The Useless 8th Prince

Vahn and Aiz

In the afternoon in front of a trade district inn.

“B-Isn't this too much, Mister?”

Looking at the 26 pieces of bronze coin in his hand, the little boy looked shocked.

“Consider as bonus.”

Ciel smiled gently. What he gave the boy was a change of bronze coin when paying for lunch earlier. It was not that he was stingy or anything like that, that young man understood what should and should not be done.

If Ciel gave one piece of silver coin instead of helping, the little boy was in danger. The weak child who lived in the slums while carrying money that could be considered a lot in the area. Most likely the child will be bullied and robbed. Ciel doesn't want to see anything like that.

“T-Thank you very much, Mr.”

Seeing the happy expression on the child's face, Ciel nodded lightly.

Ciel didn't feel like he was a savior or anything. Many people were unlucky in the slums of Redstone City. It is impossible to save them all. Not to mention, this place was also not the Black Sun Empire that he was responsible for. It's just …

Shadow Stalker …

Looking at the small child who was bowing politely then leaving with a cheerful expression, Ciel's eyes narrowed. At the time of his previous tour, he had casually checked the little boy with the Eye of The Lord. What surprised him was .. The boy actually had a rare skill.

Shadow Stalker, a skill that allows its owner to fuse in shadow and is very difficult to detect without a special skill. Ciel himself was convinced, the boy had not realized his own abilities. When growing up, even without his help, Ciel can confirm that the boy can become a famous assassin.

Initially Ciel helped the little boy because of a little impulse of conscience. However, after seeing such a dazzling skill in his eyes, he was not stupid enough to let go. What Ciel and the Blackfield Region needed was talent. That means that the child is already in the required category.

“Are you okay, Gin?”

Looking at the dreamy Ciel, Ryo was somewhat suspicious.

Aware of his daydream, Ciel turned towards Ryo while raising the corner of his lips.

“It's okay. Let's go to the inn first.”

“Good.”

...***...

Night in the slums.

A small child walked over with a cautious expression while slightly bowing. The stomach is slightly inflated, indicating that he is hiding something behind the tattered clothes. His name is Vahn, the boy who escorts Ciel and Ryo to tour the city as a guide.

After walking for quite a while, little Vahn finally arrived at a seedy alley filled with trash bins and a pungent aroma. Passing through the dirty place, he finally reached the end of the alley which was a dead end.

There is a small house built manually. Rather than a house, it actually looks like a tent made with wood and a ragged cloth as the cover.

Getting inside the tent, Vahn said softly.

“Back home, Aiz.”

There was no answer, inside the narrow tent there was only a soft coughing sound. There, there was a little girl who was a year or two younger than Vahn. The little girl had such a pitiful appearance.

Dirty and disheveled wavy blonde hair, thinner body than Vahn, black color in eye bags and a face so pale. It was clear .. The little girl was dying.

“Welcome, Brother.” Aiz tried to answer even with a voice that was so slow.

“Wait a minute. Let brother help you sit.”

“Sister, did you steal? That's not good.”

“No. Of course not. This afternoon brother met a good master, drove them around and got money.”

“Really?” ask Aiz lirih.

“True.”

“Thankful ..”

Living in a slum, being a thief or a robber was common. However, Vahn and Aiz who were once taught by their late mother did not do so. The two of them were still steadfast with the principle of kindness despite having to die in this kind of environment.

Previously, Vahn and Aiz lived with his mother in a village in the Redstone Region. Although they are not rich, they can still eat and drink every day. Growing healthy and happy.

Once, Vahn and Aiz wanted to know the whereabouts of their father. Asking the mother, the two only knew that their father was in town. After forcing her selfishly, her mother agreed to take them to Redstone City.

Different from what they had imagined, their journey ended in grief. On the way to the city, they came under attack from the Demonic Beasts' entourage. To protect her two children, the mother ended up horribly. Shredded by Demonic Beast fangs and claws.

Arriving at Redstone City, they were extremely desperate. The two chose to find the father and tell him everything. Vahn and Aiz looked to where ordinary mercenaries gathered. But after a long search, a cruel answer befell them.

Mercenaries are a dangerous profession. Always walk on the edge of life and death at all times. Half a year ago, the father of both children died in an accident. Not only that, the people that their father regarded as associates were not even willing to help Van and Aiz, driving them away just like that.

The two children wanted to return to the village, but could not because they did not have the money to pay for a seat. While walking alone towards the village, other than not knowing the direction, they also understood how dangerous the outside world was. Even their mother and father died in the mouth of the Demonic Beast.

In the end, they lived in a slum with no home. Scrubbing leftovers out of the trash for a living. Life is cruel, they do not meet with benefactors at all. Even when they do their best, they are often robbed and beaten.

Not knowing how long time had passed, they ended up being what they were now.

“Eat. Eat first, Aiz.”

“Good, Brother.”

Eating hard bread, a grateful expression was seen on the faces of the two. Even among the slum dwellers, the two of them could be considered as the bottom of the circle. They can eat, they are both grateful.

After eating hard bread together, Vahn was surprised to see Aiz who was coughing loudly. Poking the back of his hand against his sister's forehead, he realized that the little girl had a fever. Severe illness coupled with high fever .. made the little girl completely helpless.

“Looks like Aiz can't keep you company anymore, sister. However, without Aiz, Brother Vahn should be able to live better without the burden.”

“Don't talk like that, Aiz! You are not a burden at all.”

Vahn thought about the money he had received earlier. After deducting 15 bronze coins, he still had 11 bronze coins. Enough to buy one piece of raw herbal plant.

“Wait a minute, Aiz. Brother will buy you medicine.”

Before Aiz could answer, Vahn immediately ran away from the dilapidated tent. Leaving behind the dirty alley, he hurriedly headed towards the location that sold raw herbs.

Not yet had time to leave the seedy alley, a familiar voice sounded.

“Where are you, little Vahn?”

Vahn turned to the source of the voice. Seeing some skinny people with bad faces and clothes like thugs, his eyes narrowed. Gritting his teeth, Vahn cursed inwardly.

These damned people …

>> Connect.