The Kingdom of Balmount bustled with life in the early morning. The streets were crowded with a mix of beastpeople and humans, all going about their daily activities. Market vendors shouted their wares, children ran through the streets playing, and the smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air. The kingdom’s architecture was a blend of sturdy stone buildings with intricate carvings, and wooden houses with thatched roofs, giving it a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The morning sun bathed everything in a golden light, and the lively chatter of townsfolk created a symphony of everyday life.

In a quieter part of the kingdom, away from the crowded market streets, stood a modest shop with a wooden sign hanging above the door that read “The Crimson Anvil.” Inside, the walls were lined with an impressive array of weapons—gleaming swords, polished shields, finely crafted bows, and intricately designed daggers. The air was filled with the scent of metal and wood, a testament to the craft and care that went into every piece.

Behind the counter, a middle-aged man with a sturdy build was meticulously setting up the shop for the day. He had graying hair tied back in a short ponytail, and his face bore the marks of a life dedicated to his craft. He wore a simple brown tunic and trousers, with a leather apron over his clothes. His hands were calloused from years of forging, but his movements were careful and precise as he displayed the finest of his works on the shelves.

As the man adjusted a particularly fine longsword, the bell above the door chimed, signaling the arrival of a customer. He looked up and his eyes widened in recognition. Standing in the doorway was an older man with black hair streaked with gray, wearing a simple, commoner’s outfit—a brown tunic, worn trousers, and sturdy boots. He held the hand of a young boy with black hair and black eyes, also dressed in simple clothes, much like his grandfather.

The shop owner’s face broke into a wide grin as he walked toward the old man, exclaiming, “I’ll be damned! What is the most wanted man doing here in my shop?” The young boy, Kibo, looked up at his grandfather in confusion, thinking, Wait, wait, wait... does he know my grandfather’s secret identity?

The old man chuckled, waving off the shop owner’s remark. “We don’t speak about that, my friend. The walls have ears,” he said with a sly smile before embracing the shop owner in a hearty hug.

As they pulled away, the shop owner looked the old man up and down, concern flickering in his eyes. “I thought maybe you were dead,” he said, a hint of sadness in his voice.

The old man, Subaru, laughed heartily. “Nobody can kill me unless I’m too old and weak!” The shop owner joined in the laughter, shaking his head.

“I hope I leave this earth before you do,” the shop owner said with a chuckle, but there was a hint of seriousness in his tone.

Subaru then introduced the young boy beside him. “This is my grandson, Kibo.”

Kibo bowed slightly, greeting the man respectfully. “Hello, Uncle. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

The shop owner smiled warmly. “The pleasure is mine, young Kibo.” He then turned to Subaru, his smile fading slightly. “I hope you’re here for just a heartful greeting, Subaru.”

Subaru shook his head. “No, I’m here to get a small weapon for my grandson.”

The shop owner glanced at Kibo, then leaned in to whisper to Subaru, “I hope you don’t plan on bringing your grandson into the world you live in. He’s too young and looks too small.”

Kibo, oblivious to the whispered conversation, looked around the shop, his thoughts racing. I wonder what weapon Grandpa wants to get me... Then another thought crossed his mind, Do I even have the guts to use a weapon?

Subaru, noticing Kibo’s wandering thoughts, turned to him with a smile. “What do you think about getting a dagger that suits you?”

Kibo’s eyes lit up with excitement as he nodded eagerly. “I would like that, Grandpa!”

The shop owner, seeing Kibo’s enthusiasm, couldn’t help but chuckle. “Oh dear,” he muttered under his breath as he led them to a display of daggers.

Outside the shop, Kibo and his grandfather walked side by side. Kibo held his new dagger carefully, admiring its curved shape and the intricate designs etched into the hilt. The blade was sharp and gleamed in the sunlight, a perfect fit for his small hands.

“What do you think about your new weapon?” Subaru asked, patting Kibo’s head gently.

Kibo looked up at his grandfather, a mixture of pride and uncertainty in his eyes. “I’m not sure if I can use it properly, Grandpa.”

Subaru smiled reassuringly. “You’ll learn. Don’t worry. You’ll get to know how to use it.”

As they continued walking, they heard a commotion coming from a nearby alley. A beastwoman, with cat-like ears and a long tail, dressed in a simple dress, was holding onto a small girl with brown hair and black eyes, who wore tattered rags. The woman was shouting, “Hey, return what you stole from me!” The little girl struggled to break free, her face filled with fear.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Kibo’s grandfather, Subaru, noticing the scene, gently nudged Kibo. “Come on, let’s go help.”

Kibo followed his grandfather, recognizing the girl as the one who had bumped into him earlier, the one who had that pitch-black mana around her. As they approached, Subaru spoke in a calm, yet firm voice, “Please, can you let the girl go?”

The beastwoman turned to Subaru, her grip on the girl tightening. “No! I’m sick and tired of all these conniving thieves stealing from me!”

Subaru sighed and reached into his pocket, pulling out a golden coin—the kingdom’s currency. He held it out to the woman. “Whatever the girl took from you, you can buy it back with this.”

The woman’s eyes widened at the sight of the gold coin. She hesitated, then let go of the girl, pushing her toward Subaru. “Fine, but the next time this girl steals from me, she won’t get away with it. I’ll call the guards!” With that, she snatched the coin and walked away, muttering to herself.

Subaru caught the girl as she stumbled toward him. He knelt down to her level, smiling gently. “Are you okay, little one?”

