The small village of Poli, which was devastated by war, has now transformed into a town filled with life. With the able governance of Devi, the new lord, and the good geographical location, Poli, in just 2 years, has become a prosperous town, housing many families. With easy access to the water of the Lara river, many rich resources from the mountain forest, and a vast fertile plane at its disposal, the barren land soon took shape into a farming town. With the vision of using it as an outpost and an advance base against Albania, Poli was provided with support from the center, resulting in a sturdy stone wall with a few watch towers surrounding it. As a border town with good security at the entrance of the mountain pass, many traders from both kingdoms rested in it, thus boosting its lodging industry. After the peaceful conclusion of the renegotiation, the town of Poli was lively again, celebrating another year of peace and prosperity.

  The sound of instruments mingled with the melodious songs as a lively banquet continued throughout the town. Being a border town, the residents of Poli were very sensitive even to the possibility of conflict. The town was in a state of extreme stress throughout the course of the conference. Now, with the positive outcome and peaceful reestablishment of the treaty, the people took a sigh of relief and joined the celebration. Streets were lit with lamps along with various small stores. People came out of their houses, filling the streets of Poli. This created a festive atmosphere in the city where everyone was lost in merrily singing, dancing, and enjoying themselves.

  Meanwhile, in some corner, a man covered in black rushed out of the town smoothly moving away. He hurriedly climbed on and kicked the horse again and again, rapidly pacing ahead. As he picked up speed, the horse's powerful muscles rippled beneath him, and the sound of pounding hooves echoed through the air. He slightly leaned forward and gripped the reins firmly. A strong wind rushed past him as he galloped faster and faster. Riding along the banks of Lara, he moved deeper into the Albania territory, soon arriving at the gates of Belladom, the city of love. Leaving the horse with the stable boy, he rushed inside the tavern.

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  "Pickle and beer," he ordered.

  "Not the regular?" asked the bartender. He was a tall, dark, muscular man with a clean bald head.

  "Keep the Kheppri," he answered.

  Shocked! The bartender looked at the hooded man for a moment and tapped the table 3 times. A waiter came running to take the order. The bald bartender relayed the order, "Get this gentleman some pickle, beer, and a batch of the smoked meat."

  "Yes, master." The waiter nodded his head and moved inside. Leaving behind the lone hooded man in the middle of a crowded tavern filled with drunken, rowdy customers.

  "Why did she choose Mike?"

  "Ah, my money."

  "Lost again."

  "Stop this, lover boy."

  "You heard, war may break out."

  "Yeah war, fuck the enemy."

  "More tax?"

  "Fuck the tax."

  "Fuck you. Sen, take him away."

  A few minutes passed, the waiter returned with the order and placed it on the table, and slid a small sheet into the hands of the hooded man. After reading through the sheet, he put it in his mouth, chewed it for a while, and junked the beer down in one go. Stuffed all the meat in his mouth, picked the pickle in one hand, and stood up. While still chewing on the excessive meat in his mouth, he moved out of the tavern and vanished into the darkness of the street.