Fracture

The one packet of biscuits, one packet of flour, four eggs, five packets of instant noodles, one sausage, and four packets of candy the Wesen Army had delivered to every household last night had only been the key to opening the hearts of Stork Port's people. The gift of revenge was what ultimately won their loyalty.

Maria hadn't ridden in the carriage Lacken had prepared. She walked into the city, waving to the welcoming crowds along the way.

In a gap in the crowd, a ragged little boy, so skinny he was all skin and bones, darted through like a slippery little eel and rushed toward Maria without a second thought.

Lacken's back instantly broke out in a cold sweat. If Count Eltar were assassinated right here, he'd be lucky if his own skull were turned into a bowl. More likely, they'd make it into a chamber pot.

Even if it wasn't an assassination attempt, some filthy little thing running up to her was bound to enrage Count Eltar.

Lacken was just about to act when he saw a group of people rush over and take up positions around them, all fiddling with strange black boxes.

The little boy held out a crude little earthenware jar in his dirty hands. Inside were several roughly shaped cookies sprinkled with a few precious grains of sugar. His eyes brimmed with reckless courage and pure reverence, along with a trace of nervousness.

Maria didn't fly into a rage as Lacken had expected. Instead, she bent down naturally and gracefully, bending her knees so that her eyes were level with the boy's. She accepted the crude but heartfelt gift with utmost care, holding it as though it were a priceless treasure. Then she gave the boy a brilliant smile, as warm and pure as