Chương 2: Prelude to Irrationality
—Unified Period, the Year 1514. Town of Fier—
Within the westernmost point of the Querith Kingdom, people can find a small town constructed with layers upon layers of seamless sandstone. It stands out as one of the most visited lands within its respective domain but the reason may not be as grand as one would primarily think.
The Town of Fier was built to serve two of its purposes: One, all descendants of the Cursed King from ancient times will live here. And two, to use them as livestock—or even fodder to appease the noble's craving for wealth, lust, and power. It is a system designed by the rising echelon that manifests and oversees all activities within the Kingdom.
Naturally, this meant that the Descendants, or what we call the "Damniants", didn't have any privileges nor could they voice out their inner feelings to change their irrational fate.
The Nobles, Royals, and those who follow the wisdom of Yddra are called "Eliads". These Eliads have the blood of the Saints and live within the innermost circle of the Kingdom, far from the Town of Fier where gloom devours it.
To put it in a simple way, the Damniants are the commoners while the Eliads are those who wield power to discipline them. The Ancient Era influenced these changes in the current generation and despite the passive approach of the Damniants, the Eliads still decided that it is better to lock them in oppression and strip them of their privileges in order to keep them disciplined.
For them, this injustice is insurance—protection so that the Descendants of the Cursed King will not attack them in case someone rebels. Their fear that the Damniants have the power to unleash a demonic beast in this world has gotten to their head, prompting them to take precautions against it with the use of Divine Arts.
However... There's one thing that they failed to comprehend. You could even say that this mistake will gradually devour them as it goes on.
"The ones who will unleash a Devil and put an end to this world are not the Damniants."
* * *
It was a busy day as usual.
Stalls were lined up in the hall of the market accompanied by the proliferating mass. Sunrays were shining through the gaps of the cumulus clouds, each light blooms in a graceful way as it hit the ground.
This is the Town Square of Fier. A public place that is generally used as a space for certain businesses. Vendors and Merchants can be found anywhere even at the exit of the material haven.
One of the shops located in the queue market is a small Smithy—the only workshop that exists in Fier. They are the ones responsible for the development of certain materials, weaponry, gears, and all mechanically arranged products that booms in the Town Square.
Throughout the years, this workshop has developed its own trademark that even the Eliads from the capital are requesting their services in return for a large sum. It would seem that the land of Damniants has more talented Blacksmiths than those who reside in their internal margin.
If Zubayr—the owner of the Workshop—were to give some guess about the reason for their decline in talent, it would be because they're living in luxury and the Damniants have opened their hidden skills to survive.
Even so, the Workshop doesn't produce high-quality products based on their talent alone. Their products are created with the help of everyone inside. And one of the workers who participated in its consecutive success is a ten-year-old boy named Rin Einfried.
A kid who has been involved in several projects and was the hardest worker among them. For others, child labor may not be accepted and is usually an issue that the government tackles nowadays but for a poverty-stricken place, this is normal. From Rin's point of view, the increase of child labor in town and poverty, in general, is because of their lineage.
Today is also another busy day for him but for some reason, he is a little distracted.
"Hey, Rin..." Zubayr called out to him but there was no response.
Rin was staring in a daze outside while holding the hammer used for pounding the metal. Zubayr noticed that he was pale and almost looks like he is in a perpetual state where he can't even hear his boss.
"Rin!"
"Hey, Rin!"
"Hah... RIN!"
"H-Huh? AH!!!" Zubayr's loud call brought him back to his senses. He dropped the hammer on the ground and stumbled a few steps before regaining his balance.
"What in the goddamn world is wrong with you? You've been staring into space for some time now, didn't you hear me?"
"Ah... I'm sorry, Mr. Zubayr. It's just that... my head started to hurt and I couldn't concentrate." Rin hold his head and gazed down.
"Are you alright? If you can't work then go home and lie down. It would be bad for us if you collapse here. We've got a lot of orders from the capital again."
"No, it's fine. I'm okay... I'll continue my work." Rin immediately declined and goes back to work.
It was faint but Zubayr feels like there was something hanging on within Rin's nature.
(That boy... He seems a little worried.)
As Rin gave the materials to him, he started picking up the hammer and pounded the metal once again. The sound of the metal getting shaped with a clang continued to reverberate inside. The workers continued their development without any issues for the next hour.
After sending the constructed product, Rin sat near the anvil and rested for a while. He was still thinking about the premonition that he had received while working earlier, causing him to get distracted.
(This is the eleventh time that I have seen this dream...)
At first, he didn't really care about the details of it. He thought that it was just a regular dream incited by his stress at work and shrugged it off but, he couldn't help but get worried. He described this dream in one word: Doom. Every time he's dreaming he feels like he is connected to them.
"Rin, we're done with the last batch. Go home and get some rest, got it?" Zubayr entered the resting room.
"What? But we still have some orders, right? I can still work on it." Rin stood up.
"Nah, we're close for today. Those orders can wait until next month since the client didn't give his word. In the meantime, you should take a break from work and relax. You look like you've seen a dead ghost or something..."
