Lucien turned his head toward the dais in the center of the room, which was enclosed by an elegant golden fence.
"The banquet is about to begin..." he announced calmly.
As soon as the words left his lips, a middle-aged man, approximately fifty years old, began to walk briskly towards the center of the dais. He was elegantly dressed, his clothes befitting a high-class aristocrat, and in his left eye rested a finely ornamented monocle. His graying hair and thick, full beard conferred upon him an image of wisdom and authority.
Lucien surveyed the figure with a slight smile of disdain. "That man is Edward Famille, member of the Council of Five and head of the Lunara Merchants Guild," he said quietly, without looking away from the dais. "He is the man who represents Lunara's commerce and economy. He is the richest man in the city and, in many ways, the one who really pulls the strings of the kingdom."
Emilia, interested, inclined her head slightly. "Lucien, if you're part of the council, why aren't you on the dais as well?"
Lucien sighed and folded his arms with a gesture of resignation.
"I'm not much given to speeches. We decided to let Edward take over. Besides..." he paused, and his gaze sharpened slightly, "...as much as it pains me to accept it, in the matter of political power, Edward is closer to being a ruler than I am."
Emilia and Subaru looked at each other in surprise at the nobleman's honesty. Roswaal, on the other hand, maintained his enigmatic smile without uttering a word.
"Wait, is this guy admitting that there's someone above him?" thought Subaru.
"In other words, Edward has more influence than you, who represent the nobility?" asked Emilia, intrigued.
Lucien nodded slowly. "You are correct."
His expression was unreadable, but Subaru sensed he was keeping a lot to himself. Still, the young man couldn't help but smile a little. Knowing that this smug nobleman had problems too gave him some comfort.
But that small satisfaction didn't last long. Lucien noticed Subaru's smile and gave him a sidelong glance with a coldness that made Subaru swallow saliva immediately.
Lucien turned his attention back to the dais and commented in a nonchalant tone. "Lunara has long since ceased to be a monarchy."
At that moment, Edward began his speech.
"I am glad to see so many distinguished guests here tonight. I thank everyone here for accepting our invitation to this banquet. In addition, it is an honor to welcome the four candidates for the throne of Lugunica. Our intention with this event is to strengthen ties and relations between our nations. My name is Edward Famille, and I am currently in charge of the economy of this kingdom. As part of the council, I work alongside four other people to ensure the well-being of Lunara..."
But before he could continue, a female voice interrupted his speech.
"Edward Famille, in charge of the economy, right?" The voice was sweet, but her tone made it clear that she was not interested in unnecessary formalities.
Everyone present turned to the owner of those words.
A woman of short stature but with an imposing presence walked gracefully through the crowd. Her long, wavy, light purple hair fell to her hips, and she had blue-green eyes. She wore a long white dress with fine detailing and a fur hat that gave her a sophisticated air.
She was Anastasia Hoshin.
"I'm glad you invited us with such good intentions to this place," Anastasia continued with a sly smile, "but let's save the speeches. I would like to speak with you personally."
Edward sketched a quiet smile. "Anastasia Hoshin, right?" he nodded gracefully. "Of course, it will be a pleasure to speak with you. But first, I'd like you all to enjoy the banquet."
Beside Anastasia, a tall young man with a slender but well-worked build stood silently. His hair of a light shade of purple glistened in the light of the chandeliers, with a lock falling over his face. His yellow eyes scanned everything around him with a serene expression. He wore a uniform similar to that of the royal guard, which gave away his status as a knight.
But before Edward could resume speaking, another voice interrupted the conversation with a mixture of haughtiness and disdain.
"Hmph! Such a vulgar place to receive the future ruler of the kingdom of Lugunica."
Glances turned again to the owner of that voice.
Priscilla Barielle made her way with her usual air of superiority. Her long Orange hair fell in lush waves, framing her beautiful face. Her crimson eyes reflected pure arrogance as she surveyed the place with a sneer.
She wore a deep red dress that fit her figure perfectly, with daring cuts that highlighted her undeniable beauty. She held a golden fan in one hand and waved it disinterestedly. Behind her, a man with a bandit-like appearance followed her like a shadow.
Aldebaran, her faithful knight, was a stout man with a helmet that completely covered his face. His relaxed posture contrasted with his mistress's domineering attitude, but his loyalty to her was evident.
"I can't believe I'm wasting my time here when I could be somewhere more worthy of my presence," Priscilla declared with a smirk.
Edward, without losing his composure, simply bowed his head. "Priscilla Barielle. It is an honor to receive you here. I hope the banquet is to your liking."
Priscilla let out a melodious laugh. "That will depend on how well you know how to serve me. But I doubt a place like this could meet my standards."
Aldebaran sighed quietly. "As always, your highness has a charming way of making friends..." he muttered to himself.
