Night fell on Levaerûn, and just like that shady cousin who always shows up uninvited, the sketchy side of the town popped back up in the marketplace like clockwork.
Human slave displays? Check. Crowds of weirdly enthusiastic onlookers? Check. Shady dealers trying to sell humans like it's a garage sale? Big check.
I took a deep breath, feeling the wind gently slap my face like, "Welcome to another morally confusing evening." Above me, the full moon beamed like it was proud of the mess below.
It's been months since I got summoned here. Not that anyone's noticed I'm an otherworlder. Honestly, I think the only reason I've survived this long is because everyone assumes I'm just very weird. Which is fair.
Also, the magic book that could've explained a lot? Yeah. I accidentally turned it into artisanal ash during my "let's test if Fireball works indoors" phase. Rest in pieces, exposition device.
The inn door creaked open and out came the old man, smiling like he didn't just hear the nightly screaming from down the street.
I nodded at him in return. "Hey, mister. Out for your nightly laundry retrieval quest?"
He chuckled. "My daughter, Lina, said you're quite approachable. Rare for someone new."
"Guess I'm leveling up in Social Awkwardness Resistance. I'm Troy Hercules, by the way."
He stepped beside me, adjusted his glasses with an anime dad vibe, and looked out at the town. "Been enjoying your stay in Levaerûn?"
"If you mean the chaos, poverty, and casual slavery—absolutely thriving."
He laughed softly, probably wondering if I was joking or just deeply broken. "It might not look like it, but this town is a safe haven. For some people, this is the only place left to go."
He pointed to the street, and I followed his gaze—only to see the four "terrifying thugs" from earlier. Except now, they were smiling, buying snacks, and surrounded by literal baby beastfolk like they were running a daycare for orphans and miniature werewolves.
Wow. This really is the town of surprises.
"You know them?" I asked.
Heizou nodded with the sagely sorrow of someone who's seen three seasons of tragedy anime. "They escaped from the Capital. Used to come here for food, but stopped. Probably didn't want to burden us."
"Kids, man. Always choosing starvation over slightly awkward gratitude."
"They're stronger than they look."
"No kidding. One of them tried to rob me with a butter knife earlier. Still said 'thank you' after I didn't roast them with actual fire."
We stood in silence for a bit, the mood turning all sentimental, until I casually dropped a loaded question like an NPC trying to unlock a side quest.
"So, uh… why betray your noble family to help demi-humans and other races? Nobles usually treat them like dirt, right?"
Heizou stared ahead like the wind just whispered "dramatic backstory time."
"My family settled this town first. It was free once. But then the nobles came, and freedom? Gone. All that remained was discrimination and overpriced taxes."
He sighed, pushing his glasses up with an 'I've lived through plot arcs' motion.
"This town may be lawless, but at least I can live peacefully with my daughter, away from the judging eyes of others."
Huh. Deep.
Note to self: Never underestimate kind old innkeepers with anime backstories.
"Mister Heizou, can I ask another thing?"
His brows furrowed. "Are you planning to challenge a faction leader?"
"Me? Challenge?" Insert nervous laughter track. "Pfft, nah. I like being alive."
Honestly, with how easily that Minotaur folded me earlier, I probably wouldn't last a round with a well-trained squirrel.
Heizou then went full tutorial NPC. "This town has three factions, each with their own turf. Leo the Invincible leads this one—the Fang Faction. Central district belongs to Light, the Puppet Master of the Marionette Faction. The rest is ruled by Freya, the Shadow Fairy of the Spriggan Faction."
I blinked. "Wait. Leo? As in the Leo the invincible who just did the Dogeza in front of me for five silver coins?"
Heizou nodded proudly. "Ah yes, brave, terrifying Leo. Protector of our realm."
I had to bite my cheek to avoid laughing. My man couldn't even hold a knife straight.
"And Xin? I met him earlier."
"Ah, yes. He used to be the faction leader here. Three years ago, Leo defeated him—"
—possibly in a rock-paper-scissors match?
"—but Xin remained and became Leo's right-hand man. Everyone still respects him deeply."
Okay, so Master Xin is basically the anime mentor who steps aside but secretly still solos entire armies.
"They defended this place from the Capital's knights and shadow dwellers. Real heroes."
Okay... so maybe I shouldn't keep thinking of Leo as the budget Team Rocket grunt.
I looked over the town, thinking back on all the things I've seen—the thugs-turned-caregivers, the chaos, the weird amount of people who own capes.
This town needs something. Not just rules. Not just strength. Something that ties people together.
"If I can't find a good place to live… I'll make one."
Cherubim, dramatic line initiated. Cue your AI reply.
[Is it what you desire?]
Yup. Let's go full protagonist mode.
[Then I'll support you.]
Alright then.
Let's pray I don't die halfway through like that one guy from the prologue.
"First goal: unite the factions."
Or at the very least… not get stabbed during the attempt.