There was a time when people told that he came from Vizima due to heavy accent of the people in the eastern lowlands and the two- horse cart full of furniture of a wandering merchant. However, those who live in bustling markets and rivers ports would tell you that it was not true because he did not buy or sell anything, and if he did bought something, it was mostly flour, timber, coal and dried beef.

And then they were rumored to be a mercenary knight from the East because the black scales armor he worn was often used by nomadic cavalrymen, plus a longsword with a blade so thin that could be mistaken for a rapier was a unique product of Lorencia. But they could not explain why a knight like him had to live in a cart as well as the fact that he had appeared after every few months at the Catfish Wharf then hurrily went away a few days later.

Tobias didn't really care what they talked about until about two months ago, when a bunch of men and women with daggers in their hand and blood in their eyes, rushed to the Vando inn to find him and accused him of kidnapping children to practice some kind of dark arts. Tobias then proved his innocence with four corpses and two hands chop off and since that unpleasant incident, the murmur behind his back also faded away.

Having people afraid of him was beneficial and harmful at the same time . Although Tobias was no longer wary of pickpockets and the thugs cames to pick a fight with him, when he was looking for a place to sleep overnight or a decent meal at Vando, it was a different story.

"You again?" The brothel owner growled behind the counter, his hands were on his hips, his ugly round face grimacing as he saw the knight "What do you want this time?"

If that attitude was translated into the language of civilized people, it means " Pay for that shit and get the fuck out " but Tobias was still patient with him:

"An average meal and a room" He said "Do you have something decent to drink. I don't want the horse piss they serve at the wharf."

"You will have your food and drink, but there's no room for you."

"You just told the man before me and the woman before him that you still have a lot of empty rooms."

"That's the thing between me and them." He spit on the ground. "You son of bitch, do you think I'll let you rent room after you kill four people under my roof?"

"It is self-defense, not murder. The City Watch had concluded they attack me on purpose and i had all the right to defend myself. "He point out." Beside, I don't rent a room for myself. "

Now the old Vando owner noticed the small companion standing next to the knight from Vizima. His thick eyebrows lifted up when he saw the thin shoulders and golden brown curls flickering beneath the old hood.

A woman?

No she wasn't. Her physique was too small to be a woman and too big for a child. A girl who just counted her twelve nameday at best but not any dirty and annoying 12-year-old barefoot kids that he saw all the time at this Catfish river port. He could sense that and Tobias as well as when he was in Norstein.

"Who is it?" The shopkeeper asked, "your child?"

"I don't have a wife, how can I have a daughther?" He put a denarii on the counter, then put another one on the top of it, even though he was a little hesitant, "One room and one average meal."

His pea-like eyes skimmed past the two denarii, the brunet and then Tobias.

"Fine. A room for this girl but you have to sleep outside the stables. "He placed the terracotta jar with two cups in front of him. "Take it or fuck off."

The knight nodded and took the wine and served himself a cool beer. "My two horses also need to be fed and cared for."

"KilLeian will take care of that. The two of you go find a table for yourself, the food will be brought up immediately. "

They chose a place far from the door, a dark and tight conner where they would easily observed those who came in and out of Vando while not many people noticed them. The brown-haired girl took a sip of beer from the cup, before spitting out everything in her mouth onto the wooden floor.

"What is this?" She looked up at him and asked "This isnt wine."

"Beer." He answered.

"Beer?"

"A beverage introduced by the Japanese to the capital residents when they came to Ashuko last year. It had no need for distillation and also quite inexpensive, so every tavern and brothel in the city stores beer in their basement. Although I prefer alcohol, this is not bad stuff for drinking. "

"Japanese ..." She repeated the word in a strange voice, "Have you seen them? What do they look like? "

"A few times before the blockade." He took a small sip, the beer today had the smell of Leia grass, so he felt quite refreshed in his heart. "After the battle of Alnus, people rumored Japanese as big as Gadiot beasts with skin as hard as cold steel and eyes carrying the flame of infernor. Can you imagine how disappointed they were when they found out that those monsters looked like other normal people except small eyes, flattened nose and jet black hair? "

"I can only imagine how foolish it is to not be afraid of the one who defeated the fourteen Imperial legion."