"If you have something important to say, make it quick. My time is too valuable to waste on trivia."
Edward let out a small laugh.
"Patience is a virtue, Lady Priscilla."
"Virtue of the weak."
Edward smiled with amusement at the red-haired girl's sharp retort but said no more.
Priscilla clicked her tongue and sat back down, waving her hand as if to get rid of a nuisance.
The atmosphere in the room became tense.
Subaru sighed internally.
"Great. We're just getting started, and there are already three people with hellish personalities in the same room."
Lunara's banquet promised to be a very long night.
---
[Moments later - Kaoru's POV, at the hotel]
As expected, the food at this place was also impressive.
Fine cuts of meat bathed in exotic sauces, fruity pastries that looked like jewels on the table, and aged wines that left a soft burn in the chest. All perfectly presented. Kaoru still wasn't used to the noble treatment he was getting from being with Emilia and company, but he couldn't deny that he was enjoying it either.
After finishing his glass of white wine, he stood up and walked around the hotel lounge, taking in the decorative details. The walls were adorned with tapestries and miniature marble sculptures, and several oil portraits hung in gilded frames.
One of them caught his attention.
It was a large painting, depicting a couple: a regal-looking man and a woman with such a firm presence that she could almost feel herself through the canvas. Kaoru frowned.
"I haven't the slightest idea who they are."
He raised his hand, calling out to one of the waiters circulating around the room.
"Hey, waiter, who are those people in the portrait?"
The waiter turned and approached with a polite step. He was a young man with olive green hair combed neatly back. His face was sharp, with round glasses that gave him an intellectual air, and he wore the perfectly pressed hotel uniform.
"Oh, right," he said with a polite smile as he looked at the portrait. "I imagine foreign visitors don't know many details of local history. That man is Gerald Guildemont, the 34th king of the Kingdom of Lunara. Next to him is his wife, Queen Katarina D. Margaret."
Kaoru folded his arms, looking at the portrait again. "There are many pictures of them around here, huh?"
"I see you've noticed," nodded the waiter, with some satisfaction. "They were critical figures in Lunara's history. King Gerald is said to have been a close ally of Farlase Lugunica and was instrumental in many important events of the time. Especially during the war against the Vollachia Empire."
Kaoru narrowed his eyes in concentration.
Something about the image of that king—his posture, his calm but stern expression, even his red eyes and white hair—seemed strangely familiar. He didn't know why... but something inside him stirred as he looked at him.
"Can you tell me more about that man? And what about his wife?" He asked with an interest he himself had not expected to feel.
The waiter looked at him, surprised by curiosity, but nodded eagerly.
"With pleasure. Although I should clarify that I'm no expert... I only know what I've read or heard."
"Okay. Tell me about it."
The waiter began, adopting an almost solemn tone: "400 years ago, Lunara and Lugunica shared a forceful alliance. That alliance lives on today, thanks in large part to the economic and military support Gerald provided Lugunica during the war with the Vollachia Empire. It is said that Gerald undertook a journey along with Farlase and others... though exactly who those other people were has never been confirmed."
Kaoru listened quietly, leaning against the wall.
"During that journey, what the books call 'The Great Calamity' was unleashed. It changed the world forever. Even now, echoes of what happened then are still felt."
The waiter suddenly fell silent, as if he had said too much.
Kaoru frowned.
"Go on."
"I-I'm sorry. I don't know much more about King Gerald," the waiter said, lowering his voice.
Kaoru let out a sigh and scratched his head. "Okay. What about Queen Katarina?"
The waiter straightened his posture. "Ah, she... She was a compelling and talented woman. When Gerald died of illness—or so it is said—it was Katarina who took over. She ruled with a firm fist and implemented an aggressive military policy to protect Lunara from falling. In that period of war against Vollachia, it was she who kept the kingdom standing. Some called her 'The Iron Maiden.'"
"And what of the Margaret?" asked Kaoru.
"It was she who elevated the Margaret to the status they have today. They became the right hand of the Guildemont, those closest to the throne".
Kaoru narrowed his eyes, taking it all in. "And what happened next?"
"Over the years, other members of the Guildemont clan ruled... even a Margaret came to the throne at one time. But none achieved the fame of Gerald or Katarina. Over time, the family declined. People began to say that their lineage was cursed. That their life expectancy was shortening with each generation. Eventually, the Guildemonts stopped ruling."
"And are there any Guildemonts alive today?" asked Kaoru, with a spark of genuine interest.
The waiter smiled slightly, as if expecting that question.
"It is unknown. But do you see that tower towering above all the buildings in the city?" he pointed out the nearby window.
Kaoru walked over and watched. From there, he could see an imposing structure: an ancient castle of black stone, covered with vines and surrounded by time-worn walls.
