The world had been divided into three domains, the Beast Domain standing as a vast barrier between the two human realms after their bitter disagreements. With that division came the dawn of the New Era Calendar, marking a shift in history.
Though humans could still cross the Beast Domain to meet, each realm guarded its borders with vigilance. The Beast Domain itself acted like a visible equator, stretching wide and formidable.
Blood Marble now resided in the Fief Domain, one of the two human territories. It was a land brimming with tension and the weight of ancient disputes.
The Fief Domain was known for its loose authority, offering its inhabitants more freedom than the other human realm. Yet it wasn't entirely lawless as someone had to rise to maintain order and prevent abrupt annihilation that could lead to human extinction in the region.
With the division of human settlements, many desired their own territories to rule. This ambition only fueled conflict that destabilized the domain further. To counter the chaos, the peak powers of the Fief Domain established a military force known as 'Settlers', with the responsibility of preserving peace and balance across the land.
The Settlers weren't a group of prejudice or favoritism; anyone who was sentient and passed their test could join. In this way, the domain preserved its peace. Titles such as emperor, king, lord, or servant mattered little compared to strength and of course, strategy. A place poorly guarded or inferior in might could be invaded and seized.
Thus, empires, cities, towns, villages, and other self‑owned settlements arose. Once established, each region was graded according to the cultivation realm of its founders, which created a hierarchy that reflected the strength of its roots.
In this way, cities could be next to villages and empires could be bordered by self-owned territories and the likes.
Any region in the Fief Domain could be seized through the issuing of a formal challenge, acknowledged and overseen by the military—in other words, Settlers.
The challenger would send a messenger to deliver notice, along with an estimated time for the duel. If the territory challenged refused to fight, the matter would be reported to the military, who would arbitrate and settle it by other conventional means.
If the challenge was accepted, both parties would be granted a month to prepare. That month was often filled with tense anticipation, since many knew it might be the last battle they ever fought. The Settlers ensured fairness, but the outcome always rested on strength, skill, art and the will to endure.
There was a rule held firmly across the Fief Domain—messengers must never be killed. Breaking that law would invite the wrath of the entire domain. All groups would unite against the offender, ensuring their total annihilation.
When a territory was wiped out after a duel, its messengers would be given a month to decide their fate; either join another settlement or leave the region entirely. If they remained unattached after that period, they would become vulnerable and an open target for enemies who had long awaited their downfall.
Thus, the messenger's survival depended not only on the rule but also on their ability to adapt quickly to shifting allegiances.
___
Sand-Scale Forest…
The main exits of the forest had been sealed off, now guarded by one of the city's army divisions and reinforced by detachments of the Settlers group, with private groups lurking in the shadows. Even the less obvious corners that might serve as escape routes were covered, leaving no path unmonitored.
Anyone attempting to leave the forest was stopped and questioned.
Meanwhile, soldiers, private factions, and wandering explorers had already ventured deep inside, seeking their own opportunity. Most were driven by a single hunger—the treasures rumored to lie hidden within.
Those treasures that could shift the balance of power in the city. The city of Sand-Scale was very large that even solo cultivators desired their own private space, and only power could make that happen.
Blood stepped out of the forest with a weary sigh. In his arms was the wolf, carefully wrapped in cloth, while the unconscious Ballock lay on his back.
Relief washed over him as he left behind the suffocating scrutiny of the endless barrage of questions. The soldiers, private groups, and curious explorers had pressed him for answers during his passage.
Now standing on the open plain, the air felt lighter. The plain stretched wide, a stark contrast to the shadowed forest. He only had to get home now...
"Hey you."
Blood froze as a harsh voice cut through the plain, their tone sharp and commanding. He turned instinctively, expecting to meet the face of a man, but instead found himself staring at a woman standing 1.6 meters tall.
In her hand was a whip clenched tightly, its leather coiled with menace. Her expression was as stern as her voice, leaving no room for argument or hesitation.
