The sounds of animals resonated throughout the place.
Two men walked, stepping on the sticky red mud and the smell of blood that permeated everywhere.
"No matter how many times I come here, it's hard to endure."
"Yes."
Otar responded briefly to Vlad's complaint.
Also because he agreed with what Vlad was saying.
The church did not appreciate those who handled the blood of the dead.
But most people had no choice but to eat meat and drink blood to survive.
Here, in this place, the bright word of God and the uncomfortable coexistence with uncontrollable instincts coexisted.
An alley ruled by a pig butcher and a black bear. A street full of red blood.
Ancient and intricate streets, mixed with all kinds of smells, the stench of blood, and the looks of those who coexist with death.
"The smell is suffocating."
"···."
With the weather getting hotter, the smell of blood accumulating on the ground increased.
Vlad walked between them and stood in front of the largest building on this street.
It was decorated with bones everywhere, it would be difficult for most people to even look at it, but the boy raised in the alleys was already used to this environment.
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!
A latch made of bones.
Vlad pounded the latch heavily, announcing his arrival.
"Who's there?"
"You should have heard by now."
"···."
Vlad and Otar noticed the stares following them since they entered the Black Bear Alley.
The appearance of the boy carrying a flag and bright blond hair was worthy of attention anywhere, not just in an alley.
"Wait."
A man barely visible through a small crack opened the door with force.
"···."
But five minutes passed, ten minutes, and no sound was heard indicating they could enter.
[They're going to fight.]
Vlad, accustomed to the contempt he would normally face in the alley, raised his head and looked up at the sky.
Through the chaotic buildings, he could only see the blue sky.
'I shouldn't let myself be looked down upon in this way.'
The boy was lost in thought as he looked at the small sky.
If he were the Vlad of the alley, this would be common, but what should Soara's Vlad do?
The boy, who had recently heard about honor, was stuck in his thoughts.
The clouds passed.
As the sky began to turn red.
Finally, at that moment.
Clack!
"Come in."
The Black Bear building finally opened its door.
"······."
Though they had waited a long time, Vlad was still looking at the sky.
He looked at the sky, now tinged with red, and made a decision.
This cannot be overlooked.
"I won't go in, will you?"
"···Yes, I won't go in."
"Really?"
The doorkeeper laughed as he saw the boy standing outside.
Who dares here?
The alley was under the rule of the slaughterhouse boss, the Black Bear.
"Then, leave."
But the doorkeeper should have known.
The boy in front of him was not simply defending his pride.
The boy, standing here, carried with him not only his own name but also that of another person.
"If you close that door right now."
The boy's voice sounded behind the doorkeeper, who was about to close it with a mocking laugh.
It was a voice that radiated a strong presence for his age.
"You won't be able to handle what happens today."
"What?"
The doorkeeper felt an inexplicable chill at hearing those words.
Blue eyes.
It didn't contain the emotions like anger or fear that the gatekeeper expected.
It only showed the calm attitude of someone who was willing to fulfill his duty.
"You started it first."
Instead of answering the gatekeeper's question, Vlad tossed Otar's flag to the ground.
The flag, which was empty in some places, had the Bayezid family emblem engraved on it, albeit small.
“...”
The gatekeeper thought as he looked at the boy standing unshakably next to the flag.
Perhaps the rumor that he had ended those who made money with his own hands was true.
That kind of presence flowed from the boy's blue eyes.
“...Come in. I apologize."
The boy saw, learned, and grew more in the six months he was away from Soara than in the 16 years he lived in the alleys.
What is needed right now is a cause, not anger or violence.
"Tell him to come in person."
"...Who?"
How to bring someone to their knees with power instead of violence.
That was the noble way.
"Go in and tell the Black Bear to receive the legitimate representative of the Bayezid."
The legitimate representative of the Bayezid.
The last knight of the prostitutes.
The boy who brought down an organization by himself clearly understood his position.
"This is the last chance Vlad of Soara is giving."
The alley bosses no longer had the right to keep the boy waiting.
The flag that Vlad had planted on the ground was silently waving.
Only those who had proved their honor could carry that flag.
***
A procession of carriages stretched outside the town hall of Soara.
As newcomers mingled with those leaving.