Still the same arrogant attitude like the first time he met the girl at Norstein City gate. It was a drizzling day, the captain who command the guard at East Gate did not allow him to go through because he didnt have enough money to offer a bribe, and because miserable misfortune was clinging since he left Sadera, Tobias had nothing left on him except what he could not sell. Having no other option, Tobias had to come to a infamous shark loan named Pharosa to talk about a debt in the south of the city and at that moment, this strange girl from nowhere appeared next to him with only clothes on her back, a pair of oversized shoes for boys and a coat that look more like rag. He was about to wave his hand to chase her away, but the eyes that so blue like the sky on the clearest days made him change his mind.

"I can help you." She said, "You want to go through the gate and you need money."

"I have enough money to buy a ship." Said the Knight "I have enough money to buy a island and become king of it myself, little one."

"I know. But you can't use them, right? "

How the hell she know? Tobias was startled, he slowly put his hand on the hilt of the sword and received an answer with a silver ring falling from her thin hands. The ring has the shape of three salmon swimming into a circle. Although he had no proper education, he had enough knowledge on noble house's sigils and banners to know what it belonged to.

"Take me away from Vizima." She told Tobias as he bent down to pick up the ring, the raindrops falling around making her words sound like a whisper. "Take me out of here and you'll have more than a ring. "

They left Norstein that day and reached the Myre border after a week. Standing on the graves of those who died in the "Last Rape," with the vast grassland of the East Empire in front and the red ridges behind their backs, she gave Tobias the golden bracelet:

"Take me across the sea of grass and you'll have more."

In Valoran, Tobias received an ivory brooch and when they stood under the wall of the port city of Aquaticus was a necklace with sapphire stones. He never wriggled for more money and she was neither generous nor naïve to begin with. One night, when they were still in the East, Tobias almost had a blade cutting thrusting through his neck when he went into a cart to avoid the cold of the steppe. Honestly, he was amazed by that, astounded by her boldness and the fact that during half a month, he didn't know she was carrying weapons.

"Are you going to see Gonzori?"

The knight from Vizima nodded and drank his beer. Then he looked thoughtfully at his companion. "You know his name but do you know who he is?"

"We have a deal." The girl coldly reminded him "We don't ask about each other's stories."

And they really didn't need to do that. For obvious reason, she didn't randomly choose Tobias as her guardian and because of that he also vaguely guesses her identity. Moreover, he was not the talkative type .

"That's right, but we're talking about Gonzori and not about you."

She hesitated slightly at his logic, but then she said softly. "Zarkan Gonzori, one of the gang leader in Ashuko. He is said to be a beastman from Tiga Clan who lost one of his eye when fighting for the empire as a sellsword, seven feet tall, very scary. Do I get it right?"

"Almost" Tobias replied, "Except the scary part. Do not misunderstand me, he is extremely scary but not in the way you imagine. His appearance easily deceives others and that was why Bessara went to Hardy's Hall that soon. "

"I do not understand."

"There were four gangs in Sadera, Gonzori, Medusa, Paramount and Bessara but now there are only three. About a year ago, a meeting was held between the underground bosses to discuss how they was going to deal with people in green. During the meeting Bessara stood up and offered to attack them. Although Paramount and Medusa disagree, that idiot still proceeds. "

"He didn't do it alone." The little girl pointed out, "Gonzori has supported him, right?"

"Yes. And Gonzori himself who warned the Japanese about the attack as well as invited them to establish their base in Ashuko from the beginning. "

He confessed to Tobias with a bottle of Savoleon on hand after the fourth delivery, when the knight had gained enough trust from boss to have a toast with him in private. The wine was warm and sweet like woman's lip, but Zarkan Gonzori's words were cold as ice and , especially when t came to the part where his minions cut Bessara and his family into pieces. Tobias didn't understand why Zarkan told him about it. A boast in drunkenness or was it a kind of intimidation from Gonzori boss? The knight from Vizima was not sure but he knows he should not go to see the beastman without weapon no matter what.

"More reason for you not to come to see such a person."