The suddenness of her presence shook Blood to his core. Bewildered, he faltered and dropped Ballock from his back. The unconscious guy hit the ground with a grunt, the impact jolting him, though he remained unconscious.
He managed to reply,
"Yes?"
The woman's expression tightened, as her sternness sharpened into something even more unyielding. Her steps quickened deliberately, until she stood just two meters away from Blood. He felt the weight of her presence pressing against him, as her gaze bore into him like a blade.
"You are leaving early. I can smell scents of blood all over you, it appeared you had a rough time in there, huh?" she said. Her tone toward the end visibly changed.
Blood swallowed hard, frustration rising in his chest—what was with this meager? Couldn't he just be left alone? His mind raced for a reply, but before he could speak, his eyes caught movement in the distance. About a hundred meters away, a figure approached, clad in a full robe patterned with brown and black dots, a black hat tilted slightly upward.
Blood instantly recognized the attire immediately; the official dress code of the city guards. More startling was the man himself was one of his father's aides, though his name had escaped him. This realization made him slightly relieved.
However, his silence displeased the young woman, her sternness deepening as she prepared to step forward. Yet her advance stopped when she sensed the presence behind her. The whip in her hand trembled slightly.
She looked back at Blood and said,
"Do you think you could be at ease with a mere guard's presence? How naive." she frowned while clicking her tongue.
The city's forces were far larger compared to the Settlers military presence within its walls. This allowed the city to appoint one or more soldiers to accompany each Settler, the rest of their forces were sent deeper into the forest to explore its mysteries.
The man came closer with an expression of delight and said, "Young master, we've been searching everywhere for you. Where have you been? You should go home now."
"It's fine. I met with some people from our group who went into the forest. They should have reported the news already. It appears you haven't got any." Blood replied with a smile and quickly placed Ballock on his back. He held the wrapped wolf and walked forward…
"Where do you think you're going without my permission?" howled the woman before him. She might result to violence if this continued.
Blood halted his step.
Why was she so relentless when they had never even met before?
The question echoed in his mind as he turned his head toward the figure.
The man closed the distance and positioned himself between Blood and the whip-bearing woman as though settling an inevitable confrontation and said,
"You should let the young master go, young miss Kate. He is the son of the deputy chief, Salza Marble. I'm sure with your status, you should've heard about him."
Kate's eyes lit up when she heard the name, Salza Marble. His reputation had spread all over the city, even beyond its borders. While many outside the city might not recognize the name, the higher‑ups certainly did, as his actions had left marks that couldn't be ignored.
She admired the man's courage and accomplishments, stories of his valor and influence having reached her ears long before this moment. Her stern gaze softened instantly upon realizing that the seemingly timid figure before her, was his son.
Though she had never met Salza Marble personally, her father had spoken of him. If either of her parents discussed someone, it meant that person had either achieved deeds worthy of admiration or committed heinous crimes. From the way her father had spoken, Salza Marble was undoubtedly of the former.
"You must have fought with powerful beasts for you to appear here, looking like this. You're really a brave ma... boy." she nodded with a pleased expression on her face.
Blood was spooked and captured by that expression which seemed like a threat drawing so close. What happened to the previous frown? This lady sure changed fast.
The man immediately hit Blood on his head softly when he saw a drool.
Blood nodded sheepishly. He undoubtedly was brave. He could only smile with curled lips.
She truly has good eyes.
He nodded hard.
"You should work more on your timorous nature; you could easily be intimidated by a Bronze Realm beast." she added in a lecturing tone.
Blood almost fell when he heard her and gazed at her with a hazy look. She didn't know that Blood had been pissed by her lecture.
"You should teach me the next time we meet a.." Blood didn't get to finish before he was dragged away.
"Let's go." the man said with a smirk as he dragged Blood along, after collecting Ballock from his back.
Blood reluctantly left with him. He certainly must see this young miss again for two reasons…
"What's with him…"