Ascalon strolled leisurely behind Audun, who glanced over his shoulder continuously as he tried his best to shake off his pursuer. It was slightly amusing for the knight, and at the same time, an intriguing sight. Audun was resourceful and cunning, clearly aware of his surroundings and the city’s layout.

He squeezed through small passages, slid down benches, and even darted between the legs of passersby. Sometimes he’d attempt to lose Ascalon by blending with the crowd or retracing his steps. It was unfortunate for Audun that Ascalon had him pinned down, tracking him by his presence as one would follow a beacon.

After a couple of minutes, the boy stopped at a running fountain, clearly exhausted and dehydrated. His thirst must have been quite strong, as he submerged his entire head in the water for a couple seconds before pulling it out, splashing droplets around as he gasped.

“Are you alright?” Ascalon asked, standing beside him with a gentle smile. The boy clenched his teeth in frustration, and took a step back. His eyes were defiant, but they also betrayed a glimmer of curiosity.

“Unless you want to buy it, leave me alone!” Audun exclaimed, doing his best to appear brave and tough. Ascalon chuckled at the sight, seeing the kid puff his chest and curl his fists into balls, as if preparing for a fight. But even if the situation was amusing, Ascalon had to think of something to recover his emblem without hurting the boy in the process.

“Hmm…” Ascalon pondered as he stroked his chin, while Audun gazed at him warily. The child seemed quite intent on getting compensation for the emblem, so perhaps that was the most efficient approach. If only Ascalon had any money on him! Glancing around, as if searching for inspiration amidst the scenery, an idea flashed across his mind as his eye rested on a traveling vendor.

“I do not have any money on me, but perhaps I could offer you a favor. What say I offer my services in exchange?” Ascalon suggested with a huge, bold smile. The boy was taken aback by his suggestion, clearly confused by his words and likely unaccustomed to being taken seriously.

Audun looked pensive, his eyes shifting from Ascalon to the emblem in his hand, before letting out a proud ‘hmph’ and speaking up. “Okay! You work for me now!” He declared with a determined tone, his eyes burning with conviction.

A while later, Ascalon found himself seated behind a wooden box, his right arm propped on its surface. “How did it come to this…?” He asked himself, as he pushed another man’s arm down onto the box. The moment the stranger’s hand hit the wood, the crowd around them erupted in cheers.

“And there you have it! Forty to zero!” Audun proclaimed in triumph, swiftly collecting bills and coins from the animated onlookers.

“Whoa, he’s been at it for so long and still undefeated!” An spectator marveled aloud, earning a few murmurs of agreement and excitement.

“Must be cheating! I’ll prove it to you all!” A tough-looking, beefy man exclaimed, pointing an accusatory finger at the makeshift arm-wrestling stand. Audun flashed a confident smirk, counting his earnings as he replied.

“Go ahead and see for yourself! Place your bets, everyone!” The kid giggled with mischievousness, causing the coins in his pocket to jingle.

Ascalon felt ashamed, a feeling of guilt weighing heavily on his conscience. He was pretty much robbing these people blind… but he had agreed to help the runt, so he would have to atone later in some other way. Just as Ascalon thought about that, the burly man sat down in front of him, shooting a most angry stare at him.

“May the best one win.” Ascalon stated respectfully, while the man simply scoffed and placed his elbow on the table. As Ascalon interlocked hands with him, Audun hurried to place his palm above their fists. The crowd began to fidget with anticipation as Audun's cheerful voice rang out.

“Three… two… one… go!” The kid gave the starting signal, and the man started to push against Ascalon’s hand with all his might. Ascalon sighed in resignation, as his own arm didn’t budge an inch. Another poor sod swindled, he thought, as the stranger’s face turned red, his eyes bulging out partly due to exertion and shock.

Without wanting to humiliate the man further, Ascalon gently pushed the hand onto the box, winning yet another bout. The onlookers gasped and cheered, while the challenger stood in silence for a few seconds, his mouth agape. “Heh, a strong fella.” He said in a nervous voice, placing a bill on the table as he got up and left, clearly trying to save face.

Ascalon smiled with relief, knowing that at least the stranger’s pride remained somewhat intact… perhaps only slightly. As he wondered about that, Audun spoke up with clear excitement. “Forty one to zero!” He declared, relishing the victorious feeling. Ascalon gazed at him gently, thinking that he looked like any other child his age—it was a shame he had resorted to stealing to survive.

