The mansion of the lords who ruled the city of Horizon.
　In one of the rooms was the figure of Edgar Fromware.

''Tsk.''

　Edgar clicked his tongue grimly.
　Thinking back, it happened in the square.
　As usual I was looking for a toy I found a very classy one.
　I immediately took it home and tried to enjoy it but....
　The man I was with interrupted me.
　He had, by chance, challenged himself, the son of the lord.

　It was an extremely unpleasant act.

"He's a joke.

　I am the son of the lord who rules this city.
　In a sense, he is the equivalent of a god.
　No commoner can disobey him.
　If you order them to give up their lives, they must be willing to kill themselves.

　Edgar was seriously thinking about that.
　That was the extent of his perception of the people who lived in the city.

'Edgar, we're coming in.

　The door opened to reveal a large, burly man.
　He was clad in lavish ornaments and dressed with flair.
　Only, a mountainous protruding abdomen ruined everything.

'What, Dad?'
I hear you've been causing trouble in town?
There's no denying it, but it wasn't my fault. It's just that these fools don't know their place in the world and have gotten carried away, so I thought I'd discipline them.
Hmm, I see. Well, I guess I'll have to do it then.

　
　On top of that, he said it couldn't be helped.
　It was a word that summed up his personality.

''In other words, no prey for today.
I'm afraid so.
I was looking forward to it.
'I've always wondered if you want to be my go-to guy.　Why don't you find your own kill, Dad?
I'm not much of a connoisseur. But I'm more comfortable with what you've found because you know exactly what you're looking for.
Well, if you're okay with it, I'm okay with it.

　If a third party were here, the conversation would not only raise an eyebrow, but would be immensely disappointing, as it was going on without a care in the world.
　There is no indication that they are aware of their crimes.
　They don't even seem to feel bad about it.
　It's a city they govern.
　If that's the case, they can do whatever they want with the people who live in that city.
　Such arrogant thinking seemed to be transparent.

As always, you can leave the rest to me.
No. Can it wait?　Let me do it this time.
Yeah?　That's fine, but what's wrong with you?
It's just a little.

　Edgar gave a dark look.

　A man who not only got in the way of reaping his prey, but also humiliated himself....
　I think it's Rain?
　I'll make you regret your foolishness to death.

　Edgar clenched his fists as a dark sentiment burned in his mind.



----------



　The lord leaves the room and...
　As if to replace him, a man in armor appeared.

　Gilley Streger.

　He's the man who is the captain of the Knight's Branch in the city of Horizon, the captain.

''You're late.
"Dear Mr. Edgar, I'm sorry to keep you waiting.

　Jireh dropped to his knees in front of Edgar and bowed his head.
　It was the kind of motion that would make him pledge allegiance to the king.
　Seeing that seemed to make him feel somewhat better, Edgar suggested that Jiray sit down in a chair.

'Well you know why I called you here today, don't you?

　Gilley sits down in his chair and Edgar opens his mouth.
　Again, with his head bowed lightly, Jirey replies.

'Ha. It's about the square, isn't it?
As always, if anyone tries to file a damage report or anything else, dispose of it appropriately.
I'm sorry, sir.

　Even though he should have been asked to do something outrageous, Jiray, who was supposed to be the Knight Commander, nodded his head without hesitation.
　That seemed to make him feel better, and Edgar handed the leather bag to Gilley with a smile on his face.

''See, it's the usual one.''
Thank you.
Ten gold pieces. Can I check?
No, sir. I'm not going to question Master Edgar now.
Good answer. Can you keep up the good work?
Of course.

　Gilet repeatedly bowed his head in respect to Edgar.

　Normally, a knight would give allegiance to only one person, the king who rules the country.
　And yet, the man named Gilley was giving himself to Edgar.
　It was a very distorted relationship...
　It was a scene that symbolized the darker side of this city.

'Then I'll take care of the after-action,'
Oh, wait.

　As Jirey stood up and was about to leave the room, Edgar stopped him.
　Edgar threw an additional leather bag to Jirey, who turned around.

'Five gold coins,'
What's this?
I have an additional task for you.
What is this?
"I want you to find out about a man named Rain. Perhaps he is not an old-time resident of the city. He's either a traveler or a recent arrival in town. I want to know what you know about him. If you can, bring him to me.
I'm sorry, sir.

　Why?　And why?　What a word.
　Lord ... if Edgar asks for it, Gilley will just follow it.
　If he does, he'll get paid for it.

I'm counting on it.
Ha. I won't let you down.

　Jirey leaves, leaving Edgar alone.

"There is no one in this city that can resist me there must not be. I'll teach you that one.

　I'm the son of a lord.
　I'm the second in line in this city.
　The people will not be allowed to disobey.
　Whatever the order is, they must obey it.
　That is the duty of the people of this city.
　Those fools who don't understand that must be brought to justice.

　Edgar clenched his fists and fantasized about the time that would come.

'Kukkuk.'

　He smiles.
　How would that cocky man beg for his life?
　What kind of miserable face will they show?
　Just imagining that moment fills me with an irresistible sense of pleasure.

'Hmm.'

　Proceeding with the preparations for lashing out at the man made me feel better, to some extent.
　However, he wasn't completely calmed down.
　The humiliation he received in the square hurt Edgar's pride so hard that it lodged in the corners of his mind.

　It wasn't enough.
　He needs to get rid of the distractions.
　I've got the perfect toy for moments like this.

　Edgar rang the bell.

'....and excuse me........'

　A few moments later, the door opened.

　A young girl appeared.
　In appearance, you could say she was still a child.
　She had a dainty appearance and seemed to have a promising future.

　It wasn't just her looks, but there were other elements that caught my attention.
　She had beastly ears and a tail.

　The girl timidly calls out to Edgar.

''Oh, no.......what is it.......?
Too late!
Huh.

　The glass Edgar had thrown flew close to the girl.
　The sound of the glass breaking caused the girl to freak out and squirm.

'Didn't I order you to come as soon as I rang the bell?　Why the delay?
But... but I'll be back in a minute...
Don't talk back to me!
Uh-oh.

　Edgar slapped the girl.
　Unable to resist, the girl fell to the floor.

'Foolishness it looks like I'm going to have to discipline you again.
Ugh....

　Edgar smiled lewdly.
　The girl, in contrast, had resignation in her eyes.

　This was always the case.
　He kept getting beaten up...
　No matter how many times she apologized, she could not be forgiven.
　It was a normal, everyday occurrence for the girl.

　How much longer can this go on?
　How many times must we despair?
　The answer is ... I don't know.