Ashe stared in a daze. The bloodshed. The savagery. The rage of the people. It was both horrifying and extremely interesting to see. For once, she had come close to seeing true human nature.

"What are you going to do now, Nadia?" Ashe turned to the muscular woman.

Nadia lifted her chin and observed the vast empty woods in front. "Right now. It is best to get out of here and find a safe place to settle down

The woods seem fine enough."

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Siderius said. His palm rested on the pommel of Blazing Soul. "Your people are exhausted, malnourished and broken. They are very fierce now. But that is fueled by anger.

Soon, reality will face them and show them they don't have an ounce of strength left in those bodies."

"What do you suggest we'll do then?"

"Stay here. Use the facility to treat the wounded and rest. The guard should have enough food and water for all of you."

Nadia chuckled. "That won't do. The Bailiff will probably know about us. He will send his men.

This place will become a death trap."

"He won't." Siderius grinned from ear to ear. "Because he will die by my hands. TODAY!"

Nadia clenched her jaw. All of the miners nearby looked at Siderius. His glowing golden eyes and his long flowing white hair. An expression of pure rage filled his face.

They never thought that he could make such a face. They always saw him with a lingering smile on his face, even in battle.

"Do you need our help?" Nadia said.

Siderius shook his head. "Only me and Ashe will be sufficient."

Carsten approached the trio from afar. "Snow, my friend. I know you've changed. But there are many guards in Mucktown. At least fifty of them.

You can't stand against them on your own."

"That is where you are wrong, my friend."

Siderius placed his hand on Carsten's shoulder. "Rest. Reserve your strength. And help the others.

We should sit down and have a talk after this. I still haven't found out how you know me."

Carsten chuckled lightly and scratched his head. "You probably forget. We only met once, long ago, when we're still children."

"I see."

Siderius turned to Nadia. "Keep your men inside. Shut the gate. You will be fine as long as you don't step foot on Mucktown. I will take care of everything."

Nadia nodded.

Siderius whistled high. Red replied with a neigh. The red horse ran to Siderius' location, its red mane blowing in the night.

"The horse…" Nadia's eyes lit up in joy. "He looks well. You must have taken care of him carefully."

Red approached Nadia and pushed its head to her hands.

"Aye. I tried my best. But Red saw its fair share of danger as well."

Nadia smiled. Then she stepped back, giving space for the steed and its rider. She raised Red but it wasn't her anymore.

Siderius climbed on Red. He reached out his hand to help Ashe get on.

"What are we going to do, Master?" Ashe said.

"We're cleaning up the filthy muck in this town."

Siderius rode away with Ashe holding him tightly.

Carsten waved goodbye to the two of them while Nadia's eyes were lost in a daze.

She realized something. She realized that they were put on a path. A path that they couldn't simply walk off anymore. That man wouldn't allow them. Fate wouldn't allow them. They both had plans.

Siderius rode Red straight to Mucktown. On his way there, he could see the circus at the outskirts with its large colorful tent and a joyful atmosphere with all kinds of music.

It was the weekend and the people of Mucktown must have bought themselves a little treat at the circus. Unfortunately, Siderius would have to ruin this very quickly.

But first, he needed to deal with the Bailiff. You must cut off the snake head before roasting it.

Siderius focused back to Mucktown and ignored the circus.

The two guards standing in front of Mucktown were leaning on the main gate. One lowered their head and was half asleep. The other held onto his spear to not fall down.

They both heard the gallop approaching from a distance. The two of them lifted their heads up to see the horse in red come crashing straight at them.

"Stop right there!"

One guard stood in the middle of Red's path. He raised his spear at the horse.

"Move!" Siderius shouted.

"Stop right there!" The guard repeated.

"Hmph! Ashe." Siderius ducked down.

Ashe raised her bow behind him and released an arrow. The arrow flew straight into the abdomen of the guard. Luckily, he moved out of the way instead of standing in place.

The arrow went past him and with it were Siderius and Ashe coming right after. The horse passed through the gate and went directly into town.

"Intruder! Intruder!"

The guard ran away and rang the alarm bell. The few guards inside of Mucktown woke up from their slumbers. There were around ten guards at the gate and the towers surrounding it.

They weren't quick enough to stop Siderius. When they arrived at the scene, all they could see was the silhouette of him and Ashe slowly getting smaller in the distance.

"We need to inform the Bailiff!" One guard shouted.

"Yes, we can. But I suspect the Bailiff will already know it before our messenger comes."

Siderius rode the horse on the muddy ground of Mucktown. The dirt here was soft and soggy, filled with dirty water.

There weren't that many people who dared to ride a horse in town. It wasn't allowed. So when the commoners heard the gallop inside their house, they knew something serious was happening.

A few who were still awake rushed to their window and looked out to the outside via the cracks.

Some who were awakened scattered on their feet to see what was going on. They could only see the footprints left behind by Red.

The pub of the commoners was still open that day. Kraus was there with his right hand man, Geolark, and the third thug, Billy.

With Kraus' leadership, their group had grown bigger. All the original thugs were killed by Siderius, leaving only three of them to survive. With the new purpose, Kraus rebuilt this group.

However, the thugs had changed. They weren't thugs anymore but eyes and ears in the shadows. They stopped bothering the good people and actually trying to contribute to this town. Their job needed them to be good citizens.

Kraus was smart as well. He picked his men carefully and only recruited those who could be trusted. Siderius paid well so the coins were the best guarantee for these 'freelancers' loyalty.

The original three thugs never said anything about the guild, as they should be. However, all the thugs in the group knew that they weren't simple cutthroats.

This group even maintained order in the lowest level of Mucktown. The usual troublemakers were taken care of by them. Surprisingly, people rewarded them with coins for their good deeds.

They were also rewarded by doing all kinds of jobs in Mucktown. People called them 'helpers'. With Siderius' silver coins and the 'helper' job they made for themselves, the group lived quite well. Much better than when Big Snout Gert was leading the group.

The group were drinking and chatting in the commoners pub when they heard the gallop. Because of their recent good deeds, the pub welcomed and treated them much better than before.

Kraus snapped his head toward the noise. He saw Red run in the night.

Kraus, Geolark and Billy stood up immediately. They rushed to the door, watching Siderius rushing to the Bailiff's household.

"That is..." Geolark mumbled but didn't continue. He didn't dare to name Siderius' title in public.

The other thugs also came over.

"What's happening?"

"Who dares ride in town?"

"Look at that white hair..."

Kraus's brow furrowed. He turned to his men.

"Summon everyone. Tell their family and friends to not intervene whatever that rider is going to do."

"Why, Kraus?" A thug asked.

"Just do as I say if you value your life!"

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