What should he do next? Those were Dio’s thoughts as he watched people went back and forth through his window. He watched how everyone seemed to be sure of what they were doing and move towards the destination that they intended to reach. How about him? He was done with his training and he reached the lowest floor of the dungeon. He wanted to be the strongest-- to be the best. Deep inside, he knew that he could do it. He could be the best in the empire but he still needed to be covert. He couldn’t catch any more attention than he already caught. “Arkin! Won’t you come with us to the market?” Calyx waved his hand with a grin on his face as he looked up at Dio’s window. Dio closed his eyes for a second before he nodded his head. “Wait for me.” He wasn’t planning to go outside for that day but he believed that he should also take a breather. His mind wouldn’t clear up if he kept on going in circles. “The door is there

Since the market was turned upside down, Dio and the others went back with Kael in tow. On their way back to the inn, Calyx kept Kael entertained but the young mister was distracted as he stole glances at Dio.“Are you sure that you know Arkin?” Calyx asked when he caught him looking in Dio’s direction again.“So he started using his first name again, huh? Arkin Dio von Roman--“Calyx immediately covered his mouth. “Arkin hates it if you connect his name to the House Romanov.”Kael’s brows furrowed as he pushed away Calyx’s hand. “He really is a ball of pride. He should be getting along well with young master Art if he didn’t reject the Romanovs.”Calyx chuckled as he watched Dio listen to Crystal’s blabbering. “He finds it bothersome.”Kael smiled as he walked towards Dio. “I finally found you, young master Dio.”Dio glared at Kael.

“Gramps!” The nine-year-old Dio ran towards the store where his grandfather was waiting for him.“Did you have fun, young one?” Archie smiled as he messed Dio’s hair.“Yes. Uncle Royce brought me to a weapon shop and he bought me these wooden daggers!” he happily exclaimed as he showed him the daggers.“Are you into daggers now? Uncle Royce would teach you how to wield those,” Archie said with a smile.“I don’t think I’m the right person to teach him, my lord. The young master would enjoy his lessons if you were to teach him,” Royce butted in.“Uncle, I told you not to call me young master.” Dio pouted before he tugged his pants. “Teach me how to use these!”“I’ll

“Good timing, Dio! Since you are going to the south, travel with us until we reach the west,” Mr. Hearth said with a wide grin when he saw him near the gate of the northwest territory. “You’re planning to use me as a guard, don’t you?” Dio smirked as he put his hand in his pockets. “I’ll cover for your food throughout the journey.” Mr. Hearth grinned. “I would feel safer if I knew that you were around.” “Stop the nonsense flattery. It would be a win-win situation so I wouldn’t refuse.” Dio jumped in the wagon and the Hearth Merchant Guild started on their journey to the west. Dio just sat there at the corner as he tried to ignore the stolen glances and the constant buzzing of the other adventurers. He closed his eyes as he petted Blur that was comfortably asleep on his lap. “Was he the monster rookie that the others were talking about?” “I thought he never left the dungeons unless he was out of supplies?” “What is he doing here

Dio smiled subtly when he saw the gates of the south city. It was a view that he never really noticed before but seeing it in front of him at that moment felt so nostalgic. One of the imperial knights guarding the gates lent his hand and he put two big silver coins on it.“The toll is just 50 shekels,” the guard mumbled as he opened the gates for him.“The other silver coin was for you to buy some snacks after your duty.” Dio entered the gates with Blur rested on his head.His smile faded when he saw the place around him. He had been away for a year and a half but the changes he saw felt like it had been more than that. How did the south city fall that low? The buildings looked like they were abandoned and most walls of the houses were covered in moss. Even the streets weren’t maintained and the alleyways looked worse than the slums.What happened to the south city after he left?He looked for the path leading to their