## 1. Morro Agudo: The City of Gilded Decadence
The arrival in **Morro Agudo**, one of the great cities of the Golden Empire, was a shock to Hiroshi and Luna. With a population of about 300,000 people, the city displayed an ostentatious wealth that brutally contrasted with the misery they had left behind. Rivers cut through the center, flanked by imposing castles and homes of an elite that seemed to float above the world.
The most striking difference was the absence of visible poverty. There were no beggars, no miserable neighborhoods. The reason was simple and revolting: the work was done by slaves.
"It's disgusting," whispered Hiroshi, feeling a knot in his throat.
They saw people being treated like animals, with iron collars around their necks, being led by their rich owners. Luna flinched, clutching Hiroshi's arm, her blue eyes filled with silent terror at the sight of chained children. The sight was a cruel reminder of her own past.
The region's climate was a somber reflection of the city. It rained constantly, a fine, persistent drizzle that seemed to wash the dirt from the streets, but never the corruption from the soul. It was as if the city itself was crying for help, weeping under a gray, oppressive sky.
Meanwhile, high above, **Beaky** flew in circles. The hawk, now a loyal ally, was on a reconnaissance mission, mapping the movement of soldiers, the location of barracks, and the city's critical points.
## 2. The Bar of Corruption
To gather information, Hiroshi and Luna headed to the city's most famous bar. The place was noisy and foul-smelling, but it served as a hub for gossip and illicit business.
At the bar, Hiroshi discovered that Morro Agudo was the King's birthplace, which made it a tourist spot and a symbol of power. More importantly, he realized the mechanism that drove the city: assassins and mercenaries drank openly, working as private guards and enforcers for the politicians and the wealthy elite. The system was self-sustaining. No one dared to oppose it, as the rich paid for the order, however cruel, to be maintained. The Empire's soldiers, in turn, lived in idleness, drinking and having fun, immersed in widespread corruption.
It was in this environment that Hiroshi noticed a figure that drew attention.
A tall man, about 1.80m, with vibrant red hair and eyes. He wore a long, black overcoat that brushed the floor and a hood that partially concealed his face. On his back, a large, long black sword, with a moon symbol on the hilt, seemed as light as paper.
## 3. Yuzuki, The Red Demon
The man, whom Hiroshi soon learned was **Yuzuki**, was drinking alone. Suddenly, Hiroshi felt a wave of **bloodlust** emanating from him, an energy that Kerchack, silent in his mind, immediately recognized.
In a quick and fluid movement, Yuzuki unsheathed his giant sword and swung it with terrifying ease, as if it were a branch. In seconds, all the assassins and mercenaries in the bar were dead, their bodies falling into an abrupt silence.
Yuzuki turned and tried to attack Hiroshi. Hiroshi's reaction was instinctive, channeling the draconic power to defend himself. The fight was quick and intense, but ended in a draw. Yuzuki stopped, and Hiroshi realized something crucial: he had not attacked Luna, who was paralyzed by the shock.
"Who are you?" Yuzuki asked, his voice hoarse.
Hiroshi revealed his name. Yuzuki's red eyes widened. "I've heard stories about you. It seems your deeds in saving villages are spreading."
Yuzuki then gestured to the Barman, the only one spared, who was trembling with fear. "Bring us drinks."
While smoking a cigarette, Yuzuki began to explain his situation. He was known as the **Red Demon**, a former hero who had betrayed the Empire. He explained that his betrayal came from the realization that all his effort to gain power and join the hero group was useless. The heroes, who 100 years ago were a group of good people, had become an arm of the government, controlled by the King.
> "The King creates narratives of fantastical fights and saved villages to show the population that someone is fighting against him. But the truth is that the heroes are scoundrels who burn cities, rape women, and use slaves. There are no heroes on this continent. The King knows he needs to lie not only to the population but to the world, as guilds are not allowed in the Empire."
Hiroshi was terrified. The world was crueler than he imagined.
## 4. The Dark Alliance
Yuzuki noticed the duality in Hiroshi: the bloodlust he felt, mixed with the kindness and love with which he treated Luna. This astonished him.
Yuzuki revealed his plan: to blow up the palace and the main bridges to weaken the city. Then, his group of 300 allies would enter to massacre the soldiers and assassins.
Hiroshi found the plan cruel. "Innocents would die without fault."
Yuzuki disagreed, calling Hiroshi weak and saying that the news about him was false.
"I won't let people die as slaves because of a madman's suicidal plan," Hiroshi retorted.
Yuzuki got angry, and both stood up to fight again. However, Yuzuki calmed down and proposed a deal: if Hiroshi helped, the plan would change. They would infiltrate the city, killing the strongest and most influential people first. Only then would Yuzuki's allies come to dominate the rest.
Hiroshi agreed. He knew Yuzuki was cruel, but in this world, no one won by being "nice."
Yuzuki and Hiroshi shook hands, sealing a new and dark alliance.
***
**END OF CHAPTER 10**