Takeshi and old Orfin sat in their places once again to discuss the alliance they had just forged.
"So, how will you help me?"
Takeshi asked Orfin, his hand on his chin, waiting for a straightforward answer. Orfin quickly replied with cheer:
"Unfortunately, I cannot accompany you to crush that gang you are pursuing, but I have ways to assist you."
Takeshi tilted his head in surprise and asked directly:
"How?"
Old Orfin laughed softly, then stared sharply into Takeshi's serious eyes and said:
"First, you must know your next destination."
He stood up and looked to his right, then pointed his finger toward the south, saying:
"You want to head to the headquarters of the Royal Skull Gang… Therefore, you must head south, until you reach a distant city."
He raised his hands toward the sun, absorbing its yellow rays that provided him with positive energy, and shouted loudly, releasing that energy:
"Toward Galleon City!!"
In the south of the Autumnland of Orival, there lies a city pierced by a massive river called the Cloud River. Bright golden threads from the sky reflected on its surface, highlighting its sweet flow and attractive clarity.
On its banks lie ancient, handmade stone pavements famous for the country's culture. Upon them, the sound of boisterous footsteps striking the ground can be heard, alongside the heavy rolling of wheels in front of massive chalk-white houses with rose-red tiles that gave the city its flavor.
Many carriages lined that place, each carrying new goods and products: those bringing the warmest winter clothes from the North, the finest fruits from the East, the rarest pieces from the West, and the most delicious meats and finest animal hides from the South.
Before them stood a vast crowd of city residents, each taking what they needed in preparation for the coming winter. This city is called Galleon City.
Despite the atmosphere of tranquility and safety, this city is considered one of the most dangerous, a hub for gangs and criminals. Two reasons make it one of the most prosperous cities for merchants:
The sheer size of the city and its massive population.
Its excellent geographical location; it is the closest major city to the Great Pine Forest, bordered by mountains, near the sea, and its location ensures a warm climate with seasonal rains that kill the drought and humidify the air.
Merchants were actively selling their wares in front of their carriages, except for one carriage parked at the edge of the road, showing no activity.
A short, bald man entered it. He was in his forties, dressed in the high-style attire common among prominent merchants. His face bore signs of anger and resentment; this man was nicknamed The Scorpion.
As soon as he entered, he heard a loud snoring. He stared ahead to see a young man sleeping in the middle of the carriage. He was roughly Takeshi's age, with dark brown hair and tattered, old clothes. This boy's name was Sota.
The Scorpion took a deep breath and shouted loudly, drowning out the snoring.
"WAKE UP, YOU LAZY BONES!!"
The snoring stopped, and Sota woke up terrified by the volume of The Scorpion's voice. He stared left and right, trying to grasp what happened, then looked at The Scorpion with his sleepy green eyes and said:
"You startled me, Master—"
He didn't get a chance to finish, as a powerful blow from The Scorpion struck his head, pushing him toward the back of the carriage while he rubbed his head from the impact.
"Damn it!! That hurts!! Why did you do that?!"
The Scorpion turned toward the carriage exit, a frown on his face, and said:
"Because you're a fool. If you stay like this, you'll lose your job as a merchant working for me, and you'll lose your only chance of finding your father."
The sleepiness vanished from Sota's eyes, replaced by a deep pain creeping into his heart. He quickly replied:
"I'm sorry… I will work hard."
The Scorpion left without saying a word. He stood beside the carriage and reached into his pocket to pull out a bag full of money. He opened it carefully, a wide smile forming on his face as he stared at the shining gold and silver pieces.
As soon as he closed it and returned it to his pocket, a young man wearing a black cloak to hide his identity collided with him. Both fell to the ground, and the young man immediately stood up and fled, saying:
"I'm sorry, Uncle."
The Scorpion stood up, dusted off his clothes, and looked at the young man with disdain, saying to himself:
"Curse the youth of today! Doesn't he know the cost of cleaning these clothes is more expensive than—"
The Scorpion stopped talking as soon as he put his hand in his pocket. He moved it repeatedly, waiting for the feel of the bag and the sound of the clinking metal.
The bag was gone.
The Scorpion did not stand still; he ran with all his might after the young man who had just collided with him, screaming for help.
"Catch that bastard! Catch that thief! Damn it, where are the police?"
None of the passersby responded. Some were used to such sights, while others felt a slight sense of jealousy and envy toward The Scorpion's noble appearance, so no one tried to lend a hand.
The Scorpion couldn't keep going; he lost the thief's trail and became an object of public mockery. He fell to his knees, catching his breath and energy while cursing internally:
"Damn you and this city… Curse it! That was all the money I brought with me!"
Compared to the other crimes happening in the alleys and depths of Galleon City, this was literally nothing. You are comparing a theft to murder and the most heinous methods of torture; the criminals in this city are ready to shed blood for a few coins.
Minutes later, atop one of the towering buildings hit by the light winds blowing through the city.
"187, 188, 189, 190…. 194!!"
On the roof, someone was counting in silence, a light metallic sound following every new number. It was the young thief. His features were ordinary, giving him a rural look. His hair and eyes were a common dull brown, but his features carried a sense of likeability despite what he had just done. This young man's name was Koji.
"194 gold pieces in one bag?! Man, this amount will make me a king!"
Koji realized he was exaggerating, even if he was joking. The King of the Autumnland's wealth cannot be counted in numbers, especially since the Autumnland of Orival is the second-best economically among the four nations, with no vast gap between it and the Springland of "Cerin," the best economically.
"Anyway, I won't be able to enjoy it freely…"
Koji's face darkened, and the glint vanished from his eyes. He closed the bag tightly. A drop from the sky fell directly onto the bag. He looked up to see that clouds had gathered over the city, forming a massive storm cloud.
"It's going to rain, I must hide!"
Koji rushed to find cover. As soon as everyone in the city saw the sky, they headed toward their homes for shelter, while merchants hid their goods for fear of damage.
Indeed, the rain poured heavily that day. Everyone in the city was under sturdy roofs, while the homeless were in the dark alleys, gripped by the cold. Except for one man at the city's main entrance.
He was a man in his twenties with sharp, long blue hair and attractive hazel eyes. He was tall, wearing old winter clothes, and very handsome. But in a world like this, you won't get attention unless your pocket is full. He looked as if he was waiting for someone.
Within minutes, the person he was waiting for arrived. It was a man obscured by the fog, entering the gateway with heavy steps that pierced the sound of the rain. He gradually approached the man until he reached him and his features became clear.
He was a powerfully built man wearing a pure white robe with a badge resembling a bare skull. He wore a solid white mask stained with blood, with two hollows through which he glared with sharp eyes at the one waiting for him.
"Welcome back, Boss Rasten…"
the blue-haired man spoke in a light, provocative tone. The boss replied in a gruff, blunt voice:
"I told you not to call me by that name… Has Yamikaji returned from his mission, Greid?"
Greid smiled while casting a deep look at his boss and said:
"No. He will likely arrive this week if he completed his mission successfully."
The boss did not respond; he walked. He walked toward that city drowned in the rainy atmosphere, his steps heavier than before, and Greid quickly followed him.
Takeshi's goal to bring down the Royal Skull Gang centers on defeating this mysterious man.