The formation of the community beside Naucratis stemmed from the person Kaelis had overheard in conversations—the one simply called “him.” Until now, no one had ever revealed that person’s real name.

  Under the open sky, the sun’s position marked it as midday. At this hour, the adults had set aside their work and tasks, the children had abandoned their games, and everyone had come here.

  A beautiful carriage, pulled by two noble, large, brown horses, stood before them. Its red cabin was adorned with all kinds of intricate motifs both outside and underneath. Every person in the crowd stared at the carriage with curious eyes, eagerly waiting to see who would step out.

  Kaelis and Eduardo had only just arrived. Eduardo seemed to know exactly who the person was. Unable to wait any longer, Kaelis asked.

  “Who is that person?”

  “If the rumors are true, he’s one of Dahra’s legendary merchants—Zeyd Rabih Nami. People simply call him Zeyd el-Ticar.”

  A mysterious merchant from a place called Dahra that Kaelis had never heard of before. To everyone else, though, it looked like they knew him quite well.

  The name Zeyd Rabih Nami sounded Arabic in origin to Kaelis. It could be translated as “A person whose earnings and blessings constantly increase, who steadily advances along the path of success and growth.”

  At the very front of the gathered crowd stood Aunt Catalina. Kaelis scanned for Carlos and the others, but they were nowhere to be seen. The children had already checked beforehand, as if they had known this would happen.

  The carriage door slowly opened, and a man stepped down.

  Even at first glance, the man radiated power. His sun-darkened, swarthy skin and the sharp lines of his face bore the marks of a harsh life. Beneath his brows, his deep, dark gaze was calm, yet it hid a resolve that could spring into action at any moment.

  The keffiyeh wrapped around his head cast a shadow over part of his face, adding an air of mystery. His shoulders were broad, his posture straight and firm. The long, simple robe he wore fluttered lightly with each movement, while the leather armor over it gave him a heavy but balanced appearance.

  The curved sword and dagger hanging from his belt made it clear he was no mere traveler—he was someone ready for battle. Even as he stood calmly in place, his very presence sent a strong wave of threat through the surroundings.

  The man who had just descended caught Kaelis’s eye. Just as Kaelis was about to ask Eduardo more questions, Eduardo spoke first.

  “Do you see that warrior-looking man?”

  “You mean the one who just got out of the carriage? Yeah.”

  “He’s Zeyd Rabih Nami’s right-hand man—his number one, you could say. From what I remember, his name is Asim.”

  The man who had stepped out earlier—Asim—now opened the carriage door all the way. First, a flash of red clothing appeared, followed by another man.

  This man is a middle-aged, well-groomed, bearded, and calm-eyed wealthy merchant. He wears a carefully wrapped shemagh on his head and a long, embroidered red kaftan made of silk. On his fingers were two rings that clearly signalled they were made of precious jewels. One ring was on his right ring finger, the other on his left. Around his waist was a wide belt holding a money pouch. His posture was confident, his appearance reflecting that of a wealthy and respected merchant.

  Leaning on a wooden cane, dressed in a dirty, long red robe, the current representative of the community—Aunt Catalina—stood at the front and began to speak, slowly and without forcing herself.

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  “Merchant Zeyd”

  “What a beautiful day to see a familiar face, Lady Catalina.”

  “I wish I could say the same…”

  “That never happens, does it, Lady Catalina? Starting our reunion after so long like this is rather hurtful. How have you been since we last met?”

  “Not very well and your presence here isn’t exactly making me feel any better.”

  “There’s nothing to be done about it—I’m here.”

  Zeyd and Catalina exchanged an unpleasant conversation. Zeyd kept trying to stay positive, while Catalina remained distant because of some past event, essentially telling him to get lost without saying the words outright.

  Some people in the crowd seemed uncomfortable with the way Aunt Catalina was being treated and began to mutter in dissatisfaction.

  Someone standing near Aunt Catalina suddenly stepped forward and lunged toward Zeyd.

  “What do you think you’re saying?!”

  He raised his hand, preparing to strike Zeyd. But Zeyd’s tall, burly bodyguard stopped the attack with a single hand. The man had halted the blow without any visible effort.

  “Step back”

  “Hngh!”

  “Asim, you can let him go.”

  At those words, the large bodyguard released the man. The bodyguard’s name was indeed Asim, just as Eduardo had said. The person Asim had been holding stepped back. Then Zeyd spoke with a broad smile.

  “Well, you know why I’ve come, don’t you, Auntie?”

  “———”

  Kaelis and Eduardo were watching from behind, but Eduardo could no longer hold back.

  “Stay here, Kaelis.”

  “Where are you—alright.”

  Kaelis stopped mid-question and nodded. Eduardo pushed through the crowd and made his way to the front—toward Aunt Catalina’s side.

