Central Britannia.
Later that night, far from the castle, Leywin Loid sat atop the rooftop of a three-storey building. His voice trembled faintly, like that of a child on the verge of tears.
"…Did I make the right decision?"
It was too late to turn back now. There was no point dwelling on it. Words, once spoken, could never be taken back—that was the power and meaning hidden within them.
Ta… ta… ta…
Footsteps approached.
Leywin turned sharply.
A young man stood there pale blue eyes, light blond hair, dressed in a blue sweater and black trousers. He stood at about 1.70 meters, his build muscular, his skin fair.
"Who are you… what do you want?" Leywin asked calmly.
The blond-haired man chuckled, his tone laced with provocation.
"So, you're Leywin Loid the noble whose Spirit Core never awakened. Rumor says your brother stole it before you were even born."
Leywin gazed at him with quiet curiosity.
He must be the raider Lance sent… he sure knows how to act.
Leywin chuckled inwardly.
Because of his S-grade Essence Sea also known as a Spirit Sea, Leywin and Lancelot had already come to an agreement. Leywin would abandon his noble title in order to live.
If outsiders were to discover that Leywin possessed an S-grade Spirit Sea, he would be executed. Such a talent was seen as defying heaven. Even the priest who had awakened Leywin's Essence Sea had been killed to protect this secret.
And there was more.
If Leywin failed to become an immortal within twenty years, he would automatically detonate something the kingdom wouldn't want to see.
Leywin hissed softly.
"Is that your reason for coming here, or are you looking for a fight?"
The blond-haired man smiled.
"My apologies. My name is Lionel Mordred. I'm a raider."
He extended his hand.
"My party is called Dragon's Breath. We're all orphans. No homes, no titles just strength."
Lionel's smile widened slightly.
"Come join my party."
He didn't give Leywin time to think.
"What's your decision," he asked softly, "Mr. Free Man?"
Leywin stared at the outstretched hand, hesitation flickering in his eyes.
For a brief moment, the cold night air pressed heavily against his chest.
In a single evening, Leywin Loid had lost everything his home, his noble title. Truthfully, he didn't know what to do next. He didn't even have food to eat. It felt as though his life had come to a halt.
But thanks to his brother…
He still had an opportunity.
Leywin laughed.
At first, it was quiet shaky and uncertain. But gradually, it grew louder, echoing into the night.
"I think I'll join you," he said calmly. "Since I'm homeless now… just like you."
Lionel blinked in surprise, then grinned.
"Good answer," he said. "From now on, consider yourself one of us. We'll treat you like family and we expect the same from you."
Lionel turned and waved his hand.
Several figure appeared in the rooftop all wearing black suits.
"I'll introduce you to the rest of the group."
He pointed to the boy standing beside him, faint flames flickering around his fingers.
The boy's hair was short and light yellow.like sunlight caught at dawn. His eyes were pale blue, cold and clear, and his nose was small and well-shaped. He was fair-skinned, slim and tall, though not overly so, his height nearly the same as Leywin's. At a glance, it was easy to tell he was youngerster, yet his expression carried none of a youth's softness. There was a sharp, distant coldness in his gaze, as though emotion had been sealed away long ago.
"This is Reinhard Mordred, my younger brother."
Reinhard nodded silently.
"Bro..." Lionel continued, patting Urue Everhour "This is Leywin Loid."
A broad-shouldered young man stepped forward, carrying a massive pack on his back.
The man was muscular and have dark skin but not too dark, with a well-built physique. His hair was short, black, and neatly cut close to his head. He had large eyes and a broad nose, and a clear expression of happiness and joy was written across his face.
"This is Malcolm Reynolds," Lionel said.
Malcolm Reynolds stretch his hand and placed the other in his chest as he bowed.
"Nice to meet you... Leywin or should i say your excellency"
Leywin chuckled and said."It's nice to mee you too feel free to call me Leywin."
"What a gentleman." Lancelot lampooned inward.
"Cedrick Henry, Margaret Rowan, and Elaine Edmund." Lionel point each as he introduced them.
The three of them waved thier hands at Leywin with friendly smiles.
Cedric had fair skin, and there was not a single strand of hair on his head. His eyebrows were completely shaved, and there was no hair anywhere on his body. He had large blue eyes and a small nose. His expression was calm, revealing no emotion on the surface.
