Chapter 45: The Position of the Mixed-Blood

Eze raised his eyebrows slightly:

“Sister? Yours?”

“Yes!”

“Your real sister?”

Anna shook her head.

“No, she lives in a village, but she raised me, just like a real sister!”

The little girl’s expression was full of pride, her eyes sparkling—just like Vellian’s earlier.

“Big brother, let me tell you, my sister is amazing! Not only does she work at the guild, but I heard she’s a top-tier adventurer. Even the Duke gives her commissions~”

“Top-tier adventurer?”

“Yes! Such huge monsters, she can easily defeat them. As for bad guys, it’s no contest. Even if dozens of them gang up on her, they’re no match!”

“Hmm…”

Eze nodded, but a doubt gnawed at his stomach.

The village Anna mentioned must be one of those settlements near the city where homeless half-breeds live—that was quite common on the border.

Those places were 99% inhabited by half-breeds, and this “sister” was likely no exception.

If there was a top-tier adventurer among half-breeds, she should be quite famous—but Eze had never heard of her.

Of course, that wasn’t surprising.

Children tend to view those they admire and are close to through rose-colored glasses.

After chatting nonstop for a while, Anna suddenly froze, then slowly blushed and began bowing repeatedly:

“Sorry, big brother! I came to thank you, but I ended up rambling about useless things!”

Eze smiled and shrugged.

“It’s fine. You really like this sister of yours.”

Anna’s head was practically a blur from nodding.

“Yeah, I love her the most! Not just me, everyone in the village loves her! Without her, our village probably wouldn’t even exist!”

As she spoke, she once again held up a pouch of money:

“This money was left by my sister before she went on a mission, for emergencies.

It might not be much for you, big brother, but it’s our gratitude and her wishes! So please, accept it!”

Eze glanced out the window.

When Heidi came earlier, it was already evening.

After all the fuss, night had fully fallen.

Anna was so persistent; if he refused outright, she would probably keep pestering him for a long time.

Better to pretend to accept it now, then find a way to slip it back into her shop later.

So, he nodded.

“If you say so, then I’ll accept it.”

After handing over the pouch, Anna seemed relieved.

She stood up and gave a proper bow.

“Thanks again, big brother, big sister. I should go now; the shop must be busy, and I have to help.”

Eze nodded and stood as well.

“I’ll walk you out.”

Leaving her alone was risky.

If she ran into other guards in the Noble District, trouble could easily arise.

Plus, this was the busiest time on the commercial street—a place full of people and hidden dangers.

A half-breed little girl alone was an easy target.

Anna hurriedly shook her head to refuse.

“No, no, that’s not right. I’ve already taken up too much of your time—”

“It’s nothing. I’m pretty free right now. Besides, if you got into trouble just to give me money, I’d have nightmares tonight.”

He glanced at Vellian.

“I’ll be right back.”

The witch pouted, turning her head with a sulky grumble:

“You never invite me out. Lolicon…”

“Uh…”

Eze was at a loss, but Vellian smiled gently and stood up, patting Eze’s head.

“Just kidding~ Go ahead. I’ll have dinner ready when you get back, my dear~”

Vellian’s “dinner” was basically a table full of animated, edible Slimes that would actively try to crawl down your throat.

A horror movie scene in the making—just the thought gave him goosebumps.

Anyway, after changing into his old coat, Eze stepped out with Anna.

Without the previous headdress hiding them, Anna’s horns stood out conspicuously, even reflecting the moonlight faintly, drawing more attention.

Along the way, though no hostile guards appeared, twisted gazes and potential troublemakers kept coming—just as Eze expected.

He glared each one down.

Despite the hostile atmosphere, Anna seemed unfazed, showing no sign of discomfort.

Eze was curious.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course!”

“Why did you open a shop in the city? With people’s attitudes here, it doesn’t look like a place where business can thrive.”

Anna smiled sheepishly.

“Actually, it was my idea.”

“Yours?”

“Yeah. The villagers rely on hunting and farming and can mostly be self-sufficient, but some things have to be bought in the city—and the guards come… collecting Commission Money.”

“All these expenses fall on my sister alone. She’s busy all year, rarely home, always taking dangerous commissions. That’s not good, so I suggested opening a shop in the city to find another way to support the village.”

Eze nodded, a hint of admiration stirring inside.

Half-breeds’ situation was grim—discriminated against on both sides, yet their strength was no joke.

So many half-breeds, unable to survive otherwise, naturally became bandits, ruffians, and outlaws.

Discrimination pushed them to crime for survival; the high crime rate deepened the discrimination.

A classic vicious cycle.

Yet Anna’s village, despite hardships and a fierce “sister,” hadn’t fallen into that.

They even had such a sensible child.

Anna continued:

“After I proposed the idea, many adults in the village opposed it, but my sister supported me, and some adults agreed. Eventually, my sister paid to buy a shop here, and it opened.”

“Hm… hm?”

Sensing something off, Eze furrowed his brow.

Anna looked at him curiously:

“Big brother, what’s wrong?”

Eze shook his head.

“Nothing… You’ve worked hard. Just thinking about running a shop in a place like this is headache enough.”

Anna smiled and shook her head.

“No, actually, there are surprisingly many good people here—like you, big brother, willing to help us.”

After all, Eze wasn’t a local.

Though a hero fighting demons, his position was neutral, and he bore no ill will toward demons.

Of course, no discrimination against half-breeds either.

Then Anna’s expression darkened, a bitter smile appearing.

“But later, for some reason, people started causing trouble in the shop.

Some customers got hurt protecting us, and gradually, no one came anymore.”

“I see.”

Eze nodded, forming his own judgment.

Just then, they arrived in front of the shop.

It was the busiest hour for taverns and restaurants, but their shop was closed, the door shut tight, without even a single light inside.

“Really, why isn’t it open? Uncle didn’t even tell me in advance…”

Anna fished a key from her pocket and unlocked the door, about to step inside—but Eze pressed his hand on her shoulder.

“Big brother, what’s wrong?”

Eze said nothing, shaking his head gravely and standing in front of her protectively.