Sahro peeked inside the room curiously, before turning back to Glenn and grinning widely. The latter grinned back and allowed Callum and his grandmother their fateful meeting. It hadn't been difficult getting out of King's Rise and head to the Sewers. The whole group had been going, aside from Manalok Tuleam, Lina's odd teacher. He wasn't too interested in seeing what was lying outside King's Rise walls.

"Maron didn't exaggerate," Glenn remarked, "This place can hardly be called the Sewers anymore."

"For sure," Sahro concurred, his arms crossed. They were a little further from the walls, away from the slums. A small town with strong foundations had been built, with watchtowers standing in each corner. They were like dwarves compared to King's Rise ramparts but still allowed to see all around the town. This was the Maron's Company creation, under Glenn's "request".

"It was more an order than a suggestion back then, though," Diamanes remarked mockingly. Glenn and Sahro both ignored the snarky entity, instead admiring the craftmanship that had been going into New Hope, the Black Heirs' town. The latter were looking much more lively than when Glenn first met them in their makeshift camps in the shantytown. There were also strangers in New Hope—non-Black Heirs, and of all kinds. With a glance, Glenn could recognize merchant caravans seeking escort guards, but also traders selling weapons and supplies.

Some Black Heirs were learning crafts such as smithing, tailoring, or even leatherworking under the guidance of feeble-looking men and women. Despite this stark contrast between students and teachers, all seemed passionate about what they were doing.

The Black Heirs have certainly gone a long way.

"Wow, so they're the Black Heirs..." Lina muttered from beside Glenn in awe, "...Why are they all handsome?" She paused and glanced at Sahro and Liara before leaning in her brother's ear, "As a matter of fact, why is everyone you know so beautiful?"

Glenn blinked for a second, "...I think they're all pretty ugly, though?"

Lina sighed and turned away, opting to explore New Hope by herself.

"Hey, Lina, wait for us!" Liam and Janica ran after her, the two similarly eager to explore this new city on the edge of the Sewers. New Hope was the antithesis of everything the Sewers symbolized. For Janica who always lived in the Bourgeoisie, and Liam who was born in the Sewers, New Hope was only too interesting for them to not be curious.

"Tsk, getting excited about nothing," Sahro rolled his eyes while Liara smiled watching them run off. The Black Heiress was wearing a cloak covering her features, and a bandana was similarly hiding the white mark on her forehead. Glenn still didn't know why she refused to be recognized as a Black Heir by her fellow people, but he wasn't going to force the issue. He couldn't even get her to talk to him after all...

"...Wait, is that bitterness I'm hearing?" Nelg suddenly questioned in disbelief. Diamanes laughed mockingly, 'Of course it is! He and Liam are the only ones who can't speak with Liara after all. And look, remember how he destroyed Baron Howard after the vampire tried biting the Heiress? Hehe, I'm sensing something—'

"Both of you shut up," Glenn hissed aloud, ignoring his friends' curious gazes, "You're the damned reasons I can't even imagine such relationships! You do realize you're ruining my youth?"

Had Nelg been able to raise an eyebrow, he would have undoubtedly done so, "Youth? You're what, twenty-two?"

Glenn frowned, "How is that not young?"

"Were you a normal human, from this world's standard, that'd already be a third of your life," Diamanes remarked with a grave tone. Glenn opened his mouth but swallowed back his retort.

...Thank Onnea his life expectancy wasn't a mundane human's anymore.

"He...hasn't changed whatsoever..." An emotional voice said behind them. Glenn and the others turned just in time to see Giselle coming out of her house, her eyes red and dry. The leader of the Black Heirs was still as flamboyant as Glenn remembered her, only she was wearing better quality clothes now that still seemed to struggle to hold her imposing bosom.

She walked up to Glenn silently and suddenly hugged him tightly, choking him, "...Thank ya, Glenn. I thank ya from the bottom of my heart, and not as the Black Heirs' chief, but as a grandmother."

"Hmff!" Glenn pulled himself out and drew a short breath, before smiling at her, "Uh, yeah, my pleasure. Sahro and—"

Giselle spun on her feet and inflicted the same fate on Sahro and Liara, taking both of them in her muscular arms. Glenn laughed and shook his head. Callum slowly walked out of Giselle's house, squinting at the sun while holding his chest. His mechanical heart was clicking gently, the cogs fueled with the young Black Heir's blood.

