Jackson still didn’t trust the queen, however the others seemed sold on the idea. So, to calm his nerves, he was looking around town on his own. To be more precise, he was scouting the enemy’s territory, looking for quick escape routes. The other two were left to guard Gypsy and the wagon, as Jackson felt safer knowing two powerful fighters were there versus just one. That one would have been Barbara, which was a time bomb waiting to happen to begin with. Gypsy on the other hand was preparing her co-workers for the coming weeks. They were to entertain the visitors and help the more inert nobles look like they have a chance. During the ball, they would be escorts, while other times they’d be simple dancers. Jackson secretly looked forward to watching Gypsy dance, even if the chances of her doing it were slim.

The layout of the town was confusing for Jackson. Most of the buildings looked a like, and there was no real land marks. Because naming things in this world was dangerous, the streets were simply numbered. From above, the capital looked like a slightly warped grid with most houses and buildings following one of ten roads. The grid broke down in the center of the city, I.E. the market place as it was large, round and with many attractions. The palace also destroyed the grip pattern as it was so large. The connections between the ten main roads were random, and mostly back allies. It was also possible to find dead ends at every other turn from poor planning. On the flip side, Jackson was getting his feel for the beast people.

Not surprising, the beast men were everywhere in the capital. They mostly stayed away from Jackson, fearing he might try to hurt them. Jackson assumed someone leaked what had happened in the throne to the people, and thought he was the dangerous one. He laughed at that idea, being only half a man. Jackson did get to see their food, and products such as clothing. The clothing was simple and made of many colors drawing the eye to them. The food smelt spicy, like they enjoyed dousing everything in pepper. The toys were simple, wooden blocks and swords for the young boys, while dolls and shields for the girls. The beast men society was split by gender, simply being that women had more power than men. The men would be the ones that went to war, and thus had a higher casualty rate. Even if they returned, most would have changed and found it hard to adapt to the peace of the beast people capital. Thus, the women were left in charge. They were needed to guard the home front, and given more rights than the men, mostly for owning property and running for office. That was why the queen had the throne while her husband stood at her side.

Jackson was heading down a back ally, which led to several steps. They twisted, and he was positive he was now heading back the way he came, just on a different road. He sighed, wondering how he was going to get back to the wagon. He wished he had the ability to fly, but sadly he hadn’t figured out a means to do so yet.

“…Hey cut that out!”

Jackson heard a voice yell from up ahead. His first instinct was to turn and head in the other direction, but the sounds of fighting called to him. Jackson couldn’t help it; his body was heading towards them without his mind’s consent. At the end of the steps, Jackson saw a sad sight. A human boy about his age, but a head smaller, dressed in a red cloak was stuck on the floor while a group of beast men kicked and spat on him.

“Hey, you guys, enough!”

Jackson yelled his order, not believing it would work. Which of course it didn’t.

“It’s another one! Get him!”

“I don’t recommend that.”

Jackson sighed, dodging the first attack. It was from a man who was part dog, who swung a small knife. Next was a bird man, using a dagger and failed to hit his target.

“Guys, listen. I don’t want to fight you. I don’t know how to… hey! Listen to what I’m saying… hey! CUT! I’m so sorry, I was trying to tell you guys to stop. Will you listen… CUT! Sorry, sorry. I’m really trying to hold back. Watch it! Will you listen for two seconds? CUT! I’m so, so sorry. I’m sure someone can help reattached your arm. Just think, I tried to stop this before something like that happened.”

Jackson easily dodged their attacks, as they lacked any form of training. It was quite pathetic. However, Jackson regretted using his magic on them, as it left them with several deep cuts throughout their bodies. One pour fox man was clutching his lost arm, trying to figure out how to reattach it. Jackson could sadly relate. A dog man, different from the one currently crying on the floor with massive ‘X’ mark riddling his body, leaped at Jackson with his knife. Jackson was too busy apologizing to see him coming until it was too late. A small cut formed on his lower right cheek, making a cross with the scar that already rested there.

“Fine all bets are off!”

With a single snap of his fingers, the ally was ignited by a powerful explosion. The buildings shook, and several people screamed in terror. At the capital, the girls all looked in the general direction and sighed. When the smoke cleared, the would-be gang was completely wiped out. The boy in red appeared to be in slight horror while watching his savior. He began to stand up, and under him two little pups retreated. They were young children, with mostly human features save for a slight dog like facial features, and tails. The boy in red was an albino, with bright blue eyes. His hair was cut short, spiking out slightly at the sides. He had round, thin glasses on, and a friendly face. Under the red cloak was a blue button up shirt, untucked and some loose-fitting jeans. He had leather boots on his feet.

