[ 𝕃𝕦𝕔𝕚𝕦𝕤 ]

Two factions formed in the hamlet like a battle line of two opposing armies facing each other, ready to fire, while Roy was immovably catching up on delicious cuisine at Rui's house.

 One rally feels that Roy can deliver them from the cruel hands of the tyrant, and another hopes they want to hand over Roy to the Baron's army.

The two alcoholics brutally killed by Roy, their kins and family members, have framed a group. More residents gradually took part in the rally like ants for a picnic.

Though it's afternoon, the sun looks like a giant orange ball that is struggling to make its way through a sea of dust and grey clouds, as it seems to move at a glacial pace. The temperature feels like it has dropped at least ten degrees in the last hour alone.

The wind blows softly, attempting to ruffle Lucius' hair, but he resists the temptation to pull it back into a ponytail.


The structures encompassing him are a token of when this spot was the thumping heart of a flourishing populace. That heartbeat seems to have ceased now.

Lucius, a middle-aged man with a big beard and experience on his face walked up with a stick in his hand. A huge horde of numerous locals stood aggressively behind him, prepared to make a move. Another colossal gathering of people stood before him.

Lucius is at the head of a faction hoping to get rid of the Baron and has basic intelligence reports that say the Baron's power is waning. He's been sneakily searching for potential allies.

He said in a deep voice, "Calm down. You can't do anything with him. Some more people will be killed unnecessarily."


"Why are you favoring him, Lucius?" Serban, leader of the opposite faction and the elder brother of one of the guards, asks angrily.

"Hey, I have a plan. If we make him fight baron, two birds will die in one fell swoop. They'll both be harmed." Lucius points out.

The truth is that it wasn’t his intention. He was simply trying to convince and calm down the other group.

 "Good sense. Fight between enemies. Haha." One of the gullible fools says from the crowd.

Lucius smiles, however, the smile gets cut short by a doubtful question from Serban. "What if he declines your request?" Serban twists his huge mustache with his fingers while hurling this question like a knife at Lucius.

Lucius frowns, "Well..." His lips pursed up as he searched for the right words. "It'll be unfortunate... but then we'll have to insist..."

The crowd of people listens intently as Lucius continues to speak.

Serban says, "You can't do it, Lucius. You'll be killed if you try to fight the Baron, it's not worth it."

"Ha, I'm not afraid to die."

"That's good, but I'm not sure if these people are ready to die for you. We're a peace-loving village, not a suicide squad."

"The same argument goes for you. You'll be killed by Roy. I also don't think we are a suicide squad."

"So, if he declines your request, I'll send an agent to Baron's castle reporting about Roy." A subtle grin dances up in Serban's face while he creeps his sly eyes at Lucius' face to see his reaction.

"Tsk!" Lucius clenches his teeth. Then he takes a deep breath. "As long as none of you are attacking Roy, fine by me."

"Let him speak, Serban." One peasant speaks up.

Serban sighs and nods to the older peasant.

The peasant says, "We can't just sit by and do nothing while evil takes over the world."

Serban smiles and says, "Why not." He turns to Lucius and says, "What do you think?"

The peasant nods, and Lucius nods as a response.

 "... I would fight for the right cause." Lucius says.

"Ha, good." The peasant claps.

Serban sighs and remarks about Roy, "I must object to this. I mean, you can't just trust a stranger."

The peasant says, "I didn't say you could, but I know he saved Rui from bandits. We all saw it with our own eyes how he tried to save her from her moron father."

Lucius shakes his head. "If anything, it’s clear that he's too strong."

"Do as you please. But remember that I'll take actions if you fail."