The black rat gang had become the undisputed ruler of the underworld in the Fairfax kingdom. Both grey skins and humans filled their ranks as basic grunts or hitmen.

Whenever there was some outside force trying to capitalize on the power vacuum in the kingdom the black rat gang would out them and send a message that the kingdom was off-limits to them. Violence in the cities dropped drastically and petty thieving was almost extinct now.

The only parts of the kingdom the black rat gang couldn't influence were the vast countryside. Many bandit groups had formed from ex-soldiers who had lost their jobs when the old regime had been ousted. They had resulted in banditry and were harassing grain and other food shipments that arrived at the cities.

One of the main instigators was that in the vast kingdom the long arm of the law and government couldn't reach the frontiers or the less populated areas. There the bandits thrived and in some cases ruled entire villagers.

~~

Rufus was in Sofia with his Gherseng guards and Amala. An important shipment had arrived and Rufus was personally receiving it.

The cargo was loaded into a large ridership with the Ghersengs making sure that no one tried to steal any of the crates. Rufus went to open one of the crates. Inside was rows of rifles and in the larger ones were at least ten iron cannons built on the homeworld of the dokkaebi.

“We really need these things?” Amala said and looked down at the rifles and cannons.

“I also have my doubts, but apparently these are important. They are powerful weapons that can win battles in an instant. We might need them,” Rufus said and explained.

~ ~

After going through the river for a while they stopped by a river town. The townspeople looked in awe as the Ghersengs made a corridor for Rufus and Amala to walk through. Rufus still hadn’t gotten used to the treatment he got with the Gherseng guard fawning all around him and people staring at him wherever he went.

“King Rufus! Please help us!” one person yelled out.

Rufus walked toward him.

“What is going on here?” Rufus asked the people.

“I am Erwin Rut. I am not from here. I live in a small village that is just a small distance from here. We have had a problem with a pack of bandits roaming our lands and forcing us to give a large portion of our earnings to them. We are at their mercy. Please can you help us?” the man pleaded.

“Why haven’t any people stopped them. Who is in charge of this region?” Rufus asked.

“I am sorry to inform you, but many regions are still without lords to lead them. They have lived and ruled themselves for a while now. They have no garrison or soldiers who can keep their regions safe. There are many regions like these,” the town official explained.

Rufus stared at Erwin who was on his knees begging in front of him.

“Get those cannons and rifles to the capital. I and Amala have to take care of a small matter here first,” he commanded.

~ ~

Rufus left the river town toward the village being led by Erwin. It was a day’s travel away through a small birch forest. Along with him came Amala and all the Ghersengs.

“So, you must be happy getting to go out on your own helping people,” Amala said and smiled.

“Is it that obvious,” Rufus awkwardly answered back.

“I could see it a mile away. It is though kinda nice. Seeing you being so excited,” Amala said while a little bit blushing.

“Yeah, but unfortunately what made me happy was that some villagers are in trouble……” Rufus awkwardly said.

Amala laughed.

“Just cheer up. Enjoy this now before you hit back to reality. I know you enjoy helping people personally and you say you are a pushover, but it is just an excuse to fall behind on,” Amala said with a bright smile.

“You think it’s bad?”

“Nope. I think it’s what makes you…. you. It makes you pretty adorable,” Amala said and twirled her black hair.

Rufus also got a little bit blushed.

For the rest of the journey, they traveled in awkward silence.