The Sin of Humanity

Mihon and Youray had been riding for some time now, astride the horses they had seized. The wind whistled among the trees behind them, as if whispering secrets of the road ahead.

Youray, gazing at the distant horizon, asked:

"In your opinion… what are they making with that stone in the factories?"

Mihon answered without turning his eyes from the road:

"I have no idea. There must be some secret behind it… But it's none of our business now. We put unimportant things aside."

Youray asked him again:

"How long until we reach the kingdom?"

"Most likely… two days."

The Kingdom of Randor was great and populous. Most people lived in the capital, with the king's palace standing at its center like a beating heart. As great as it was, it was not as vast as the largest kingdoms.

The capital, Mihon and Yurai's destination, was surrounded by a towering, heavily guarded wall that could only be opened through a huge door that could only be crossed with permission. Atop the wall, guards in gray uniforms and white shoes with red stripes lined the wall, resembling the uniforms of soldiers of the Union of Nations, albeit in different colors. In the center of their chests, the Union Jack was clearly visible. They carried long rifles and swords slung across their backs.

In front of this imposing door, a railway stretched suspended in the air, about two meters above the ground. It was crossed by a famous train known as the **World Train**, so named because it traveled across all continents without exception. The railroad was not based on ground supports, but on thick clouds, which people called the "cloud road". You could walk under it as if the sky was walking on top of you.

The two days passed, and Mihon and Youray approached the capital until they reached its gigantic gate. Suddenly, a roar broke the silence of the horizon... it was the sound of an approaching train. People gathered at the gate waiting for it to enter, and as soon as it stopped, crowds poured out of its carriages like a torrent, entering the city one by one.

In front of Mihon and Youray eyes, the black train stood, so huge that its end could not be seen, rickety as if from a long time ago, but its incredible speed - said to be 600 km/h - made it the center of admiration and awe. In this world, there are only three such trains, collectively known as the "trains of the world."

When Mihon and Youray entered the city, it was bustling with life. The markets were bustling with vendors, horse carriages were bustling, and people were moving in every direction. Due to the vastness of the kingdom, many people rented carriages to get around.

The guards refused to let them enter with their horses, so they had to leave them with an old man near the gate, in exchange for a sum of money. Mihon asked him to buy a cart and tie it to the horses. Afterward, they set off through the streets of the city, wandering around and admiring the decorations that were hung. They heard people talking in the alleys:

"The festival is coming!"

"The Fall Festival... In just five days!"

The city began to decorate for the upcoming event. The two-story houses, lined up in beautiful architectural harmony, were decorated with colors, balloons, and multi-shaped lamps. This year's festival is said to be different, as it is rumored that the king will announce his successor during the festival, with representatives of other kingdoms and dignitaries in attendance.

In the midst of the crowd, soldiers were scattered in every corner, coming with royal orders to maintain order and secure the event.

Mihon suddenly said as he stopped:

- Let's go and eat. I'm hungry.

- I'm hungry too, Youray replied.

 After searching for a while, they found a restaurant in an alleyway 

They entered this small restaurant in a narrow alley. It was full of people, conversations, and the sweet smells coming from the dishes. All the tables were occupied... except for one man sitting at a table.

Mihon approached him and said:

- do you mind if we sit here? There is no other place in the restaurant.

The man looked up at them. He looked about fifty years old, wearing loose purple clothes, his gray hair tied back, and a bandana on his forehead that read:

"The right way is in our hearts."

In front of him was a clay jar that smelled delicious. He said quietly:

- "Here you go.

They sat down, paying no mind to the glances of those around them—they knew the type of clientele such places attracted. Mihon ordered food and asked for a newspaper to catch up on the kingdom's news, immersing himself in reading as he ate.

The man broke the silence:

— You two aren't from this kingdom, are you?

Mihon replied without lifting his head:

— That's right. We're not from here.

— Did you come for the festival?

— You could say that. And you? You're not from here either?

— No… but it seems the two of you are with the revolutionaries, he said, his eyes fixed on the banner pinned to their chests.

— I've never seen that banner before… Are you affiliated with someone?

We serve no one, Mihon replied.

— Then be careful… the Revolutionaries are always under the watchful eyes of the Hunters' Guild and the army.

Mihon smiled.

— I don't care who's after me… roles can change in an instant.

The man burst into loud laughter, drawing the attention of those nearby, then said:

— Challenging the army? Haven't heard that in ages! You're intriguing… I like you, kid. Truth be told, I came here for someone else—but I wouldn't mind bringing you two along as well… How about joining my league?

Mihoun raised an eyebrow, surprised.

— League? What kind of league are you talking about?

The man gave a sly grin.

— I won't tell you just yet… Join, and you'll learn everything.

Youray finally spoke—his calm voice breaking the silence he had kept since entering the tavern:

— You've only known us for minutes… You don't know who we are, or what we want. How can you ask us to join a league we know nothing about?

The man gave a faint smile and said:

— Little boy… In my long life, through all the experiences I've been through, I've learned to recognize people from the very first glance.

The name of my brotherhood is The Hidden Puppets… and our path is the right one.

Mihoun's eyes widened slightly.

— I've heard of you… The army considers you part of the Revolutionaries, because you carry your own banner.

— That's true. So, would you two like to join us?

Mihoun replied in a steady tone:

— No. Our path is different. We have our own course… we follow no one.

The man sighed with a smile.

— What a shame… You're both incredibly strong.

But in truth, the man wasn't just impressed by them…

From the moment they stood before him, a strange feeling crept into his chest…

A feeling that told him: These two boys… are not ordinary.