Margaret had a pleasing appearance. Her skin was fair, her eyes were small, and her nose was well-shaped. Her lips were pink, tender, and soft. Her height was average compared to the people of Britannia, and she was neither too slim nor too heavy her figure was well-balanced and graceful. Her earrings were white, sparkling like finely cut gems.
Elaine was beautiful. Her skin was fair, and her eyes were like purple jewels not too dark, not too light. Her nose was small, as were her ears. Her lips were painted purple, and her earrings matched in color, small yet elegant.
Cedric cast a transportation spell.
The ground trembled, then slowly split apart as magic essence poured forth in a steady stream. It flowed from Cedric's black staff, a wooden shaft crowned with a single orb at its tip. The essence surged toward the opening in the earth, filling it again and again.
After several minutes, the violent flow settled. The opening stabilized, and a dark blue light began to form like a water in a bowl.
Cedric spoke in a calm but urgent tone.
"It's ready. Let's go now, before the spell destabilizes."
One by one, the members of Dragon's Breath leapt onto the teleportation circle without hesitation, their figures swallowed by the dark blue light.
Leywin Loid expression tightened. Worry flickered across his face as he stood at the edge of the circle, hesitating for a brief moment.
Then he clenched his jaw and entered the teleportation circle.
Central Britain, Raiders Guild.
The building itself was massive constructed from dark gray stone blocks stacked with precise craftsmanship. Tall pillars framed the entrance, each carved with worn reliefs of warriors, beasts, and crossed weapons. Above the wide double doors, a large iron emblem was embedded into the stone: two crossed blades over a shield.
The doors were always open because the guild has never taken a break since the first opening.
The street leading to the guild was never quiet weather it was day or night, it was one of the most busiest city in Britannia.
Wide stone paving stretched in both directions, polished smooth by countless boots, carts, and carriage wheels. The stones were uneven in color some darkened by old stains, others freshly replaced giving the road a rugged, lived-in appearance.
Noise filled the air.
Boots struck stone in rapid rhythm. Wheels creaked under the weight of loaded carts. Voices overlapped endlessly arguing, laughing, shouting, bargaining.
Merchants lined both sides of the street, their stalls packed tightly together. Wooden tables displayed weapons wrapped in cloth, bundles of dried rations, coils of rope, metal tools, and worn leather gear. Hanging signs swung above shop entrances, creaking softly in the breeze.
Some buildings were two stories tall, others three, their upper floors leaning slightly forward as if crowding the street below. Windows were open, curtains fluttering, and from above came the sounds of conversation, laughter, and the clatter of dishes.
A lot of people passed by. Raiders were the most noticeable.
Men and women wearing worn armor, patched cloaks, and heavy boots passed by in groups. Some looked confident and relaxed, others exhausted and injured. Bandages wrapped arms and heads. Dried blood stained sleeves. Their weapons swords, axes, spears were strapped to their backs or dragged slightly against the ground.
Some Raiders argued loudly about reward splits. Others laughed, slapping each other on the back. A few sat on crates near the guild entrance, eating hurried meals or sharpening blades.
Nobles were rare but when they appeared, they stood out immediately. Well-dressed men and women in fine coats and polished boots walked with guarded expressions, often escorted by guards. They avoided eye contact with the Raiders and commoners, moving quickly through the crowd.
Common townsfolk filled the rest of the street: Shopkeepers calling out to customers, children darting between adults before being yanked back by anxious parents, carriages rolled past at a slow pace, drivers shouting warnings as pedestrians jumped aside. Some carriages stopped briefly near the guild, allowing cloaked figures to step down before disappearing inside.
Right before the doors, the street grew even more chaotic.
A large notice board stood to the side, covered in layered papers some freshly nailed, others torn and weathered. People gathered around it constantly, pointing, arguing, ripping down old notices and replacing them with new ones.
Two guards stood near the entrance not ceremonial, but practical. Their armor was plain, their expressions sharp. They watched the crowd carefully, hands resting near their weapons, ready to step in if a fight broke out.
Occasionally, raised voices turned into shoving. When that happened, nearby Raiders either backed away or gathered closer, eager to watch.
