UNBALANCE IN THE KINGDOM OF SCALE

"I'm sorry, esteemed customers," the shop owner said with a polite bow. "I'll give you the two fastest horses I own. Follow me."

He led Jackson and Marcel toward two striking black horses, separated from the rest. "These two brothers once belonged to special Shinras who died in battle a few months ago. The horses returned from the battlefield without a single scratch, yet were rejected by the kingdom and labeled abominations. I took them in, waiting for the right moment. If you're willing, they're yours."

"We're buying them," Jackson said immediately.

"Don't make decisions for me, Jack. These horses look scary," Marcel protested. "I'll pick from the regular ones."

"Suit yourself," Jackson replied as he quickly mounted one of the black horses. Then he froze. "Ahhhh—we messed up! We lost track of my papa. They're already far ahead! Marcel, grab a horse—we're going after them!"

Marcel hurriedly mounted a brown horse and rode after Jackson.

"Hey, kids! Looking for your parents?" the shop owner called out.

"Uh… sort of," Jackson replied awkwardly as he stops ridding after giving him his money.

"If you're chasing those two men who came here earlier, you'll need a map. You won't catch them otherwise."

Jackson stared, surprised. "How do you know we're after them?"

The man chuckled. "Don't take me for a fool. There's a barrier spell cast over this shop. It identifies every human with Renshi the moment they enter. I saw you sneaking around the moment you came in."

"You mean all that sneaking was for nothing?" Marcel groaned. "Then why didn't you rat us out?"

"I have my reasons," the man said calmly. "But don't waste more time. Here—take this map. They're heading to a town in the southern part of this kingdom. It's called Unbalance. Be warned… that place is not friendly."

Jackson took the map with a nod. "Thank you, sir."

The two boys quickly mounted their horses again and raced off toward Unbalance.

Meanwhile, far ahead in the journey of Alfie, Rebekah, and Lucy...

"Hey, Master! Master! Maaaster!" Alfie called repeatedly.

"Pipe down, Alfie," Lucy sighed. "I know you're tired, but hold on till sunset. We can't stop now."

"Don't answer him, Master," Rebekah cut in. "Alfie's gonna stay a kid till he turns thirty."

"Hey, hey, you honey badger," Alfie grumbled. "Don't piss me off. I'm already too tired to waste my energy arguing with you."

"Call me that again and I'll rip your tongue out," Rebekah warned.

"Hoooonnneeyy badger," Alfie said slowly with a smirk.

"That's enough, both of you," Lucy snapped. "Looks like you're worn out. There's a nearby town up ahead—we'll stop there for a soak in the hot spring."

"This is what I'm talking about!" Alfie shouted in excitement as they rode toward town.

Back in the Kingdom of Scale — Town of Unbalance...

Lyon and Sasaki finally arrived.

"This way," Sasaki said, jumping off his horse. "I can still sense the boy's Renshi, but it's faint. I doubt they're still here."

"No point chasing ghosts Sasa....Exca," Lyon muttered. "I'm teleporting us two kingdoms ahead—we're wasting time here."

"Agreed," Sasaki nodded. "They're not far."

Meh… I nearly blew the cover again, Lyon thought. I have to stop calling Sasaki 'Exca' out loud. This mission is exhausting.

"You okay, partner?" Sasaki asked.

"Yeah," Lyon replied quickly. "Just strategizing how to lock down the kid's exact location."

At the same time...

Jackson and Marcel rode hard toward Unbalance.

"Don't slow down, Marcel. We're almost there according to the map!" Jackson called out.

"You don't need to shout everything, Jack—I got this," Marcel replied confidently.

The two soon reached the town border—and what greeted them was chaos.

Unbalance was a haven for rogue Shinras—those who abandoned their sacred duties and used their powers for selfish gain. Once recognized by a kingdom as rogue, they became criminals, outlaws. Some Shinras left the system peacefully, but rogues... they chose power over order.

This town had no law.

Even the special darkside knight of the Kingdom of Scale was once a rogue. That's why this place existed—allowed to thrive as long as it didn't interfere with other kingdoms. According to the ancient pact, no kingdom could intrude on another's affairs unless it endangered the balance of the country.

Jackson and Marcel glanced around cautiously, realizing they were deep in a den of outlaws—and right in the middle of something bigger than they ever expected.