"Is there still no sign of him?" Dan asked one of his men as they patrol through town.

"I apologize Captain. Guardsman Negan has hidden his tracks. Some of his neighbors reported that he hurriedly left his home carrying a knapsack and when they asked where he is going he just glared murderously at them. After that, he seemed to just vanish. No tracks, no witnesses. Nothing that we could follow."

Dan could sense the discontent in his man's voice upon saying Negan's name. They might come from all walks of life, but all of them are proud men and values highly the honor of being a defender of the citizens of this town that they help raise with their two hands. Now, one of their own has besmirched that honor, and since not a small amount of people are present during the trial within the guardhouse where one of their own has tried to bend justice for their purpose, word of the corruption within their ranks have spread like wildfire among the masses causing the loss of trust with them by the citizens that they swore to protect. What's worse is that the culprit is not just any normal town guard, instead, the one who betrayed the trust of everyone was none other than the one that founded the town's guard, Negan.

Why did you do this, brother? Weren't we supposed to create a haven of justice and equality? What has happened to you? Dan thought to himself as he dismissed the guard and continued with his patrol. Negan might not be his biological brother, but when his young malnourished self was chasing a rat so that he could have something to eat after days of starvation and thus was beaten senseless by the child nobles for not lowering his gaze when they were passing by the streets, it was Negan who saved him, drawing the ire of the children and their guards by throwing rocks at them. As the others come to chase him, other kids then carried Dan away to a small corner in the slums. It didn't take long till Negan came back, covered with scratches and bruises. Apparently, he fell from a roof as he tried to escape his pursuers.

Dan could remember himself crying when he saw his savior's injuries, but Negan just smiled 'Just because they have power doesn't mean they can abuse those who don't' He started before continuing, 'it is the duty of those who are strong to protect the weak even at the cost of their own health' he said while puffing his chest in pride. He then handed over a piece of bread to Dan. Seeing Dan cry, Negan and the others laughed, telling him not to worry for he is now safe and that if he need a roof for shelter, then he could stay as long as he liked. They didn't know that Dan is not crying because he is sad, instead, he was happy, for as one of the tens of thousands of orphans due to the war against the elves, he was left to fend for himself in the cold and cruel world, and after several months of anguish, hopelessness and loneliness within the uncaring walls of the Central,

He finally felt the warmth of kindness once more.

He was so overjoyed that when Negan asked him if he wants to join their little group, Dan quickly agreed.

Their little group of orphans is unlike any other. While other street urchins often gravitate to crimes like petty theft, pickpocketing, and even robbery, just to survive, their little group, under the leadership of Negan, lived an upright life where each person look for small jobs like cleaning houses, shining shoes, helping with the stables, dumpster diving for something to sell, and other menial jobs. Whatever they earn, they pool together to buy food and other necessities. There were times when they don't earn much and had to live off scraps that they find in the trash, but with Negan's words in their mind to uphold justice in their heart, for the world might strip them of material wealth, but it will never take their honor, that when it is finally time for them to face their family in the other side, that they could proudly proclaim that they lived an upright life.

The years in the slum were a harsh life, but even when there were times that they have to sleep with an empty stomach, he felt happy. He was no longer alone. He has friends that he could consider as his own brothers and sisters, and they have a leader, Negan, who instilled within them a goal of a bright future ahead.

Lost within the memories of the past, he almost didn't notice the commotion at the main gate as a group of towns guards and some townspeople gathered around a group of people.

Dan quickly marched towards them to see what is going on, and upon approaching the group, he recognized the people causing the commotion. It was the red-haired woman member of the White Wolves, Mikaela, the two children of Eleanor, and two men with who Dan is not familiar. Seeing that the men are splattered with blood of unknown origin and one of the kids is unconscious, they must have encountered something. Confronting the group is Hans.

"You are not allowed inside! It is the Mayor's explicit instruction for you to keep away from town for the time being till the unrest from the people has subsided." Hans exclaimed. His displeasure is palpable in his facial expression.

"You are not listening. You need to mobilize the guards and adventurers quickly. A horde of monsters heading towards town!" Mikaela was furious but more than that, Dan could see the desperation in her eyes as she try to get through the stubborn Hans.

Unfortunately, this is Hans she was talking to, and it is almost impossible for the irritatingly obstinate man to change his mind unless it was an order from Mayor Adam Longley himself.

"Preposterous! Our town has posted patrols around town. No threat would be able to come near without being spotted by the patrols first, especially not a horde of thousands of monsters if your words could even be trusted." Han's confidence in Dan's men would've flattered him if he didn't know that the man is only using them to argue with the woman in front of him.

"I don't care if you have patrols or whatnot. The fact that there is a horde of monsters coming! Look, this man has been wounded by one of the wolf riders we have encountered." She grabbed the muscular man by the arm and dragged him towards Hans.

"Indeed, it does look like a bite wound. But it is already covered by scabs. That means that unless you have a healer in your group, this wound was from days ago." Dan made his presence known and chimed in.

