The atmosphere in the narrow alley of the slum felt heavy, yet at the same time, a glimmer of new hope began to grow in the heart of a man who had long lost his spirit.
Arvin reached out his hand, helping Lorrin Fravoin stand up from his kneeling position. He looked at the man's face, etched with suffering, with a calm yet captivating gaze.
"Lorrin, listen to me carefully." Arvin said in a low, authoritative tone.
Lorrin nodded slowly, his eyes still wet with tears of emotion. He awaited orders from his new master.
"Whoever will eventually become the leader of the Vedegra family—whether it's me or my younger brother, I assure you that no one will betray you. We are not nobles who throw away a gem for a river stone." Arvin stated firmly. "Only a fool would have the heart to betray you and waste a great strategist like you for momentary political gain!"
Those words seeped deep into Lorrin's heart. For years living on the run, haunted by the shadows of assassins from his original kingdom, he had never felt safe. But today, in the presence of this young man, he felt a solid wall of protection.
Lorrin became even more convinced. The Vedegra family was the right move. Not only to survive the pursuit of the Marland Kingdom but also to provide a future for his wife and unborn child.
He didn't want to waste the golden opportunity that was right in front of his eyes.
"Young Master," Lorrin's voice trembled with respect, "when can I go to the Vedegra territory? I have to prepare my wife."
"Wait a little longer," Arvin replied casually, his eyes shifting toward the alley entrance. "Wait until my business with these Red Sand mercenaries is finished. You will all go there together."
Lorrin nodded obediently, then stepped back slowly to give space. He stood by the side of his rickety shack, observing Arvin who was now walking toward Rayand.
On the other side, Rayand was still staring at Arvin with a strange look. A mixture of admiration, fear, and immense confusion. This young man had just conquered Lorrin's heart in a matter of minutes—something he had failed to do for years.
Arvin, noticing the stare, smirked. "Why are you looking at me like that, Rayand? Is there something strange on my face? Or is my handsomeness too blinding for you?"
Rayand didn't respond to the joke. His face was serious. "Why do you know everything about us? Lorrin, me, our group's name... Have you met us before? Or do you have spies watching us 24 hours a day?"
Arvin fell silent for a moment. He looked up at the blue sky filled with clouds that afternoon above the roofs of the houses in the slums.
Arvin murmured softly as if speaking to himself. "I know you and I have met you... But, physically in this world, this is the first time I'm meeting you here!"
Rayand tilted his head, furrowing his brow even deeper. That answer wasn't enlightening; instead, it made him even dizzier.
"What do you mean? Why do your words sound so ambiguous?" Rayand asked urgently.
Arvin only answered with a crisp laugh. "Hahaha!"
The laugh sounded light but held a million mysteries. Rayand and his four members looked at each other, equally confused. They tried to dig into their memories, searching for Arvin's face in the past, but found nothing. They had never met this noble before.
In their eyes, Arvin Vedegra was a walking riddle. A mysterious figure who came from nowhere, knew everything, and offered salvation.
Arvin stopped laughing, then looked at them one by one. He understood the meaning of those questioning gazes.
"Those looks of yours show that I have to be honest with you about my source of information, right?" Arvin smirked mysteriously, placing his index finger on his lips. "Sorry, but that is my secret! For sure, you only need to know one thing: I am on your side!"
That answer didn't satisfy their curiosity, but the aura of certainty Arvin radiated made them dare not ask further. They could only nod, accepting the fate that they were now following a leader full of secrets.
Until a few minutes later, the tense atmosphere was broken by the sound of heavy, regular footsteps.
Thud... Thud... Thud...
From the distance, a towering figure appeared. His body was burly like a bear, muscles bulging from under the leather shirt he wore. In both hands, he grasped two large swords that looked like they had claimed many victims.
Gaile arrived.
"Hahaha," Arvin muttered softly, his eyes sparkling with joy. "Finally, he came to see me! I'm sure a father would do anything if it concerns his daughter's life."
The man walked straight toward Arvin, ignoring Rayand and the others. The killing aura he emitted was so thick that it made the surrounding air feel cold.
He stopped right in front of Arvin, staring at the young man's face with a sharp gaze but a sense of despair at the same time.
"Are you..." Gaile's voice was heavy and hoarse, "...the one willing to cure my daughter if I fight you with my full strength?"
"Of course, Gaile! Finally, we meet again!" Arvin answered warmly, as if greeting an old friend.
Gaile frowned. "Huh? I don't feel like we've ever met."
"Don't worry about trivial things!" Arvin cut in quickly. "You just exert all your abilities so that I'm willing to cure Melisa!"
Gaile's eyes widened. His body stiffened. "You know my daughter's name?!"
Gaile's suspicion peaked. He was ready to slash this young man's neck if there was even one suspicious move. How could a stranger know my daughter's name? Met me before? He's getting more mysterious and suspicious.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Don't look at me like you want to eat someone!" Arvin raised both hands casually. "My intentions are good, you know. Just consider your fight later as an advance payment for your daughter's recovery! I need to see how strong the so-called strongest 'Dual Wind Blades' really are."
Gaile fell silent, assessing the situation. This young man knew too much, but he offered the only thing Gaile wanted in this world: his child's recovery.
"You are very mysterious. What is your name, young man?"
Arvin smiled proudly. "I am Arvin Vedegra, the first son of Duke Melvin Vedegra!"
Silence for a moment. Then, Gaile laughed out loud. His voice boomed through the narrow alley.
"Hahaha! Bwahahaha!"
"Why are you laughing?" asked Arvin, slightly offended but remaining calm.
"Hahaha. Sorry, sorry." Gaile wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. "I never expected that at the end of my career as a mercenary, I would fight against a noble brat from the Vedegra family. I thought you were just an arrogant rich merchant's son. I hope you don't disappoint me, young man! Noble bones are usually fragile."
"I expect the same from you!" Arvin replied confidently. "But before that... lend me your swords for a moment!"
"Huh?" Gaile stopped laughing, confused. "For what? You want to disarm me?"
"No, you fool. I'm going to strengthen your swords using my Alchemy magic!" Arvin pointed at Gaile's jagged sword blades. "Look at that, the iron is tired. I don't want your swords to break in the middle of battle when fighting my magic later. That would ruin my fun!"
Although hesitant, there was something in Arvin's tone that made Gaile comply. He handed over his two large swords to Arvin.
Without wasting time, Arvin raised his hand.
Cling!
Two small chunks of magic crystals appeared in his palm.
"That is..." The eyes of Rayand, Gaile, Lorrin, and Rayand's four members widened. "Pure Magic Crystals? And... dimensional storage magic?"