Chapter 99: Prologue - Gareth Hale

My name is Gareth Hale, and I was once a successful merchant in the bustling town of Thornehold, located in the northern region of the Atrana Kingdom. I had a wife and two children, and we lived a comfortable life. I was known for my shrewd business sense and my ability to turn a profit from almost anything. But that was before everything fell apart.

It all started when I came to the city of Adenberd in the Duchy of Whitesburg of the Atrana Kingdom with a grand plan to expand my business. I had dreams of becoming a prominent merchant in the region, and I thought I had it all figured out. I invested all my savings into my business venture, hoping to make a fortune.

I rented a large warehouse in the heart of the city and hired a team of skilled workers to help me import goods from all over the kingdom. I had high hopes for my business and believed that I was going to make a killing.