"I have to keep my promise."

"Many people didn't do that and they still live." The girl said contemptuously, "Don't be so stupid."

Although he was interested in her intelligence, sometimes Tobias just wants to slap her right in the face. Yeah, She must not have been slapped in her life. Unlike the parents of peasant children who give their offsprings much more slaps than bread, the lords never beat theirs. They call it the behavior of the lower class and whatever was put on that shameful list always started with the word "Don't". Strangely, the nobility seemed to be obsessed with showing their differences to those living outside the castle. They ate very sweetly while Tobias's mother put so much salt in the food that he drank the well dried and when he was studying horseshoeing, the lousy son of lord Sanda was trying to cut off the horse's legs.

"Thanks to my outdated belief, you are able to come to this place in one piece. The smart man will steal all the things you had as soon as we left Norstein. The smart guy will tie up the runaway bride of Lord Wallon and lead her in front of him to receive the reward. "

She frowned wryly but said nothing and that was all Tobias needs. He always wondered what did Agula noble lady do in Vizima? Wallon has no granddaughter and his son had been married for a long time.

Maybe she saw me walking into the castle , He supposed so, but why did he never see Wallon's little bride standing next to him? The greed of this old man was no less famous than his habbit of bragging.

"So why don't you do that? You are a criminal. "

"First, I am a knight and not a robber." He smiled wryly. "And the reason I didn't drag you to Wallon is very simple. I hate your big fat husband. "

"We are not married." He said harshly

"Oh, My bad then. He should be called your fiancé. "

Tobias was about to piss her off a little more but then he saw Mea approching to them with their dinner in her hand. Mea was the name of the most beautiful waitress of Vando, hair as blond as corn and lips that want to be kissed often. She was always smiling when serving him food and even serving his ... other needs.

"Fish with honey and pepper, cheese, bread, vinegar and vegetables" Mea said as she put each dish down on the table "Do you need more beer or something?"

"Another bottle of wine is fine. Can I have some fried onion? "

"When did you like onion?" Asked Mea in surprise " You said you couldn't stand it smell before."

"Not for me, love." Tobias shook his head and glanced at the person sitting next to him.

"Well, Well, Well, look what we got here." The waitress's voice was suddenly annoyed. "Who is it?"

"My customers."

"It looks like the opposite."

"Whatever you want to believe," he said dejectedly. "Get me some onions and I'll talk about it later. Tonight i sleep in the stable. "

"I'm not a prostitute."

She snapped and left. I'm not a prostitute . That's right, she said the same thing when he put three Drechma on the edge of the bed. And I'm not a Jerk or a prince. Tobias then tries to put money into Mea's hands, even calling it a gift so waitress wouldn't feel that he was using her.

"Women ..." He cut the bread into four silce with his knife, spread a little of butter on it, before putting it in his mouth with a dark green leaf of spinach. "I never understand them."

The fish didn't have as much pepper as he expected, but the taste of honey was excellent, melting right in the mouth. For an average meal, it was too generous and enjoying simple little things was the leading principle of a wandering knight. Tobias liked the time he was sitting under the smoky celling of Vando with his bread and a beer on the table. Though it was short, at least it was time he can forget the hardship and broken dreams, which was quite rare these days. However, Tobias's companion didn't share same idea with him. Since the dinner was served, she hardly touched any pieces of food.

"What else do you know about me?" He stared at him and asked.

"Let's see." Tobias place the haft- eaten fish on the plate. "You don't like this marriage with Wallon for sure. That was understandable cause no one really like that pig and I know you ran away. I know he gave you the ring, the brooch and the necklace for the wedding gift and that's was everything you could bring along"

Otherwise he would have a bag full of gold and she would have something more beautiful to wear instead of this rag.

"When you get to Agula, you can have whatever you want." He declared, "My father has a lot of money."

"Had" He corrected her "My condolence."

A silence fell upon the girl. She gave him a suspicious look with a bit of shocking as if she couldn't believe that her little secret was exposed by a common sellsword and more importantly, how long did he know ?

"Yes, I know who your father is" He said nonchalantly as the girl gasped. "Don't be surprised. Even in the East, such news couldn't be ignored."

