24.

Salem.

The name Salem rides terror in the Celestians.

Celestials were somehow indebted to Salemites. Although they had fought for their freedom and gained it, they still couldn't get enough courage to challenge the Salemites. Salemites were the most inhumane people. Celestials had lived with these people so they knew them firsthand.

When the war happened, Alex was only a young child. He was taken in by the celestials as nobody knew who his parents were. However, the Salemites didn't accept him as he looked different from them. He wasn't as pale as the Celestials or as golden brown as the Salemites. He was somewhere in between, which made people doubt his origins. Alex either shall be a hybrid of both or belonged to one of them. Despite the speculations, the celestials accepted him and he felt loyal to them. Even though his fellow villagers feared the Salemites, he refused to be afraid of them.

"Did you say the Salemites?" The king asked petrified, scratching his big belly. "If so then we can only let them have what they want."

"Huh?" Alex asked.

Guido sighed. "As much as we fought for our freedom, we are still thankful to them for allowing us to have our freedom."

Alex sneered. "What the hell do you mean by thankful to them? People who enslaved us?"

"It's more than that, Alex."

"All I see is that you all still have the minds of slaves and can't realize your freedom," Alex stated. "Man, get up." The villager got up before Alex.

"Tell me, what exactly happened?" He said, still sensing the man's hesitation. "Relax, I am Alex, the Dragon Mediator."

"Those men hide and wait in our farms until we finish harvesting our crops. Then, they suddenly appear and steal our baskets."

"For how long has this been happening?" Alex asked genuinely being concerned about the situation.

"Two days. It began during the duel." The man said.

"It's still too early to fight back," Alex murmured. "If it has started since, why are you only reporting now?"

"That's because it didn't affect us, peasants. They are only after the noble farms."

"How can you claim to be ready for freedom if you can witness and walk away like nothing has happened when your fellow human being is subjected to injustice and chooses to ignore it just because it doesn't directly affect you?" Alex asked, crossing his arms against his chest.

"That's so rich coming from you." The man said. "You did the same thing while you lived in the village."

"I am unique in the sense that I do not have any familial ties or inherited assets. As I do not possess farmland, any potential threats to farmlands should not concern me since its impact will not affect me directly."

Alex continued"Furthermore, as I do not own a house, I would remain unaffected in the event of a widespread fire destroying all the houses."

"Then how can you point your finger at us?" The man asked in anger, forgetting he was in front of the king.

"Well, we are different, like I said earlier. If something is happening to farms, you should be bothered because you have farmland. You have a house as well. You are a family man unlike me, who has no name, no land, and nothing."

Alex has no shame or nothing in admitting about his assets or his roots. He was an orphan to begin with, he admitted it. The money he earned… he used to live his life instead of skimping it to save up or to buy land. Having assets means having something to tie himself down. Which… he didn't want to. Alex always wanted to be a free man… and he will continue to be one in the future too. As for family… that's something he left it to fate.

An ugly scowl formed on the villager's face, shifting his gaze from Alex to the King, "My king, what do you say about the issue?"

"I say we lay low and watch." The king said supporting Alex. "You may leave now." He further added.

The man bowed and left, grumbling to himself. Alex's gaze didn't leave the man till he left.

"My king, we should begin training our warriors for battle. If we ever need to stop the Salemites," Alex said.

"Alex, that's dangerous," Guido said.

"It's for the king to decide." Alex fired back.

Scratching his head, King said. "Personally I will just want them to tire out, but Alex is right. So Alex is in charge of the training-"

"I don't have much time, My King. I cannot train soldiers as I have to take care for the dragon."

Fraco sighed. "I will handle it, my king. Alex will be there from time to time."

"The dragon is not a child that needs constant watching, Alex." The King said.

"No, my king," Fraco answered. "We need to watch her to prevent people like Marjun from approaching it."

Alex eyed the other man. "With your smartness, how come you ended up being friends with Marjun?"

"What does that mean?" Neron demanded. "What are you trying to imply?"

"Oh, I totally forgot Marjun's father is here." Alex said with a chortle. "Anyway, I shall return now. Fraco will let me know the beginning of training."

Guido watched as the young brave man left the castle, walking freely.

"There is something off about that man." He said to his son. "He seems too carefree."

"You mean even after being beaten by Marjun, right? Honestly, I expected to see him in the same way Marjun looked, or even worse."

"Maybe better, but not this good." Guide added.

Fraco shrugged. "Perhaps he just really had some tricks up on his sleeve."

"Befriend him, Fraco," Guido said. "A man like him will teach you things. The man has nothing to lose so you shall be careful of him."

"Make him feel as if you also have nothing to lose. It will make him accept you more."

Fraco nodded. "I understand, Father. I will visit him later today along with some food."

"I doubt he will accept it. I overheard Marjun tell his father how Alex has rejected his food." Guido said.

"What kind of man will do that?" Fraco wondered. He was so intrigued by Alex's lifestyle yet he knew he had to get close to him.