"That is the castle of the Guildemont. It's still standing. It is not known if anyone lives there, but it is said that the last members of the clan survive with the protection of the royal guard... and the financial support of The Margaret. They no longer have any real political power."
Kaoru turned his gaze back to the waiter, squinting suspiciously.
"Hey... for a mere waiter, you know too much."
The waiter seemed to startle a little and scratched the back of his neck.
"Did I say too much? I'm sorry... It's just that history is one of my passions. Sometimes I get carried away."
"Who are you actually?" asked Kaoru with an incredulous smile.
The waiter smiled back.
"Just call me Johan. Actually, I'm a historian traveling the world. My goal is to recover lost fragments of history... and Lunara is one of the most intriguing pieces."
Kaoru stared at him.
"And what's a historian doing working as a waiter in a five-star hotel?"
"I need money, after all. And real information is difficult to find. It's hidden, corrupted...sometimes even forbidden. But this job pays well, and it gives me access to interesting conversations like this one."
Kaoru let out a soft laugh, crossing his arms again.
"Hmph. A historian disguised as a waiter... This place never ceases to amaze me."
Johan gave a slight bow.
"Anyway, Johan, I would like to visit the Lunara shopping area. I'd like a ride."
Johan blinked in surprise at the sudden request, then nodded with a polite smile.
"But Kaoru-sama, wouldn't you like to wait until tomorrow when the festival starts? That's when the city is most alive."
Kaoru cocked his head slightly. "Isn't that possible?"
"Oh, no, no, of course it's possible. I just thought you'd prefer the full experience." Johan bowed briefly. "May I ask the reason?"
"I'm going to buy a few things, and I'd like to do it tonight before the city gets crowded. I have my reasons."
"I understand. Then fine, I will accompany you. I'll find a carriage with an earth dragon to take you." Johan retreated with a firm, professional step.
"All right." Kaoru watched him walk away before letting out a sigh.
He adjusted his desert-colored hooded cloak, making sure the black scarf around his neck was tight.
Soon after, Johan appeared with the carriage. As he held the reins of the earth dragon, he cast a discreet glance towards the entrance of the hotel.
"Kaoru-sama, will you be going alone, or will the blonde-haired lady be accompanying you tonight?" He was clearly referring to Beatrice, though he did not name her directly.
"She went to sleep. So I'll go alone."
"I understand. Then let's go." Johan climbed into the front seat and took control of the land dragon.
Kaoru climbed into the carriage without much ceremony, settling in as he pulled out his small bag of coins. The metallic sound was sparse. He didn't have much money, but he had made a promise: to bring some gifts to the children of Arlam Village. At the very least, he had to fulfill that.
"After this... maybe I'll have time to practice my mana control a bit. Maybe train physically tonight." He thought quietly, looking out the window as the city flashed before his eyes.
The grimoire was still tucked under his cloak, next to his side. It was not bulky, and he had grown accustomed to carrying it. Though its presence was constant, almost as if it murmured with every step, Kaoru preferred to keep it close. Always.
"Maybe I should ask Johan about the Moonlight Gem. He might know something useful." He leaned his elbow on the window, fingers at his temple.
The hole in the grimoire's cover remained a mystery. And it wasn't the only one. Since coming into this world, every answer seemed to open up more questions. For now, he supposed he had been lucky to encounter a fanatical historian.
The carriage descended the cobblestone streets of the noble area. The magic lanterns illuminated with a soft, golden light, casting elegant shadows on the baroque buildings. As they approached the shopping area, the city expanded before them with a different energy. More vivid colors, more movement, more voices.
From the window, Kaoru watched intently.
"...I didn't know Lunara had a large demi-human population."
"Yes. Lunara has a fairly friendly policy towards all races. There's no discrimination on that side here." Johan drove with a serene calm, as if he knew every stone in the road.
"The more I hear about Lunara, the more it seems like a utopia. And clearly, something like that can't be real." Kaoru crossed her arms, skeptical.
"You're right." Johan barely turned his face, flashing a lopsided smile. "Lunara isn't perfect. There's crime too... even criminal gangs. But few people are going to tell you that. It's important to maintain the place's reputation as a tourist destination."
Kaoru raised an eyebrow. "And it looks like you're the first to do it."
"My profession as a historian comes before that of a mere waiter." Johan sighed. "I've seen some strange things in the city. There's a criminal gang circulating in the slums. There are also rumors that some guards are collaborating with them."
Johan's tone became more serious.
"Apparently, they have a method. A foreign merchant arrives looking for opportunities. All goes well at first, but then the strange visits start, lack of answers from the guards, extortion, payments for 'protection'... and finally, they are forced to leave. The cycle repeats itself. Always."
Kaoru listened to him silently, his jaw clenched.
