Children of God (1)
Just as the saying "heroes are lustful" didn't come out of nowhere, Gideon lived up to its reputation as the city of heroes and myths by also being a city of indulgence and debauchery. Most people enjoyed one-night stands without hesitation. There were even places where bards and lavish drinking tables were set up so people could dance and revel. Of course, there were heroes who kept their chastity, but their numbers were relatively few. Naturally, children born without parents were an inevitable consequence. Most of these children were abandoned in the back alleys. People called the abandoned orphans the Children of God.
People condemned the heroes for discarding their children so casually. After all, how could anyone abandon their own flesh and blood? But they only knew half the story. Abandonment was actually the more merciful act. The Children of God were often murdered under the pretext of "returning them to the gods."
Just by completing a single D-rank request, the Iron Shield guild underwent tremendous change. The guild had been struggling with financial difficulties, but those problems were cleanly resolved. The reason was the enormous reward they received from Salen. The upright Yulis had saved every coin he received as lord, aside from living expenses, and paid the entire sum to Isaac as compensation. Naturally, Isaac refused outright. The reward was far too large, and they still had many things to take care of. Without money, how would they manage? But Yulis refused to budge, and they eventually compromised on receiving only thirty percent. Even that amount was staggering.
"It was just a D-rank request, wasn't it? How did the reward end up this big?!"
"There were circumstances. It's not illegal money, so don't worry."
"R-really? Well, if that's the case……!!"
Sophia's mouth stretched into a wide grin. It was only natural. Running a guild required considerable funds—from building maintenance fees to meals for the members and weapon upkeep. On top of that, Isaac's absurd policy of having the guild cover all treatment costs for the members had drained their coffers. Now that they had enough money to last several years if they were frugal, the accountant couldn't help but be overjoyed.
But the changes didn't stop there. New members had arrived.
"P-pleased to meet you! My name is Yuliana Fragah!!"
"I'm Kain. Touch me carelessly and you might bleed."
Yuliana and Kain had joined the Iron Shield as new recruits. Yuliana had long planned to leave her territory and see the world. Kain had agreed it was a good idea. Isaac hadn't missed the opportunity and made them an offer, which they accepted. Even Kain, who despised heroes, thought Isaac was acceptable and entered his guild.
"You might bleed? Quite arrogant for a newcomer."
Kain's declaration rubbed Hans the wrong way. Hans, who valued discipline and courtesy above all, rose to his full imposing height. Kain merely snorted and glared back.
"What? Want to test me?"
"You little bastard…… I like that spirit!"
"……Huh?"
"That's right! A true hero ought to have that kind of backbone!"
Hans laughed heartily and slapped Kain's back with his massive hand. Kain could only stare in bewilderment. It wasn't that he had backed down under pressure—Hans had been completely sincere. While he valued rules and etiquette, he valued courage even more. To Hans, Kain was the ideal new recruit.
"Yuliana, was it? Nice to meet you! I'm Sophia!"
"Y-yes! Senior!"
"No need to be so tense. Just call me 'sis'!"
Sophia also welcomed Yuliana warmly. After all, aside from Zeek, the guild had been nothing but men. Having another woman who could actually hold a conversation was a welcome change.
"Hans, nothing happened while we were gone?"
"Nothing worth mentioning, except that Dig bastard got kicked out of the brothel."
"Master!! That's unfair!! Those guys were cheating me, I swear!"
"What happened?"
"Don't take him seriously. He got thrown out for making a fuss."
Hans tried to stop Isaac from taking the complaint seriously. After all, Dig had been kicked out for stubbornly insisting he didn't have enough money. But Isaac was different.
"Even if everyone else denies it, family must believe in each other to the end."
"Master……!!"
"Even if that family member is the boy who cried wolf."
"What?"
"Lead the way, Dig. I'll go settle this myself."
"Wait, what did that last part mean? Master?!"
Isaac didn't answer and simply had Dig take the lead. Naturally, Zeek tried to follow, but Yuliana and Sophia held her back. They shook their heads.
"That world is still too much for you."
"That's right, especially for you, Zeek……"
"I know."
The sudden surge of killing intent made Yuliana and Sophia flinch. Zeek was smiling. Yet the shadow cast over the girl's smile was chilling, like a ghost.
"Of course I trust Master completely. But there's always that one-in-a-million chance, isn't there?"
"N-no way. Isaac would never go to a brothel!"
"That's right! Master is definitely going for the sake of family!"
Yuliana and Sophia desperately defended Isaac. They felt that something terrible would happen otherwise. Even so, Zeek's smile showed no sign of fading. Unable to stop her, they could only watch as the girl ghosted after Isaac like a shadow.
Brothels and other shady establishments usually came alive at night. This wasn't just to avoid prying eyes—it was also meant to evade the gaze of the gods. Whether it worked, Isaac wasn't sure. At least according to the original story, the gods here never neglected their duty to watch over the mortal realm, day or night.
Dig, looking thoroughly wronged, kept complaining beside him, but Isaac only half-listened.
"I've already heard this several times."
"No, but still!!"
"So? Where's this brothel?"
"Over there! It's right there!"
In the direction Dig pointed stood a remarkably gaudy building. Its platinum exterior was adorned with gold and all manner of jewels. Isaac tilted his head.
'Feels like I've seen this somewhere before.'
"So that's the brothel."
'Shit, you scared me.'
"Zeek? When exactly did you start following us?"
Both Dig and even Isaac jumped at the voice coming from behind them. They had clearly left her with Sophia and Yuliana. Who would have thought she'd follow them all the way here?
"Go back now."
"Yeah, kid. I get that you're curious about what men do, but……"
"Dig, shut up."
"Yes, sir."
Dig wasn't stupid. He might get scammed at a brothel, but he knew better than to risk his life. And right now, he felt his life was in danger. Zeek's killing intent was that terrifying. Isaac felt it too.
'Why the hell is she acting like this all of a sudden?'
He had no idea.
"You're determined to follow no matter what."
"Yes. I am."
"Then I won't stop you."
"Thank you, Master."
She's the protagonist, after all. There must be a reason, Isaac thought, and let it go. More accurately, he had no choice. Even he felt his legs go weak from the sheer intensity of her aura. Insisting she leave now would only make things worse. He had no desire to peer into that abyss.
Anyway, the real problem was ahead. Isaac turned to Dig.
"You said they watered down the drinks to scam you?"
"Yes, that's right. I saw it clearly!!"
"Fine. Let's go inside."
Even if it was family, he couldn't start trouble without verifying the facts. Isaac had Dig and Zeek wait outside. There was a chance someone might recognize Dig, and bringing Zeek into a brothel would look extremely strange. Zeek didn't object. Her goal lay elsewhere.
Isaac entered first. As expected, the brothel's interior was as luxurious as a palace. Red carpets covered the floor, and the marble-and-gold walls and ceiling were adorned with chandeliers.
'Now I remember. This is Nox's brothel, the Night King.'
Given how developed Gideon's nightlife was, there were organizations that specialized in running such establishments. The difference was that they operated as illegal groups without official permits. Among them, Nox was known as the massive organization that ruled Gideon's nights. They even did business with major surface guilds and had Hades backing them. They were truly the kings of the night.
Compared to Nox's forces, the Iron Shield's power was insignificant. If it came to an all-out war, the guild would lose a hundred times out of a hundred. But did that matter?
Family came first. There was no room for compromise.