Chapter 6

— Oh, it's a beautiful sight. Thomas finally fell asleep.

The man on the throne calmly looked at the spectacle. Two huge stone giants held the chains on which Thomas' body hung.

— Finally I got this, - the man picked up a piece of human skin on which a star was scratched.

Aizu, the world of eternal night, a beautiful place, constantly twilight and sparkling with stars.

And it was here, in this eternal night, that the Stein squad settled.

Now it consists of Navaki Akutame, August von Gottfried, Daniel Verne, Guido Barbaro and Edward Carter.

However, three years ago it was not like that at all.

Navaki Akutame, one of the main members of the Stein squad, calmly drove through the town where his headquarters was located. Yes, each member of the squad held its own territory, a kind of feudalism.

Now he was passing through the main market. Hundreds of people crowded here to buy what was important to them. Amid the noise and screams of people, as well as the cacophony of the usual household sounds of the market, such as stoves being heated and water pouring with a quiet murmur, the wheels were knocking, barely passing through this entire ocean.

Suddenly the carriage stopped.

"Akutame—sama, there's a barrier in front of us," the coachman said.

— What's there? - the obese man looked into a small crack, which was also hidden by the back of the coachman.

— There's a child there.

— A child?

— Yes.

— What does he want?

— I don't know.

— Well, bring it closer.

The carriage came to a vacant lot, in the middle of which stood a boy.

— What do you want, boy?

The dirty and shabby boy looked up with a curious look, as if it was not an important person in a carriage who drove up to him, but he approached the poor man's cart.

— I want to be a member of Stein...

— Ho-ho-ho! These are statements! - the man clutched his stomach and shook with laughter, - Boy, isn't it too early for you?

"It's never too early to serve, sir.

— And you, you know, are a fast learner, I haven't even said that you've been accepted yet.

— But at the same time, I'm just a poor boy, and you're a member of an elite squad.

Akutame smiled and looked at the boy proudly.

— How much salary do you want?

— Do I have a choice?

— Of course not, I was joking! Ah-ha-ha-ha!

The boy laughed softly.

— Let's say I accept you, what are you better than others?

— I'm stronger, I'm smarter...

- Are you so sure about that?

— One hundred percent.

— Uh... well, get in.

The boy smiled and climbed the stairs to the carriage.

— What's your name, brave boy?

— My name is Thomas Darling.

— Thomas Darling! What a name! You're going to work for me, here!

— I'm glad you were so accommodating! - the boy grinned and finished the chuckle with a kind smile.

— Wow, look how he speaks! Are you sure I picked you up? Akutame and Thomas laughed out loud.

The carriage was already entering the residence of Mr. Akutame, a three-story house decorated with a pagoda, hung with lamps. Next to it was a garden that was planted with the brightest flowers. Several people opened the gate and the carriage stopped in the courtyard.

"How beautiful..."

— Well, Thomas, come out.

The boy jumped to the ground and straightened up, looking at the majestic structure.

- what? Have a look, huh? Yeah, is that where you're going to live? I'll have a room assigned to you.

— Thank you, sir...

— Akutame, Navaki Akutame.

— Mr. Akutame.