Chapter 4.0 - Preparation

✧⭑★⭑✧

My name is Yamazaki Seido, son of Count Kero Seido. I’m fifteen years old, and right now I’m on my way to the capital of our kingdom—Novayoria.

Everything so far has been following the perfect template of an isekai novel, and I sincerely hope it stays that way. Today is a big day—I’ll be seeing my sister and her husband for the first time in a year.

The last time I saw her was at her wedding. We had a great time back then…

I wonder how my Dragons are doing? I haven’t seen them in three years. We parted ways in the most classic “team breakup” fashion imaginable.

★✧★✧★

“We did good work today. Got the gold and rescued your sister—two birds with one stone.”

“Master, there’s something we need to tell you.”

“Go ahead, Freya. I’m listening.”

“We’ve talked it over and decided… to leave you.”

“L–leave?”

“Boss, forgive us, but this is for the best—for all of us.”

“All of us?”

“You’ve given us so much—knowledge, guidance, the best moments of our lives—but… we’re dragging you down.”

“Dragging me down?”

“We’re dead weight. You secured the orb on your own, destroyed an entire fortress single‑handedly. And we… we couldn’t even protect our own home.”

★✧★✧★

And that was it. We said our goodbyes. Losing their home had crushed their confidence. What could I do? Beg them to stay? That’s not my style.

I might have cried over them… if they hadn’t taken all my gold. Technically, I’d just been robbed by my own family.

I fell into a depression. To pull myself out, I created a new name—Black Rose. Sounds cool, right? Under that alias, I started earning money again. But I’m still far from replacing the fortune they stole.

Choo‑choo!

The train pulled into the station. Seven in the morning—hardly anyone around. By isekai novel logic, I should be looking around, trip, and land face‑first into some girl’s chest.

But I’m here to break clichés. What a terrible, cookie‑cutter character I’d be otherwise. Heh‑heh‑heh.

Stepping out of the station, I spotted my sister and her husband. A tall blond man in an elite guard’s uniform.

“Hey, sis.”

“Yami! Hi!” She ran up and hugged me.

“Good morning, Yamazaki,” Rein greeted, extending his hand.

“Morning, Rein.”

“How was the trip? How are you?”

“Fine, I guess.”

“For now, you’ll stay with us. Later, we’ll buy you an apartment or a small house,” Rein said.

“I think I’ll pass. My parents gave me some money—should be enough for a small room near the academy.”

“Trust me, prices here are… different. In a bad way,” Rein warned.

“Still, I’ll take a look.”

A carriage arrived for us. My sister had become popular in the capital after opening a fencing school in the “Seido” style. The school’s fame had spread beyond the city walls, and thanks to it, she lived a bit better than the average citizen.

Oh, and last year she married and became Catherine Vilanor. She no longer bore the Seido name, but our parents didn’t care—she’d inherit the county regardless.

As we rode through the streets, I took in the sights of the capital.

❖ ❖ ❖

We arrived at a five‑story building. My sister and Rein lived on the second floor, so carrying my things up was no trouble.

Stepping into the apartment, I was greeted by a surprisingly refined interior. At the end of the hallway were four rooms connected by a spacious kitchen. They had a bathroom, two bedrooms, and one room reserved for their future child.

“Make yourself at home,” Rein said.

We took off our coats and headed to the kitchen. My belongings were placed in one of their bedrooms.

My sister tied on an apron and began cooking at the stove. By the way, the capital feels like the nineteenth century back in my world—gas stoves, decent refrigerators, even mechanical clocks.

I was still looking around the apartment when my sister called me to the table.

Breakfast was fried eggs with a fresh green salad, plus a chilled, refreshing apple juice.

“Yamazaki, be careful when you’re out in the capital,” Rein said.

“Why’s that?”

“There’s been a group of unknown people kidnapping children.”

“Whoa… And what’s the city guard doing?”

“We’re trying to catch them, but they keep slipping away. Just this week, one of Catherine’s students vanished without a trace.”

“Rein, now Yami won’t leave the house at all,” my sister shot him a sharp look.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. The chances are small—but forewarned is forearmed,” he said with a smile.

So, there are maniacs in the capital. The guard is powerless, and the victims are only children. Finally—a classic plot event for a main character.

“Thanks for worrying about me. But I think I’ll be fine. After all, I’m protected by the founder of the Seido style and the vice‑captain of the Holy Sword.”

“You really know how to say things that fluster even men.”

“And I’m glad to see you haven’t changed a bit in the past year,” Catherine smiled.

Perfect. Today, Black Rose would become the hero of the capital—a hero whose true identity would remain in the shadows, yet inspire everyone to follow in his footsteps.

“We’ll be heading out. Rest for today.”

“And don’t break anything while we’re gone, Yami,” my sister added as she closed the door.

“Of course,” I replied.

I waited until they were far enough away… then slipped out myself for a walk.

❖ ❖ ❖

The heart of the capital dazzled with museums, palaces, and elegant architecture. Most people wore warm smiles, though of course there were exceptions—beggars.

