Unlike the central district of the Undercity, where most of the surface dwellers resided during the storm, the true nature of the place revealed itself only in the outskirts. Here, the streets were narrow, and the absence of any natural light made the alleyways appear menacing. The frequent cries and shouts from all around further enhanced the haunting atmosphere.
"Let's keep moving, master. We can't afford to attract any attention," Ash said after noticing that his master had stopped once again.
Zeke hesitated. He was watching the scene of two children fighting. It wasn't some innocent scuffle but a life or death struggle from which, in all likelihood, only one would walk away. The fight had attracted the interest of some Korrovan citizens, who formed a circle around the spectacle and bet on which of the two would win.
This scene could very well be the slogan for this miserable place: Welcome to Undercity, where misery is a commodity.
Zeke had previously thought he knew poverty, but he had to revise his opinion several times already since coming here. Every step away from the central area revealed a new horror he was not prepared to face.
Maybe it was because this place was hidden from sight, deep beneath the earth, or because they weren't fully human, but something was different. This was nothing like the slums of Magusburg or Tradespire. There, the people were poor and might even starve, but that was the extent of their misery. The rich and powerful didn't usually go out of their way to make them suffer.
"Master…"
Zeke finally tore his gaze away from the scene and began walking again. He caught up to Ash, who was waiting just a few steps ahead. The two were wearing hooded robes and masks covering their faces. In any other place, they would stand out in such a get-up, but it was just the opposite here. None of the 'visitors' to the outskirts of Undercity showed their faces.
"You should not get involved in such matters, Master," Ash advised when Zeke walked up next to him.
"I've been meaning to ask. Is there a reason you are indifferent to the plight of your people?"
To Zeke's surprise, Ash chuckled in response. "…my people, huh?" He gazed at the scene of the two boys fighting before returning his attention to Zeke. "What makes you think those are my people, Master?"
"Aren't you all Chimeroi?"
"…Chimeroi," Ash repeated slowly. "That's just a word—nothing more and nothing less. There is no kinship between me and some random strangers just because of that. Or do you think a troll and a goblin would become friends just because you call them both monsters?"
Zeke shook his head. "That's hardly the same. You all grew up together, didn't you?"
Ash nodded. "This is indeed where I grew up, but that's the very reason I don't care. It's the law of the jungle here."
Zeke fell silent, pondering those words. It was most likely very hard to form any friendly bonds in such a harsh environment. His experience at the Elementium had been similar. While Zeke was lost in thought, Ash guided them through alleyways and hidden paths. It seemed as if he was very familiar with these streets.
To Zeke's surprise, they weren't attacked, mugged, or stopped even once. It seemed the inhabitants of Undercity had an intrinsic sense of fear towards the surface dwellers. Even though the residents couldn't possibly know how strong they were, most fled upon noticing their approach.
"This is it, Master," Ash announced after they had turned one last corner.
Zeke examined the sight in front of him. It was a peculiar place, nestled deep within the outskirts of undercity. The surroundings were noticeably cleaner, and there were no fights going on. There were even some shops and bars tempting customers.
However, the sight that attracted Zeke's attention was the establishment in the middle of the area. A long queue of people stretched from its gate all the way to the other side of the plaza. Their gazes were a mixture of anxiousness and anticipation as the Chimeroi waited for their turn to enter. Zeke focused on the bold lettering atop the entrance gate — Firebrand, it read.
The two entered the strange district, making their way to the restaurant right next to the entrance of the large building. The customers here were all Korrovan natives, wearing hooded robes. However, most had gotten rid of their masks in order to partake in drink and food.
Zeke sat down at an empty table, his back facing the entrance of the big building. Ash wordlessly took the seat next to him, facing the same way. After the two had ordered their food, they sat there quietly.
A long time passed in silence while Zeke and Ash ate their fill. However, eventually, the Chimeroi couldn't bear it any longer. "Master… can we really afford to waste our time like this? I thought we were here to—" he glanced around, lowering his voice even further, "…spy on the Firebrand school."
Zeke nodded. "Don't worry about it. That's what I've been doing all along." Ever since coming here, he had recorded every single person entering or leaving the building. Fortunately, the complex only had this one entrance, making it easy to keep track of them all.
Ash blinked in disbelief. "Then, you don't need me to do anything?"
Zeke shook his head. "I need you to keep me safe in case anything happens. Also, it would be very suspicious if I sat here alone for a long time."
"That's it?" Ash asked, sounding almost disappointed.
Zeke smirked. He had gotta noticeably closer with Gravitas and Vulcanos during their adventures, leaving Ash out. Zeke was certain the Chimeroi had hoped to prove himself during this mission. However, there wasn't likely to be a chance for him to shine this time around.
Zeke patted his shoulder. "There is going to be enough bloodshed soon enough, and I'm sure you'll get your chance."
Ash grimaced, none too pleased for having been seen through. However, the prospect of bloodshed was enough to get his mood up somewhat.
"How about we chat for a bit," Zeke offered.
"…Sure. What do you want to talk about, Master."