At that moment, a voice rang out from behind the crowd. “Hey, what’s going on over there?!” A familiar tone reached Ascalon’s ears, making him perk up.

“Sir Ryan?” The knight murmured to himself, sensing the presence of the lieutenant. But just as he was about to raise his hand and wave past the crowd, Audun pulled on his clothes.

“Crap, run!” He stated as he tried his best to pull Ascalon along. Slightly confused, but utterly amused, Ascalon let himself be dragged by the kid and ran after him, leaving the perplexed onlookers and the lieutenant behind.

Audun laughed cheerfully as he skipped across the streets, and Ascalon chuckled in response. “You’re not that bad—for a tourist!” Audun commented as he ran. “I’ll show you our secret base!” He added, picking Ascalon’s curiosity. The knight smiled, feeling Audun’s trust, and nodded as he followed without complaint.

After a while, they arrived at a run-down building, a strange sight in the upper districts. Audun led the way while humming a cheery tune and occasionally glancing back to make sure Ascalon was following. “Over here!” He exclaimed as he walked past the building and into the adjacent alley.

From there, Audun advanced toward a nearby wall, and pulled aside a wooden sheet that concealed a small hole behind it. Without missing a beat, the child crawled into the opening, leaving a dumbfounded Ascalon behind. “I doubt I can fit there…” The knight said with a mix of amusement and worry. Assessing his surroundings, Ascalon saw a boarded-up window, sparking an idea in his mind.

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“I am sorry about this…” Ascalon apologized to no one in particular as he effortlessly pried the wood from the window, creating an opening large enough for him to fit. He could hear a few curious voices from within, probably concerned about the window suddenly being opened.

With a swift leap over the window’s sill, he entered the building, and the sight before his eye made him gasp in amazement. The inside was filled with old furniture covered with crayon drawings, the floor littered with an assortment of toys and dirty blankets. Amidst the chaotic surroundings stood a multitude of kids, all around the age of Audun, watching him with wariness and intrigue.

“Don’t worry guys, he’s cool!” Audun spoke on Ascalon’s behalf, puffing out his chest with pride. Ascalon bowed slightly to the children, still a bit perplexed. In the next moment, he was swarmed by them from all sides, the many kids bombarding him with so many words that he struggled to keep up.

“He’s so tall!” A small girl said as she looked up, as if gazing upon an unending tower. “And looks strong.” Commented another child, his arms crossed in a sign of pride. “And has a cool scar!” Another kid chimed in, her voice brimming with excitement.

The following minutes were spent with Ascalon answering questions or prying off kids that would climb onto his back, until he relented and gave some of them piggyback rides and such. They were all enjoying themselves, so much that most of the kids started to nap after growing tired.

Among the remaining ones was Audun, who approached Ascalon sheepishly, his ears twitching slightly. “Thanks for playing with them… I can't do it much anymore.” He said with a low, sad tone, but his eyes burned with conviction. “As the oldest, I have to take care of them!” He proclaimed, his tiny fists clenched.

Ascalon was hit with a wave of mixed feelings—from admiration at the small child’s bravery, to a deep sorrow because of their circumstances. ‘Children of war’ were a common sight back in Excadia, both then and now, he had always firmly believed that kids should not bear the burden of adults. They deserved a proper childhood, one much like the one he couldn’t have.

“You are really strong, Audus.” Ascalon stated, earning a warm smile from the boy. “But stealing is…” He continued, pausing as he saw the kid’s downcast expression.

“I know…” Audun replied in a regretful tone. ”But no one will take care of us... most of our parents were taken by Loreno, a really bad guy…” He explained, and Ascalon clicked his tongue in disgust. Loreno had truly been a despicable man.

Still, a glimmer of hope shone for these kids. “You do not have to worry about Loreno anymore—he has been dealt with.” Ascalon revealed with a firm voice, causing both Audun and some of the other awake kids to perk up.

“What?! Really?!” Audun questioned with an excited voice, though a bit of suspiciousness could be seen in his eyes.

“Yes.” Ascalon replied, smiling gently, and the children celebrated among themselves. “But you cannot go on like this…” He continued, looking around the room. They had likely been surviving on their own for a while, but, how long could they continue this way? Ascalon wondered, as he mulled over a possible solution.

Audun looked down, his excitement easing up as he realized the knight was right. “I get it, I’m not a child… but what else can we do?” He asked the knight, his eyes shining with a plea for help.

