Chapter 20: Chapter 19 - The Moral Compass

Edward sat by the window of the train, heading toward Titanfall, a town a few hours west of Scrapville. He gazed out at the desolate Lowlands, his mind drifting back to an event after escaping the Liver Gang Dungeon.

The cold air inside the dungeon was thick with relief as the freed prisoners cheered, their voices echoing off the stone walls. They had just escaped hell, thanks to Edward.

As he turned to leave, a thought struck him. He paused, glancing over his shoulder. "I know we just said goodbye," he said with a sheepish smile, "but I just remembered there's something else you could help me with."

The group, still riding the high of their newfound freedom, perked up.

“I knew there was more we could do!” Andy grinned.

“Anything!” another former prisoner chimed in.

Edward pulled out a worn photograph. “Has anyone seen this person?”

The picture was passed around until a woman gasped. “I know him! We live in the same compound!”

Edward’s eyes widened. “Really?! What’s your name? Where do you live?”

“I’m Nadia. I live in the west of Titanfall.”

Present Day – Titanfall

Edward walked on, fingers brushing over the photo tucked into his pocket. His thoughts were heavy.

All this pain, betrayal, and pride… Mistress has chosen a dark path. It’s too late to change that, but maybe, just maybe, I can bring some light to her journey.

He pulled out the picture and gazed at it. Kenny Bakare… Nailah’s old friend from Skyland, who had lost his aristocratic status just weeks before Nailah was framed for murder. During their reunion, she had told him that the Bakares had passed away, but Nadia had mentioned that she and Kenny lived in the same compound. Edward hadn’t told Nailah anything, still unsure about the situation, but he needed to confirm if it was truly him. If it was, he knew he had to recruit him, no matter what.

The sound of someone calling his name jolted him from his thoughts.

“Edward!!!”

Looking up, he saw Nadia waving from across the street.

Inside her modest apartment, the aroma of freshly brewed tea filled the air. Edward took a sip, savoring the warmth. “This tea is amazing.”

Nadia beamed. “Thank you!”

“So, how have you been since the Liver Gang incident?” he asked.

“Life’s been great! I have a new job as a tailor and…” she paused, eyes twinkling. “Andy’s my boyfriend now!”

Edward nearly choked on his tea. “Wha—” He coughed, regaining composure. “Well, that was sudden.”

Nadia giggled. “Looks like some good can come out of the worst situations.”

A moment of silence passed before she leaned forward, curiosity in her gaze. “I’ve been wondering… Why is someone as capable as you looking for a lazy bum like Kenny?”

Edward smirked. “My boss wants to recruit him.”

Nadia tilted her head. “Huh. That’s unexpected. He’s never been the ambitious type.”

“Do you know where he went?”

She shrugged. “All I know is that rent’s due today… and Kenny never pays on time.”

Edward arched an eyebrow. “Then how does he even afford rent?”

“That’s the thing,” she said, crossing her arms. “He’s unemployed.”

Edward tapped his chin. Interesting…

He stood, adjusting his coat. “I better get going.”

Nadia followed him to the door. “Oh, and could you not mention me to Kenny? I’d like to observe him first.”

She gave a knowing smile. “I won’t say a word.”

Edward stepped outside but glanced back. “Tell Andy I said hi.”

“Of course!”

Before he could take another step, a loud voice rang through the building.

“HEY, KENNY! I KNOW YOU’RE IN THERE!!”

Upstairs – Kenny’s Apartment

In a dimly lit room, Kenny pressed a hand over his mouth, eyes wide.

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Shit, I really need to pee!

He tiptoed across the floor, careful not to make a sound.

Creaaaak.

His face contorted in horror. Oh, come on…

“I heard you, motherfucker! I’m coming in!”

The door burst open, and before the landlord could react, a blur shot past her.

“Sorry, old man!” Kenny shouted as he bolted down the stairs.

Edward’s eyes widened as he recognized Kenny.

It’s him! There’s no doubt about it!

The landlord’s voice thundered after him. “COME BACK HERE!”

From a nearby window, Edward watched the spectacle unfold. His eyes flicked from the fleeing Kenny to the fuming landlord.

How did she get there so fast?

Kenny, however, wasn’t fast enough. In one swift motion, the landlord slammed his head into the ground.

Edward winced. Ouch.

Moments Later

Kenny sat slumped on the floor, holding a broom in one hand, utterly defeated.

The landlord crossed her arms. “Since you can’t pay on time, you’ll clean the whole building!”

Kenny groaned. “Alright…”

“I want it spotless and sparkly.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Time passed. The sun dipped lower in the sky.