"...I still can't believe I'm alive..." His eyes watered slightly, "...And free. This feels like a dream." Callum wiped the tears off and stretched his hand out to Glenn.

"Well, enjoy it, because it's going to be tough waking up from that one," Glenn grinned as he shook Callum's extended hand.

"Once again, thank you. I...I don't know how I'll pay back this debt," Callum smiled weakly. Glenn scoffed and pointed at Giselle who was still choking hugging Sahro and Liara.

"Don't worry, saving you was part of a deal with your granny. I'll be honest, it took a hell of a long time, but now that it's done..." He smiled more gently, "...I'm glad we succeeded."

Callum chuckled, "So am I, haha. I'll...I'll try and see if anyone if I can find my old friends. Glenn..." Callum grabbed his shoulder emotionally, "...Thank you."

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Glenn rolled his eyes and patted his back, "Yeah, yeah, you're welcome. Now, will you keep thanking me for the rest of your life, or are you going to find those friends of yours?"

Callum laughed and turned away, "Until next time, Sir Glenn."

"Likewise, Callum," Glenn crossed his arms and watched the once-thrall walk away into New Hope streets. Sahro eventually managed to slip away from his chieftain's arms and joined his friend, leaving Liara to be the only one to suffer from Giselle's powerful embrace.

"Huff, huff, I think I escaped," Sahro muttered as he glanced back in fright.

Glenn moistened his lips, "I guess you'll be leaving now."

Sahro paused and raised an eyebrow, "Huh? Why would I leave the team?"

“We were supposed to work together to bring Callum back. Callum is safe now, so...?” Glenn shrugged with a mocking smile. Sahro raised his eyes to the sky, not even bothering to listen to his friend's nonsense.

"For that matter about your sister, I'll ask Giselle once she has recovered from her emotions," The Black Heir declared as he did the maintenance of his mechanical arm, dripping oil in creaky parts and rubbing away the dirt with a rug. Glenn froze nervously, "Uhm, I mean, there's no need to bother her with that, is there? Can't we just tell Lina it's not possible or something?"

Sahro snorted dismissively, "Why would we lie to her? It's a good idea for her to try and become stronger, why would you want to stop that?"

Glenn shook his head, "No, I'm fine with teaching her about magic, or you teaching her Aura, but does she have to risk her life to wield both?"

The Black Heir went and patted Glenn's back, "It is her choice, though, and she has my support. If she can receive our Inheritance, while also having the power of that..." He grimaced and spat the word with disgust, "...Tiamanes, she will become one of the strongest fighters in this world. Redan had been forced to stay at his level due to his circumstances, but what about her?"

"She will have the support of the mighty Black Heirs, the Maron Company, the Cleaner's Workshop, and last but not least..." He grinned mockingly, "The Devil's Hand!"

Glenn grunted, "Fuck off."

Sahro laughed dismissively, just in time for Giselle to come and walk up to them. Liara was heaving with difficulty nearby, finally free from the powerful woman's embrace.

"So, boys, I hear' somethin' about the Inheritance and yar sister, Glenn?" She asked inquisitively. Glenn pressed his lips together, hesitating. Sahro, on the other hand, didn't share his worries and didn't hesitate to explain what they wanted to do with Lina. Giselle rubbed her chin in wonder before lighting up a thick cigar.

"Hmm...It might work, yeah, but we'd need an especially compatible Black Heir...And a willin' one, too," She sighed and shook her head, "My blood would be too powerful for yar sister, and I don't believe any of my people would want to participate in such an experiment. It's...ol' traditions, ya know?"

"Ah, that's too bad, I guess we must forget about it—" Glenn hurriedly apologized and tried to drag Sahro away, only for Liara to steel herself and reveal her forehead to Giselle. The latter froze in shock, her jaw hanging slack. Sahro cursed and hurriedly pulled all of them inside Giselle's house away from prying regards.

"Glenn, the Silence Curse please," The Black Heir demanded. Glenn curiously complied, isolating the house to make sure no sound would come out. Giselle was frozen in a state of shock while Liara puffed her chest out, trying to assume a proud stance.