"I don't know why you're telling me all this. I'm supposed to be a tourist. Besides, I'm part of the campaign of Emilia, who is a candidate for the throne of Lugunica. Telling me all that so openly is risky. Even stupid."
Johan sweated lightly from his forehead. He didn't look away from the road.
"Normally I wouldn't. But with you... I don't know. I guess it was a hunch. I always go by my gut."
Kaoru looked at him for a moment, then averted his gaze to the starry sky. A faint smile formed on her lips.
"I like you."
---
The carriage came to a stop with a faint creak at the end of a street lit by magical lanterns, just where the shopping area was beginning to unfold its bustling nighttime splendor.
"We've arrived," Johan announced in a firm tone, barely turning his head over his shoulder.
Kaoru nodded and rose from his seat.
"I won't be long, so don't worry." He climbed down from the carriage, arranging his scarf to cover himself from the cool wind blowing through the alleys.
The place was packed despite the hour. Voices mingled with the sound of brass, the murmur of earth dragons hauling goods, and the music coming from a couple of bars on the corner. There were merchants of all kinds: makeshift wagons, colorful stalls, and storefronts with glittering glass. They sold everything from rare delicacies to heavy weapons, perfumes, amulets, old books, and even magical artifacts of dubious provenance.
Kaoru took a moment to survey the scene, his gaze shifting between the people.
"Even though it's nighttime... the street is busy," he muttered, more to himself than to anyone else.
He sighed.
"Let's make this quick."
A few minutes later, Kaoru returned with a loaded bag over his shoulder. His expression was hard to read between the scarf and hood, but anyone with a little intuition would see resignation written in his eyes.
"I'm out a fucking penny..." he mumbled. "I don't know why I promised that. I would have liked to have at least bought myself a decent sword."
He remembered a dark silver blade he'd seen in a display case, with inscriptions and an understated but lethal design. "Beautiful... and completely out of my league." He thought silently with a grimace.
He looked at the bag. It wasn't very big, but it weighed more than he expected. Still, he had no regrets. A little human warmth was worth more than a sharp blade. Or so he tried to believe.
Inside he carried the gifts, carefully wrapped in rustic paper or plain colored cloth:
For Lucas, who loved stories of knights, he had found an illustrated book of local epic tales, with a bookmark that was shaped like a wooden sword.
For Petra, he bought a set of magic brooches that changed color depending on mood. They weren't very powerful, but they were pretty and practical for a curious and energetic little girl.
For Mild he got her a small ebony harmonica, made by western craftsmen, with flower engravings. Kaoru thought its soft tone was ideal for the quiet boy who used to watch everything in silence.
For Meina, a box of magic crayons. They could be used on paper, wood or stone, and were self-cleaning with a touch of water. He had seen how she always drew on the walls of the mill.
And for Cain and Dine, he got an articulated doll with detachable weapons. It was part of a collection of legendary warrior figures, a 8-armed Kurgan or something if his name was. The shopkeeper told him it was an "old model," but Kaoru knew Cain and Dine would appreciate it just the same.
"The worst part is that I got emotional picking out every single thing..." he grumbled, though inside he felt a slight warmth in his chest. Despite his sarcastic nature and cynical attitude, Kaoru had this weakness for keeping promises. And even more so if they were to people who expected nothing from him.
Kaoru took a few minutes longer than he expected, walking through long shadows and already extinguished streetlights, until he finally spotted the carriage parked next to a stone fountain. The earth dragon yawned with a forked tongue hanging out, while Johan stood beside it, wiping his glasses with a cloth.
"Finished your shopping, Kaoru-sama?" he asked in a calm voice, though his eyes searched the surroundings for signs of danger.
Kaoru smiled slightly, letting out a restrained breath as he began to carefully stow the gifts inside the carriage.
"Speak to me casually, Johan."
The historian blinked. "I understand... I'm sorry, Kaoru-san."
"Don't apologize." Kaoru closed the back door of the carriage with a light thud. "Anyway, I want to see one last thing before we go back to the hotel."
Johan frowned. "It's late enough... are you sure you don't want to go back now? There's still some traffic, but this schedule isn't exactly the safest."
Kaoru turned, adjusting his scarf as his cloak fluttered in the night breeze.
"Don't worry, I just want to take a look at something that caught my eye. I'll be back in 20 minutes. If I don't come back, then worry."
Johan let out a heavy sigh. "I'm already worried right now..." he muttered, watching Kaoru walk away without looking back. Then he looked down at the bags inside the carriage, sighing again.
"Promising gifts to six kids... and none cheap, I see. This guy has a weird heart."
Kaoru hurried through the last stragglers in the market. Some stalls were already closing, gathering awnings, putting out lanterns. But there were still a few lingering vendors who wanted to squeeze every last coin out of the late-night shoppers. That's when he saw it.