"I used the handkerchief mother has made to cure his wound." the little boy named Timothy said in a weak voice.

"Little rascal. You used the handkerchief's ability?! You fool!" Hans was furious that he was about to grab the little boy by the neck. Seeing his intent to attack the kid, Mikaela drew her knife and move to intercept him.

Thankfully, Dan was quick enough to grab Hans' shoulder and held him back. "Hans. Stop it."

"Take your hands off me, Dan. Master has worked hard to shelter these ungrateful brats and still they dare spit on his kindness and use their filthy magic when those knife-eared bastards are just within these walls!"

"Take a hold of yourself. They have their reason. This man is wounded, judging from the healed wound, he would've bled out if they didn't help." Dan tried to reason with him.

"I don't care if they die." Hans looks like a wild dog ready to bite off the head of the people before him.

"Can you even hear what you're saying, you fool!" Dan punched Hans across the face to try and pull him back to sanity.

Realizing that he almost lost himself to rage and made an unsightly appearance in front of the guards, Hans pushed Dan back before straightening his clothes. "I'm fine now. Ahem... My point still stands. Even the gratitude to the ones who helped raise this town has its limit. Don't waste the Mayor's effort to help, you lot. I don't care if you wish to get caught by the knife-ears. Just do it so that the people in this town, especially our Mayor, do not get involved. You bring him enough trouble as it is. Also, Dan." Hans looked toward Dan, then, without a warning, he threw a punch that hit Dan square in the face.

"It's good that you two have made up, but we still have a horde of monsters to deal with."

"I still stand my ground. If there is indeed a horde of monsters of such size coming towards the town, then it would be impossible for our patrols not to spot them."

"I want to speak with Mayor Longley. I'm sure he will find the sense to act upon the danger that is coming upon his town!"

"Unfortunately, our mayor is currently out of town. He has business to deal with in Central."

"Then I would go to the adventurers guild and seek the Guild Master's aid in defending the town."

"He is also out of town. He and our Mayor both have business in the Central."

"Huh? Why?!"

"Why?" Hans snarled. "It is because of the trouble your companion has done. It would've been fine if he just knocked out or disarmed the young noble, but to also severely injure a member of a high noble house to the point of putting him in a comatose state? You have bitten more than you can chew and now those fools in the Central are looking for someone to blame." Hans' fury reignited but quickly reined in his anger and breathe deeply. He then gazed toward the direction of the central city of the Kingdom of Krishna, as if he could see the silhouette of the man he so admired, he continued. "I have pleaded with the mayor to throw the blame on your lot, but he has a kind soul and chose to personally go to Central on your behalf." He then added with a dismissive huff. "As for the geezer Guild Master, he broke the rule that the adventurer's guild is not to meddle with the business of the local governing body, and I hope that he gets stripped of his position. Dragging master into this mess. What a bastard."

"Then who's in charge? Every second that we waste squabbling here, the more seconds we waste to build the defenses instead."

"Okay, let me humor you. If there truly is a horde coming and you have already encountered them, then why haven't they arrived yet?"

"That is because Artreus and the others are holding them back! So please!"

Dan is now faced with a decision. If he mobilize the guards, the townsfolk would surely be alarmed, and if what Mikaela said was a lie and there was no incoming danger, then the trust in him and his men would plummet more than it already has, with the people deeming them incompetent and easily fooled. But if he doesn't and there is really a horde of bloodthirsty monsters tens of minutes away from flooding the town, then their pride is the least they have to be worried about, the very lives of the people they have sworn to defend would be in danger.

Pride or the safety of the people?

It was an easy decision.

"Mark, inform the squad leaders. Mobilize the men. I want squads 1 to 3 here in the front gate as the vanguard, we will keep the gate open so that we can bait them to make a frontal assault and funnel them here instead of them scattering swimming across the river to climb over the walls. Squads 4 to 6 will man the walls and tell them to equip bows and spears, they will rain down arrows and make sure that none of the bastards would be able to sneak in and cause havoc inside the town. Squads 7 and 8 would patrol inside the town to keep the crowd in control, especially the refugees, their nerves are already on the edge, make sure they don't panic and cause a riot. Squads 9 and 10 would raise the bridge of the west and south gate respectively, have them carry signal flares so that in case of monsters try to flank us and they need assistance, squads 7 and 8 would be able to rush to their aid. Now, go!"

"Thank you! Now, let's go and rescue Artreus and the others!"

"We can't do that. If a horde is really coming, every man counts in defending the town. If Artreus and the others are really locked in battle with the horde, then it would be impossible to rescue them. Doing so would only be sending good men to their deaths."

"What did you say?! Artreus and the others are fighting out there so that you could have enough time to mount a defense and you're just going to leave them to die?"

"I also would like to save them. But there is nothing we can do to save them. All we can do is honor their sacrifice and save as many people as we can from this threat."

"Spineless bastards. Then I would save them myself." Mikaela turned around but Dan quickly gave a signal to his men to stop her. Looking at the men barring her way, Mikaela spoke with a threatening tone. "What is the meaning of this?"

