The person coming his way was Rick. The same Rick who had abandoned Sean and fled in the face of the domesticated boar.
The guy was not looking his best — He was skin and bones, and had wounds all over his body. His eyes spoke of exhaustion, helplessness, disorientation, and… animosity.
However, that was not the main point.
More importantly, this guy brought along a young lady who was no more than ten years old. The young lady had her hands tied behind her back and a piece of white cloth stuffed in her mouth, to prevent her from running away and screaming.
To Sean’s surprise, the young lady may be young and at an innocent and impressionable age, but her eyes revealed maturity beyond her years.
“I say, Rick, were you feeling bad and felt you did something wrong by ditching me the other day? So, covered in bruises and cuts, you kidnapped a young lady as an offer of apology to me, in the hopes that I let you off the hook and won’t unleash Princess on you?”
At the pull of its reins, the domesticated boar let out a thundering roar, sending shivers down Rick’s spine. On the contrary, the girl with her hands tied behind her back showed no fear. Her eyes were unyielding and full of hate.
Throwing a glance at the domesticated boar, Rick was certain that Sean was only giving him a scare and was not really going to unleash the boar on him. Hence, he unclenched his butt muscles and smiled bitterly. “Sean, I know you’re a great Mage, and one powerful enough to vanquish the Kobolds and Murlocs together with Sir Gryan. That’s why I’m here to seek refuge!”
He said it in such an impressive and matter-of-fact manner. Nevertheless, it was sound reasoning. Rick fled to Sean because he was strong.
Sean suspected that he had hearing problems to be hearing this.
Did these words really come from Rick’s mouth?
Could the words of a habitual thief be trusted?
Scanning Rick with doubtful eyes, Sean asked with a sceptical tone, “Rick, do you think I’ll believe you? Do you think I’m stupid?”
Rick was not surprised by Sean’s reaction. He fell back on his bottom and pointed at the young lady beside him. “That’s why I brought her here. It’s to gain your trust, sigh!”
Sean was taken aback for a moment before carefully sizing up the young lady.
The young lady in a long hemp dress had abnormally pale skin, as though she had been living in an environment without constant sun. Moreover, she was not in good shape and seemed to be suffering from malnutrition.
Based on appearance alone, she was no different from any regular young lady. Although she was pretty, she was not fully grown. Most importantly…
Sean gazed towards Rick with a serious look on his face. “Rick, I’m not a lolicon.”
Rick was perplexed. “What’s a lolicon? Whatever, that’s not important. Sean, she’s Vanessa, Vanessa VanCleef, daughter of Edwin VanCleef. Someone in Westfall is bound to recognize her. Ask around and you’ll find out. Now that I’ve brought her here, surely you can start trusting me and hear what I have to say about the past few days?”
Sean was stunned.
What?
Vanessa VanCleef?
This young lady was Vanessa?
What the!
What the hell!
Sean immediately threw the young lady a Sight Appraisal.
[Name: Vanessa VanCleef, daughter of Edwin VanCleef]
[Stats: Strength 3, Agility 5, Stamina 4, Intelligence 9, Spirit 10]
[Class: None]
[Skill: None]
[Equipment: None]
Without the presence of a Class, Skills, or Equipment, this was the so-called triple flat girl[1].
The real issue was — was she truly Vanessa VanCleef?
Sean took a deep breath in before letting out a long sigh. He was overwhelmed with shock and… emotions.
In the original story, Edwin VanCleef was eventually assassinated by a group of people that Gryan Stoutmantle dispatched. The Defias Brotherhood then fled, breaking up the whole organization.
Vanessa had witnessed the death of her father with her own eyes, the innocent and naive girl became an avenger in the form of a gorgeous lady that buried bitter enmity in her heart.
She then arrived at Old Saldean’s Farm and was adopted by Old Saldean. Her name was changed to Hope Saldean.
What a beautiful name!
Old Saldean must have wanted to let Vanessa know that as long as she was alive, there was still hope. There was no need to be frustrated with life as there was always hope for the future. Sean guessed that Old Saldean at the time had probably recognized Vanessa and knew of her story.
The reason he adopted her was because he was kind and had hope for her.
In his eyes, she was merely a young lady without a home to return to. That was all.
However…
“Hope? Is that what I was supposed to feel when I saw my father decapitated by your henchmen?
Hope is a cruel joke, played upon us by a harsh and uncaring world. There is no Hope, there is only Vanessa. Vanessa VanCleef.”
Indeed, Vanessa had hid all hatred inside her.
She had amassed power behind the scenes, contacted his father’s former subordinates, and publicized Stormwind City’s evil deeds amongst the Adventurers in an attempt to earn their support. Five years later finally saw the resurgence of the Defias Brotherhood. Vanessa rescued Ripsnarl, occupied the Deadmines, and continued the construction of the juggernaut!
During this period, Gryan Stoutmantle and the People’s Militia were serving under the banner of Stormwind City, assisting in the attack on Northrend.
Gryan Stoutmantle was an impartial man. He would not cast aside the Paladin code due to old grudges. Everything he did was to protect the people.
Nevertheless, this did not matter to Vanessa.
She believed Gryan was wrong.
“If a person accepts amnesty from Stormwind City, it means he has renounced his people.”
Perhaps Vanessa had once wavered, stuck at the crossroads between animosity and gratitude towards Old Saldean for raising her. Perhaps it was the fact that Gryan had enlisted that led her to let go of that last bit of hesitation and venture down the path of no return.
Vanessa may not be as great of a Rogue as her father was, but she had far superior intelligence, especially when it came to vengeance and leadership of the Defias Brotherhood.
She united the refugees in Stormwind City.
She recruited a powerful Ogre Mage, Glubtok.
She recruited a Goblin Engineer, Helix Gearbreaker of the Bilgewater Cartel.
She ordered the engineers under her to perfect and upgrade the Foe Reaper 5000.
She freed Admiral Ripsnarl.
She even pushed Cookie to the forefront, making him the Captain of the juggernaut, even though it was only in name.
Even when the Deadmines were breached again, she played everyone like a fiddle and made a cunning getaway by playing her cards well and putting her weaponized neurotoxins to good use. She burned the juggernaut before making her escape.
[1] A triple flat girl is a term widely used by otaku. It describes a girl who’s unspeaking, unfeeling, and unexpressive. In this case, Vanessa is described as a triple flat girl because she has no Class, Skills, nor Equipment