Frensia's Unbelievably Miserable Life
Frensia's life was so wretched that even calling it miserable barely scratched the surface. Her father had died fighting in the campaign against the Demon King, and her mother, grieving his loss, soon followed him into death.
"Frensia... I'm sorry. You have to live on."
Her mother's final words held no long reminiscences, no excuses, no regrets—just a brief apology and encouragement for the girl who would now face the world alone. Abandoned by those who had irresponsibly fled, Frensia was left utterly alone in the world.
"Frensia. Come with me."
Fortune smiled faintly when a noble who had been friends with her father adopted her. For a time, her life seemed almost peaceful.
Until she overheard that conversation.
"How long are you going to keep that damned bitch lounging around our house?"
"Damned bitch? Watch your mouth. Have you already forgotten that we're living high on the hog thanks to Leypant?"
"Fuck that Leypant shit—he's been dead for years already."
"Do you have any idea how agonizing it is to hear that girl with not a drop of our blood calling me 'Mom' every damn day?"
"You! Keep your voice down! What if Frensia hears...!"
"Ha. I hope the clueless little shit does hear. We've put her up and fed her for free for years—what more does she want, to leech off us forever?"
"She doesn't seriously think I'm her real mom, does she?"
"Damn... you really..."
"Kaestan. You need to think this through. Our situation's getting worse by the day. We could end up on the streets anytime."
"That business you're running right now is about to go bust too, isn't it?"
At the mention of "business," his demeanor shifted. He cleared his throat awkwardly and replied in a vague tone.
"Ahem... Honestly... any extra expense is a burden these days... but still..."
Clink. In that instant, Frensia, who had been eavesdropping from hiding, accidentally dropped the cup in her hand.
"...!"
Leypant—no, Kaestan—rushed toward the sound. There stood Frensia, forcing an awkward smile.
"Ah... hello...? I just came out and... I dropped it by accident..."
She tried to play it cool, but she couldn't steady her trembling voice. The woman who had sidled up beside Kaestan spoke in a cold tone.
"Frensia?"
"Yes? Auntie?"
"...You heard our conversation, didn't you?"
Frensia's heart plummeted. She usually called the woman "Mom," but after overhearing them, she'd unconsciously blurted out "Auntie"—betraying that she'd been listening.
She tried to make an excuse, but the woman didn't give her the chance.
"Frensia. It's not right to pretend you didn't hear when you've already heard everything, is it?"
"Anyway, since it's come to this, let's lay it all out. We've treated a total stranger like you more than fairly."
"A place to sleep, food, even putting up with your pointless emotions. We've bent over backward for you."
"...I... I'm grateful... for this kindness... I'll definitely..."
The woman scowled in irritation and snapped.
"Enough. Don't you think we've paid back whatever your father did for us by now?"
"To put it simply? Our obligation ends here. Got it?"
More than the woman's curses or ugly sneer, the word "obligation" tore into Frensia's heart. It felt like every moment and memory of the years she'd spent with them was being utterly invalidated.
"..."
"If you understand, then get the hell out, Frensia."
Frensia glanced at Kaestan beside her, but he pretended not to hear, looking away. Tears welled up, but she held them back. She didn't want to cry in front of them.
"Thank you... for everything..."
Frensia didn't even think to pack her things. She bolted out barefoot and empty-handed. Only then did Kaestan clear his throat and approach his wife.
"Well... I didn't expect her to run off like that with nothing. She won't have a penny—how's she supposed to survive?"
His wife replied with a twisted smirk.
"She's got a pretty face, so if she needs money in a pinch, she can always sell her body."
Of course, Frensia never stooped to that. Having been betrayed first by her birth parents' absence and then by her adoptive ones, she desperately wanted no more ties to anyone.
That meant she couldn't even consider working at a tavern or under someone else. She was too afraid of facing people—of getting hurt by them again.
Grrrrowl.
"My stomach... hurts..."
Frensia had gone two full days without food. At first, the hunger hadn't registered amid her overwhelming sense of loss. But as her emotions began to settle, the gnawing emptiness tortured her.
