At the end of that day, there are seven heads that no longer belong to any necks. Blac didn’t understand. Because he watched Azaroth all through and he didn’t get what made the boy so brutal. Is the world so messed up that he’s able to kill with not even a hint of emotions on his face?

Anyway it worked and the rest of the teams are able to pull it off. Azaroth stopped coming to the training after that but the fear kept the warriors working hard each day.

So on the day that the tax collectors would come, Blac went to the Village Head building where Sir Azaroth and his companions were staying.

As usual Azaroth is sitting on the center chair and Blac bowed low to him. "I believe the tax captain will send his men over today."

Azaroth said nothing and just watched him. Blac couldn’t meet his eyes and turned to look at the others. Stallus was watching him with a curiosity that Blac didn’t want and Alex was smirking while Catena looked to have slept away on the chair.

Blac didn’t like any of them. They are like vicious wolves that he knew would turn on him in seconds. Not to talk about the fact that they are strong with those enchanted tools in their hands. He still didn’t know the power of the others’ enchanted tools but he couldn’t wait to get his hands on them.

It was Stallus who spoke. "I’m sure your letters must have reached them as well."

For a second Blac froze and his entire body stiffened. "I don’t understand, Sir Stallus."

She laughed, the sound somehow delicate and chilling at the same time. "You need to keep a balance between us and the Greytown because you like your life here. That was your first plan but we somehow threatened it so now you need us gone. Greytown can handle that for you with even a bonus for you so of course you’ll write to them. Or anyhow you send messages."

Blac was thinking fast. "We send messages through letters. But since you know I betrayed you why are you still keeping me alive?" He said while he began to take note of the darkness in the room, already planning his way out.

Stallus smiled. "We didn’t kill you because what you are doing serves our interest. And it’s always good to have an Initiate level Awakener on our side right?"

Blac didn’t agree or disagree. He spoke about another thing instead but one thing he learned here is that the kids are dangerous. More than he thought. "Sir Azaroth, what you planned about the tax. It’s too dangerous...."

Just then a warrior ran inside and announced that the tax captain’s men are coming. Azaroth nodded. So now their mission finally began!

Before the tax collectors reached the town, four chairs had been arranged outside and the team sat on them while the trained twenty nine remaining warriors stood behind them in team groups.

Blac stood to one side, almost as if he’s trying to declare that he’s neutral.

And soon they saw them and unlike before there’s up to twenty of them all riding cat beasts. All at the Novice level. Obviously they didn’t take this village seriously!

Blac cursed in his mind when he saw them, ’Why don’t they send any Initiate rank! Why are all of them Novice!’ He looked towards Sir Azaroth and saw his companions smiling. He shuddered, things are about to go horribly wrong.

These tax collectors were sent to ’cleanse’ the village of anything like rebellion. And their sneers said it all. One said. "Say we just kill some and get out of here. I’m bored already."

Another laughed. "You’re too lazy! We are here to teach them a lesson. We should have fun and even take some back with us to bait the monsters with."

"Oh look the villagers look much better, do you think most of them died of sickness and they have too much meat in their pot?"

"Wait is that a kid sitting on the village head chair? So it’s true! It’s the one who should still be sucking his mother’s tit!"

Their leader raised his hand until they quieted down then he rode his cat closer to where Azaroth and the others are sitting. The leader frowned at them. The mission from the Tax Captain was to teach the village a lesson and beat them back into submission.

But a kid? Really?

"You are the one sent today, Kosh." Blac said. He’s familiar with the tax collector and as he’s at Initiate rank and still a warrior in this village, he is a popular topic among people.

Kosh is a big man with a fat face and small eyes. "What’s happening Blac. Where’s the Village Head?"

"He’s dead." Was the flat reply.

Kosh scratched his head. "Well, I don’t know if he had four children. But then again you guys breed like rats even in your wretched life. Well, give me the tax. It’s children that made them send me here. What a shame."

Blac took a step forward. "They’re not his children. They killed the Village Head and are now the rulers of this place."

Kosh froze then he began to laugh. "Rulers? Isn’t that word too big for measly children?"

His men followed him in laughter.

"Stop the joke! Children killed an Initiate rank and have taken over the village? That’s rich! But you Blac now that the old man is gone why don’t you just rule here and take over the other villages?"

Kosh completely ignored Azaroth and the others and spoke to Blac directly. "Since the right of ruling this village has been passed to them then just kill them and be done with it. Who’s their representative? Him? That one with the red eyes and white eye? Okay, we’ll wait for you Blac. Kill him and be done with it."

And Blac honestly thought about it. Should he or should he not, that is the question.