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「I know it's a little late to be asking this but... what exactly am I supposed to do in this District Master meeting? What does it mean to represent the Lakua District? Are there any rules I need to know beforehand?」

Melyn and I were sat in an underground stone brick hallway. The door beside us led to the congregation area.

Donning the Sentinels' signature sleeveless black leather inform, we were waiting patiently for the Ashen Thief to show up.

Punctuality was certainly not his strong suit.

「You agreed to come not knowing all that? Unusual for you to be this irrational Zozo... Peer pressure really does get to you huh..?」

「Don't get the wrong idea. Even if I were to decline, Rysef would still find a way to drag me in. You know how he is...」

「Haha, that's true.」

The bench we had our butts on was entirely made of stone. It had my ass sore in less than a couple of minutes.

There was an explanation for this overabundance of stone-based furniture, however.

As it so happened, all slum dweller ina casters that specialized in manipulation magic were taught how to shape stone first. It was a spell that all of them had to know by year one.

Lakua—Rysef's predecessor and our district's namesake—apparently normalized the practice over half a century ago.

Widespread mastery of the spell was what allowed the slum dwellers to construct this grand tunnel system that stretched across Yarzon and its neighbors.

They nicknamed it the Warrens.

I wouldn't have left the furnishing department to the stonecutters though... Maybe ina casters with knowledge of cushioned bench craftsmanship would've been a better pick.

The sewers of Yarzon, the training chamber beneath the slum dweller hamlet, and the meeting room we sat in front of—they were all interconnected by the Warrens.

Word was this system of tunnels was constructed in such a convoluted manner that outsiders would find themselves back at the entrance, no matter how much they mapped it out.

That's partly how the Lakua village remained isolated from society for so long.

The power and ingenuity of these impoverished bunch seemed limitless the more I droned on about them.

「You needn't worry about the rules. Just keep quiet and answer any questions they ask you.」

「Who's they?」

「The other District Masters of course! And their companions. It's an open discussion sort of thing, so anyone can join in. Also, don't lie, everyone there naturally knows how to read breaths Zozo.」

No wonder Lia was opposed to sending me here.

From what I could tell, the District Masters were at odds with one another. It was a volatile confederacy that lacked a centralized government, so to speak.

Not that I understood the root of their conflict.

But to converse directly with the leaders of the rival districts... I had to be careful not to spill any vital secrets denoting to the Lakua District.

Especially since I had a few pieces of juicy info on me.

「By representing the Lakua District, you're acting as the face of our entire faction. As long as you don't do or say anything stupid, you'll be fine.」

「Speaking of not doing anything stupid, what the hell is our district master doing? Isn't he our main representative? Shouldn't he be showing up on time to preserve the pride of our district? This also isn't the first time he's arrived late right?」

Melyn chuckled at my valid concerns.

She stretched her arms out and leaned against the wall in a laidback fashion.

「Well, he's the Ashen Thief. He always gets a pass!」

---

A roundtable conference, host to five of the District Masters, including Rysef. It was there that I'd finally meet the Ashen Thief's esteemed colleagues.

Everyone was seated in clusters based on their district around a literal round table. The other District Masters and their Sentinels were a sight to behold...

To our nearest left was Nabal—the Shadow Blade and master to the Maon District.

Cool and composed, his distinct features were his violet hair, pale white skin, and a pair of slanted eyes. He was accompanied by two dangerous-looking Sentinels.

Together, they held a very menacing presence. Definitely the type of people I wouldn't want to mess with.

To our nearest right was Feriss—the Silent Illusionist and master to the Zandra District.

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Quiet and conserved, her distinct features were the long tattered scarf that concealed her mouth and the unkempt aqua blue hair that messily mantled her head.

Unlike the other District Masters, she came alone. An empty space occupied her surroundings.

「What's this now Rysef?! First you come late, and now you bring an outsider to the conference?! We can only overlook so many transgressions!」

This loud denigration came from Seyna to our farthest left—a mature-looking woman with a sharp tongue.

She was known as the Viridescent Queen and was master to the Hlanu District.

Her luscious locks of green hair reminded me of Melyn. I had to wonder if they were related somehow.

「Haha! Don't be like that, Seyna! It's hard being both a District Master and the head of the Lakua District Sentinels! Cut me some slack will ya!」

「Haaah?! No one asked you to take both roles you useless dolt! You're a disgrace to your master's legacy!」

The Hlanu District Sentinels beside her covered their faces. It appeared as though their leader's hotheaded outburst embarrassed the whole entourage.

As she shot up from her seat and angrily lambasted the Ashen Thief, I happened to observe another distinct feature of hers.

Her large breasts.

They bounced up and down as she hurled countless insults. Being trapped in a pubescent child's body, I couldn't help but gawk at them.

Pinch!

「Ow!」

「What are you looking at Zozo? She's our enemy!」

「S-sorry, my eyes drifted...」

Melyn shot me a glare of disapproval. There was a slight hint of envy in her tone as well.

「Seyna... Enough. Let's not further delay the reason we're all gathered here today.」

「Tch! Whatever you say, geezer. Keep siding with that spineless oaf...」

The Viridescent Queen gave up and plopped back onto her stone chair.

Finally to our farthest right was Kayn—the Silver Saint and master to the Kayn District. With ease, he talked down Seyna from prolonging her hostile tirade.