A small makeshift stall, with a purple awning and lanterns casting bluish glints. The hanging sign was so obvious it was like a shout: "Authentic copies of the legendary Moonlight Gem! Light your way as a sage of the past!"
"Gods, what blatant marketing..." thought Kaoru, still not stopping walking. "But at least it'll be a starting point."
However, something else caught his attention. As he walked on, the atmosphere changed.
The number of people was beginning to dwindle. The cheerful voices were turning into distant murmurs. And between alleyways, he could see little scenes that had nothing to do with commerce.
A merchant being surrounded by three tall, rough-looking guys, exchanging quick words as he sweated and lowered his gaze. Up ahead, two guards passed nearby... but didn't even flinch. One even averted his face and turned onto another street as if he hadn't seen anything.
"Of course... a beautiful city must have some flaws." Kaoru crossed his arms, noticing the echo of his footsteps becoming clearer. The hustle and bustle was already behind him.
It was then that he heard it.
Quick sounds, hurried footsteps echoing in stone. A low, short laugh. Something like a whimper. And then, a metallic object hitting the ground.
Kaoru stopped. He looked towards his destination, the gem stall already in sight... but something inside him turned.
"...Curiosity killed the cat, I guess," he muttered and turned towards the alley.
The air was thicker there. The nearest streetlight was broken, letting shadows dominate the passage. Unnamed closed doors lined both sides, with stone staircases leading to basements or upper floors. Occasionally, a window with the light barely on threw a pale rectangle onto the floor.
Kaoru's footsteps barely echoed on the stone floor, muffled by the dull murmur of the alley. As he went deeper, the sounds became sharper.
Scuffling.
Cracked laughter.
A high-pitched voice... whispering incoherently.
And then, the unmistakable sound of cloth tearing.
Kaoru swallowed.
He could turn away. He could pretend he didn't hear it.
But his steps quickened.
He wasn't walking anymore. He was running.
The end of the alley forked. To the right, an old wooden door, warped by time and damp, with rusty nails protruding from its surface. To the left, stairs descended to the lower level of the street, where the stone was covered with mold and garbage.
And then he saw them.
Two men.
The first was a huge demihuman with pig-like features: a flattened snout, grayish skin covered with coarse hair, and a jaw as wide as his torso. He wore a worn leather breastplate with iron rivets and stained shorts. A belt with poorly sharpened knives hung from his waist, and one of his feet was bare.
Over his right shoulder, like a bag of potatoes, was a girl.
Dark hair. Common clothes, probably a maid's. Her face was drenched in tears, and her eyes were open like saucers, red and desperate. A dirty cloth covered her mouth, and the ropes that bound her were crude, improvised, cutting her skin at the ankles and wrists.
The second man was shorter. Human. Bald. Tanned skin. He wore light armor made of metal plates over garments of coarse cloth dyed green and black.
They both spoke quietly as they walked through a door into a house at the end of the alley, laughing as if they had caught a rare animal.
Kaoru froze behind a corner of the alley, his breathing labored and a cold sweat running down his back.
The girl's eyes met his. It was only an instant. But enough.
She saw him. She knew someone was there.
And Kaoru felt his hands shaking.
"I'm not a hero...," he muttered to himself, "I'm not that kind of person."
His thoughts were in chaos. He didn't know if those guys were strong or if they had more allies inside that house. They could be armed. They could kill him.
He had a grimoire under his cloak, yes... but he wasn't a trained warrior. His mastery of mana was still rudimentary. He hadn't even bought a sword.
"So... why don't I want to leave?"
He closed his eyes. He cursed under his breath.
An uncomfortable weight pressed down on his chest. Something like rage. Something like helplessness. Something like... guilt.
He gritted his teeth. And put on his hood.
He approached the house slowly, sticking to the wall, making sure not to step on any loose pieces of wood or stone. There wasn't much to cover himself with: a narrow alley, with no windows or side alleys. A bad design for escape... but also for being seen coming.
He positioned himself right next to the door.
The murmurs inside were becoming clearer and clearer. Muffled laughter. The creaking of a table. Someone opened a bottle. A faint groan.
Kaoru swallowed.
"I'm getting in where I shouldn't be...," he thought, leaning a hand on the wall.
"But I'm not going to stand by and listen."
[Moments Before]
"Why the fuck are you so fucking insistent on finding a girl to have fun with? We could have fun after we finish the damn job," the bald man growled, adjusting his armor as he lifted a loose plank off the ground.
The pig demihuman threw a spittle at him that landed at his feet. "ShUt the FUck Up! I want to BUST this Bitch's ass and that's all that matters." His bloodshot eyes glittered with lust as drool dribbled down his snout. "The boss doesn't have 24-hour surveillance on us, asshole."
The bald man bent down to lift a hidden trapdoor, smirking. "And why don't you find yourself a sow like you? At least you wouldn't have to steal humans like a fucking degenerate."