It was obvious from Rin's face that he was horrified. Whatever it is that is bugging him, Zubayr couldn't help but set this event out to let Rin compose himself and spend time with his mother.
As he said that, Rin took a quick look at the weapons that Zubayr have created for the past few years. Plenty of swords and polearms were hanging on the display section. There are also shields and armor stacked on the barrels and shelves.
"Why do you create weapons like this, Mr. Zubayr? Can't we just use our magic?" Rin asked.
"Hmph, if you're referring to the teaching of Divine Arts then no, not all people can use magic, Rin." He grunted.
"Why is that...?"
"That's because our lineage doesn't let us use it. We are the Descendants of the Cursed King, and Divine Arts are like metals that we workers won't get our hands on because of our status. These weapons are created to replace that. Think about it, if I can use magic right now, would I be raising my arm to pound metals?"
"No, I guess that makes sense..." Rin doesn't really know how Divine Arts are used in their world.
Divine Arts is a mystical craft that existed during the Ancient Era. It is an ordinance given by the First God that has the ability to give humans magical power and invoke spells that tampers the natural laws of the world. A catalyst that conjures illogical phenomena through one's will and imagination.
Since Eliads called themselves children of the Saints, most of them can use Divine Arts. It is also the reason why most of their military forces are called Royal Mages. They don't use weapons in the war, instead, they cast offensive spells that obliterate their enemy.
The amount of magical power that a person has varies based on their lineage. And if we infer that the ruling exists everywhere then those who are born with the Cursed King's blood are not compatible with Divine Arts. Hence, why most people in Rin's land couldn't use magic.
But even though they can't use it. It doesn't mean that it is impossible for them to cast a spell.
Divine Arts is not an easy craft that you can master in a split second. You cannot cast a spell without the knowledge of its process and authority.
Simply put, Damniants need a long time to study Divine Arts before they could use them. Having the commoners' access to education about Divine Arts will greatly improve their systematic life but whether that eventuality will come depends on the brass' order.
"Here, take this..." Zubayr gave Rin his pay for the day which is ten silver coins but there's another one.
"What is this?" Rin analyzed the blade that Zubayr gave. It is a small dagger made from carbon steel which is a top-tier metal for crafting weapons. Its design gave off the impression that it could be sold for a couple of gold coins. Rin could easily see the reflection of his face through the blade.
"A little gift for you. I actually wanted to create a sword but I figured this little baby will be more suitable for your style. I refined this using the highest quality of metal we have here. If you want to test its durability and sharpness, feel free to hunt some bore outside." Zubayr grinned, proud of the handicraft that he gave.
"E-Eh?! Are you sure I can take this? Isn't this expensive? You could instantly get rich if we sell this to the Eliads, right?"
"Those spoiled brats who can wield magic don't need gears like this. Well anyway, just take that and leave. It is my thanks for your hard work over the past few months..."
Rin smiled and bowed gracefully. "Thank you so much!"
After packing his things, Rin left the workshop and headed over to a small bakery on the opposite road. He bought a couple of bread with the coins that he received.
"Umm... This only costs two bronze coins." The woman was perplexed when Rin handed her silver coins.
The way how currency works in the Querith Kingdom is that one gold coin is equivalent to ten silver coins and one silver coin is equivalent to ten bronze coins and so on.
"Oh... Keep the change." Rin strode off without any hesitation.
"Wait! Little boy!"
Rin's home is just a few meters away from the Town Square and it is located through the forest site. Since most people in Fier conduct their business with nature, they have decided to build small villages on the outskirts where they could hunt easily. Being one with nature provides them with ease and a sense of peacefulness despite their deep problem of poverty.
"Mother, I'm home...!" As Rin opened the door, he immediately jumped to embrace his mother, Aulina.
"Welcome back, Rin!" She gracefully accepted his embrace and returned it. "Are you hungry?"
"Mhmm!"
"Let's eat then, I prepared your favorite food." Aulina brought the pot to the table and served Rin a bowl of soup and a portion of meat that she roasted.
"Ah, I also bought this, Mother..." Rin handed her the bread.
"Oh, you got paid today?" She asked.
"Yep! Mr. Zubayr also told me that we have no work for the next few days."
"Really?! You have some free time now?" Aulina was surprised, a rare look that Rin have been expecting.
"Yep, we should do some shopping in the Town Square, Mother. I wanna buy you some clothes!" Rin suggested.
"Mhm, let's do it tomorrow then..."
As they finished eating, Aulina and Rin washed the dishes together and engaged in some lovely mother-and-son talk.
"Hey, Rin... I'm sorry if I'm always relying on you." Auline spoke in a solemn voice, perhaps she was still feeling guilty that she made Rin do some labor to help them survive.
He looked at her but instead of frowning, Rin smiled. "It's okay, Mother. As long as I can be with you, I wouldn't mind taking some jobs. I understand fully well that we need to strive for our future..."
