Samuel Al-jael Ysmir. 1

==Side Story==

I was rotting in the slums, like always. I have to rummage the garbage in the main street because at least there is some food left in there.

I also have to fight for food sometimes, but I'm getting weaker and weaker. I guess my time will come soon enough.

"Hmm… "

What is this child looking at? He is wearing some fancy clothes. Probably that of a servant. I've seen them do errands before, I've even tried stealing from them but I guess the whole slum was turned upside down because of that.

"You're definitely a good addition."

"h-huh?"

What is this kid saying? I don't understand, he seems to be five years old if we look at his height.

"What's your name?" He asked coldly.

"What do you want…? If you want to contact that thieves guild you shouldn't go here."

"Ah-ah— that's not what I'm asking. And the Thieves guild is already ravaged by fire."

"huh?"

"I burned it along with its members"

My heart skipped a beat, now that I think about there aren't any members of the Thieves guild asking questions in the slums. They aren't even asking beggars anymore…

"Now then, what's your name?"

"I-I don't have any"

He's five years old, I'm turning 15 by the end of winter, so I don't know why I'm scared of someone who's 1/3rd of my age.

"Well, you have good vitality… you can be a swordsman if trained right… Mm.. Yeah we can do that"

"W-what is it?"

I asked with fear in my voice, but the kid didn't seem to care.

"I'll give you two choices. One, you'll work for me and you'll have shelter, food and warmth. Two, rot here in the slums."

"..."

That's not much of a choice isn't it? This mysterious kid… he said that with no emotions. But… looking at how hard it is to live— no, survive in this land. I'd rather work for someone shady than have to fight for food. I would rather have a roof to sleep on.

"Yeah, the first choice! I choose the first choice!"

"Good. Good. You don't have any name do you?"

He asked contemplating.

"Well, I'll name you Akira. Your dirt blonde hair could use some cleaning and those brown eyes could be clearer"

"...?"

"Why, you don't like the name?"

"No.. No.. "I shook my head"I like it…"

"That's good, can you stand?"

"Barely…"

"Alright, alright"

He then proceeds to lift me up by the shoulder, isn't he repulsed by my dirty body?

"I'm Samuel, Don't worry I know how to grow up from the slums, so this bit of filth doesn't bother me."

He helped me walk out the slums and eventually we reached a group of hooded people.

"S-Samuel? Who's he?"

"A new addition. Help him."

One of the hooded individuals stood up from his chair and let me sit on it. After that Samuel, the kid went to discuss things with someone twice his size.

On the other hand I got tended by the hooded people, giving me some skewers to eat.

Although, I heard something in which I chose to ignore.

"Samuel, don't tell me we're only here to bring new recruits"

"Ah don't worry about that, I received some good information whilst I burned down the thrashes alive."

It sent chills down my spine. To speak of burning someone so casually.

"Really what is it?"

"Well I hired a new recruit for this very reason."

"huh?"

"I heard there's a den of 'poachers' nearby"

I looked behind me because I got curious, but it made me cower more in fear. As the kid earlier who doesn't show emotions had a devil's smile on his face.

"I plan to burn them as well"

"Wha! Not even telling us where?"

"Oh no~ I want to get there first"

"Samuel you sadistic kid…"

Today I learned about a kid called Samuel, who has deep rooted hate of Slave traders and 'Poachers', people who hunt people to turn them into slaves.

I thought he was just some puppet by a noble, I was proven wrong when I heard he was called a personal Butler of the young lady of the marquisate.

I didn't want to get on his bad side so I worked my tasks diligently. And it's not that bad, we have to do surveys, check building integrity and such.

Well at least I'm doing better than in the slums, I'm thankful to that kid. Samuel.