"I'm sorry. But I cannot let you out either." Dan started. Then with a resolute voice, he spoke. "My conscience wouldn't let me be in peace if I let you leave and get yourself killed knowing that I could've stopped you."

"You say your conscience won't leave you in peace if I risk my life by going out, but would it also leave you in peace knowing that you left the men who risked their lives slowing down the monsters so that you could have time to prepare your defenses to die?"

"Why risk our lives for those who should already be dead?" Hans chimed in dismissively. "Instead of wasting men by sending them to their deaths to save men who are already dead, they would be of better use to defend the gates to save the living, no?"

"No! Mister Artreus wouldn't die! He promised!" The little boy who is carrying his unconscious sister upon his back yelled.

"Your father said the same when he went hunting down the griffin. But he never came home now, didn't he?" Hans said with a mocking look upon his face.

"This bastard!" "You went too far, Hans!"

Hans just huffed and shrugged his shoulders with a facial expression saying 'I am just telling the truth'.

Hans normally doesn't like talking too much, but due to his lingering hatred towards elves, such a deep seethed hatred that he must've inherited from Mayor Longley, his temper is on a short fuse whenever Eleonor and her children are involved.

"On behalf of Hans, I would like to apologize for his poor manners."

The red-haired Mikaela seem to be seething in anger, but little Timothy tugged her sleeve, his face seeming to indicate that he is used to being treated harshly.

Poor kid. They don't deserve this when their only crime is being born unto the world by the wrong race of the mother.

Breathing deeply after looking at the little boy's pleading face, Mikaela glared at both Dan and Hans. "If you don't plan on helping, then we will find others who will."

While Dan was glad that Mikaela has realized that going alone to save her companion would just be suicide, he knows that she would not give up on trying to save him.

A trait that he admires.

Sadly, even if she finds other people to join her rescue mission, it would ultimately end in failure. That adventurer, Artreus, may be strong, his duel against such a strong and talented warrior like Joe has clearly cemented that, but that was only because he is using the Rosewood Style.

Refined and polished swordsmanship that relies on lightning-quick and pinpoint attacks that target an opponent's weak points, an expert of the Rosewood Style could end a battle in an instant even when facing an opponent of equal skill, even stronger opponents would fall if they were not prepared against a Rosewood swordsman. If that was not enough, the Rosewood Style has the high honor of having one of the 'Twenty' not only as a practitioner of the style but also as a member of the Noble Rosewood House, Moira.

Alas, even if Artreus was a practitioner of such an illustrious sword style, the Rosewood Style is tailored for duels, not chaotic melees, and unless he has a tenth of a fraction of the skills of the heroic Moira, he would not last long against a horde of monsters using the Rosewood Style. Not even Esteban who has been Awakened with the blessing of the Wind would last more than five minutes before he exhausts all of his Mana flinging wind blades upon the horde before being swallowed by the wave of monsters.

It is impossible that she doesn't know that her friend has already signed his death warrant the moment he chose to stay behind in order to let her and the others escape. No, she must know this, but still, she chose to hope against all hope that he could still be saved. Dan gazed at the sky and let out a sigh. He realized that he was just like her. He hoped that all of the bad things they said about the man who he once called his big brother were nothing but an attempt to smear the one who saved his life. But now, Dan realized that he must close his eyes to the truth no longer.

He will find Negan.

And when he does, he will find out if the things that people accuse him of is true.

If his brother is innocent and was only implicated in crimes he didn't commit, then Dan could only say sorry and hope Negan forgive him for being suspicious of the man who was once his savior.

But if he is guilty, brother or not, Dan will execute justice.

As Dan steeled his determination, a shout came from the top of the walls.

"Mon-MONSTERS! MONSTERS APPROACHING THE GATE!" The guard manning the walls shouts.

Seeing the group of monsters before him, Dan could not help but sigh. "It seems adventurer Mikaela didn't lie." While he hoped that it was all a joke, he was thankful that he took the feisty woman's warning, and while it only gave them ten minutes to prepare, it was better than getting caught with their pants down. He just hope that the men he assigned to keep the townspeople in order would succeed in their task.

Facing a monster horde in front of them is already a daunting task that would test their limits as protectors of the people, a task that would become impossible if the people rioted behind their backs.

GROAARR! SKRAAAA! AWWWOOOOO! The cacophony of the monsters about to cross the bridge filled the air. The sound of metal clanking could be heard as his men quiver in fear of the incoming deluge of monsters intent to slaughter them all.

Dan raised his voice, facing the men lined up before him. "Men! The enemy is right before us, threatening the peace of the town we have raised with our own hands." His words ignite the courage of men who once lost their homes, their eyes tell him that they would die first before they lose another home. "Raise your spears! Brace your shields! For a long time, we have lazed around, basking in peace. Today we will earn our keep!"

WOOOOOH! RAAAAHHH!

The shouts of the guards soon swallowed the sound of the incoming horde. Dan unsheathed his rapier and raised it to the sky and roared once more. "FIGHT! SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF MUKALA! TO VICTORY!"