“Let us talk with sir Ryan!” Ascalon suggested, earning some dubious stares from some of the kids. They probably didn’t like authoritative figures, and understandably so.

“Ryan…” Audun repeated the name, a mix of hesitation and fear in his voice. As if on cue, a voice replied from outside the window.

“You called?” Ryan said as he peeked in, alerting some of the kids and even surprising Ascalon. The knight had been so focused on the kids that he hadn’t even noticed the lieutenant! Ascalon was probably far more tired than he thought.

As the military man jumped in, a few of the kids scrambled toward Audun, hiding behind him. Audun himself stretched his arms as if to protect them, shooting a defiant store to the newcomer. Ryan smiled awkwardly, and then bowed to Ascalon.

“Sir!” He exclaimed a single word, packed with pure joy. Ascalon sighed as he nodded back, relieved that he didn’t have to go and search for him on his own. He had almost regretted having sent Escarlata back!

“Sir Ryan, did you perhaps overhear?” Ascalon asked, a knowing smile forming on his face.

Ryan scratched the back of his head, nodding slightly. “Ah… you caught me, haha.” The military man replied shyly, while Ascalon chuckled.

“That saves time. Can I count on you…?” Ascalon pleaded, his sole eye showing his sincerity. By the confident look on his face, Ryan had understood what Ascalon meant.

“Leave it to me! There are many shelters for orphans in the upper district, and I’ll make sure they don’t get separated either.” Ryan puffed his chest as he smiled with boldness, while some of the kids murmured among themselves. Ascalon’s face softened with relief, as he exhaled loudly.

“I am once again in your debt.” Ascalon stated as he bowed deeply, but Ryan quickly waved his arms as if to stop him.

“No, no, no! You don’t owe me anything! Not now, nor ever!” Ryan proclaimed with utmost sincerity, earning a few ‘wow’ from the kids. His admiration for Ascalon was earning him good points among the children, it seemed.

“S-so… what does all this mean!” Audun suddenly blurted out, a look of both anxiety and anticipation taking over his expression.

“You will no longer have to live like this—they will take proper care of you.” The kids exchanged glances, their eyes glistening with a mix of hope and disbelief.

“Really?” Audun asked in a whisper, clearly reluctant. Ascalon nodded firmly, and the children filled the room with joyous murmur, waking up some of the others.

“You promise…?” Audun questioned with a desperate look on his face as he glanced over to Ryan. The military man gave him an exaggerated thumbs-up before speaking up.

“Of course, I promise! Don’t be fooled by my rank as a lieutenant.” Ryan began, smiling with confidence. “I’m kind of a big deal here in Starugnia!” He declared in triumph, the kids gazing upon him with amazement.

“And I’ll turn a blind eye to your swindling shenanigans… this time only!” Ryan added with a mischievous grin, while Ascalon felt both ashamed and apologetic. Audun simply giggled, a bashful smirk on his face.

Still, Ascalon wondered just what kind of circumstances surrounded Ryan, as he did seem to have quite the authority over the city—though that wasn’t important at the moment. The kids were talking excitedly among themselves, while Ryan stepped back as he produced a black contraption from his pocket—likely going to contact his men.

At the same time, Audun approached Ascalon with a mix of shyness and regret on his expression, and presented both hands to him. In his palms rested Ascalon’s emblem. “Here… I’m sorry…” Audun apologized, looking down, his mouse-like ears drooping. Ascalon placed a hand on his head and ruffled his hair gently.

“Just do not do it again!” Ascalon exclaimed, smiling gently. Audun nodded, and raised his hands higher, urging the knight. Without further ado, Ascalon reclaimed his emblem, a familiar, tingling feeling enveloping him with the touch. Suddenly, he felt a surge of emotions spreading across his chest, and the emblem shone briefly.

Audun and some of the other kids gasped in surprise, while Ascalon peered at his emblem with great interest. A foreboding feeling enveloped him, as if something were about to happen—but as moments passed, he realized it was probably a product of this tiredness.

From there, he spent a bit more with the children, waiting until Ryan’s men arrived to lend a helping hand. “Come visit sometime!” Were Audun’s parting words, as Ascalon waved at both Ryan and the kids. It had been quite the peculiar detour, but one he would remember fondly.

With conviction guiding him, he retraced his steps, intent on returning to the store. He had some questions to ask the shopkeeper—after all, the emblem’s mystery remained unsolved, and the man could perhaps be of help.