Karahan Agha's death had the whole of Hot Fortress talking. Everyone gossiped about it and came up with their own theories.
The name White Flame began to spread even more among the people.
Ordinary citizens of Hot Fortress talked about it, but still went on with their lives and work. However, those who understood the situation even a little began to feel uneasy.
"Hot Fortress might be in danger."
This was the phrase most often used by those who had some grasp of the region's situation.And they weren't wrong.
Lord Berin, Lord of Hot Fortress, was standing by the window in the far corner of the fortress hall, staring outside.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
At that moment, someone knocked on the door. Realizing who it was, Berin answered with a hint of tension.
Lord Berin: ENTER.
The door opened. Kartz stepped inside, a letter in his hand.
Lord Berin: From the Emperor?
Kartz nodded and handed him the letter. Berin took it. On the envelope was the seal of the Sahradin family.
He opened it and read it silently. After finishing, he stood in thoughtful silence for a moment. Then he handed the letter to Kartz.
Kartz also read it quietly to himself, then sighed.
Kartz: I understand, my lord. I'll prepare the soldiers and travel provisions immediately. And I'll have someone inform White Flame…
Berin cut Kartz off.
Lord Berin: I'll tell him myself. Even though I could've easily escaped on my own, he saved me. I owe him that much.
Kartz hesitated for a moment as he looked at Berin, but then bowed his head in acceptance.
Kartz: As you command, my lord.
Lord Berin left the hall and descended to the dungeons beneath the fortress. He opened the door of the most secure cell, whose door had been shut especially firmly, and stepped inside.
White Flame was sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall with his legs stretched out. His hands were bound with Anti-Magic cuffs.
When White Flame saw Lord Berin, he flashed a sly grin.
White Flame: Berin!! I was wondering when you'd come visit me.
Lord Berin: Spare me the nonsense. I'm here to tell you what's going to happen to you. You saved my life—at the very least, you have the right to hear it from me.
White Flame: We both know you could've gotten out of that situation on your own. You were trying to capture that man alive without killing him. I killed him because I wanted him dead. It's not like I "saved" you.
White Flame paused for a moment, then added:
White Flame: Don't get me wrong—doesn't mean I wouldn't want to save you.
Lord Berin: I have no desire to continue this nonsense any further.
Berin sighed and went on.
Lord Berin: I'm going to tell you what's ahead. In two days, in the morning, you, I, Kartz, and twenty-five soldiers will set out for the North.
White Flame: I don't think so… I'd say only two or three soldiers will actually be coming with us.
Lord Berin: And what makes you say that?
White Flame: Call it a hunch.
Lord Berin (inner thoughts):(What is this idiot rambling about?)
Lord Berin: Whatever… After that, at the Ayazhan Empire's Cold Border Fortress, Emperor Bozdağ will take you from us—and you'll most likely be executed in Kışincisi.
White Flame only laughed at these words. It was that same mocking smile again, and it made Berin uneasy.
Lord Berin: WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING, HUH?! I'M TELLING YOU YOU'RE GOING TO DIE, FOR FUCK'S SAKE!
Berin drew a breath and forced himself to calm down.
Lord Berin: Whatever. I know you're planning something. And I will figure out what it is—don't you worry about that.
Lord Berin turned his back and left. Once he was alone, White Flame muttered to himself.
White Flame: I'm going to tell you everything anyway… but not yet. Little brother.
White Flame stopped smiling and examined the cuffs on his hands with a serious look.
White Flame: This is my first time wearing these… I really can't use magic. Not elemental, not enhancement, not even basic mana spells.
Then he grinned again.
White Flame: It doesn't matter… After all… magic isn't the only power in this world. I can still use Do.
A new day…Even though it was still early morning, the city was lively.
Berin had already begun preparations to depart the next day.But trouble was brewing at the borders of Hot Fortress.
******
A group of about twenty men, one of them huge, had arrived at the entrance to the region.
Hearing the footsteps of the group while half-asleep, the gate guard snapped out of it and immediately held out a piece of paper.
Without even looking at the men, the guard spoke. He was bored out of his mind from doing the same monotonous task all day.
Guard: Write your name and the reason for your entry on this paper.
