Mire of Decay, Balzato City-States.
Though liberated like other city-states in the Mire of Decay, Balzato's liberation came relatively late, and its resistance was particularly resolute.
Of course, when the forces of the Black Tide Secret Society truly descended, Balzato's will to resist clearly weakened significantly.
Because those who resisted fiercely had already been thrown into the swamp...
However, people's personalities are varied; among the rash resistors are naturally vile schemers. The waves they create may not be large, but they are like festering wounds that won't heal...
In a cluttered room.
A young man, head bowed, sat motionless in a chair, as if he had fallen into a deep sleep from sheer exhaustion.
Yet the blood flowing from his neck revealed the grim truth.
Ordinarily, such an injury meant both feet were already in the coffin; the lid was about to be nailed shut.
But clearly, a hand had forcefully thrown the coffin lid aside...
"Hah... cough!"