Knights and soldiers who had been assigned to Soara were returning to their hometown, Sturma, where their lords were once again present, along with the former mayor of Soara, slumped inside the carriage.
"I'm very sorry for what happened, although I'm only bearing the consequences of my own actions, Lord Joseph."
Joseph, looking out the window, turned his gaze away from the spectacle and glanced at the sky with a slight smile.
"My regret is hastening this stage."
Unlike the sky created by God, the city of Soara was created by imperfect humans, so it could not shine without a single imperfect thing.
"I was rushed too, there wasn't much to be done about it."
The former mayor of Soara, now facing the consequences of his flawed administration, would receive severe punishment upon returning to Sturma.
However, these mistakes might have gone unnoticed at another time.
He had delegated authority to a alley boss to manage the area, focusing on security for common citizens rather than minor criminals, and the funds from powerful sponsors coming from all over could have helped in city administration, or at least that's what the former mayor believed.
If it weren't for Joseph's staunch opposition and Peter's tacit consent.
"What did the chief called Black Bear say?"
"He says he'll cooperate as best as he can."
Joseph smiled at Vlad's report coming from behind.
"Although he had his pride and stubbornness, it seems everything went quite smoothly."
"...Seems being from the same alley worked well."
Is that possible?
Joseph knew he would have faced his own difficulties. But even if it was unusual for the boy, he had admirably fulfilled his task.
Joseph's intention to raise Vlad not just as a mere swordsman, but as a complete knight, was succeeding.
"Good. Well done."
Joseph glanced back, his back to him.
There were men waiting for Joseph's next words.
"As you know, I haven't fully mastered Soara yet, and I need to dedicate a lot of time to that. Besides that, I don't have time for anything else at the moment."
The men behind Joseph. Several men of different ages stood in his study.
Five knights, a mage, ten administrative staff, and thirty elite soldiers.
And even a squire.
They were all vassals of Soara that Joseph had formed in Sturma.
And from now on, Joseph had to control Soara's politics, administration, security, and military force through them.
For now, this might be the last chance given to him.
"In anything, getting used to it for the first time is the most important and the hardest."
Joseph's vassals were people sharing the same boat.
If Joseph became the next head of the family, they would be honored by the Bayezid family. And if Joseph failed in the competition, they would be like crew members of a sinking ship.
For everyone present, Soara was like the last stepping stone.
"Now I will focus on governing Soara smoothly. I will do my best, but for now, I have no room for anything else but this."
Although darkness had covered Soara, Joseph was still not ready to face it completely. But one couldn't be completely prepared for everything.
What he had done so far had been kicking, but from now on, he had to walk.
"So regarding this task, I'll leave it in Mr. Gregory's hands. Pick a member of the research team right here."
With Joseph's affirmation, a small but sturdy knight stepped forward and nodded.
"Thank you for entrusting me, Lord Joseph. I will do my best in my mission."
Although it wasn't his, Joseph chose Gregory as the person responsible for this task.
Gregory, who had always remained neutral within the family, wouldn't be influenced by the sibling rivalry.
"I'd like to bring Knight Cade with me. I think there will be many situations where we'll need to track someone this time. So I want to be with someone with excellent tracking skills."
Although it had only been Cade who had suffered serious injuries in the last campaign against the cursed witch, now he had another chance.
Cade, feeling a joy he couldn't hide, clenched his fists tightly.
"Please allow me."
"And..."
Gregory stroked his thick beard and pondered for a moment.
Although there was a preconceived combination he had thought through Jager's advice, he wanted to try something a little different. Indeed, he had been intrigued for a while.
"I would like to choose Vlad, Mr. Jager's squire. After all, he was the one who first discovered this matter."
"Hmm."
Although Joseph seemed surprised by Gregory's choice, he nodded. Gregory's choice wasn't entirely incomprehensible.
Gregory's nomination and Joseph's permission.
The boy standing at the end of the retinue looked at the knight who had pointed him out.
His sturdy build and short legs, which could be used as pillars, reminded Vlad of someone he knew well.
"I'm counting on you. Promising lad."
Knight Gregory.
A man who had been watching the boy from the Bayezid family.
The knight, who was also Portly Kannor's master and guardian, looked at the boy and smiled.
