For once, Arnold walked leisurely, no destination in mind. He had leveled up after a week of hard work, so he decided to reward himself. Unfortunately, his anxiety and guilt were too strong for him to ever relax, so he opted for a slow walk around the city instead.
Having lived here for months now, Arnold knew a lot about Porto from studying its market, but he had been to very few places.
The Cathedral, the Governor's mansion, the shopping streets and the slums.
The last one aside, he had seen less of the City of Trade than the typical tourist.
…
So, Arnold explored.
He first went to the port, the true origin of this city. He had been here briefly to witness the Santa Caterina's maiden voyage, but that day hadn't ended very well.
Against the backdrop of the immense blue ocean, people from all walks of life were on the move, working, talking or bartering.
"Hiring young and strong men to move goods, come come come!"
From honest sounding men…
"Ever dreamed of being a sailor? Well, dream on! But you can become a porter instead…"
To more mean looking fellows, the port was a mix of good and bad apples.
Arnold could tell at a glance that the first speaker was a scammer. Only a bonafide idiot would work for someone who didn't announce a clear pay.
"As they say, scum recognize other scum the best. Heh."
Arnold was about to turn away when he saw the unbelievable.
A wild idiot had appeared.
An innocent looking lad went up to the hollering scammer and asked to get scammed.
Arnold, who was about to warn him, stopped in his tracks. His eyes flashed in schadenfreude.
This idiot was the one who had bumped into him, while carrying a crate, the day he fainted. It seemed the man would have to work for little to no pay today.
The petty Shitnold hummed a melody and almost skipped away like little Anna.
As he left, the young Merchant paid attention to the symbol on the recruiter's uniform and took note of the inverted triangle holding a circle.
'That should be the Pi–, pierre? Ah, the Pierrot chamber of commerce! If I recall correctly, the Governor's wife is Elizabeth Pierrot. Interesting…'
The gears turned in Arnold's head.
Up until a year ago, the City of Trade had been independent. Yet as soon as the Gundam Republic was usurped by the Romut Empire, the Archeons 'granted' the city to the new Empire as a gift. Of course, the city Governor would now be appointed by the local Cathedral.
'The damn Archeons aren't above mortal greed, after all.'
Arnold clenched his fists in hatred. Perhaps, in this lifetime, he would never be able to forgive those high and mighty gods.
The Beggar soon reached the market district from the port. He saw many shops and stands selling everything, from fruits and vegetables to porcelain and silk.
As he studied and took note of the different prices, the young man lamented the high taxes and how strict the Governor was on trade. This led to him recalling the maid's words, and he snickered.
'That Frederick, my father's friend? Regrets what happened to the Republic? Pfft, they really think I'm an idiot. Well, if anything, that's the only positive outcome of my trip to the Temple; being underestimated helps with many things.'
The Governor that the Cathedral had appointed a year ago was called Frederick Trepana. A piece of garbage that hated freedom and merchants above all.
A man whom Arnold swore to ruin, sooner or later.
The young man remembered Anna's smiling face and felt bitter. Starting with Rose and Trent Baker, how many innocents would he have to hurt in the future?
Reaching a fruit stall, Arnold noticed a father knocking on watermelons in front of his young son, teaching him how to distinguish the best fruits.
A strong sense of déjà vu hit the handsome man, and his vision turned and blurred as his knees gave out.
"Ugh."
"Oof, you almost fell down. Young lad, are you okay?"
The kind looking father had caught Arnold and seemed concerned.
Arnold looked down, eyes misty and heart in shambles. He felt alone and miserable.
"I-I'm fine, thank you."
He left as if running away. Would his father still look at him so kindly if he knew that he had made fertilizer out of a downtrodden, homeless man?
'F-forgive me, father. I won't be able to join you and mother. I'll look up at you from the last layer of hell...'
Arnold left the shopping district and headed back to the slums, mingling with the beggars there. At last, he felt somewhat at ease.
This afternoon was supposed to be his reward for leveling up, but Arnold felt empty.
It was already evening, and the orange clouds covered the world in melancholy.
The Beggar looked at all the beggars gathered around the blackened walls and ruined buildings. Some were playing cards, others were discussing the news and trends of the nobility, living in a delusion. Yet others were arguing about who had it worse, and a few beggars were sleeping curled up like shrimps. In a dark corner, the sick were covered in pus and flies as they died a slow and painful death.
Hundreds of beggars, surviving but not living.
Arnold stood in the midst of it all, as if time itself stood still. And for the first time in what felt like forever, the young man felt like he belonged somewhere.
His eyes lit up and he smiled broadly, forming a stark contrast with the miserable mood around.
Perhaps, it was like a candle was lit in an infinitely dark night.
That day, Arnold Grim made a pivotal decision; he would lead these people out of the darkness and into the light. The young Merchant and Beggar would use them and give them crumbs, but these crumbs would be enough for them to soar to the skies!
17th of April, year 31 of the New World Calendar.
This date marked the beginning of the legend of a certain Beggar.