"Because they smell like shit and have a sewer face," the pig man roared, as his claws grabbed the woman's dress. The fabric ripped with an audible crunch, exposing her tits and part of her torso. "Humans are squishy... soft skin with no hairs... and they scream cute."
The woman struggled against the restraints, eyes wild. "D-don't touch me, m-monster!" She screamed through the gag, the words turning into a choked sob.
The pig demihuman responded by squeezing her throat with a paw. Hairy knuckles sank into her pale flesh as she kicked, consciousness fading between coughs. "Hope you don't break so fast, little slut," he gasped, pulling down his pants with his free hand. The smell of stale sweat and urine filled the air. "I'm going to get all the pent-up stress OUT of you..."
The woman arched her back in a futile attempt to escape. Her moans mingled with the creaking of the ropes cutting into her wrists.
It was then that the door burst open.
A cloud of black smoke-Shamak-expanded rapidly, enveloping the room in seconds. The bald man coughed, blinded, as the pig man grunted and let go of the woman to pull out a knife.
In the shadows, a silhouette emerged. Kaoru advanced with gritted teeth. Smoke swirled around his boots as he located the three: the bald man staggering near the tools, the pigman naked from the waist down, and the semi-conscious woman with purple finger marks on her neck.
"Shit! Who the hell—?" The bald man reached out to grab an axe, but Kaoru was already on the move.
Kaoru activated the Flow Method the moment he entered, feeling the mana burn in his veins like incandescent liquid. His muscles tensed.
The bald man, disoriented, raised a trembling hand.
"Goa!"
A flame burst from his palm, incinerating the air in a straight line. The ceiling beams burst into embers, the furniture was reduced to ash in seconds, and the floor was scarred with a black, smoldering scar. Kaoru dodged by a hair, spinning on his axis as the heat scorched his cloak. Fire illuminated his profile under the hood—just for an instant—before he closed the distance.
Fist against jaw. The blow sounded like an axe against rotting flesh. The bald man flew backward, his skull smashing into a table that tipped over under the impact. The toolbox tipped over, spilling rusty blades that jingled like death bells. Kaoru gave him no respite: planted the boot on his face and crushed until the nasal bones gave way with a viscous crunch. The body lay motionless, dark blood gushing from the deformed nose.
The Shamak was beginning to dissipate, revealing chaos. Kaoru gasped, picking up two knives from the ground. The blades were nicked, but the edge would be enough to pierce an eye or jugular vein.
"Looks like I'm in luck..." he muttered, wiping sweat from his lip. "These bastards are more pathetic than I thought—"
A beastly grunt cut him off. The pigman was advancing toward him, pants still down, member erect and drooling. His bloodshot eyes blazed with pure rage.
"LITTLE MOTHERF**KER!Who the heck do you think you are?" He spat, saliva mixed with blood flying from his snout. He charged like a crazed bull, his hairy paws shredding the wooden floor.
Kaoru backed away, dodging the first punch by inches. The air parted with a whoosh, and the impact demolished the wall behind him, sending sharp splinters like shrapnel. The pig man didn't stop: hit after hit, each one capable of pulverizing bones. Kaoru danced between the attacks, but one scratched his cheek, opening a shallow cut that burned like fire.
When the demihuman tried to bite him in the face, Kaoru reacted: a high kick slammed his snout shut, the teeth clashing with an audible clack. He seized the moment to nail a knife into the pig's collarbone, but the blade barely penetrated 3 centimeters before running into thick skin.
"You think that shit does anything to me?" the pigman roared, yanking the knife away and tossing it aside. He grabbed Kaoru by the cape and crashed him to the ground. The impact knocked the air out of his lungs, but he rolled instinctively to avoid the kick that would have burst his ribs.
The place was now a battlefield: punctured walls, smashed furniture, and the smell of burning wood mixed with animal sweat. The strange thing was that no one was coming to investigate—as if screaming and thrashing were normal in this hellhole.
Kaoru sat up, spitting blood. The pig grinned, showing yellow fangs.
"When I'm done with you, I'll rape that bitch in front of your corpse," he promised, moving forward again.
Kaoru felt the coppery taste in his mouth, blood dripping from his parted lips. His muscles burned, his lungs refusing to expand at all.
"I'm fucked."
The thought crossed his mind like a knife. He didn't have the strength to take that beast down in one blow. He didn't have any decent weapons either.
"So fucking annoying..." He spat through his teeth.
The pigman charged again, his hairy paws shredding the ground. Kaoru dodged the swipe that would have split his skull, feeling the air move inches from his face. In a desperate move, he leapt onto the demihuman's back, grabbing at its greasy bristles with one hand while with the other he stabbed the knife into its right eye.
