Town of Artes, alley. 26th day of February 1467 AD.

...

The towns of Artes is not a preeminent town among the many others in the Raven Kingdom, but it also isn't a decadent place. It is just another town in another place in this gigantic world called earth that is the center of our universe... actually, they proved it isn't a few years ago, but for peasants like me, why care what spins around what? But we have things to talk about that are more important right now than planets and towns.

I think like every story, I have to first introduce the main character.

My name is Ezel, and as a peasant, I have no surname.

I have never met my parents, nor do I care to meet them, they were the ones that brought me into this world where there is only suffering. They were both peasants I am sure, otherwise, I wouldn't be laying in this alley starving as I am now.

Here, we adopt a system called feudalism. Nobles have land, we farm the land, they rob us of the food we have farmed and leave us with a few grains so we don't die. But as someone that was born in a city and without a craft, I can only do odd jobs for craftsmen in the guilds so I can keep myself alive.

I am in this alley because it is surprisingly the safest place I know, it is not deep enough into the alley network to be home of bandits, but also not superficial enough for people to walk by. It is also the most secluded alley in the town... at least of those I've been through.

The alley is surrounded by the walls that were made of hard rock, as this alley was part of the wall defense of the city, and they were covered with moss and dirt to the point grass grew on it. I have no idea how walls work, but I am pretty sure this is not a well-maintained wall, but that is just to be expected.

I felt cold in this place, my whole body shivered and I rubbed my hands against each other so I could feel a little more warmth. I think its just about time I get out of here to look for some human warmth.

I place my hand on the wall and struggle to get up, my legs felt weak by the lack of nutrition, but I could still stand as I have done way too much physical work to be used to move around even with the pain in my body.

Overcoming the weakness of my limbs is something I have learned since long ago, to the point that I can carry tens of sacks of grain after fasting for two days.

I get up and walk towards the right, a weak wind was blowing from that direction, and feeling the wind is something crucial to navigating through the alleys as it points towards an exit. My senses are sharper after having to watch out for thugs in these alleys.

After living in here for a while, these alleys became my own dysfunctional home. They taught me many things that helped me survive in this jungle called society, where nobles do as they want and peasants do what they must. But I still don't see them fondly, and would rather live in an actual house.

After getting out of the alleys I see myself in a great street.

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It wasn't a bustling street, and it could even be called deserted, as this town basically only had craftsmen guilds and the craftsmen houses. I could see a dozen people after looking both sides, but they were either people that did odd jobs like me or thieves, maybe one of them was a craftsman heading for the marketplace but I don't think so, as those types are easy to recognize.

I walk a one or two miles towards a craftsman house.

I walked for a long time on the streets, but fortunately the sun was covered by clouds, otherwise, it would have been difficult. The sun around here is scorching most of the times, so this could be called a good day. I hope so...

After walking for a long while, I reach the workshop.

It is a smithy, one of the dozens of smithies they have here. The wars that are happening mean that more of them will appear, even though we aren't a border town. Mercenaries and Knights are the third and second most reliable troops respectively, as for the first, I would rather not talk about them, nor on how 'reliable' they are.

The smithy was basically a veranda with a storehouse for the tools and materials. The owner liked to keep it simple, so he only had one chair that he used when he was too tired to hammer the iron. The place was made of rock like any proper smithy, and the owner is the second son of a noble family, it can be noticed because he has a surname.

The owner was a grumpy middle-aged man, he had black hair and beard, as well as bright almond eyes. He was stocky like a blacksmith should be and he had the arrogant attitude of a noble. He wasn't a good guy inside as well, he was a rotten noble that spent his nights on the brothels and raped young women on alleys. He is the kind of rotten noble you see everywhere.

His name is Abral, and his surname is Dove. He is the second master of the Dove family of Arte town. It is not a great family, as they are just on the rank of barons, and no one besides the head of the house has a title.

Even still, even compared to the lowest knight, a peasant like me is trash that deserves nothing. That is just how things work.

I was just going to greet Abral when I noticed a man standing by his side.

It was a tall man, he was standing with a firm posture whilst talking to Abral. He was not bulky, but his fit body had a ferocious aura to it. He was covered in dirt and grime, yet his figure didn't lose its sense of slenderness. I couldn't see his face, still, I could feel his wrath. And it was such that even the noble blacksmith's legs were shaking.

I approached and heard their argument.

"These repairs are minor. It makes no sense to charge twelve silver pieces for it! It is worth three silvers at most!"The man didn't shout, but his voice was deep and his words were steady. His speech gave the ones around him a feeling of suppression.

"B-but this is what I charge for repairing a greatsword every time! It's not dependant on the damage, this is the base cost for repair!"Abral told him an obvious lie, as he always tries to cheat mercenaries out of their money because they don't know basic arithmetics. I only know that because I've learned arithmetics after seeing Abral conducting business every day. At least now I know he isn't a knight.

I was doubting his identity not only because he stood up against Abral, but also because he was using a part-body metal armor that covered key parts of his body. Which is the casual wear of a knight, but also was the war-gear of a top-notch mercenary.

The man was still angry, but he didn't press on the matter. He took thirteen silver pieces from a pouch on his waist and put it on the corner of a working desk.

He then made a ceremonial bow as he said solemnly."I am sorry for the misunderstanding my lord, it was my mistake."

It was obvious for any peasant that he only apologized because the other party was noble. But Abral plastered a smug look on his face as he said."It's okay peasant. You not knowing such things is just proper. Now, you may leave."

The man bowed again, the body armor clanked on his chest as he put his hand on it, and left.

But as soon as he turned... I saw his face...

The face of the man that would change my life.