At first glance, he was nothing but a decrepit old man—wrinkly dry skin, long white curly hair, and a smoky beard to complete the stereotype.

I was astonished he was even capable of talking.

But after hearing his gentle yet emphatic tone of speech, my perception of him swiftly changed. He was clearly someone who commanded a lot of respect.

He was accompanied by two unique-looking individuals. A dark-skinned man with a silver top-knot and a ginger-haired child younger than me.

It was an odd pairing, but their auras were strangely in tune with the Silver Saint.

My guess is, he'll be overseeing this entire discussion.

And I was right on the money.

「Now then, let us begin this month's District Master meeting. As all of you know, we are gathered here today, in this sanctified undercroft to discuss various topics denoting the future of the slum dwellers. By the end of this conference, I'll divulge the results of my team's findings in regards to the situation brought up in the last meeting. May Vel bless you all.」

I surveyed the underground space. It was a repurposed catacomb located beneath an abandoned church. Five pillars stood behind the seats of the five District Masters.

Looks like the stonecutters did some work around here...

「Geezer, before we move on, shall we address the elephant in the room first?」

Seyna shifted all the focus onto me now.

Paralyzed with nervousness, I couldn't utter a single word. Murmurs emerged amidst the attention I drew.

Rysef decided to speak out.

「Oh right! I haven't told y'all yet! This here's me new apprentice! Say 'hello' t' them Lorenzo!」

He slapped me on the back.

「U-u-u-um.... h-hello..!」

The murmurs and whispers only grew. Like always, the Ashen Thief had no idea how to announce things properly.

Seyna arrogantly lifted her feet on the table. Her amber eyes burned like a dry grass wildfire.

「Oh? You mean to tell us that delicate maiden's your new pupil? Who knew the great Ashen Thief fancied younger girls. I suppose that's why my charms haven't swayed you at all... From the sound of her lungs, she hasn't even mastered the breathing techniques yet hasn't she? Poor girl, who knows what you actually keep her around for...」

「Actually, Zozo's a boy.」

「A what..?」

I hit my head against the table causing an audible thud. Instead of piercing Rysef, her words aimed at my feminine appearance cut deep into my pride.

I didn't look like this when I was younger dammit! God did this to me!

「Hahaha! Quit blamin' your lack of charisma on the small lad! Fer a District Master, ya sure like avoiding responsibility eh!?」

「W-whatever... That brat is still unfit to be a Sentinel...」

Seyna brought her legs down and folded her arms. Her olive lips trembled with frustration, as the Ashen Thief continued to make light of her.

Suddenly, a loud tapping noise interrupted the hubbub that had consumed the room.

「Silence.」

In that instant, the solemn hush returned.

「We have yet to proceed with the actual meeting. Young Lorenzo, welcome to the District Master meeting. My name is Kayn. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask. If you have any comments, do not hesitate to say. And if you have any insights, do not hesitate to inform us. We are an eclectic assemblage of honest folk—no matter how outlandish your viewpoint, we are willing to listen.」

The corners of his mustache faintly raised into an endearing smile. Out of everyone there, he was the kindest to me thus far.

I timidly nodded. I was a part of the caucus now.

「Two hundred years ago, from the depths of the Yarzon City slums, my grandfather, Kayn Sr., God rest his soul, emerged with a goal in mind. Witnessing civil unrest within his impoverished community, he founded the Sentinels, a body comprised of the strongest the slums had to offer. His goal: to protect and secure the futures of his beloved—」

Slam!

「D'ya have t' go through th' same old introduction every time? Ya might have time fer it, but I certainly don't. I've got a district t' run...」

Nabal snapped, slamming the table with his fist. The smooth stone was riven with cracks from the point of impact.

His voice was unfittingly nasally. It took me by surprise. The two "guards" beside him didn't even bat an eye.

「I agree, this is taking too long. Hurry up with it, will you?」

As expected, Seyna sided with the aggressive one.

「Hm? It is by tradition I recite the origins of our order before every meeting. To avoid doing so would be disrespectful to our forefathers, especially since we're joined today by a new member.」

「Oi. Cut th' crap, ya can tell him that fairy tale o' yers after the meeting. Let's get down t' the actual reason we're here.」

I sensed a lot of hostility in the air. The impetuous duo wanted to move things at their own pace. In a case of a negotiation, it'd be hard to get them to budge.

Rysef was also stubborn, but he was still kind enough to hear you out...

「Lorenzo, is that alright with you?」

「U-uh, yeah... I suppose meager appetizers only delay the entrée...」

「Very well. Let's move on to the general discussion. Do any of the masters have any issues they'd like to bring up?」

First to raise their hand was Feriss, the Zandra District Master. She turned to Nabal and tilted her head.

「I see. If I'm not mistaken, this must be concerning last month's problem regarding the Maon District slum dwellers violating the Zandra District borders.」

「Ah... that's right... I already disciplined those five bastards that stole produce from yer area. Ya don't need t' worry 'bout those thieves no more. The Maon District offers its humblest o' apologies, Feriss.」

The Shadow Blade bowed his head, eliciting a delighted response from the Silent Illusionist. She spoke nary a reply but gestured her every thought perfectly.

District borders eh..?

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