The girl nodded timidly. Kibo, standing beside his grandfather, observed the girl with a stern expression. “People have it rough,” he muttered under his breath, his gaze lingering on her ragged clothes. He couldn't help but wonder what had happened to her parents. He felt a wave of pity for the girl, seeing her in such a state.

Subaru, noticing the girl’s hesitation, asked, "What did you steal?"

The girl, still wary of the older man, stammered, "I-I didn’t steal anything..."

Subaru, seeing her discomfort, softened his tone even more. "You don’t need to worry, little one. No one is going to hurt you."

With shaky hands, the girl finally pulled out a bruised apple from her clothes, eyes downcast. Kibo, seeing the simple fruit, clenched his fists in silent frustration. "Why can’t some people feel pity for children like her?" he thought, his heart aching for the little girl’s plight.

Subaru looked at the apple, his expression gentle. He reached out to pat the girl’s head, but she flinched, expecting a strike. Instead, she felt the tender touch of his hand, and she looked up, surprised. "It’s bad to steal from others," Subaru said kindly. "I know it’s hard, but you have to remember that it’s also hard for the people you steal from."

The girl, her face filled with sadness, whispered, "I’m sorry."

Subaru smiled warmly at her. "You don’t need to apologize to anyone. Everything is settled now."

Kibo, listening to his grandfather’s words, reflected on the situation. "I’m still too young to understand the complexities of being an adult," he mused. The lesson in morality his grandfather was teaching the girl resonated with him deeply.

Subaru then noticed the girl’s bare feet and asked gently, "Do you have anyone, like a parent or guardian, looking after you?"

The girl looked down, avoiding his gaze. She remained silent, and Subaru straightened up, his expression thoughtful. Turning to Kibo, he said, "Why don’t you say hi to the girl?"

Kibo, unsure of what to say, managed a polite greeting, "Hello."

The girl, remembering him from their earlier encounter, blushed with embarrassment. "Hi," she mumbled shyly.

Subaru, noticing that they were blocking the path of some passersby, suggested, "Why don’t we go somewhere more comfortable to sit and eat?"

The scene shifted to a nearby bench where the three of them sat down. The girl, still clutching the apple, sat between Kibo and Subaru. Subaru handed her a grilled meat skewer, offering one to Kibo as well. Kibo, seeing the girl’s hesitation, took a big bite of his skewer and smiled at her. "It’s good. You should try it," he encouraged with a grin.

The girl, emboldened by his words, took a tentative bite. Her eyes widened with delight as she savored the flavor, and Subaru watched with a warm smile.

"Do you have parents?" Subaru asked gently, hoping to learn more about the girl’s situation.

The girl chewed her food slowly before replying with a tinge of sadness, "I don’t have any parents."

Kibo’s heart sank at her words, feeling an even deeper sense of empathy for her. Subaru, maintaining his gentle tone, asked, "Do you have anyone else? Like family?"

The girl nodded slowly, "I have a big brother."

Subaru nodded thoughtfully. "Where is he?"

The girl, suddenly remembering her brother’s condition, quickly slid off the bench, clutching the apple tightly. "My big brother is sick and hungry," she said urgently, her eyes filled with worry.

Kibo, observing her distress, thought, "This big brother must really mean a lot to her." He then glanced at his grandfather, wondering what he would do next.

Subaru, seeing the urgency in the girl’s face, asked, "Can you lead us to where your brother is?"

She nodded and started walking off quickly. Subaru turned to Kibo and said, "Let’s follow her."

They followed the girl to a dark alley, the place she called home. As they arrived, the girl’s steps quickened, but she came to a sudden halt when she noticed something was wrong. The spot where her brother usually lay was empty, and there were traces of blood on the ground. Panic washed over her, and she began calling out desperately, "Big brother, where are you? Big brother!"

Subaru and Kibo exchanged worried glances as they noticed the bloodstains. Subaru knelt beside the girl, trying to calm her down. "Did anything unusual happen recently?" he asked gently.

The girl, remembering the men who had confronted her brother, rushed back to Subaru and Kibo, her voice trembling. "Some bad men came... They were asking my big brother for money he owed them."

Subaru’s expression darkened slightly. "So, her brother is entangled with some gang... or maybe slave traders," he thought grimly. Seeing the girl’s terrified face, he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don’t worry. I’ll find your brother."

He then asked her, "Can you tell me what your brother looks like?"

The girl described her brother as best she could, and Subaru nodded in understanding. Turning to Kibo, he said with a serious tone, "You take the girl home. Make sure she gets there safely, and avoid any trouble."

Kibo, internally panicking, thought, "Wait, wait, wait! How can I do that when I barely know the way back? I’m only two years old! And what if we get kidnapped?"

Despite his worries, he looked at the girl who was looking at him innocently. He couldn’t help but find her adorable, thinking, "So cute..."

Summoning his courage, Kibo replied, "I’ll take care of it, Grandpa."

Subaru smiled and patted Kibo’s head. "I know you will," he said before rushing off in search of the girl’s brother.

Kibo watched his grandfather disappear into the distance, then turned to the girl with a reassuring smile. "Come on, let’s go," he said, holding out his hand for her to take.

The girl hesitated for a moment before shyly taking his hand, her fingers trembling slightly. Kibo felt a strange mix of emotions as he held her hand, thinking to himself, "This is just normal... I’m holding a girl’s hand for the first time."

With that, the two of them began their journey back, Kibo doing his best to guide her home safely, despite the uncertainty swirling in his young mind.