Zeke focused his gaze on the people waiting to get into the Firebrand building. He had noticed something ever since coming here. "Why aren't the Chimeroi here wearing slave collars?"
Ash tilted his head. "Because they aren't slaves," he stated matter-of-factly.
Zeke was even more surprised. "They aren't? Then why don't they leave this place?"
"To go where?"
Zeke raised a brow. "Does it matter? Anywhere else should be better than this place."
Ash shook his head. "That is not the case. Life here might not be pleasant, but we do have some opportunities."
"What do you mean?"
Ash nodded at the queue of people waiting in front of the Firebrand building. "Do you know what they are here for, Master?"
Zeke shook his head. He had not been listening in on the conversation of the Chimeroi behind him and had delegated that task to Akasha instead. She was sure to know, but Zeke didn't ask. He was pretty sure that Ash would tell him.
"They are here to apply as Rana Samrat for the Firebrand school," Ash said.
Zeke widened his eyes. "Does that mean that they are volunteering themselves as slaves?"
Ash nodded. "This is one of the only ways to leave the Undercity safely."
"I wouldn't call that safe…"
Ash chuckled. "It is true that most of them will die in the Rings, but not all. This is also how I got to my current position, after all."
Zeke was still doubtful. "Couldn't you have just left? With your strength, it shouldn't have been hard for you to make a life for yourself somewhere else."
Ash shook his head. "I wasn't always a good fighter. In fact, I was quite weak when I accepted the collar. It took me many years of diligent training and the help of the Mana breathing technique of the Lion's Den to get this strong."
"Aren't you dissatisfied?" Zeke asked. "That slave ritual isn't something you can get rid of easily, possibly ever. You traded your freedom for a mere chance."
Ash pondered for a moment, stroking his short grey beard. "Not really," he eventually said. "I might not be very knowledgeable about the world, but I believe that is not a bad deal. If you want to receive something, you have to be willing to give something in return."
Zeke nodded slowly. "That is quite a steep price, though."
Ash shrugged. "From what I heard, it is pretty much the same deal most people get."
Zeke wanted to disagree but stopped himself at the last moment. Were the families of the empire really that different?
It wasn't like their members were free to leave, either. Furthermore, only the pureblood descendants had any chance to rise through the hierarchy. From what he knew, adopted members were often treated little better than servants. Looking at it from that perspective, it wasn't much different from the choice Ash had made.
"I guess you are right," Zeke said with a bitter smile. "There never seem to be any good options for the weak, are there?"
Ash smirked. "I guess not."
"Still…" Zeke said after a while. "If I had been in your place, I would probably have tried to leave."
Ash smiled crookedly. "Then, you would have died."
"How can you be so certain?"
"Because there is nowhere to go aside from here," Ash explained. "Just because the other nations don't take slaves doesn't mean that we are welcome either. Most would simply treat us as invaders."
Zeke frowned deeply. He knew that the empire treated nonhuman races as inferior beings, and even in Tradespire, he had only seen very few Chimeroi. However, he had not been aware that their kind was so ostracized on the continent. If that was true, then they really had nowhere else to go. How ironic that this nation of slavers ended up being the most tolerant of their kind.
"Can I also ask a question, Master?" Ash asked all of a sudden.
"Go ahead."
"What happened to your arm?"
Zeke looked down at the spot where his right arm was supposed to be. His thick black robe and cloak covered the injury, but Ash had still noticed. It was then that Zeke remembered he had yet to fill Ash in on everything that had happened. Without any further delay, Zeke started to narrate their entire journey to Ash using his [Telepathy].
He began with their departure, the discovery of the Shadow Elementals, the black liquid, the ambush of the Firebrand family, and their subsequent journey through the desert. Zeke didn't leave out anything as he faithfully recounted everything that had happened.
"…I collapsed shortly after striking a deal with the guard named Kiran. When I woke up, I was already here in the Undercity."
Ash didn't interrupt and listened to the tale with wrapt attention. Even after Zeke had finished, he remained silent for a long time. "…all that happened while I was guarding the house," he eventually said.
Zeke glanced at Ash's dejected expression and smiled. "Don't sell yourself short, Ash. I heard you did a great job as well."
This was no empty flattery.
After the traitors had done so much harm to the Lion's Den, Zeke had been incredibly worried for the Nair family. After all, it was highly likely that there were traitors among them as well. However, when Zeke visited, the atmosphere was quite peaceful. This was all thanks to Ash, who had dealt with the traitor before he could do any real damage.
Considering the fact that the Nair family didn't have any strong fighters left, it could be said that he had singlehandedly averted a catastrophe. This was no small feat by any means. However, Ash didn't seem very satisfied.
"It was nothing much," he said. "That guy wasn't even aware that he had no control over me. This could be said to be your achievement as well, Master, as he fell for your trap. He even tried to order me to attack the members of the house — the fool."
Zeke smirked, imagining the scene of the traitor's smug smile dying on his face when Ash smacked him down. He would have very much enjoyed to see that. However, before Zeke could say anything else, Akasha spoke up.
[Notice]
I have detected a suspicious Individual.