"AAAAARGH!"
The pigman's scream was a visceral sound, a shriek of wounded animal mixed with human rage. The blade plunged into his fist, hot ocular fluid splashing Kaoru's face.
"DAMN IT! I'M GONNA EAT YOU UP!"
The demihuman writhed, his claws digging into Kaoru's arms like meat hooks. Kaoru felt his tendons crunch under the pressure, but he didn't let go of the knife. Not until the pigman, in a fit of rage, crashed it against the wall.
Once. The impact knocked the air out of him.
Twice. Something in his back crunched unnaturally.
Three times. His vision was filled with black spots..
The pigman tossed him around like a dirty rag. Kaoru flew across the room, breaking a table on impact. Pieces of wood dug into his back, but the pain was already a background noise compared to the fire burning his ribs.
"I'm going to die...?"
The thought paralyzed him for an instant. He had died before. He knew how it felt. But this time... this time he trembled.
"I don't want to die..."
"Not like this. Not in this shithole, at the hands of this fucking animal..."
The pig demihuman was approaching, wobbling, its burst eye dripping reddish liquid. His grin showed blood-stained fangs.
Then he saw it.
A metallic glint in the rubble.
An iron chain.
The pig charged one last time, its arms open for a deadly embrace.
Kaoru moved.
He didn't know where he got the strength. Whether it was adrenaline, mana, or just pure hatred towards the idea of dying there. But his body reacted.
He dodged the killing blow by inches, spinning on himself. In an instant, he was on top of the pig again. The chain whistled through the air as he threw it around the pig's neck, coiling like a steel snake.
"You or me," Kaoru growled, pulling with all his weight.
He squeezed. He squeezed until his sinews screamed, until blood gushed from his open wounds, until his teeth gnashed with the strength of a man who had nothing left to lose. The pigman struggled; his grunts turned into choked throats. Pink foam spurted from his snout, his paws clawing at the air uselessly.
"GGGRRRRRKK-!"
He squeezed until his muscles burned. Until the pig stopped kicking. Until the body slumped like a sack of meat, the purple tongue hanging between the fangs.
Kaoru fell off its back, hitting the ground with a choked groan. Everything hurt. Everything burned.
Somewhere in the fog of his consciousness, he saw the woman crawling toward him. Her eyes were full of tears, her hands trembling like leaves in the wind.
"A-are you...?" She started to say, but Kaoru couldn't answer.
Kaoru could barely make out the woman's silhouette through the fog of pain that clouded his vision. Every breath burned his lungs, but he forced his mangled hands to move. He couldn't use his arms as catalysts, the tendons were shredded, so he did the only thing he could: he let his water manna flow through his own blood, using the scarlet threads running down his arms as makeshift conduits.
"Don't die, please...," the woman's voice trembled like a leaf in the wind. Kaoru felt her fumbling fingers pressing against his open wounds, futilely trying to stem the bleeding.
"I'm... I'm so useless..."
"I'm alive...," Kaoru mumbled through his teeth, noticing the taste of iron expanding in his mouth. "I'm just... I'm trying something."
With a superhuman effort, he guided the water mana through his veins. The effect was immediate but slow: the superficial wounds on his torso began to close, stitching together with an icy tingle. But the fractures in his back were still needles of fire stuck in his marrow.
"How did you end up here?" he asked between gasps, trying to distract himself from the pain.
The woman—no, the servant, he remembered from her tone—flinched. "I-I served at the Danton mansion.... I went to the market as usual, but..". Her words broke. "Those two... they followed me. The guards only laughed when I asked for help. I ran, but..."
Kaoru didn't need her to finish. The smell of fear and dried urine on his clothes said it all.
"This city is rotten," he spat, feeling the mana begin to run out. "Look for bandages... I'll focus what's left on my bones."
As the young woman rummaged through the rubble, she noted the exact instant she found the white powder packets. Her breath hitched, her eyes dilated like saucers. Drugs. Or worse.
"T-this will do..." she muttered as she returned, avoiding looking at the packets as she wrapped her wounds with strips of soiled cloth. "I wish I could use magic to help you..."
Kaoru watched her calloused but delicate hands moving with precision despite her panic. So not everyone is born with affinity...
"It doesn't matter," he said when he was done. "It's over."
---
Shortly after, the girl had helped Kaoru up: Kaoru, a bloodied wraith leaning on the girl's shoulders; she, her dress tattered, showing bruises and scratches that told a story neither wanted to mention.
"When I saw you come in..." she began, clinging to him like a life preserver, "I thought you were a miracle."
Kaoru looked down unintentionallyand then mentally cursed. The torn fabric exposed pale skin and finger-like bruises. The girl cringed, crossing her arms instinctively.
"S-sorry...," Kaoru looked away, rage boiling in her stomach like acid.