“Thank you! That was amazing! Was that magic? Impressive? Can you teach me some?”

“What?”

“Sorry, sorry. I got excited again. I’m Edward Maverick, hero of the human republic. I’m ‘S’ ranked in my intelligence and wisdom, not to mention all magic related fields. So, can you teach me that?”

“You’re not that bright, are you?”

“What?”

Jackson held his face, thinking of all the stupid things Edward had just done. Luckily a distraction appeared a moment later.

“Shield!”

A golden shield appeared behind him, deflecting an arrow that was aimed for his back. Jackson turned to face his next victim, smiling madly. The fool who attacked him was a girl, roughly his age, maybe slightly older, with slightly tanned skin and white hair. Her eyes were a deep emerald, and cat ears rested on her head. She had a long right canine, making her look even more like a cat. She was dressed in orange leather armor, with a white bow. Her tail fluttered behind her, reminding Jackson of a snow leopard.

“What did you do to those men?”

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“I tried not to kill them. I think it worked. I wonder how you’d fair?”

“Wait, he was protecting me!”

Edward rushed between the combatants, raising both his hands. Jackson was completely convinced this boy was an idiot.

“Protecting you?”

“Yes, you see there were these kid, them over there, and they were being attacked. I rushed in to help and lost pathetically. While I was stuck on the ground, he came down the stairs you’re now standing on. He gave them plenty of warnings, so please don’t fight!”

The cat girl looked to the pups, then sighed.

“I’ll trust you, for now. Weakling!”

“Hey, he may be stupid, but he was shielding the pups.”

“Weakling? Stupid?”

“Then I congratulate you on being a perfect meat shield.”

“Thank you.”

Jackson held his face, and chose to ignore the fact Edward was bright red. In truth, Edward thought that the archer was the prettiest girl he’d ever seen. It was the classic love at first sight, at least for him. Jackson, who was good at reading people, could only wish him luck on his exploits.

“Listen, I’m Jackson Ripper, guest of the queen, until she decides to kill us. This idiot is Edward, a hero from the republic. Who are you?”

“I’m Luna.”

“Then to repay me, for trying to shoot me in the back, guide me to some decent food.”

“What?”

“And treat the pups, I’m in a giving mood.”

“What?”

“Oh and treat the idiot as well. It hard being a meat shield.”

“What!”

Jackson figured as he was lost anyway, and he might as well enlist a guide to at least find some food. He also figured this would give Edward a chance, as Jackson was in a charitable mood. Luna didn’t seem to like his tone, nor the fact he demanded things of her. However, her eyes wondered to the pups, and lost the will to fight.

“This way.”

“So, master, what’s that on your face?”

“Master?”

“Oh, sorry what would you like to be called? Master, Teacher, Jackson, The Ripper?”

“When did I agree to…”

“Is that some type of magic?”

“What are you talking about?”

Jackson touched the area that was cut, as he assumed that was where the strange thing was. Jackson froze, he felt hard metal. Wasting no time, Jackson ripped it off and shook slightly. He’d fought the Berserker enough time to recognize its armor, and he just pulled off his face. It turned to powder a moment later, but Jackson was frozen for several seconds. He checked to see it there was anymore and was relieved to find none.

“Luna this food is great?”

“Yes weakling, that why I brought you here.”

Luna had guided them to the market square and bought them some food. The meal was like a hamburger and was cooked on a grill before the customers. The pups were eating theirs with wide eyes. Edward seemed to enjoy his, while Jackson thought it was a little bland. Luna’s ears were sticking up as she ate hers, with an expression of pure bliss.

“So, Master, what type of magic do you use? I’ve never seen magic be used without a circle or a long chant? Maybe you know how to shorten it? Or maybe you hide the circle in your other hand? Like have them in a magic book?”

“One, not your master. Two, my magic is a secret.”

“Please take me as your apprentice!”

“No!”

“You two talk too much. Can’t you see I’m trying to enjoy my meal?”

“Sorry.”

“Why does a hero from the republic need someone to teach him magic?”

Jackson ignored Luna’s complaints, jumping on the hero’s case. Jackson had no reason to trust him, and his story didn’t make much sense.

