Deep in the forest—
A group moved in silence.
Heavy boots pressed against the dirt.
Chains clinked with every step.
Men in long coats surrounded a line of prisoners.
Their clothes were torn.
Dirty.
Their hands bound in iron chains.
At the front—
A man in gold armor walked confidently.
A massive hammer rested on his shoulder.
He glanced back, annoyed.
"…Move faster."
One of the guards nodded.
"Yes, sir."
Crack!
The whip struck the back of a prisoner.
He winced—
But forced himself to walk faster.
The man in gold armor laughed.
"…Pathetic."
They continued forward.
Deeper.
Further.
Then—
The forest began to thin.
Trees gave way to open land.
And in the distance—
A city came into view.
Jokun City.
The man stopped.
A grin slowly spread across his face.
"…Now this…"
"…looks promising."
He adjusted his grip on the hammer.
"…Let's see what kind of 'value' this city has."
Back in Lorum Village—
The mansion felt lively again.
In the living room—
Tina laughed as she buried her face into Feina's fur.
"So soft…"
Feina smiled gently.
"You really like this, don't you?"
Tina nodded quickly.
"Very much!"
Her hands kept fluffing the fur like it was a toy.
Feina let out a small laugh.
Meanwhile—
Inside the office—
Saito sat by the table, holding a cup of tea.
"…Thanks."
The wolfbeast maid gave a polite nod.
"You're welcome, Sir Saito."
She quietly stepped out of the room.
Across from him—
Kaito leaned back on the sofa.
A mug in his hand.
"…Damn…"
"This is good."
He raised it slightly.
"…Best beer I've had in a while."
Saito sighed.
"You're always drinking."
Kaito smirked.
"Hey, kid…"
"You'll understand someday."
"…When you deal with enough crazy things."
Saito shrugged lightly.
"…Yeah, yeah."
But for a moment—
The room fell quiet.
Peaceful.
The door opened softly.
Takashi stepped in, holding a stack of papers.
"Saito."
He placed them on the table.
"These are the trade documents for the eastern route."
"And…"
He slid another file forward.
"…permission letters from nearby villages."
"They're requesting to operate under your territory."
Saito raised a brow slightly.
"…Already?"
He picked up the papers and skimmed through them.
"…Our village is growing faster than I expected."
From the sofa—
Kaito let out a quiet chuckle, lifting his mug.
"Heh… not bad."
"…That's a good sign for a gangster."
Saito smiled faintly.
He leaned back, eyes still on the documents.
"…Yeah."
A short pause.
Then—
"…Looks like I'm on the right path."
He glanced toward the window.
The village outside was alive.
Peaceful.
Expanding.
"…To becoming the King of Gangsters."
Kaito smirked.
"…Now that sounds like you."
Takashi crossed his arms, watching quietly.
"…Just make sure you build something worth ruling."
Saito gave a small nod.
"…I will."
Saito closed the file with a soft tap.
"…Hey, Takashi."
Takashi looked up.
"…Yeah?"
Saito leaned back slightly.
"I'm thinking of heading out."
"To explore the new territory."
Takashi frowned a little.
"…Now?"
He gestured to the stack of documents.
"There's still a lot of paperwork that needs your approval."
Saito waved a hand lightly.
"…You can handle it."
Takashi stared at him.
"…That's not how this works."
Saito just smiled.
Then turned toward Kaito.
"…Let's go."
Kaito didn't hesitate.
He stood up, stretching slightly.
"…Finally."
Without another word, he walked toward the door.
Takashi stepped forward.
"Hey—Saito, you—"
Too late.
The door shut behind them.
Silence.
Takashi stood there for a moment.
Then sighed, rubbing his temple.
"…Unbelievable."
He looked down at the mountain of paperwork.
"…I'm going to need more tea."
The streets of Jokun City slowly faded behind them.
Stone roads turned into dirt paths.
The air grew quieter.
Heavier.
Saito and Kaito walked side by side.
Takashi's map rested in Saito's hand.
Kaito glanced at it briefly.
"…So according to that," he said, "Grizzly Village should be somewhere to the left."
Saito looked up.
"…Yeah. Not far."
They turned.
The path narrowed as trees began to surround them again.