"No... thanks to you, I breathe," she smiled, though tears glistened on her eyelashes. "Your name?"
"Kaoru."
"Bell. Thank you so much, Kaoru."
They were just about to cross the threshold when they saw a shadow
Kaoru's gaze tensed.
"What the hell...?"
A strange guy was blocking the exit. Turquoise-colored, shoulder-length hair, with a couple of unruly strands falling down his face; golden-iridescent eyes accompanied by a thin scar across his left cheek; and from his appearance, he was in his late 20s.
He wore clothes that looked like those of a mercenary, along with a sword on his hips.
"Oi, oi... What the fuck happened here?" The man sighed.
"What a mess." He added, spitting on the ground with disdain.
Kaoru did not respond. His gaze was riveted on the figure the stranger held under his arm like a bundle: Johan, his mouth taped shut and his wrists bound so tightly with rope that the skin around them was already bruising. The historian struggled, eyes wild, trying to articulate words that only came out as choked moans.
"Who the hell are you?" Kaoru growled, noticing how Bell clung to his arm, nails digging into his skin through the torn fabric.
The man's golden eyes narrowed. "What does it matter? You're not going to live long enough to remember it anyway."
With a sudden movement, he threw Johan to the ground. The impact drew a dry groan from the historian.
"I found him snooping around the alley. What a coincidence, isn't it?" The turquoise-haired guy smiled, but it was an icy smile, with no trace of humor. "A lot of noise attracts attention... and that's not right, no, not at all."
"Why is Johan here? Shouldn't he be in the carriage?" Kaoru swallowed.
"Do you know him?" asked the turquoise-haired guy, bowing slightly.
"Bell, get behind me... " Kaoru pushed her gently, though he knew it was useless.
Dante laughed. "How cute."
And then, he ignored him.
He walked past Kaoru as if he were just another piece of furniture, heading straight for where the bald man lay, semi-conscious in the rubble. With a brutal movement, he grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and lifted him up like a rag doll.
"WAKE THE FUCK UP!"
The bald man's eyes opened instantly, his pupils dilated in terror. D-Dante! I mean, Kreuzf-! B-Boss!".
"I gave you one order. One. Was that so hard?" Dante's voice was dangerously calm, but each word rang out like the edge of a dagger.
The bald man trembled like a leaf. "I-It wasn't my fault! It was the pig! He decided to kidnap the girl! I told him not to!"
"And you, useless fuck, can't control your own man?" Dante shook him, making the bald man's teeth chatter.
The bald man sputtered, but Dante had already lost his patience. He slammed him loose, letting him fall to the ground like a sack of broken bones.
"Bell, run... I'll stop them," Kaoru muttered, though he knew the odds were zero.
Bell could barely breathe.
"It's okay... I can handle this."
Meanwhile, Dante approached the pig demihuman, who was beginning to regain consciousness. With an almost listless motion, he kicked him in the ribs, which sent him rolling to the ground.
The pigman groaned, crawling backwards at the sight of Dante's expression. "S-sorry! I won't do it again!"
"Listen up. If you defy me one more time, I'll make sure to take your manhood and force it right down your throat, understand?"
"Pick up the packages. Now." Dante pointed to the white powder wrappers scattered on the floor. "Listen up. If you defy me one more time, I'll make sure to take your manhood and force it right down your throat, understand?"
The pig needed no further motivation. It crawled toward the packs, trembling.
It was then that Bell ran.
Kaoru turned to cover her, but Dante was faster.
In the blink of an eye, the mercenary disappeared from his sight.
And when Kaoru turned his head, Bell was already in Dante's arms, struggling uselessly.
"How? I didn't even see him move!"
Dante sighed, as if this was all a tedious formality. "I'm sorry, honey, but I can't let you go."
In the distance, the clanking of armor and boots echoed down the alley. The royal guard was approaching.
Dante grinned, showing sharp teeth. "You two will be the scapegoats. Knowing the guard, they'll close the case fast".
Bell struggled, but Dante hit her in the neck, knocking her unconscious instantly.
"BELL!" Kaoru roared, advancing towards him, but Dante didn't even flinch.
With an almost lazy motion, he threw a direct kick to his face.
Kaoru flew backwards, crashing into the rubble. Darkness enveloped him before his body hit the ground.
"I didn't go too hard on him. I hope he's okay.." Dante shrugged.
He then approached Johan, who was trying to crawl toward the exit.
"You know what they say.... Curiosity killed the cat, like now."
And with that, he stomped on his head, leaving him on the verge of unconsciousness.
"Let's go." He ordered his henchmen, who obeyed instantly, to pick up the last few packages and leave some behind on purpose.
Before the darkness completely consumed him, Johan saw something impossible: the three men along with the woman vanished into nothingness, as if they had never been there.
And then, everything went black.