Back in our county, beggars didn’t exist at all. I get it: compared to the capital, we’re nothing. But why doesn’t the city guard do anything about them? For example, in front of the Holy Order Museum, five of them sat in a row. To me, they spoiled the beauty and atmosphere of the city.

On the other hand, people tossed them coins, sometimes even a piece of bread. Is this the easiest way to make a living? Sit all day and ask. A kind soul will always give you something.

Naturally, I’m a kind main character. But right now, I’m playing the role of the quiet, polite little brother in my sister’s shadow. So I decided it was only fair not to toss a coin.

“Please! My child is sick, we need money!” a woman with a baby in her arms called out.

No—this was a lazy, irresponsible woman. She’d had a child and now used it as a prop for begging. If I gave her a coin, what were the chances she’d spend it on the child instead of booze? Exactly—zero. Better to walk past and pretend I didn’t see her.

“Sir, at least a bronze coin for my baby,” she addressed me directly.

Seriously? Why me? Now it felt like every passerby’s eyes were on me. If I didn’t give her anything, what would happen? Maybe nothing. But if someone here knew my sister or Rein, it could tarnish their reputation—and mine. Then my sister would make sure I regretted it.

“Fine, take a gold one,” I said, tossing the coin into her pouch.

“Thank you, may Aido bless you,” she said.

And in that instant, something seeped into my body. I felt my mana… and someone else’s. What was that? How had she managed to insert her mana into me from a distance? Impressive. I’d have to follow her. The coin was charged with my mana, so I could track it anywhere.

The day passed quickly. I wandered the city center, ate ice cream and pastries, even joined a tour. The capital truly was a refined playground for the rich. A one‑room apartment here cost two hundred thousand gold coins; buying one was three million. Better to stay with my sister. If not for the Dragons, I’d be living alone in the city center.

By the way—those two men trailing me? Agents of some organization. The tail began right after I gave that coin to the woman.

They tried to act casual, but they were terrible at it. They didn’t always keep enough distance. And why were they always together? A proper tail should split up. First, one followed me into a bakery and stayed there while the other waited outside. Then the second continued the tail. And when I made four consecutive right turns, you don’t follow me through all of them—that’s suspicious and unprofessional.

It was getting dark when my coin began to move. Time to get closer and see what was going on.

I left the center, walking three kilometers until the elegant buildings gave way to ordinary ones. In an alley, the woman with the baby was waiting for someone.

“How much this time?”

“Sixteen gold, thirty silver, and forty‑two bronze.”

“Why so little?” a masked man demanded, striking her.

“Forgive me,” she fell to her knees.

“You know what happens if you fail,” he said, pressing his foot to her head.

“I know. Tomorrow will be more, I promise.”

Oh—so she wasn’t a classic beggar at all. More like a slave forced to beg for her master. Interesting.

Whoosh.

Now, by the usual script, they’d knock me out and drag me to their base.

Thud.

Perfect. Perfect actors, perfect setup for the hero’s first big entrance. Of course, I let the blow land lightly so I wouldn’t actually black out.

“Well done,” the man said.

“Flawless,” the woman agreed.

Wait—what?! The beggar woman wasn’t a slave at all—she was a full accomplice? This story was getting better and better.

“Take him to the Nest and prepare him for the show.”

“Yes, boss.”

The Nest? Pretty original name for a main base. The Dragons had just called ours “home.” Boring name for a headquarters.

❖ ❖ ❖

They drove me for an hour. When we arrived, they tossed me into a room and began stripping me.

“He’s number twenty‑two?”

“Yeah.”

“Can I have number twenty‑four instead?”

“Of course not—wait, what?”

“Good evening!” I waved at them.

One kidnapper turned to grab a weapon, but my foot slammed into his back, sending him sprawling.

The second I didn’t bother with—just blew his head apart with mana.

I planted my foot on the back of the one still on the floor, pressing him into the ground.

“Where am I?”

“The Nest.”

“More specific,” I pressed harder.

“In the capital, Beatrice Street, number seventeen.”

“Got it. Why am I here?”

“There’s an auction tonight. You’re the merchandise.”

“Thanks for the info.”

I turned his spine to dust. The room held nothing useful. Time to get out.

Naturally, I just walked out the front door. I found myself in a long corridor lined with rooms.

“Who are you?” a voice called from behind me.

“I’m a VIP guest. Just went to the bathroom and got lost.”

“In the merchandise block?”

In a sprint, I closed the distance to a man dressed like a butler.

“Right. Now take me to the VIP area. And if you make a sound, you’ll rot slowly and painfully. Understood?”

He nodded quickly. I set him on his feet.

“But without a VIP mask, no one will let you in,” he stammered.

“What does a VIP mask look like?”

“A golden mask of any totem animal, and refined, expensive formal wear,” he said.

So—it was an anonymous gathering for the capital’s elite. I’d play the role of an arrogant noble… and then make my grand entrance as the hero.

This was going to be the most spectacular show this world had ever seen.

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《END of Chapter 4.0 - Preparation》