A wooden sign stood ahead—
Worn, but still standing.
Grizzly Village
Saito stopped for a moment, studying it.
"…Looks like we're here."
Beyond the sign—
The village came into view.
Larger than expected.
But… strangely quiet.
Kaito narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…Too quiet."
Saito stepped forward anyway.
"…Let's check it out."
They stepped into the village.
It was… quiet.
Too quiet.
A few houses stood along the path.
Simple. Worn.
There were fields nearby—
But not many people working them.
No merchants calling out.
No busy movement.
Saito looked around.
"…This place feels empty."
Kaito's eyes shifted toward the fields.
"…Yeah."
He crossed his arms slightly.
"…Strange."
"From what I know…" Kaito continued,
"Grizzly Village is famous for its vegetables."
"High quality."
"…Something about being near a shrine."
Saito glanced at the quiet fields again.
"…Doesn't look like it."
Footsteps approached.
A guard walked toward them, cautious.
"Stop right there."
"State your business."
Before Saito could answer—
"Wait."
An older man stepped forward.
His posture calm, but tired.
"Stand down."
The guard hesitated, then stepped back.
The old man walked closer.
He gave a respectful bow.
"…Sir Saito. Sir Kaito."
Saito blinked slightly.
"…You know us?"
The man straightened.
"…Of course."
"Word travels fast… especially after what happened in Lorum Village."
He lowered his head again.
"…Welcome to Grizzly Village."
"…I apologize for the poor reception."
Saito studied him for a moment.
"…You're Mayor Rick, right?"
The man nodded.
"…Yes."
"That is my name."
Kaito glanced around once more.
Still quiet.
Still off.
"…So," Kaito said calmly,
"…what's going on here?"
Rick didn't answer immediately.
His expression tightened slightly.
"…It's a long story."
Rick let out a quiet breath.
"…It's because of the shrine."
Saito's expression sharpened slightly.
"…What about it?"
Rick's gaze lowered.
"…It's been poisoned."
A brief silence followed.
"…Since then," Rick continued,
"…our land hasn't been the same."
"The vegetables won't grow."
"The soil is dying."
Kaito's eyes narrowed.
"…Poisoned, huh…"
Rick nodded slowly.
"…We rely on that shrine."
"It's the reason our crops are so valuable."
"…Without it…"
He glanced toward the empty fields outside.
"…this village won't survive for long."
Saito crossed his arms slightly.
"…You think someone did this?"
Rick's expression hardened.
"…Yes."
"…Nearby gangsters."
Kaito smirked faintly.
"…Of course it is."
Rick continued,
"That's why I sent a letter to Mayor Takashi."
"…We want to come under your territory."
"At least… until this is resolved."
Saito nodded once.
"…I understand."
A short pause.
Then—
"…Do you know where they are?"
Rick hesitated.
Then turned.
"…I have something to show you."
He began walking toward a nearby house.
"…Please, follow me."
Saito and Kaito exchanged a glance—
Then followed.
Rick pushed the door open.
"…Please, come in."
The house was simple.
Worn wood.
Minimal furniture.
Signs of use… and strain.
"…This is my home," Rick said quietly.
"…Sorry for the poor condition."
Saito shook his head.
"It's fine."
Footsteps approached from inside.
A young woman stepped into the room.
"…Dad?"
Her eyes shifted to Saito and Kaito.
"…Who are they?"
Rick straightened slightly.
"These are Sir Saito and Sir Kaito."
"…The protectors of Lorum Village."
The woman's expression tightened.
"…Dad…"
"…We can't just ask outsiders for help."
Rick's face hardened slightly.
"I know."
"…But things are getting worse."
He looked at her seriously.
"If we do nothing…"
"…our people will starve."
Silence.
The woman looked away, clearly frustrated.
Then sighed.
"…Fine."
Rick softened his tone.
"…Could you make some tea?"
She didn't answer.
Just turned and walked into the kitchen.
Rick let out a quiet breath.
"…Sorry about that."
"…That's my daughter, Fiona."
"…She's… cautious around outsiders."
Saito gave a small nod.
"…We understand."
Kaito leaned slightly against the wall, watching quietly.
"…Can't blame her."