York Town was undergoing a massive urbanization that caused it to grow larger than many of the famous cities in the empire. It was always busy.

Vincent worked together with the southern architects to design the city right down to its streets and alleys, and small and large buildings were slowly beginning to near completion, thanks to the hard-working laborers who persevered in the cold weather. 

The marketplace, which had been one of the first areas to see completion, was still busy even though the sun was slowly setting. 

Even though other large cities usually closed their marketplace when the sun fell, York Town was open to business until late hours, which was made possible by the street lamps installed on the streets every 10 yards. It was in essence, a nightless city which was bustling with activity regardless of time. 

But the city had its dark side as well. The rapid urbanization and concentration of population also resulted in a slum in the back alleys, composed of cheap taverns, inns, and brothels. 

Now, it was such an alley where the man named Toban Baltai was walking along. Unlike the expression he had when he met Luna Seyrod at the York City embassy, his face was now grim without a trace of a smile. 

Drunken workers accidentally bumped into his shoulders, but they quickly bowed their heads and scurried along when they saw his vicious expression, his scar-ridden face, and...