Rin's mother, Aulina, has a strange illness that weakens her body. Every time she does some work, she would always feels tired after a few minutes and that exhaustion often leads to sickness and causes her to vomit blood. Naturally, Rin had asked for help for some doctors but even they couldn't really understand what was causing her body to feel weak.
That's why she's only at home most of the time and doing simple chores. Rin eventually decided that he will work for her and that's the reason why he ended up at the workshop.
His goal was to earn some money, enough to buy a ticket into the capital and ask some Divine Arts user to heal her using magic. At some point, it is the only hope that he can think of after opening his eyes.
"You're not mad at me...?" Aulina asked.
"Why would I?"
"Well, I'm the reason why you can't play with the others and live a normal life. Most parents wouldn't like their child to bear responsibilities and yet here I am, ultimately relying on you..."
For Aulina, the most painful strike she could experience in her life is not her sickness but seeing her child suffer because of their irregular circumstance. Parents are supposed to nurture and support their children. Bearing the responsibilities, working to feed them, and sacrificing their life to raise them is a procedure that was born from their love for their offspring. And yet their roles have been reversed because of her illness.
This distressing and lamentable state has left Aulina feeling guilty.
"Mother, I'm not blaming you at all..."
"Eh..." Rin stroked his mother's head and smiled in glee.
"So what if I can't play with the other kids? So what if you can't support me? I don't care about any of that. As long as we're healthy and living in peace, as long as I can see you, that's all I need to be happy."
Rin is not a selfish boy. This mindset is deeply rooted in the fact that they are living miserably in a wretched bliss. He opened his eyes at an early age, and maturity came in. That's how he was able to adapt to the environment. He was already prepared to throw it all away from the start if that means saving his mother.
Aulina shed some tears upon Rin's consolation.
The moment he stops, Rin knew that there will be no future for them. That's why he must try his best so that both of them could survive.
* * *
The next day. As Rin promised, he took his mother to the Town Square and gave her some of his income to be used for a shopping spree.
"Hey, Rin... I want to go to that store!" Aulina pulled Rin like a bratty girl who hasn't been able to keep her excitement.
"E-Eh? But Mother, we've been buying a lot of stuff recently... Aren't these enough?" Rin asked as he held bags containing wares, clothes, groceries, and food. They've spent two hours shopping across the street but it looks like they're not done yet.
"Don't worry, I'm just gonna take a look around. I'll be back here, okay?"
"W-Wait, Mother!"
"See ya~!" And just like that, Aulina rushed through the crowd and she was not even worried about her health at all.
"Hah... I just wish she could be more cautious about her health." Rin heaved a sigh. Although he was worried about her condition, rin couldn't help but appreciate the delighted expression that her mother is shedding right now. He knows what her mother has been feeling lately so it was relieving to see her enjoy herself.
Since Aulina would take a while, Rin decided to take a stroll around the Square for some window shopping. Most of the stores are occupied and he could even see a couple of Eliads visiting it. Quality is the only difference that the capital and this poverty-stricken land have apart so it is only natural for it to be visited.
Upon walking to the fruit district, Rin saw a bunch of burly men who seemed to be vendors surrounding a little girl near the alley.
"Hmm?"
He jogged for a bit and hit beside the box to hear the commotion.
"Hey! Stop right there!"
"Kyaa!" The girl fell down as she ran away from the vendors. One of them pulled her arm and squeezed it. "Iyaahhh! Let me gooo!"
"You little brat! You have some guts to steal some fruit, huh?!"
"L-Let me goo! Please...!" The girl pleaded as she cried.
"Oh, crap..." Noticing that she was hurting, Rin dropped his things on the slums and quickly moved outside to call the burly men. "Please let her go!"
"Huh?!" However, instead of receiving a response, one of the vendors kicked Rin in his stomach, causing his body to crush through the wall.
"Ugh..."
"Stay out of this you little twerp..."
Pain shot throughout his body and he felt like he was being dragged. But thanks to his experience in the workshop, Rin developed a sturdy body so it wasn't really that serious.
"P-Please..." Pushing his upward, Rin bowed inwardly to the vendors. The girl was staring at him with a sad face. "Please take this instead... I'll pay for it..."
"Hmm?" Rin grabbed a few silver coins from his pocket and gave them to the man.
"Hmph, let her go. If you do this again, there will be no mercy, got it?!"
Scared, the girl nodded several times before proceeding on crying. The man let go of her arm as they walk out and she started weeping. Rin approached the girl and embraced her from behind.
"Don't worry... Everything's fine now..."
Sniffling, she looked at Rin and saw that he was smiling at her. She wondered what would've happened if this young boy didn't save her. Would she get punished by those scary-looking guys? She doesn't know.
This kind of experience is certainly new for her. And for such a young age, it would be traumatizing.
However, the girl instantly felt comfortable when she saw Rin's smile. Making her easily forget what happened just now.
It was a fixed fate. A destiny, if you want to call it that.
This was the day when the Abyss Lord and the Supreme Leader of Vendetta met.
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