The branches summoned by Yamikaji shattered, and Greid's ice turned into small blue shards as the atmosphere and temperature returned to normal.
Sojo and Fard climbed down from the carriage and stepped toward Yamikaji. His furious gaze remained fixed on Greid; had it not been for his sheer exhaustion, he likely would have stood up to attack again. His reckless behavior, combined with his tone and the malice in his eyes, made his deep-seated hatred clear.
Greid turned his back on Yamikaji and said with a mocking smile: "Follow me now, Rudo Yamikaji."
Yamikaji ground his teeth in rage but forced himself to remain calm, knowing there was no hope of winning against Greid at this moment. Reverting to his sarcastic persona, he said: "Step down from your position, Ice Flower. What I have brought here is more precious and rare than anything ever brought before. With it, I will become the second-in-command of this gang…"
At first glance, Greid appeared to be just a handsome, ordinary man. However, he was a member of the Royal Skull gang—even though he didn't wear the white robe that distinguished its members—and more importantly, he was the gang's deputy leader.
Yamikaji raised his hand, which was encircled by several black roots, consuming a large portion of his remaining strength. He declared: "Then, I will gain the power necessary to stand at the top of the hierarchy…"
Greid said nothing aloud; he simply walked forward with a small, hidden smile, thinking to himself: 'Second-in-command? Deputy? Your superficial perspective shows how little humans understand of what happens in the shadows. This is the nature of people: they judge everything from the outside. And most likely, your view of the Boss's goal in stealing that sword—'
Yamikaji's voice interrupted his thoughts: "And do you think I'll stop there? Glory… that is what I want. You are nothing but the first stage in achieving my ultimate goal!"
***
The horse-drawn carriage moved reluctantly with the last of its strength, following Greid's lead. They passed through crowded markets where merchants shouted their offers, residential neighborhoods where children ran and played, and finally into the dark districts.
The dark districts were divided into two types. The first was rife with crime and gangs, areas most people avoided at all costs, where criminals maintained control due to the city's indifferent police force.
The second type was plagued by extreme poverty, inhabited only by the homeless, the poor, and orphans who prayed for a crust of bread and envied anyone with a few copper coins. Some neighborhoods were a grim mixture of both.
After passing through these dark districts, they finally reached an area filled with abandoned buildings.
This neighborhood was bleak and terrifying; the houses and buildings were crumbling and deserted, as if haunted by malevolent spirits. The air was heavy and difficult to breathe, but Greid, Yamikaji, Joso, and Fard walked with steady hearts, as if accustomed to the place.
After passing several dilapidated structures, they reached a tall building that, despite its age and neglect, was less frightening than the others. It had a heavy metal door that was not easily opened.
Yamikaji stepped down from the carriage, gathering his energy while carrying a black bag containing Takeshi's sword. Fard and Joso went off to feed the horses and park the carriage properly.
Greid grasped the cold metal door handle and closed his eyes, entering a state of concentration. Suddenly, a cold blue aura surrounded him, emanating like a wave from his body to his hand and then to the handle, which absorbed the scattered aura.
The door loosened and began to open slowly. Greid and Yamikaji entered before it shut again. The light was dim, with only thin rays of sun piercing through cracks and windows.
They descended the stairs to a dark basement until they reached the deepest point of the building, where a massive, weathered door stood. It had no ordinary handle, but rather a long iron bar extending vertically across it.
Greid grabbed the bar and focused. The same cold blue aura surrounded him, transferring to his hand and then to the bar. The door opened with a creaking sound, and they stepped inside.
Underground, there was a vast hall the size of a large public park. The floors, walls, and pillars were built in an ancient Roman style, illuminated by giant candles that cast a warm yellow light. Despite a faint scent of blood, the aroma of wax and ancient stone dominated the space.
Opposite the entrance stood a luxurious throne encrusted with gold, taller than three men, reached by steps covered in a red carpet.
The gang leader, Rasten, wearing the blood-stained bare skull mask, sat on the throne. He stared forward with sharp eyes, his right leg crossed over his left.
Greid and Yamikaji stepped forward, the latter wearing a triumphant smile. Their footsteps echoed through the hall. Then, they knelt without saying a word.
Rasten raised his hand and spoke first: "Yamikaji."
Yamikaji looked up slightly and answered: "Yes, my lord."
The leader looked at the black bag Yamikaji had brought. Rasten gestured toward it and said in a deep voice: "It is clear you have brought what I ordered."
Yamikaji pulled a crystal-encrusted glove from his robe and put it on his right hand. He slowly and cautiously pulled the sword from the black bag. The crystals ignited with a powerful yellow light, blinding everyone in the hall.
He raised the sword proudly and said: "I have completed the mission successfully!"
The leader descended the stairs slowly and asked: "Did you kill the owner of this sword?"
Yamikaji hid a wicked smile and replied: "No. As you ordered, I left him alive."
The leader had specifically ordered the theft of the sword without killing its owner for unknown reasons. However, Yamikaji had intended for Takeshi to die; he had drugged him, brought the Revarge monster to the site, and used the child to provoke Takeshi before his death. If the monster hadn't killed Takeshi, other beasts would have gathered to do the job. In this way, Yamikaji would not be directly responsible for the death. But Orfin's intervention had ruined the plan.
Rasten leaned on his hand and said: "This matter will be settled soon…"
In the darkness of the forest near Takeshi's area, Takeshi and Orfin stood at the edge of a small pit, just large enough for a child's body. Beside it lay a piece of cloth, a small corpse, and a pile of gathered earth.
The body of the child Yamikaji had brought—the one the Revarge had eaten—lay next to the pit. The corpse was crushed, torn, and decaying, emitting the overwhelming stench of blood and rotting flesh, with flies buzzing greedily around it.
Takeshi placed the body gently inside the pit, trying not to let it slip from his hands, which were trembling with rage. Orfin used a heavy branch to cover it with soil.
Once they had completely buried the child, Orfin spoke: "I am sorry for delaying his burial… So, they have gone this far?"
Takeshi clenched his teeth and his fist as he looked at the boy's fresh grave. He said: "This gives me an even stronger reason to ally with you and take down those bastards, old man…"