavern regulars know him for his fondness for drink. I often accompanied him, assisting in conversations and odd jobs for the werewolves."

Ethan's reluctance hinted at his genuine friendship with Brother Joseph. Clearly, he was a minor figure in the organization, unaware of its deeper secrets.

An ancient sailboat drifted down the tranquil river, a northern merchant vessel passing Fangtooth Wharf. The trio paid their fare as passing merchants, boarding the ship bound for the Cheno tribe's territory in two days.

As evening descended, the deck became the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll or to marvel at the sunset. Heidi and Eric had retreated to the stern for a private conversation.

Milia stood alone at the bow, gazing into the distance. It was a vast expanse of riverside marshes, with distant hills and dense forests. The river domain's history was a tapestry of complexities, a melting pot of various races and clandestine factions. To make any impact here, both wealth and exceptional skill were essential.

Contemplating this, Milia found herself viewing Kenny in a different light. He was merely a man seeking greatness. The son of a legendary hero, he had chosen the wrong allies, misused borrowed power, overspent his potential, and ultimately lost the gamble. Unable to bear the loss of honor, especially that of his father, he opted to vanish in a staged "suicide." Would she abandon him in his hour of need simply out of disappointment, especially since he was the man she had vowed to stand by, even in failure and isolation?

Milia pushed back her hood in the desolate surroundings, her expression revealing an indescribable weariness. It wasn't just the tough journey; she also carried the weight of confronting a truth she wanted to avoid. Ethan noticed a stark change in her demeanor from the noble lady he first met in Lawrence City.

"Have you found Joseph's home?" Ethan asked directly. Milia's sad eyes hinted at a surprising discovery at Joseph's house. "Kenny is alive," Milia chuckled bitterly. "He claims he didn't harm Joseph. He was trying to help Joseph onto the carriage, unaware of why Joseph had come to Lawrence. Kenny thought Joseph might be seriously ill and wanted to take him to the temple for treatment."

"But we both know the truth. I've asked around Lawrence City, and no one has seen Joseph recently. Kenny's story is too convenient. Joseph ran back to Lawrence from the river domain, only to die at your doorstep, providing Kenny with a 'corpse' for his escape. Do you believe this?" Ethan's laughter dripped with skepticism.

Milia hesitated, unable to respond. "Kenny says you're blackmailing him, accusing him of Joseph's murder. That's why he's avoiding you. He insists he's innocent."

"Madam, I don't want Kenny's gold!" Ethan's frustration boiled over. "To you, I'm just a mercenary for hire. Yes, I took Thomas's money to accompany his messenger, Marber, to Lawrence City that night. We arrived at night, and I went for a walk, only to stumble upon the scene at your doorstep."

"Are you saying you didn't intentionally seek out Kenny?" Milia eyed Ethan suspiciously. "I no longer believe in coincidences. If you want our alliance, honesty is key."

"Oh, so you're considering an alliance?" Ethan's tone softened. "I apologize. I admit I didn't 'accidentally' show up at your doorstep. I had personal matters to discuss with Kenny."

Ethan recounted his past, revealing a deep wound. "I have a younger sister, almost ten years younger," Ethan began. "Our mother died when she was born. As wanderers, we begged in the river domain, relying on each other."

"My sister disappeared. OLVE New Alliance was recruiting at Fangtooth Wharf, where I sought answers. That's where I met Kenny. I trusted him, your late husband. He seemed like a hero."

Milia understood Kenneth's charisma. Ethan's trust in him, like a desperate wanderer's reliance on a savior, wasn't surprising.

"Kenny promised to help me find my sister, so I stayed with OLVE, met Joseph, and helped them," Ethan continued.

"What is this organization?" Milia asked. "Do you really just provide aid for wanderers?"

Ethan shook his head. "At least, that's all I've seen. Brother Joseph is respected among the wandering werewolves. I often accompanied him, assisting in conversations and odd jobs."

Ethan's reluctance hinted at his genuine friendship with Brother Joseph. He was a minor figure, unaware of deeper secrets.

An ancient sailboat drifted down the river, a northern merchant vessel passing Fangtooth Wharf. The trio paid their fare as merchants, boarding the ship bound for the Cheno tribe's territory.

As evening fell, the deck was perfect for a stroll or to watch the sunset. Heidi and Eric had retreated for a private conversation.

Milia stood alone at the bow, gazing into the distance. The river domain's history was complex, a mix of races and factions. To make an impact, wealth and skill were essential.

Contemplating this, Milia saw Kenny differently. He sought greatness but chose the wrong path. Would she abandon him, especially since he was the man she vowed to stand by, even in failure?

Ethan witnessed Joseph's final moments with Kenny but fell victim to Kenny's ambush instead of blackmailing him. Why did Kenny resort to such extremes? Millia grappled with the chaos, unable to make sense of it. Dealing with Thomas's threat was her immediate concern, determined not to hide like Kenny.

Breathing in the moist river air, Millia's long hair danced in the breeze. Freedom felt profound, worth risking life for.

Outside the Cheno tribe's temple, a steep granite platform served for ceremonies. Millia waited, her back against the cold stones, anticipating Heidi's emergence.

The moon rose high, ending Heidi's seclusion since posing as Laurence's priestess. The temple area remained tranquil, but Millia sensed a storm within.

Heidi emerged in priestly gold, and they left the temple.

At the Python Inn, Millia woke to commotion, realizing Cheno guards were searching. She woke Heidi, and they fled to the priest's area for safety.

Alone, Heidi changed into the priest's gold robe, planning to gather information as a priestess. She returned surprised, saying Thomas was detained after a private talk with the high priest.

Heidi's confidence came from meeting Cheno's high priest, Cali, who could not tolerate Thomas's actions.

During her conversation with Cali, Heidi revealed Thomas's misdeeds, supported by evidence from Laurence's records and Kenny's package. Together, they exposed Thomas's embezzlement and forgery, sealed by a "death oath."

Millia nodded, understanding Marber's fear and Kenny's role.

Now awaiting the high priest's judgment, Millia knew Thomas's sons would be searching for a way to rescue him.