The huge man raised his hand.
Huge Man: — Stone Axe —
His hand turned into a massive stone axe, and he swung it at the guard's booth, splitting it in two.The guard barely managed to leap away in time and then finally looked at the man.
He was nearly two and a half meters tall, with slightly dark skin and orange hair.
The guard recognized him immediately.
Guard: I–I know you. I've seen your wanted poster… You're Stone Hand Mumba. There's a bounty of 150 Gold on your head.
Mumba grinned as he walked toward him.
Mumba: So… you thinking of capturing me?
Terrified, the guard glanced at the emergency bell.But the true purpose of Mumba's earlier Stone Axe strike had not been the guard—it was to destroy the bell.
Mumba: Everyone thinks I'm stupid just because I'm big… But I'm actually pretty smart.
After saying that, Mumba once again turned his hand into a stone axe with magic and crushed the guard's head.
Then he turned back to his men, laughing. He raised his stone-axe hand into the air and shouted to them.
Mumba: All right, boys! You're all well-trained beasts—no way you're losing to a bunch of house pets. Go tear this place apart!!! That lord needs to understand something. The Southern Gate will not be closed to us!!!
******
Lord Berin: What did you say?! Mumba? I didn't think they'd move this soon. Kartz, I'll take the east, you take the west. Let's drive these bastards out.
Lord Berin (inner thoughts):(I knew we'd end up at odds after Karahan's death, but I thought we'd at least have a few negotiations and buy some time… How optimistic I was.)
Quickly, Lord Berin and Kartz left the fortress with their troops and split up toward the east and west.
When Berin reached the eastern side, he saw that his soldiers were already doing a good job and immediately joined the fight.But the west was not the same—because Mumba was on the western side.
When Kartz reached the western part of the city, he found that Mumba had already slaughtered nearly twenty Hot Fortress soldiers. He drew his rapier-like sword and stepped in front of him.
Mumba noticed Kartz and, after looking him over for a moment, began to speak.
Mumba: That sword… and that butler-like outfit… You must be Lord Berin's famous right hand, Kartz, right?
Kartz: That stone axe and that look… At first I didn't believe what I heard, but it's true.The fifth officer of Black Eye Zoon—one of the five men who form the Black Shadow.Stone Axe Mumba, with a bounty of 150 Gold on his head. That's what I heard.
Mumba: So you know quite a lot—just like they said… Once I beat you, I'm sure my bounty will go up, heh… Maybe I'll even become the Fourth Officer.
Kartz: No. That's not going to happen. After this fight, Black Eye will be appointing a new Fifth Officer. You know why?
Kartz gave a small, wicked grin, then quickly straightened his expression.
Kartz: Because I'm going to crush you here—and show everyone this:Karahan is gone. And that means as long as my Lord and I are in this fortress… this gate is closed to you.
******
While the battle between Kartz and Mumba was about to begin in the western district, a new and even more dangerous threat appeared in the relatively calmer East.
Lord Berin had quickly taken care of the enemies in the east with his soldiers and was considering going to support the west—when something burning fell from the sky straight toward him.
Sensing the powerful mana, Lord Berin turned to his men and shouted:
Lord Berin: STOP!!!
Once his soldiers halted, he stepped back to the east just in time to avoid the impact.
He looked at what had fallen… It was a person.The moment he saw him, Lord Berin recognized who it was.
Lord Berin: You're Fireball Zes, third officer of the Poison Queen of the Black Shadows—bounty: 320 Gold.
Zes: No need for introductions then. Lord Berin, when I heard that blockheaded idiot was stirring up trouble, I got permission from my Queen and came to finish off either you or Kartz. I prayed it'd be you and look at this…
Zes spread his arms wide and, excited, walked toward Lord Berin.
Zes: …my prayer came true. I am absolutely going to kill you today. I'm going to kill a fortress lord—and then I'll claim my reward from my dear Queen.
Lord Berin drew his sword and pointed it at Zes.
Lord Berin: The place I die will definitely not be here.
*****
White Flame, meanwhile, was alone in his cell, sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed.
There was a look on his face as if he knew exactly what was happening outside.
White Flame: The first gamble of my journey begins.Will you be able to find the power inside you, little brother?