Earl Yan

"So, you've come from the Campania's Domain?"

"Yes."

This was the 45th guard at the border of the Teuton Domain. The Valkyrie was starting to get pissed at the humans before her. If she had to go through another row of guards again, the Valkyrie swore she would be soon committing mass genocide.

But at least these guards were from the underworld society. Any Mage that could recognize her could spell trouble for both parties. If it was normal humans, they might suspect her of terrorism. She could be one if she's not allowed to get through the damned border.

"And what is your purpose of being here?" asked the man once more.

"To pay a visit to the Earl that knows the Marquess."

"The Earl's name?"

"Yan."

"Ma'am, we've already said. There's no such Earl within the Domain."

And finally, before the Valkyrie had decided to seal their fate once and for all, the man himself came.

"What's all the commotion?" asked the Earl.

"Earl!" said the guards, saluting the tall, dark-skinned man.

The Earl was dressed in a blue suit, a navy blue tailcoat, and a blue ocean vest. His inner shirt was white, and his necktie was sky blue. He had a pair of black boots laced up to his shin. His features would infer that he was only hitting his thirties.

He had a long, golden brown fringe that was combed back. His short hair was kept neatly shaven, and his eyes were black. They were on the smaller side, but the package as a whole painted a formidable picture to anyone that dared to oppose him.

"This woman came from the Campania's Domain. Claimed that she wanted to meet an Earl called Yan," explained one of the guards.

"Yes, so can I please meet him?" asked the frustrated Valkyrie once more.

The Valkyrie swore she had heard a laugh coming out from the man.

"Don't worry, good sirs. I will be taking this stray to my place," ordered the Earl as he placed a firm grip on the tired Valkyrie's shoulders.

"Do you need an escort?" asked the guard once more.

"No need. I've got one of my own. You lot continue to take care of the border, alright?" asked the Earl, walking away with the angered Valkyrie.

As they were out of sight and into the alleyways, the Valkyrie decided to channel all her anger into one punch. Towards the Earl.

"And why did you not tell them your name?" she asked as the poor Earl rubbed the bruised part.

"Minute Luminus," said the Valkyrie, shooting an index finger up.

The tip of her finger glowed. Earl Yan seemed captivated before earning another punch.

"I am an Earl. But, Yan is my nickname within the underworld. No commoner or human within the Campania's Domain is allowed to call me by that. They only know me as the Earl of Campania," explained Yan, bringing the Valkyrie down a secret tunnel.

"But those are not commoners," replied Mavislin, remembering the guards.

"Only those within the top of the Domain know my name as Yan."

"Seems pretty fishy to hide your name."

"I'd find it rude for those I don't know to speak my name so casually."

"An Earl, through and through," said Mavislin, shrugging her shoulders.

Yan gave a hint of disapproval before heading downstairs.

The tunnel had a long, steep staircase made out of stones. Its walls were littered with torches, beautified with cracks and leaks. The slight patter of rainwater and the duo's footsteps were the only sounds heard from within the eerie area.

"So, why can I call you by your name?"

"Though you may seem like it, you are not of our kind. Nevertheless, I've heard about you a lot, and your achievements are to be praised. So I'm fine with it if I see one as the same rank."

"Please. We want to protect our kind. Cast away from the eyes of the public, and we sought refuge with each other. In a sense, we are selfish."

"Humans are the same as well, no different than you guys. We fight to protect our haven, braving any consequences after. But when Death comes knocking, we are still unprepared."

The place was overwhelmed with the foul stench of death.

"The true filth, the underworld society's headquarters," complained Mavislin as they hopped over a few rotting corpses.

"At least these did not die from the hands of those Umbras," replied Yan, without an inch of remorse.

Perhaps, living within the underworld has made most numb towards death and disgrace.

"You've heard from Minwoo?"

"Yep, I've just sent out the last of my reports. Besides, how did you get here without a boat or an escort?"

"You know who I truly am, right?" asked Mavislin, raising an eyebrow.