Inside the open doors, shadows shifted constantly as people entered and exited. The sound of the street spilled into the building and mixed with voices from within, making it impossible to tell where the noise truly began or ended.
A sudden water splash echoed across the street.
It was sharp and unnatural, cutting through the constant noise outside the Raiders' Guild.
People nearby instinctively turned their heads.
In front of the guild neither too close nor too far from the entrance the stone-paved road rippled as if it had turned into water. The solid ground distorted, trembling in widening circles, and from its center a hole made of dark blue light welled upward, flowing like liquid pulled from beneath the world itself.
Another splash rang out.
Then another.
Figures began to rise from the hole.
One by one, several individuals emerged from the dark blue hole.
Water-like ripples spread across the stone beneath their feet before slowly fading, leaving the road intact dry, solid, and unchanged, as if nothing unnatural had occurred at all.
The light dimmed.
The last figure stepped forward.
With a soft, final splash, the dark blue glow collapsed inward and vanished, leaving only stunned silence behind.
The teleportation circle transport all of them to Raider's Guild. As soon as they appeared in Raider's Guild Margaret gaze turned toward Urue Everhour.
Margaret walked closer to Urue Everhour and start's explaining with her hands.
She said, her voice calm but firm, "I know you must be anxious about the crowd, but things like this happen every day. Where do you think we are? We're in the Central of Britannia no place is as busy as here."
Her gaze swept over the bustling street. Merchants shouted over one another, peddling spices, textiles, and trinkets. Carts rattled along the cobblestones, drawn by sturdy horses whose hooves clattered in rhythm with the chatter of citizens. Children darted between legs, weaving through the tide of people, while town criers called out the latest news and announcements.
The buildings pressed close together, a mix of narrow, timber-framed houses and broader stone storefronts. Bright awnings shaded busy windows, and the scent of baked bread mingled with roasted meat and the tang of horse stables. Every corner seemed alive a constant flow of movement, noise, and color that marked the heart of Britannia's trade and culture.
"Here," she continued, "you will see scenes like this every single day. So, don't be startled. Watch and learn if there is any problem don't be shy to ask me for advice."
Even as she spoke, a cart laden with barrels nearly toppled, sending a clatter of wood and iron across the street, only to be steadied by the agile hands of a passing merchant. Life in the Central of Britannia moved fast, and it waited for no one.
"To raid a dungeon," she explained, "you need a team of five or more raiders each with a role. A healer, supporter, spell caster, long-range offender, and a short-range offender."
She pointed to each member as she spoke.
"I'm the healer, Elaine is our long-range offender, Cedrick is our spell caster defense, transportation and others, Lionel handles close combat."
She patted Malcolm's shoulder.
"Malcolm is our carriage. His spirit core allows him to store massive amounts of supplies."
Finally, she glanced at Reinhard.
"And Reinhard's spirit core is Eternal Flames blue flames that causes damage that cannot be healed."
Leywin Loid swallowed.
That's… terrifying.
Raider's Guild is one of business center own by the royal family of Britainna it is a place where Raider usually registered and get thier licence without theses licence they cannot participate in Raides. While Raiders are group of people who risk thier life to participate in raids for wealth and fame.
"So, Leywin," she asked casually, "what are your abilities? I am curious i would like to know."
Leywin hesitated.
My abilities…
A thought flickered in Leywin's mind. I can't exactly say i don't have spirit core for a noble not to have spirit core they will just use me as laugh stock…
If he admitted the truth, the others especially seasoned Raiders would certainly look down on him. They'd treat him like a liability, an untested or expired asset. It was better if only the captain knew his true state.
Sometimes, an incomplete truth is safer than a full disclosure, he reasoned. And a truth carefully combined with a lie? That can be far more effective than either alone.
He straightened his posture, his voice steady, betraying none of the unease within. "I'm a close-range offender," Leywin Loid said calmly, masking the uncertainty swirling beneath his words.
Margaret shut her mouth as a small smile spread across her face, eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and amusement.
Leywin Loid continued, keeping his tone calm and even.
"That's fine for now. We can talk more later. If you're curious about my abilities, just ask the captain."
Margaret simply nodded, saying nothing, though her expression hinted that she was already weighing his words carefully.