____
The sounds of animals resonated throughout the place.
Two men walked, stepping on the sticky red mud and the smell of blood that permeated everywhere.
"No matter how many times I come here, it's hard to endure."
"Yes."
Otar responded briefly to Vlad's complaint.
Also because he agreed with what Vlad was saying.
The church did not appreciate those who handled the blood of the dead.
But most people had no choice but to eat meat and drink blood to survive.
Here, in this place, the bright word of God and the uncomfortable coexistence with uncontrollable instincts coexisted.
An alley ruled by a pig butcher and a black bear. A street full of red blood.
Ancient and intricate streets, mixed with all kinds of smells, the stench of blood, and the looks of those who coexist with death.
"The smell is suffocating."
"···."
With the weather getting hotter, the smell of blood accumulating on the ground increased.
Vlad walked between them and stood in front of the largest building on this street.
It was decorated with bones everywhere, it would be difficult for most people to even look at it, but the boy raised in the alleys was already used to this environment.
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!
A latch made of bones.
Vlad pounded the latch heavily, announcing his arrival.
"Who's there?"
"You should have heard by now."
"···."
Vlad and Otar noticed the stares following them since they entered the Black Bear Alley.
The appearance of the boy carrying a flag and bright blond hair was worthy of attention anywhere, not just in an alley.
"Wait."
A man barely visible through a small crack opened the door with force.
"···."
But five minutes passed, ten minutes, and no sound was heard indicating they could enter.
[They're going to fight.]
Vlad, accustomed to the contempt he would normally face in the alley, raised his head and looked up at the sky.
Through the chaotic buildings, he could only see the blue sky.
'I shouldn't let myself be looked down upon in this way.'
The boy was lost in thought as he looked at the small sky.
If he were the Vlad of the alley, this would be common, but what should Soara's Vlad do?
The boy, who had recently heard about honor, was stuck in his thoughts.
The clouds passed.
As the sky began to turn red.
Finally, at that moment.
Clack!
"Come in."
The Black Bear building finally opened its door.
"······."
Though they had waited a long time, Vlad was still looking at the sky.
He looked at the sky, now tinged with red, and made a decision.
This cannot be overlooked.
"I won't go in, will you?"
"···Yes, I won't go in."
"Really?"
The doorkeeper laughed as he saw the boy standing outside.
Who dares here?
The alley was under the rule of the slaughterhouse boss, the Black Bear.
"Then, leave."
But the doorkeeper should have known.
The boy in front of him was not simply defending his pride.
The boy, standing here, carried with him not only his own name but also that of another person.
"If you close that door right now."
The boy's voice sounded behind the doorkeeper, who was about to close it with a mocking laugh.
It was a voice that radiated a strong presence for his age.
"You won't be able to handle what happens today."
"What?"
The doorkeeper felt an inexplicable chill at hearing those words.
Blue eyes.
It didn't contain the emotions like anger or fear that the gatekeeper expected.
It only showed the calm attitude of someone who was willing to fulfill his duty.
"You started it first."
Instead of answering the gatekeeper's question, Vlad tossed Otar's flag to the ground.
The flag, which was empty in some places, had the Bayezid family emblem engraved on it, albeit small.
“...”
The gatekeeper thought as he looked at the boy standing unshakably next to the flag.
Perhaps the rumor that he had ended those who made money with his own hands was true.
That kind of presence flowed from the boy's blue eyes.
“...Come in. I apologize."
The boy saw, learned, and grew more in the six months he was away from Soara than in the 16 years he lived in the alleys.
What is needed right now is a cause, not anger or violence.
"Tell him to come in person."
"...Who?"
How to bring someone to their knees with power instead of violence.
That was the noble way.
"Go in and tell the Black Bear to receive the legitimate representative of the Bayezid."
The legitimate representative of the Bayezid.
The last knight of the prostitutes.
The boy who brought down an organization by himself clearly understood his position.
"This is the last chance Vlad of Soara is giving."
The alley bosses no longer had the right to keep the boy waiting.
The flag that Vlad had planted on the ground was silently waving.
Only those who had proved their honor could carry that flag.
***
A procession of carriages stretched outside the town hall of Soara.
As newcomers mingled with those leaving.