“The republic is a new nation. They are focusing on science, and alchemy. There soldiers use artifacts with magic already in graved in them, or tools of science. So, there aren’t many mages there. I was summoned with low stats in physical traits, and high stats in magical ones. It only makes sense that I be a mage, but I can only learn so much from books.”

“I see.”

Luna said, taking a sip of her water. She seemed to be taking mental notes on what he said, and Jackson couldn’t blame her. If someone from the enemy was giving away what sounded like secrets, he’d take notes as well.

“Stats, you keep saying stats. What does that mean?”

“I heard it was a republic thing. They use artifacts to determine peoples’ natural talents. It how they help determine jobs, and who can be soldiers. S is the highest, while F is the lowest. Back in my world, we had a thing called video games. In some of them, characters had similar stats. By having higher stats, it easier to overpower an enemy. Same principle.”

“Now, my next question, why were these two pups being attacked by a gang?”

Jackson turned his eyes to the two little pups. They retreated from his glare, hiding behind Luna. Edward looked to her for answers as well.

“They’re half breeds. Part human part beast folk. Humans are terrible creatures that have long since persecuted us and hunted us and the like. It’s why we created our own nation, free of man. However, we still require the ability to trade. Many still hate the humans, even for acts that were not done to them. They form little hate groups, who lie in wait for humans to get lost and take our revenge on them.”

“And because they are half human, they are fair game? Beast folk sound just like humans.”

“We are nothing like humans! We were seen as game, as slaves, objects and animals. The stories say that some humans even kept us as pets! They did horrible things to us, and you deserve no quarter for these actions! I don’t agree with the hurting of the half breeds, but I would not aid a human if I saw one under attack.”

“Which is why you didn’t help me earlier. It’s hilarious how you say you’re different from us humans but act the same way.”

“Master, maybe you shouldn’t go down that road. And… I’M SO TERRIBLY SORRY FOR WHAT HUMANS HAVE DONE TO YOU!”

Edward dropped into a bow on the floor before Luna. She looked shocked at the sight. Jackson sighed, and continued to eat.

“Master, maybe you should join me. There is so much we must apologize for.”

“Like hell I will! And, I’m not your master! Who blames everyone for the actions of a few. It’s something I’ve always hated, they are bad because of this, they hurt so and so and now we must scorn them! To apologize for an entire race is both foolish and pointless. It’s also an insult to those hurt by such actions. It is not your place to take responsibility.”

“But I’m a hero who represents the humans of the republic. Their faults are mine, Master, I must apologize in their stead.”

“Could you please get up, people are staring.”

Luna spoke awkwardly. Several beast folks were watching the scene, some pointing it out to their friends laughing. Jackson shook his head at the sight, loving how an entire race of people taught to hate humans acted just like them.

“Pups, where’s your parents?”

Jackson asked, hoping to change the subject and get Edward off the ground. The pups looked to each other and started to shake.

“The bad men took Mamma.”

“They took your mother?”

“Yes.”

Jackson thought it over, looking at them. It felt good to be a heartless monster, as if he wasn’t, he’d suggest helping them. His party wasn’t known for doing charity, and Jackson had learned not to take risks. If he ever tried, he’d remember his lost arm, and instantly lose all want or desire to help them. This was one of those cases. There was no way Jackson would put his skin on the line for complete strangers, even if they looked like puppies. The benefits that came with being heartless.

“Master and I will help you!”

“Really?”

“What? Wait, what? No, no, no! I am not your master, and I’m not helping!”

“Master, why not? They need our help, and we can’t just let this injustice carry on!”

“Why not? This isn’t our fight. Who knows how many people have been kidnapped, or what the end game is. Charging into a losing fight isn’t how I do things. And stop calling me master!”

“But, you’re so strong. I need your help, please master, we need your help!”

“No. Also, how would we even find them? I don’t know the layout of the city, and humans are hated so asking for information is a losing battle. Tell me, do you know this city? Do you know it well enough to find a person or a gang’s hide out?”

“Well, no…”

“I know this city like the back of my hand. I will find your mother.”

“Thank you, Luna. You, me and master will save their mother from the monsters that took her.”

“Stop calling me master! Also, why am I being dragged into this?”

“What, are you going to let this idiot show you up. How human can you be?”

“Fine, I’ll help. The pups don’t come along!”

Jackson had a bad feeling in his stomach. He could almost see what he was going to find. It was the same feeling he had when he saw Kevin and Scarlet together.

“When we find them, we do this with stealth. No reason to put our necks on the line if we don’t need to.”

“How brave you are.”