I stared at them in their slightly chilly prison cell. They were thin and scrawny, and with their defiant eyes, they reminded me of the inhabitants of the impoverished village.

But even if they let you go now, where would you both go?

I asked them again. The boy, who, I assumed, was the older brother, pondered for a moment, and answered.

Back to our own country.

Whos waiting for you? Do they know about you two?

His eyes became even sharper at my words. If he hadnt been deported, the only explanation I could think of was that he fled his country.

You know, some people would have problems if you gave them freedom.

I provoked them a little by saying so.

It would be irritating to be mocked by a boy not much older than yourself.

Its better than working for you guys.

Heh. Then where do you want to work? I mean, who else are you going to work for?

Shut up. Im willing to steal to survive.

And if you get caught? Then your brother will be all alone, and hell probably break down.

I aint that messed up to fail.

He raised his voice, possibly irritated by the mention of his younger brother. The little boy in his arms groaned and closed his eyes.

Vice-Captain Neil observed us without saying a word.

If youre going to live for the rest of your life by stealing, youd have a better life under me. Or are you saying youre incapable and cant work in a place like this?

I smirked at them as I looked down at them, making fun of them.

You!

With that, the boy abruptly took his brothers hand and lunged across the fence at me.

Vice Captain Neil moved and called him, but he was glaring at me, not even looking at Vice Captain Neil.

Have you ever lost everything? Have you ever had your family, position, honor, and everything taken away from you? Dont say you cant see me. Remember this expression of mine? Remember this face that swore vengeance. Im getting out of here, and Im going back to my country.

He said this with an agonized look on his face. The atmosphere was so tense that Vice Captain Neal became silent.

I wonder if he was an aristocrat in the Melvyn Kingdom. It looked like the Ravaal Kingdom wasnt the only one with problems.

If you want revenge, I can train you, you know?

What?

At my words, the boys expression turned dubious, and his grip on my collar weakened a little.

Well, if Im disappointed, Ill probably dump you myself.

What are you talking about? Its ridiculous to be trained by someone who looks weaker than I am. And theres no way Im going to take you up on such a sweet offer when I dont even know what you want from me in return.

With that, he let go of me and returned to his brother.

Deputy Captain Neil, may I have a moment with him?

Captain Neil thought for a moment with a difficult look on his face, then nodded and said, Okay.

For him to trust me, I had to provide him with some information about my side first.

You should get the hell out of here, too.

They really didnt take me seriously at all.

Thats a good thing. One should not trust people so easily. But in his case, the reason he didnt trust me was that he had been fooled by so many people in his life.