Porto, the slums.
There weren't many children among the beggars. It wasn't that children wouldn't become beggars, but that it was now April. General Winter was known to love torturing and killing kids, and only the toughest and luckiest of them survived until April.
Halfway through spring, the weather was still very cold at night. Rudolf vaguely remembered that he would turn 15 tonight, but what did that matter?
The boy, like most kids in this world, didn't receive much education. Because he had lost his parents at a young age, he didn't know many things. Apparently, others called people like him beggars, but all he knew was that he was Rudolf, and he was hungry and cold.
He had somehow survived another winter. Uncle Ben always praised his will to live, but Rudolf didn't know what he was talking about.
He had no such thing. Not even Rudolf himself knew what kept him going through starvation and sickness.
Well, he had already grown used to those. But the boy still felt a strange pain in his heart from time to time, when he saw other kids with their parents.
Tonight, the simple minded teenager smiled and had a dream about his future wife. She wasn't very pretty, and he was fine with that, because she was as kind as Aunty Sue who gave him a piece of black bread once a week.
In his dream, the boy was happy.
…
The next day, life went on for the beggars.
Rudolf also got up and went to the daily meeting. Everyday, the adults would gather to decide who got to beg where that day. The uncles and aunties usually fought tooth and nail for their own spots, but for some reason they always let the kids decide first.
The simple minded Rudolf would let his friends choose first too, so he always ended up with the short end of the stick.
But today, a soft yet strong willed voice was heard.
"You meanies should let Rudolf choose for once!"
Mary was fed up with the other kids and tried to help Rudolf. But she was too young and weak, so the other kids often bullied her. Rudolf was a simple minded kid, so he always defended little Mary. Today was no different; he shook his head and just walked to his usual, deserted spot.
"But Rudy!"
Little Mary protested and said his nickname, but he kept shaking his head.
"It's okay. See you soon."
Rudolf turned to the adults and waited.
If things went as usual, soon, one of the younger uncles would also get the worst spot among the adults and join him.
'...There he is.'
Rudolf thought. Indeed, the young uncle came up to Rudolf and patted his greasy, brown hair. They both nodded and started walking to their spot.
Rudolf couldn't see her, but he was sure little Mary was looking at them sadly.
"She'll be fine. Ben is looking after her."
The young uncle spoke with a smile, but Rudolf was shocked.
This was the first time Rudolf heard this uncle speak, ever! Everyone thought he couldn't speak, so they bullied him into taking the worst spot.
The uncle seemed to read his mind and laughed softly.
"Well, I act that way on purpose."
Rudolf ouldn't wrap his head around this revelation.
"W-why… uncle, if you can speak, why don't you fight for a better spot?"
"Just call me Arnold."
'His voice is really nice, too.'
Rudolf thought in a daze.
Meanwhile, the young uncle, Arnold, thought for a long time.
"Hmmm, that's a good question. A… friend, once, told me that I should always carry a big stick, even if I don't use it. This is called the Big Stick Ideology. I don't have that stick yet, so I'm waiting."
Rudolf surprisingly understood what this strange uncle was saying. He nodded sadly.
"...Rudolf doesn't think he'll ever have that stick. I can't protect Mary."
Arnold made a mental note of the way the boy spoke about himself.
'A general lack of self confidence, and a dissociative way of speaking, but he actually understood my Ideology. Interesting.'
Soon, the two made it to their spot. They parted ways there as they each used their own means to beg for coins.
Rudolf noticed that the uncle would be gone for a long time these days, but he didn't think too much about it.
…
The day passed by in a flash. Just as Rudolf stretched and was about to go 'home', he bumped into someone.
The boy bowed in apology and tried to sidestep that person, to no avail.
Instead, his shoulder was grabbed.
"Ow!"
The boy frowned in pain but his assailant didn't care.
"What have we got here? Another damn rat polluting my city."
Rats. Only two groups of people called the beggars like that, Nobles… and guards.
Only then did Rudolf finally feel fear. His underdeveloped body struggled to look up to the adult grabbing him.
Many scars covered a ferocious, middle aged face. Wearing old armor with a short sword at the waist, the guard grinned.
"It's my lucky day. Baron La Fayette likes them young, that sicko. Come on you little rat, move!"
Rudolf was unable to resist as he got dragged away.
The simple minded Rudolf didn't know much, but he knew that he was in big trouble.
'Big trouble indeed.'
Arnold, who had just returned, thought.
Baron La Fayette. A nouveau riche owing his wealth to the New World, he had given material support to the Romut usurpers and was given a noble title in return.
In other words, he was human garbage on Arnold's to-do list.
And by do, he meant dispose of.
But that couldn't be done so soon, he was nowhere near as rich or powerful as this mere fake Baron. In fact, Arnold couldn't even defeat the guard in front of him.
Call for help? Who would be willing to offend a guard, a mighty Warriors Class Holder, for a beggar?
...Normally, he would abandon the kid. And he should, but!
'Dammit, I can't lose the second follower of my Big Stick Ideology so soon!'
This was important! Of course, his thoughts ran deeper.
'The kid might also help unite this circle of beggars. And if my guess is right…'
Arnold scratched his head.
'Ah, fuck it.'
Arnold's gaze hardened in determination.
...
No matter what, he wouldn't risk his life for the boy. He had to think and move quickly.
'If the boy enters the sight of that pervert La Fayette, it would take an Archeon's decree to make him give up.'
This was a race against time.
Arnold could think of two drastically different ways to save Rudolf.
One was to get Rose's help and ambush the guard on his way to La Fayette's villa, Trent Baker style. The issue was that it was only evening, and there would be witnesses. Besides, a mere guard was only a lvl 0 Warrior, but that was already stronger than the current Arnold and Rose.
Arnold opted for the second plan; seeking Anna Trepana's help. The little girl was very smart, but Arnold was certain he could make her help.
However, he would have to use Frederick's power, which made his stomach churn. Once again, his dignity would take a good look at soil quality.
"Huff, w-where is that damn Azazel when you need him. I'm sure he could've helped me come up with an even better plan!"
Arnold grit his teeth as he ran to the Governor's mansion… only to find himself out of breath a few seconds later.
His run slowed to a jog and he felt sweaty, tired and pathetic. Arnold stared at the people nearby walking normally and almost matching his pace.
The young Beggar was in dismay. He could've sworn that even a damn pet was looking at him with disdain.
'It's not my fault, okay? I was starved for months, okay?! I was a couch potato in my youth, okay?!!'
This humiliation was too much…!
Arnold silently vowed to pick the Warrior Subclass next.