Knights and soldiers who had been assigned to Soara were returning to their hometown, Sturma, where their lords were once again present, along with the former mayor of Soara, slumped inside the carriage.
"I'm very sorry for what happened, although I'm only bearing the consequences of my own actions, Lord Joseph."
Joseph, looking out the window, turned his gaze away from the spectacle and glanced at the sky with a slight smile.
"My regret is hastening this stage."
Unlike the sky created by God, the city of Soara was created by imperfect humans, so it could not shine without a single imperfect thing.
"I was rushed too, there wasn't much to be done about it."
The former mayor of Soara, now facing the consequences of his flawed administration, would receive severe punishment upon returning to Sturma.
However, these mistakes might have gone unnoticed at another time.
He had delegated authority to a alley boss to manage the area, focusing on security for common citizens rather than minor criminals, and the funds from powerful sponsors coming from all over could have helped in city administration, or at least that's what the former mayor believed.
If it weren't for Joseph's staunch opposition and Peter's tacit consent.
"What did the chief called Black Bear say?"
"He says he'll cooperate as best as he can."
Joseph smiled at Vlad's report coming from behind.
"Although he had his pride and stubbornness, it seems everything went quite smoothly."
"...Seems being from the same alley worked well."
Is that possible?
Joseph knew he would have faced his own difficulties. But even if it was unusual for the boy, he had admirably fulfilled his task.
Joseph's intention to raise Vlad not just as a mere swordsman, but as a complete knight, was succeeding.
"Good. Well done."
Joseph glanced back, his back to him.
There were men waiting for Joseph's next words.
"As you know, I haven't fully mastered Soara yet, and I need to dedicate a lot of time to that. Besides that, I don't have time for anything else at the moment."
The men behind Joseph. Several men of different ages stood in his study.
Five knights, a mage, ten administrative staff, and thirty elite soldiers.
And even a squire.
They were all vassals of Soara that Joseph had formed in Sturma.
And from now on, Joseph had to control Soara's politics, administration, security, and military force through them.
For now, this might be the last chance given to him.
"In anything, getting used to it for the first time is the most important and the hardest."
Joseph's vassals were people sharing the same boat.
If Joseph became the next head of the family, they would be honored by the Bayezid family. And if Joseph failed in the competition, they would be like crew members of a sinking ship.
For everyone present, Soara was like the last stepping stone.
"Now I will focus on governing Soara smoothly. I will do my best, but for now, I have no room for anything else but this."
Although darkness had covered Soara, Joseph was still not ready to face it completely. But one couldn't be completely prepared for everything.
What he had done so far had been kicking, but from now on, he had to walk.
"So regarding this task, I'll leave it in Mr. Gregory's hands. Pick a member of the research team right here."
With Joseph's affirmation, a small but sturdy knight stepped forward and nodded.
"Thank you for entrusting me, Lord Joseph. I will do my best in my mission."
Although it wasn't his, Joseph chose Gregory as the person responsible for this task.
Gregory, who had always remained neutral within the family, wouldn't be influenced by the sibling rivalry.
"I'd like to bring Knight Cade with me. I think there will be many situations where we'll need to track someone this time. So I want to be with someone with excellent tracking skills."
Although it had only been Cade who had suffered serious injuries in the last campaign against the cursed witch, now he had another chance.
Cade, feeling a joy he couldn't hide, clenched his fists tightly.
"Please allow me."
"And..."
Gregory stroked his thick beard and pondered for a moment.
Although there was a preconceived combination he had thought through Jager's advice, he wanted to try something a little different. Indeed, he had been intrigued for a while.
"I would like to choose Vlad, Mr. Jager's squire. After all, he was the one who first discovered this matter."
"Hmm."
Although Joseph seemed surprised by Gregory's choice, he nodded. Gregory's choice wasn't entirely incomprehensible.
Gregory's nomination and Joseph's permission.
The boy standing at the end of the retinue looked at the knight who had pointed him out.
His sturdy build and short legs, which could be used as pillars, reminded Vlad of someone he knew well.
"I'm counting on you. Promising lad."
Knight Gregory.
A man who had been watching the boy from the Bayezid family.
The knight, who was also Portly Kannor's master and guardian, looked at the boy and smiled.
____
