-Chapter 131-
-17th day of the 6th moon of the year 299 AC-
-POV Grazdan Zo Galare-
"Garth Flowers and I, we feared that you..."
A blow from a lance with a wooden tip struck me right in the stomach, preventing me from finishing what I wanted to say, and then, immediately after, a devastating punch landed on my jaw, leaving me stunned.
I didn't understand what had just happened.
I am the head of the Galare family; I should at least be welcomed with the honors due to my rank.
'That damn Westerosi dog never dared to open his mouth in front of my uncle, and now he dares to strike me, GRAZDAN...'
My thoughts were interrupted by the laughter of a man, and then he said: "You don't train your dogs properly, Garth."
"This is none of your business, as far as I know, isn't it, Lucas?"
The man named Lucas said: "I came on the king's orders because he finds that the situation with the slavers is dragging on too much. Your services are no longer required to lead the entire Bay of Slaves."
-POV Garth Flowers-
I frowned upon hearing Lucas's words.
I held back from punching him in the face and then said in a neutral but authoritative tone: "I'm progressing as best as I can."
"You're dragging your feet, you always wait for the king's green light, and you miss crucial moments to act," said Lucas, unconcerned about my tone and what it implied.
"So, I am dismissed?" I asked, trying to understand why the king had sent Lucas after me.
"No, you are not dismissed, far from it. The king has simply decided that from now on, I will be the Chief of the Blood Moon Branch in Yunkai, and we will coordinate to subdue the last remnants of rebels obstructing the legitimate authorities of the Bay of Slaves," said Lucas.
Although he tried to hide it, I could clearly notice his jubilant air.
Lucas was the younger brother of Karl, and although he never resented the king for ridding him of his tormentor—yes, that bastard also beat his brother—he held a terrible grudge against me because once Karl died, he lost his status as "Karl's Brother."
I still remember how he used his status to bash our skulls in as he vented the frustration he had built up from his brother's beatings.
-Start of the Flashback-
I observed all the people gathered in Karl's Tavern, and without a word, I joined the group kneeling before the three boys.
"From today, I want you to start developing your eyes and ears throughout the city. The little orphans will be your targets: pay them, protect them, and above all, keep a low profile; soon, I will return with an instructor who will teach you the basics of combat. I count on you to make the underbelly of this city your exclusive territory."
Everyone nodded without exception, still terrified by Karl's death. I did the same, and as I was about to slip away, the boy said: "From today, you are their boss, and you will refer only to Connor and Bryan, they are your leaders."
I nodded, and then he tossed me a gold dragon and said: "This is your pay; do your job well, and you will get more."
All apprehension about working for this young man whose name I didn't even know evaporated, and the only thought that remained in my mind was:
'He must surely be the son of a powerful noble; if I follow him, I will have a good position and will be able to support my family in the future.'
-End of the Flashback-
Since that day, I have done everything necessary to the extent that I have become the third highest-ranked member of the Blood Moon; the only ones who had a higher level of importance than me are Connor, Bryan, and the king, the Absolute Master of the Blood Moon.
'It's a warning from him; over time, I have become complacent. I must be more cautious and remain serious, or I will lose more than just the title of Branch Chief of the Blood Moon of the Bay of Slaves,' I thought.
"Very well, if you are finished, it is time for me to discuss things with my associate," I said, tacitly ordering him to leave.
Lucas raised his hands and then walked away with his guards.
'That bastard is becoming more and more arrogant. I must gain control of Yunkai with Grazdan's help and then insert myself into the kingdom of Astapor by becoming an ally of King Cleon, who is attracting the wrath of all the slavers by solving his problems. Only in this way can I regain the good graces of the king and crush this bug,' I thought, coldly watching the spot where Lucas had previously stood.
"What just happened?"
'Oh, and now I have to deal with this damn dog who is becoming increasingly arrogant with his master,' I thought coldly.