In the middle of the night, 19-year-old Lord Berin, the young lord of the fortress, was sitting on the throne in the Hot Fortress hall.
In front of the throne stood a desk that clearly did not belong there. It was obvious the desk had never been designed for a throne room.
The hall where the throne stood was the place where both commoners and nobles appeared before the lord.
Normally, this hall existed to symbolize the Lord's authority and display grandeur.
However, Lord Berin disliked such things. Believing that constantly walking back and forth between his study and the throne room reduced productivity, he had placed his work desk right in front of the throne.
He had turned his former study into a personal sword-training chamber.
To Lord Berin, he did not need an extravagant throne to show authority.
Lord Berin was handling documents at his desk when someone knocked on the hall door. From the knock, Berin knew it was his attendant, Kartz.
Berin: You may enter, Kartz.
Kartz stepped inside. He was in his fifties, and with his elegant attire, he embodied the very definition of a butler.
Berin looked at Kartz's face—he seemed uneasy.
Berin: Kartz… Is there a problem?
Kartz: My lord… an incident has occurred… A stranger who entered the city… cut off Raman's tongue in the Polewood Tavern.
Berin shot to his feet. Shock was written across his face.
Berin: WHAT DID YOU SAY?!!!
Berin (inner thoughts):(Raman may not be strong compared to people like me and Kartz, but he is far stronger than a High-Rank soldier.)
Berin was about to speak when the hall doors suddenly burst open. The one who pushed them was Karahan Agha—and beside him stood Raman.
Karahan Agha's wrinkled, aged face was filled with deep fury.
Lord Berin grew irritated.
Lord Berin: Hey, Karahan, get a hold of yourself and know your place! What kind of behavior is this in my fortress, in my hall?!
Karahan Agha: Lord Berin, what are you saying?! After what happened, how do you expect me to stay calm?!
Lord Berin: Are you still not aware of who you're speaking to? Watch your tone—calm yourself!
Lord Berin said these words, but he knew very well that Karahan Agha held just as much influence in Hot Fortress as he did. His family had done business with the lords of Hot Fortress for generations.
Hot Fortress had once been home to the Normon Family. When the last member of the Normons died without children or an heir, their bloodline ended.
For a while, with no lord in Hot Fortress, Karahan Agha gained tremendous power in the region—so much so that financially, he became nearly equal to the Golden Emperor and the Merchant Queen.
Because of this situation, the Southern Emperor, Emperor Alishan, appointed Lord Berin—who had achieved great success and risen to noble rank—as the new lord of Hot Fortress.
At first, many nobles did not want him there, but Berin's achievements and capable rule gradually silenced them.
Karahan Agha had greatly assisted Lord Berin in rising to power. Of course, not out of goodwill. With Berin's success, Karahan Agha—already powerful in Hot Fortress—grew even stronger.
Lord Berin had always been aware of this, but he had no choice but to use Karahan Agha.
After regaining the nobles' favor, he began planning ways to reduce Karahan Agha's influence—but he had not put those plans into action yet.
Karahan Agha: We both know you can't do anything to me. I want that bastard who calls himself White Flame.
Lord Berin: Fine, Karahan. I'll find that man and punish him.
Karahan Agha: No—you'll hand that son of a bitch over to me personally!
Lord Berin grew angrier. Allowing Karahan Agha to punish the criminal himself would mean admitting that Karahan had authority in Hot Fortress. That would only strengthen him further.
Lord Berin: No!!! I will punish him myself. That is my final word.
Karahan Agha abruptly turned his back.
Karahan Agha: Then pray you find him before I do.
He stormed out of the hall with his son.
Only Kartz and Berin remained. Lord Berin stood in silence for a moment.
Lord Berin: AAAAAHHHHH!!
He let out a roar filled with boiling rage and slammed his fist onto the desk. The desk shattered to pieces.
Lord Berin quickly looked at Kartz.
Lord Berin: No matter what happens, we must find the one responsible before Karahan does.
Kartz bowed his head, clearly acknowledging the order.
Kartz: Do not worry, my lord… We will definitely find him before Karahan.
Berin fell into thought immediately.
Berin: White Flame… That name sounds familiar… Isn't that the story from the Sira Continent? Recently became quite popular, I think.
Kartz: Not exactly a story, my lord. It is said to be a legend spread from mouth to mouth. Most of what is said about him is greatly exaggerated.
Berin: We'll think about those nonsense tales later. First, let's find the man.