"Could you leave the room too? And make sure not to listen in, please. Liara and I will need to speak, and..." Sahro apologized while Glenn waved his hand dismissively.

"Yeah, yeah, I know, I can't hear Liara talking for some strange cultural reason. I'll be staying in...wherever the kitchen is," He grumbled in displeasure as he turned away.

'Haha, look at him, he's being shunned! Boo, get out of here Glenn, we don't want you here!' Diamanes mocked with a wide laugh. Nelg remained silent, wondering what the Black Heirs were going to talk about.

"The true identity of Liara might be more important than we initially thought. For Giselle to react this way at the sight of Liara's Inheritance Sigil..."

A voice suddenly interrupted everyone's thoughts, stopping Glenn dead in his tracks, "No, it's fine."

Glenn felt his heart leap in his chest. This voice was one of those he was most curious about, a voice he could only hear laughing or sighing. A voice of crystal, pure and sweet, but also profound and majestic.

Liara's voice.

Sahro paled as Giselle leaped to her feet, her previous shock wiped out by Liara's action. Glenn turned back in her direction, blinking in awe and confusion.

"No, P—" Sahro gritted his teeth and gestured at the door insistently, "Glenn, please—!"

"Sahro, no," Liara refused gently. Giselle gasped and choked, her eyes wide open.

"This—this is against the–cough!" The Black Heirs' chief coughed, shocked. Liara sighed and invited Glenn to sit in a nearby chair, which he gladly did.

"So I finally earned the right to hear your voice, Liara," Glenn jeered with a smile, curious about what this whole thing was about.

Sahro held his head with both hands and muttered, "It's over...we're done...fuck..."

Liara cleared her throat, "First..." She turned to Glenn and smiled widely, "Thank you for everything you did for my people, Glenn."

Glenn nodded with a grin, "You're welcome. I'm receiving an awful lot of thanks today, strangely."

"I'll present myself properly this time," Liara steeled herself and bowed her head slightly in a polite gesture, "I am—"

Giselle suddenly stopped her, "No, please, if ya're going to do this, allow me to do it properly," She pleaded, her usual charismatic stature nowhere to be seen. Liara sighed and nodded weakly. Giselle drew a short breath and turned to Glenn.

"I, Giselly Pyr of House Pyr, am deeply honored to present Glenn before Her Highness, the First Heiress and Princess of Thalorieth, Liara Lúthalen."

Glenn blinked.

...What?

Liara...a princess?

What?

Weren't the Black Heirs a nomadic people, without fixed roots nor any ruling system in place besides "tribes" chieftains, and the like?

"Pardon me?" He couldn't help but apologize, confused.

Liara grimaced, "I...knew it would turn out this way. Foolish traditions..."

Sahro shot to his feet, "Princess! Traditions are the reason the Lúthalen lineage still exists!"

Glenn gazed at Sahro curiously, his shock fading away, "Wow, I never took you for someone who would respect traditions that much, Sahro!"

The latter gritted his teeth and hissed, "You don't understand—!"

"You're right, I don't," Glenn nodded in agreement, interrupting him, "But I'd be real glad to have someone explain to me what the hell is going on."

Giselle collapsed back in her chair, groaning in exhaustion, her face pale and fingers trembling, "To believe the Lúthalen's blood is still alive..." She scoffed and leaned back in her seat, "How fitting for that to be revealed in the town of New Hope..."

Glenn ignored her and concentrated back on Liara, "So, Princess, can I ask for explanations now?"

Sahro cursed and hid his face in his hands, shaking his head dejectedly while Liara moistened her lips.

"I think it'd be fitting to first explain why I couldn't speak to you," She slowly said while fiddling with her thumbs, "There is...an old, very old tradition which forbids the First Heiress, me, to, well..." She blushed and forced herself to speak, "...Speak to men of another nation until I'm married."

Glenn frowned, "Why? That sucks, be it in diplomatic matters or just personally."

Sahro sighed and took over, "...Because the only time it happened, said First Heiress married the non-Black Heir she spoke to."

Glenn stared at his friend like he was crazy, before inevitably slapping his forehead, "Ah, of course," He exclaimed with exaggerated realization, "How could I forget about racism?"