Silver Claw restlessly moved around in his house. He pulled open the cupboard then grabbed the small pot inside. After checking its contents, he groaned. It was empty.

“F-Father!” cried a small, weak voice.

Silver Claw hastily tossed the pot towards the ground, breaking it to numerous pieces, then ran towards the bed. He was violently trembling, face drained of all color as he looked at his daughter.

“J-Just a bit more! Hold on just a bit more! Father will surely find more herbs for Anisette!” he frantically said.

The entire body of his daughter was skin and bones. Furthermore, numerous patches of brown and black was spreading all over her skin. Her eyes were white and sunken. Some of the neighbors speculated that she had been possessed by evil spirits, while those that knew better said that she was inflicted by the Seven Weeks Disease. It was a disease that would always take away the life of a person on the seventh week. Although it was not contagious, its origin was unknown. Silver Claw had tried all treatments available to him. In the end, all he could do was alleviate the pain by using expensive herbs.

He held the head of his daughter and helped her sip water from a cup. The thin girl coughed numerous times, tears coming out of her eyes. After some time, she eventually fell asleep.

Silver Claw looked at the figure of his only family. He could not help but groan in frustration. He knew that even in the Royal Capital, there was no one capable of healing this disease. He even heard of the news three years ago when a noble died because of the Seven Weeks Disease.

Still, even if there was no way of curing her, as a father, he wanted to alleviate the pain as much as possible.

I need to visit Herbalist Mores’ house.

Silver Claw donned his coat then left the house. It had temporarily stopped snowing. The sun above shone, unobstructed by any clouds.

Winter was going to end soon.

With heavy steps, he traversed the streets; his goal was the Herbalist’s house.

Along the way, he passed by the Plaza. He stared at the crowd that gathered. They were all looking at a large wooden board. Pinned to it was a parchment with numerous things written inside.

They can’t even read. Why are they crowding around it?

“Is it true that the Young Master will pay us six silvers a month if we work for him?”

“Of course,” said an old man. After staring at him for a while, Silver Claw realized that he was the butler working in the Mansion. Beside him was a servant. “The Young Master needs not only farmers. He’s also in need of Builders, Poultry breeders, Soldiers, and Miners.” Silver Claw frowned upon hearing those words. It seemed that the Mansion was trying to hire workers en masse.

How stupid. Poultry breeders? Miners?

Silver Claw was well aware that there were no mines in Blackstone Town. He had lived here for fifteen years. He was sure. He could only snort and snicker at the thought. As expected, nobles were full of lies. This was the same reason why he moved from Lion City to this isolated town. At the very least, there were no nobles living here. Well, that changed half a year ago when the second son of the Marcus Family was sent to govern this territory.

That brat will leave this place soon anyway. Someone like that will never stay in a town like this. Let’s just hope he leaves sooner. This town doesn’t need an incompetent ruler.

After passing through the Plaza, Silver Claw finally reached his destination. He knocked twice on the wooden door of the house.

“It’s me, Silver Claw,” he said.

A few seconds after, a shabby-looking young man peeked through the door. After seeing that it was indeed Silver Claw, he opened it wide then smiled. “Ah, it’s you.”

Silver Claw was pressed for time. He went straight to the point. “I need more Purple Plumes.”

The Herbalist frowned. “So soon? But… the Purple Plumes I’ve given you yesterday’s the last one.”

“Wait! That can’t be! You must have more inside the storage!” said Silver Claw, his voice agitated. “I’ll help you look inside!”

When he was about to intrude, Mores stopped him at the entrance. The Herbalist leaked a sigh, his eyes filled with understanding. “Listen, I understand your situation, but there’s really no more Purple Plumes available at this moment.” He lowered his head. “I’m really sorry, Silver Claw.”

Silver Claw knew that in this weather, finding Purple Plumes would be really hard. It was something that usually grew deep within the western part of the Endless Forest. One would first need to cross the Rile River, which was freezingly cold right now, before reaching the place.

“I see,” said Silver Claw. He gripped tightly the pouch he held in his hand. After receiving a commission from the Mansion to create stone tablets, he had quite a decent amount of money right now. But all of it proved useless since the herbs themselves were unavailable.

“My friend, once I find a Purple Plume, I’ll personally deliver it to you,” said Mores. He knew the situation of Silver Claw’s daughter and sincerely wished to help.

“Thank you,” said Silver Claw. He turned around then went back. Along the way, he once again passed by the Plaza. The butler was still there, answering the questions of the citizens. But this time, Silver Claw no longer listened to the speech. His thoughts were elsewhere.

Mores is unable to go deep within the Endless Forest because of the weather. I have to do it myself. It doesn’t matter if it’s dangerous. I have to find Purple Plumes for Anisette.

When he reached his house, he was surprised to find a hooded figure standing at the door. The figure looked at him and said, “Are you Silver Claw?”

The voice was that of a young man. Silver Claw frowned. “Yes, I am.”

The figure pulled down the hood, revealing his silver hair. His deep blue eyes stared at Silver Claw’s. “You’re…”

Why is the Young Master here?

“Silver Claw, I plan on developing this town,” the young master went directly to the point. “I want you to work for me.”

Silver Claw gritted his teeth. He was annoyed at the time wasted with the current conversation. He needed to go to the Endless Forest now. Still, he tried to be courteous to the noble.

“I’m sorry, but I will have to refuse, Young Master,” said Silver Claw. He took out his keys then approached the door. The young master slowly stepped aside. The knob twisted open and the door creaked.

“Is that so?” said the young master. “Could you tell me why?”

Damn it. Just go away already. It’s useless to speak with a stupid noble like you. My daughter needs me right now!

“Young Master,” exhaled the mason, “Forgive the impudence, but let us have this conversation at another time. Please.”

“I heard that your daughter is sick,” said the Young Master. He looked through the opened door. “Is that the reason why you won’t work for me?”

Upon the mention of his daughter, a vein appeared on the mason’s forehead. Still, he contained his anger. Each second wasted here would mean more pain for Anisette. He needed to drive away the Young Master as soon as possible and go towards the Endless Forest.

“That’s right,” said Silver Claw. “I can probably accept small commissions like the stone tablets from before… but working directly for the Young Master is not possible. I simply cannot leave this place. My daughter needs me.”

“Then, if I heal her for you, will you work for me?” said the young master.