Edward leaned against a nearby wall, watching as Kenny, instead of sweeping, lounged in a chair reading a comic book.

“Kenny!!” the landlord bellowed. “Why isn’t the floor spotless?!”

Without looking up, Kenny shrugged. “Why would I make it spotless? Ten minutes later, it’s dirty again. It’s a waste of energy.”

A resounding thwack echoed through the hallway. Kenny now sat with a swollen lip, while the landlord cracked her knuckles.

“Waste of energy, my ass!”

Edward stifled a chuckle. He’s as lazy as ever…

As the landlord stormed out, Edward stepped forward, clearing his throat. “Excuse me, may I have a word with you?”

The woman turned, eyes scanning him before her lips curled into a sly smile. “Only over a drink, handsome.”

Edward forced an awkward smile. This might be harder than I thought…

Edward sat across from the landlord, feeling more than a little uncomfortable. She leaned in with a smirk, her eyes playful.

"So, Handsome, what did you want to talk about?" she purred.

Edward cleared his throat. "Uh... well... I wanted to talk to you and—"

She cut him off with a grin. "It's a date, huh? You should’ve told me! I would’ve dressed better!"

His hands shot up in protest, his face flushing. "No, no! You've got it all wrong! I wanted to ask about you and that lazy man."

The landlord let out a disappointed sigh. "You should’ve said so!"

Edward gave her a deadpan look. "I tried. You stopped me."

Her teasing demeanor faded, and she leaned back. "Alright, what do you want to know?"

"Is it true that Kenny paid all his rent, even though he's unemployed?"

She nodded. "Yes, but he’s not really unemployed. He technically owns an odd job agency."

Edward narrowed his eyes. "Here’s my second question... Did he pay all the rent with money?"

The landlord smirked, clearly impressed. "So, Handsome and perceptive… I like that."

Edward chuckled. "I’m flattered."

She sighed, looking toward the city. "The neighboring city, Malleton, is ran by a crook who’s trying to turn it into a drug factory. My side businesses suffered because of it. Many of my employees left to work for there out of desperation."

Edward listened carefully as she continued. "Then one day, this kid with no recollection of his past—aside from his name—helped me get my business back on its feet with simple but effective advice. I was so grateful I gave him an 80% rent reduction."

Edward’s eyes widened. He doesn’t remember his past? That’s why he didn’t recognize me...

He chuckled suddenly. "Wait... Kenny only has to pay 20% of the rent and still manages to pay late?"

The landlord laughed. "Unbelievable, right?"

Edward leaned forward. "You don’t seem to care much about those 20%. Are you hard on him just to punish his laziness?"

She gave him a sly smile. "I rephrase—handsome and very perceptive! But that’s not quite it."

Her expression turned serious. "I do hate his laziness, but it's his kindness I condemn more."

Edward frowned. "Why condemn kindness? It’s rare these days."

The landlord’s face darkened. "That’s for a reason. The good ones die first in the Lowlands... like my son did."

Edward didn’t know what to say. After a moment, she continued. "Let me tell you how kind Kenny really is..."

A memory unfolded. A desperate man stood in front of Kenny, pleading.

"Please help me! My mother is sick. She only has a day to live. I need money to get her to a hospital. Please, sir!"

Kenny sighed, reaching into his pockets. "Alright."

He handed the man a few coins, who grasped them tightly. "Thank you so much, sir!"

The landlord had been watching. As she approached, Kenny turned to her. "You know he was lying, right?" she asked.

Kenny smiled. "Yeah, I know. If his mother really had a day to live, her illness was probably beyond saving. The nearest hospital is a day from here, so she wouldn’t have made it anyway. And a handful of coins wouldn’t cure a disease."

The landlord stared at him. "Then why give him money?"

Kenny’s face softened. "Because there was one thing he wasn’t lying about."

"And what’s that?"

Kenny smiled. "That he needed the money."

The landlord rolled her eyes. "I’m guessing you don’t have enough for rent now, huh?"

Kenny laughed awkwardly. "Sorry..."

A fist promptly bonked him on the head.

Back in the present, Edward wiped his eyes. "He’s such a good guy!"

The landlord scoffed. "You’re losing points, man."

Edward shook his head, smiling. That confirms it. He hasn’t changed a bit.

His expression turned determined. "Sorry, but I’m going to take Kenny away from you. In exchange, soon enough, that judge won’t be a problem for you anymore. And Kenny will have a real job."

The landlord smirked. "You seem trustworthy. Fine, take him. He takes more breaks than he works anyway!"