  Eduardo positioned himself beside Catalina to support her. When Zeyd saw him, he spoke with a look of surprise.

  “Oh, look at this—it’s Edu… Eduardo, if I remember correctly.”

  “———”

  “Looks like your arms have healed nicely. After all, you benefited from the medical care there thanks to my name.”

  “Thanks for that and get the hell out of here right now!”

  Even someone as foul-mouthed as Eduardo couldn’t stand up to Zeyd. Zeyd was quite talkative, while his bodyguard Asim remained completely silent. The two formed a perfect contrast.

  “You came here for workforce, didn’t you?”

  “Ahh— yeah. I’m glad you understand me, Auntie.”

  “After everything that happened, How dare you come back here?”

  “Come on, I already paid his debt by making sure your arm got healed.”

  “Then what about the supplies you promised for the other workers? They never arrived.”

  “Eh? About them… You’re already getting plenty of supplies from me. Don’t expect me to deliver them personally as well.”

  “———”

  “Were my goods you stole from the Bazaar not enough?”

  Zeyd was claiming they had stolen his goods from the Bazaar. Kaelis heard these words and fell into thought. Most people hadn’t even been to the Bazaar, let alone the other side of the city. Who was stealing these goods? Then he remembered Atlas mentioning that one way they made a living was through the Bazaar—that must have been why. Zeyd placed one hand on his stomach and the other on his head, then spoke again in an arrogant tone.

  “The Rebels are not here as far as I see. Strange— today's not even Sunday."

  “Even if you make these claims, Zeyd, your actions can’t just be brushed aside. You took those children’s labor for nothing and now you have the audacity to come back here. This is unacceptable.”

  “Is that so? Forgive me, auntie.”

  Zeyd continued acting as if he were merely joking. Under normal circumstances, Zeyd would have had no chance against an entire community—or at least that was how it appeared. He seemed to place great trust in his bodyguard, Asim.

  While Kaelis listened to the distant conversation, he felt a hand on his left shoulder from the right side. When he turned, he saw a boy about his own age—probably sixteen or seventeen—sweating profusely and breathing heavily.

  “Ahh— Sorry, I’ve been running for quite a while and needed a place to catch my breath.”

  “Huh, no problem.”

  “So this is the famous merchant Zeyd. I’ve been wanting to see him with my own eyes for a long time.”

  “Hmm, looking at the crowd, he doesn’t seem very welcome. He must be here for workforce again.”

  “After all, he has vast lands that need working. This way he can increase his wealth even more.”

  “Did you know? This man tries to marry Lilith Nava Cassandria. Of course, the only way for someone like him to prove himself to a great family is through money.”

  Kaelis listened carefully to the boy beside him without interrupting. The boy spoke of concepts foreign to him, but Kaelis was learning new things instead of standing still.

  “Pardon me but what are you yapping about? Who is Lilith Nava Cassandria? I’ve never heard that name before.”

  “Hmph— That’s perfectly normal. The people here live completely cut off from the outside world. Lilith Nava Cassandria is the current head of the Cassandria family.”

  “———”

  “That look you just gave me shows you don’t know the Cassandria family either. Never mind the family matters then. Lilith is currently one of the candidates in the Aldoria Queen Selection, which is why she has so many suitors. Zeyd is one of them—if the rumors I’ve heard from outside are true.”

  “And if they’re not?”

  “I don’t lose anything either way. I just follow the news from outside.”

  As Kaelis and the boy continued talking, the crowd began to part into two sides. The middle opened up. Even Aunt Catalina and Eduardo had stepped aside. Who was this path being cleared for? Just as Kaelis was wondering, voices rose from the crowd.

  “Head of the Rebels!”

  The person walking down the path was not alone. Two others walked behind him.

  The one in front was Carlos, wearing wooden-soled, three-quarter-length brown trousers. This time, however, he wore a sleeveless vest like Eduardo’s, which left his abdomen quite exposed. Carlos looked as strong as expected.

  To Carlos’s right walked Atlas. He had suddenly left his seat to join Carlos and was now walking right behind him.

  On Carlos’s left was Maisy, who looked short compared to them. She had long brown hair and wore a white fabric dress that reached her ankles. Over the dress was a light brown leather armor—if it could even be called armor.

  The boy who had touched Kaelis’s shoulder started talking again.

  “Do you know who the one walking in the middle is?”

  “Eh? That’s Carlos”

  “Just Carlos?”

  “That’s how it should be.”

  “He’s been called that for so long that he’s taken it as his full title.”

  “———”

  “Carlos Castro, Head of the Rebels. The man who broke the order here and gave even people like us a place to live.”

  After hearing those words, Kaelis looked at Carlos again. So that was why everyone called him “big brother.” The title he carried explained everything perfectly.