“Did you say something?” Lancaster felt as if he heard Atlas say something.

Atlas turned around. “Nothing. I was just reading the paper here.”

He walked to the bed with the paper, showing it to Lancaster.

Lancaster took the paper, smiling. “Oh, that one. That’s right. It was distributed yesterday to almost everyone. Apparently there’s going to be a selection for a servant for the mansion. Apparently, the palace wants to find the best candidate, and they’re promoting it a lot.”

“Are you going to take part in it?” Atlas asked, frowning. There was only one spot available. If Lancaster was going to take part, he needed to compete against this guy.

“Well, I do need a job, but I don’t think I’ll be working there. The pay is the best, of course, that’s a good point. But there are too many risks, working this close to the Nobles. Normal employers toss you out when you make a mistake, but if I had made the same mistake there, I would’ve been dead by now,” Lancaster explained, rubbing his knee gently.

“The risks far outweigh the pros. I can’t risk my life. I would rather look for ordinary work. I do have some savings so I can last a week to search for a job,” he added. “What about you? Do you want to go there?”

“I need work. And I think working in the Palace can be good for me. I want this job. Can you help me?”

“How can I help you?” Lancaster rubbed his forehead. ” I don’t have any influence in the Palace. You’ll have to take part like everyone. And if you’re selected, only then you’ll be allowed inside the Palace.”

“Not help with your influence, but I know your knowledge,” Atlas responded. “I know nothing about this city. That can be a disadvantage if someone asks. So can you teach me about this city and the Palace? I should be able to handle the rest.”

“That much I can do. Since my family is one of the original families from here, I know quite a lot through family stories. I might not have money, but the knowledge I’ve plenty,” Lancaster patted the shoulder of Atlas as he laid on the bed, looking at the cracked roof that seemed like it could call anytime.

“So, where should I start from? I guess I’ll start from the beginning. Around a hundred years ago, this city wasn’t big. It was no bigger than a small town where everyone lived happily. Then they arrived… The Carlisle Clan.”

“They established their clan in the center of the town. Slowly, with their presence, the city started growing. I don’t know how the Vampires did it, but a lot of humans came to the city with them.”

“The city kept getting bigger and bigger. Before long, it became what you see today. The Carlisle Clan are the rulers of this city, and we’re their subjects, just trying to survive.”

“Fortunately, as long as we don’t make big mistakes, we don’t have to worry about our lives. We just need to show them proper respects, and they let us live,” Lancaster explained.

“Anyway, that’s the basic structure. As we go in-depth, we know more. For example, there are two human families that are closest to the Carlisle Clan. Those two families own most of the businesses that you see outside. Ordinary humans can’t even open a shop. They can only sell their items on the roads.”

“The two human families also do the dirty work of the Vampires that the Carlisle Clan thinks is beneath them. If there’s corruption anywhere in the city, it’s within the ranks of those two families.”

“From gambling, smuggling to selling and buying of human beings, everything is handled by the two human families. That’s all I know about them after working for them as a low-tier worker. However, there is more, I’m sure. If there is anyone you can’t afford to offend in the city after the Vampires are the two families.”

“Those two families will be the ones handling the selection tomorrow as well. Mostly, Vampires don’t engage in human matters. I think they don’t want to engage with humans as they feel they’re above it. I guess they don’t want to get dirty. They are like gods for the people of the city.”

“Well, that was about the status quo of the city. Now let’s talk about the Carlisle Clan… The gods of the city.”

“The Carlisle Clan is one which everyone here is scared of, even though they don’t show themselves much.”

‘That’s odd. The way Carlisle behaved in Severis Clan mansion, I thought he would be coming out more often since he loved hurting humans?’ Atlas thought.

“But I saw the Vampires with the lady on the streets. What do you mean they don’t come out?” he asked.

“Those guards? They aren’t Carlisle Clan members,” Lancaster responded. “They are just ordinary Vampires that work for the Carlisle Clan. They haven’t been promoted to direct clan members. If they were, they would’ve had the Carlisle Clan symbol along with black robes.”

“Those people you saw are only for security. They don’t go around hurting anyone. You don’t even need to bow before them. When I meant the Carlisle Clan didn’t come out, I meant the direct members.”

“For example, it has been over a year since I last saw Lord Carlisle himself come out. I only see his carriage going out of the city from time to time. Then again, his disappearance does work in his favor; I feel like,” he explained, sitting up.

“It’s the Direct Members you need to worry about. The ordinary guards might forgive you for a moment, taking it easy by only hurting you. Not the Direct Clan members? A small mistake, and they would kill you to make you an example. That’s why I’m glad they don’t come out often. That’s also why I don’t want to work amidst them in the mansion.”

“So look out for the Carlisle Clan symbol. Whenever you see a Direct clan member, go down on your knees and give respect. Don’t look in their eyes and wait for them to leave. You understand?” he asked, looking in the eyes of Atlas to see if he was seriously listening.

“Well, he should’ve told that before you killed one of them.” Lilith chimed in, seemingly amused to some extent. “Because now that I think about it, amidst all the guards that were with the woman, only the one who attacked you had a Carlisle Clan symbol. No wonder he was so unreasonable.”

Atlas rubbed his temple, having a headache. He had killed a Direct Clan member, and now he needed to go inside the same clan to work.

‘As long as I stay out of the sight of the people who were in the forest, I might be able to get through it.’

Lancaster looked all around to make sure the door was closed. “Now, let me tell you about the things I know that I’m not supposed to talk about. Don’t ever let anyone know I told you this.”

“What?” Atlas asked, frowning.

“The Carlisle Clan don’t hurt the humans of this city since they want the city to be prosperous for their needs, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have skeletons in their closet.”

“What do you mean?”

“A lot of people have gone missing throughout the years. And I have reason to believe that they were taken to the Mansion where they’re used for blood. Quite a lot of people know about this, but no one talks. Not only that, but a lot of humans kidnapped or bought outside the city are brought to the Nobles.”

“I’ve seen one such carriage myself. The two families have their hands covered in blood in crimes. So think again. Do you really want to work for them? A mistake and you might end up dead, or worse… As their blood bag. Since you’re a good guy, I want you to be careful.” Lancaster warned Atlas once again, trying to persuade him to not go through.

“That’s not surprising. All the Vampire Clans are like this. They all do you. I don’t even know why I thought otherwise,” Atlas let out a deep sigh. “It doesn’t matter though. I still want to work for them. And that’s what I shall do. At any cost, I must get selected.”

“Man, I tried to convince you, but you just don’t listen.” Lancaster scratched the back of his head, getting off the bed. “I won’t force you. I’ll just wish you luck, man. I will be there to support you and hope everything goes well.”

“I’ll take a shower. Make yourself at home,” he told Atlas as he walked away, limping.

Along the way, he took off his shirt and started roaming through his clothes in the bag to select something to wear.

As Lancaster took off his clothes, Atlas kept his focus on the poster of selection. Like before, it was Lilith who was keeping her eyes on the surroundings.

She noticed the bare chest of Lancaster. Her focus straight went to the tattoo on the right shoulder of Lancaster.

The tattoo seems like a combination of a sun, a bow, and multiple swords that were used as arrows.

Seeing the tattoo, a surprised gasp left Lilith’s lips. “That’s impossible… How can he be…?”