Creeeak.
She resolved to head outside the kingdom. Weak monsters like goblins lurked near the gates. If she could kill even one and sell its magic stone, she could afford bread for a few days.
"Hey, you."
The gate guard called out to Frensia as she set off.
"Hmph..."
He eyed her up and down, then asked,
"You don't look equipped for monster hunting. You trying to commit suicide or something?"
It wasn't uncommon for desperate people to throw themselves at monsters to end it all. Frensia shook her head.
"No... I'm going to hunt monsters..."
The guard leered at her bowed head.
"Ah, I see. Safe travels, then. Good luck."
Thud. Thud.
The guard watched her ragged figure trudge away with a sleazy gaze.
"Hey."
He called to the man holding a spear beside him.
"What?"
"Cover for me while I step out for a bit."
"Gerient, this is what, the tenth time? I always end up standing here bored because you keep vanishing."
"Sorry, sorry~ I'll buy the drinks tonight~"
"Hmph... fine, whatever."
Thud. Thud.
Frensia walked through the forest, alert for monsters that could spring out anytime. If luck soured, she might encounter something stronger than goblins—like an ogre or ghoul—which would kill her before she could react.
To survive, I have no choice.
Flat broke, she needed at least a little money for a meal. If this hunt succeeded, she could live self-sufficiently, without relying on others.
"Keeek!"
A goblin appeared before her. She gripped a thick wooden stick she'd picked up by the roadside and faced it down.
"Kikik!"
The goblin cackled chillingly at her trembling with the stick in hand—as if her terrified expression amused it.
It charged, club raised. I can do this.
Frensia had read plenty of books and knew goblins' strengths: raw power surpassing most adult men. But their flaws were short stature limiting reach and a tendency to fly into rages.
Slash!
She scraped the ground with her stick, flinging sand into the goblin's eyes.
"KeeEEEK!!!!!"
Blinded, it thrashed wildly. Frensia rushed in and smashed its head with the stick. Its weak durability meant a solid hit should knock it out.
Thud.
But instead of a crack, came a heavy thunk. The goblin had snatched her stick.
Wham!
"Kyaaak!"
Still gripping the stick, it swung its club into Frensia's side.
"H-Huff... huff..."
"Cough—"
Gasping, she spat blood. In her panic, she'd been far too reckless. Goblins enraged easily but weren't stupid. They wouldn't fall easily to someone weaker in strength and speed.
"Keeek."
As she knelt, collapsing, the goblin approached and raised its club for the finishing blow.
Stab!
"Kie... ek..."
A long spear pierced its torso. Frensia turned to see the gate guard from earlier—Gerient—standing there.
"You okay?"
Relief washed over her. She'd sworn off trusting people, but instinct took over at being saved.
"Cough... thank you..."
Gerient frowned gravely at her bloodied state.
"That's serious. What's your name?"
"Frens... ia..."
"Got it. Frensia, do you have any companions with you?"
"N-No... I'm alone..."
By now, the odd rapid-fire questions raised red flags. Hearing she was alone, Gerient's eyes curved into sleazy crescents. He approached with a grin.
"We need to treat that goblin wound."
Sensing danger, Frensia backed away.
"I-It's fine..."
But he closed in faster.
"No, I have to see the wound directly. Take off your clothes."
"D-Don't...!"
Drip.
Gerient halted abruptly and bellowed,
"You fucking bitch, I just saved your life."
"..."
"You whore, stop dodging and spread 'em—why can't you get it? You'd be dead without me, got it?"
Thud.
Her frantic retreat hit a tree.
"Heh heh heh."
As Gerient lunged, a cold voice rang out from behind.
"What are you doing?"
Gerient froze, sensing overwhelming killing intent. If I move, I'm dead. He knew instinctively: this man was leagues beyond him, and harbored no goodwill.
"Wh-Who... are you...?"
Frensia, barely able to speak through her shivers, followed his gaze. There stood a man in silver armor, wielding a shining sword.
Capier. The man who would one day be hailed by all as the Hero.