The middle‑aged man hadn't even answered when Ravell suddenly let go of him, turned, and stormed off.
But after only a few steps, he ran smack into a familiar face—and let out a squeal like a scared pig.
"Need a ride somewhere?" Glen grinned.
Ravell roared, "Get lost, you bastard…"
"Guess I didn't hit you hard enough."
Ravell clamped his mouth shut.
He glared at Glen fiercely, then sidestepped him cautiously and bolted away.
"Hey! Outsiders aren't allowed near here," the man inside the gate called out.
"Got it," Glen replied, then strolled off unhurried.
…
In town, Glen bought a few sets of well‑fitting clothes from a clothing shop, along with some hammers, rivets, and other tools. Then he loaded the bundles onto his sled and headed back.
He'd set out at sunset; by the time he got home, it was late. In Bayek, a few swift dark shapes darted into corners as soon as Glen noticed them.
He just gave them a curious glance and paid them no mind.
He carried everything inside, then took an oil lantern and headed for the forest outside town.
He wanted to check on the game he'd caught that morning.
The yellowish light swayed with his steps; the rusty lantern frame creaked. Glen's shadow stretched long in the quiet streets.
Truth was, he could see fine in the dark without the lantern, but the light made him feel more comfortable.
The beast, napping by the trap, suddenly pricked up its ears, then lifted its head and sniffed. It quickly recognized who was coming.
Excited, it sat up and met the approaching light.
"Alright, first tell me—nothing went wrong while I was gone?" Glen pushed aside the furry giant's head as it tried to bump into him.
The beast gave a soft whine: nothing happened.
Glen nodded, tiptoed to the trap, and held the lantern close.
The black boars, still panicked when caught, were now asleep, the moose‑like creature too.
Sleep well—my future depends on you… Glen smiled in satisfaction, then told the beast, "Keep watching. If something comes up you can't handle, find me right away."
The beast lifted its head in acknowledgment.
Glen patted its neck and headed back the way he came.
…
The Ravell family lived in a manor near Doud. When the young master stumbled home, the servants gaped in shock.
"Good heavens! Who did this to the young master? It's horrible!"
"Quick, tell the mistress! This is serious!"
Ravell had been crying all the way from school, ignoring the servants. Suddenly, he raised his voice and wailed even louder—the sound carried across the whole estate.
In one of the manor gardens, three elegantly dressed noblewomen were chatting and laughing. Ignoring the subtle barbs in their conversation, they looked like a pleasant group.
That cozy picture was shattered by Ravell's pig‑like screech.
"Good Lord! Who's that screeching like that? Such a disgrace!" Lady Sophia's eyebrows shot up, then her expression changed. "That's my Ravell!"
Without waiting for her friends' questions, she hurried up, lifting her skirts and rushing toward the noise.
Down a long corridor, around a corner, she saw her bedraggled son being supported by servants. She let out a cry and ran to him.
Ravell's left cheek was hugely swollen, red-purple, his mouth and nose bloody, tears streaking his face. Sophia's heart broke; her voice trembled.
"My baby, tell me what happened! How did you get like this?"
Ravell wailed, "A commoner! He ran into the school and hit me! Hit my attendants too!"
"What!? A commoner!?" Sophia's voice turned shrill, fury nearly choking her. "That reckless peasant belongs on the gallows! I swear it on the honor of the Dekiriel family!"
She turned to a maid. "How soon will the master be back?"
"He… he should be on his way, my lady."
"Go hurry him! Tell him the young master's in trouble!"
"Yes, ma'am."
…
In a moving carriage, Lord Chanis, dressed in noble attire, murmured, "Berlin leaves tomorrow. Why won't he see me?"
Outside, the steward in livery replied gently, "My lord, Berlin may have his own difficulties. He doesn't want tension between you two."
"So he does know why I'm here and is avoiding me?" Chanis frowned.
"I believe… yes." The steward paused.
Before they could continue, the carriage halted.
"What now?" Chanis said irritably.
"My lord! The young master's in trouble! The mistress sent me to urge you home at once!"
The frantic voice reached the carriage; Chanis's face changed drastically. "To the manor! Celai!"
"Yes, my lord." The steward turned the carriage sharply and sped up.
Half an hour later, with a horse's snort, the carriage pulled into the manor courtyard. Chanis rushed out.
"Where's Ravell?" he asked, tapping his cane as he walked.
"In the sitting room, my lord," a maid replied.
When Chanis entered and saw his wife and son, he demanded, "What exactly happened?"
"Are your eyes blind?" Lady Sophia jabbed a finger at Ravell's face.
Only then did Chanis see his son's condition. He tossed aside his cane and roared, "Who did this!?"
"A commoner named Glen! We must arrest him! Hang him!" Sophia snapped.
"Daddy, it hurts so bad…" Ravell whimpered pathetically.
"Barbul!" Chanis barked.
"Here," a knight in armor stepped forward.
"You go…" Chanis paused, turned to his son. "Where's that commoner Glen now?"
"He said he lives in Bayek Town," Ravell sobbed.
"Right. Go to Bayek Town and bring him back!"
"Understood."
Barbul had only taken a few steps when Chanis's voice rose sharply, halting him.
"Wait!"
Barbul turned, puzzled.
"Ravell, what did you say? That commoner lives in Bayek Town!?" Chanis asked again.
Ravell nodded firmly.
The answer made Chanis hesitate.
"What's there to hesitate over, Chanis? He's just a commoner! Are you just going to let our son be bullied!?" Sophia's tone was full of indignation.
"Shut your mouth!" Chanis suddenly roared.