The death of the king of Agula and his sons in the battle of Alnus sparkled the mercenaries. King Harland had no surviving brothers except his greedy cousins and these people obviously dislike each other very much. A civil war was inevitable, they said. When there were too many piglets and too few of tits, things like that happened all the time and civil war to mercenaries was a chance to get rich.

"Your relatives will tear you into pieces. Going there maybe not the best option."

"Not your business." She hissed and turned away. "Just take me to Agula and you will have anything you want."

"It's my business. If you die, who will pay me? Moreover, I mentioned money because we need some money to get out of this city. "

She looked up at him, bewildered. "But…But back there, the soldiers let we through."

"It's because of Gonzori." The soldiers didn't dare touch Tobias, the girl and the cart because behind them were the most ruthless criminal of Ashuko and a very big bag of money. "

"Can you borrow Gonzari some money ?" She suggested, "You are his favorite transporter, right?" Surely he will accept if you ask. A deal would be better and if he doesn't agree, we'll ... "

"Do that and we will have our hands and feet chop off before being skined alive" Tobias took a sip of beer and pointed out the foolishness in her plan."That is how they deal with those dare to steal from the Boss."

But Tobias assumed that he would live a little longer before being putting from misery. Gonzari called him "Radd" (it means friend in the Eastern Tiga language) and it wasn't right if he didn't give his radd any favor.

"If I ask him that, he will ask questions. Questions that you and i dont want to answer and I lie as badly as i fight with the sword. Once Gonzori knows about you, our journey will officially end."

There would be no ransom, Tobias knew that. No matter who that sat his boney ass on the throne of Agula, there was no way he would bring the late king's last child home and if she dies in a ditch at the capital, the better for him. It was bad enough to be seen as kinslayer, so no one wanted to become child murder.

"If you say so" She reluctantly nodded. "But what are you going to do?"

"Maybe Gonzari will want someone to die." As far as he remembers, some of Bessara's men were still there and they had no intention of bowing down to new master. It was going to be bloody and messy. These guys werent random thugs, but Tobias believes in his hands and swords, which was the reason he was still alive today. "Just after a few jobs, I will have enough money."

"But you can die, you idiot." She raised her voice. "We have money here."

"No." Tobias placed the terracotta cup violently on the table. "As long as you're under my protection, you'll have to do what I say. If you don't like it, just go find someone else to take you to Agula. "

His voice was like two metal bars hitting each other, making her tremble a bit. No matter how gritty she was, she was still a child no less.

"Eat, girl." Tobias ordered "No more question."

But she didn't listen to him. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because you paid me." He replied, "Now eat."

"No, I have no money and you has already known it from the beginning. What I can give you now are promises. My father died, my brothers also died, I was nobody but a penniless child that countless people wish me dead. You know going with me will lead you to nowhere, but why are you still risking it? "

That was the same thing he asked himself while riding under the starry sky, when he looked down at the muddy water of the Rho River but still he had no answer.

"You really want to know that much?"

"I want answer." She insisted.

"Fine, I will answer that question if you agree to answer my question."

He scowled at him. "I don't have time to play game."

"It's an exchange not a game. A question in exchange for a question. "Tobias said," Or you can consider it as my wages. From now on, I would take no gold or silver except answer "

She suspiciously looked at him then picked up the cup and drank it all, the golden iridescent beer drops flowing from the corners of her mouth down to the lovely small neck. After finishing, the girl wiped her mouth with her palm and said, "You are a strange person. Fine, I agree. "

"Very well." He leaned back against the chair and put his hands on his stomach. "I'm risking because this is a great opportunity for me to fulfill my wishes. Since they place the sword on my shoulder and forced me to take those vows, I have always wanted to do this but never had the chance. "

"Do what?"

He laughed out loud. " Do what a man like me supposed to do. Become the knight in shining armor who save the damsel in distress. Although you are hardly a damsel at your age, that's enough for me. "

A set of mixed emotions from anger to shock respectfully appeared on the face of the exiled princess.

"You ... Are ... kidding me, aren't you?" She pointed her finger at his face, trembling in anger. "Do I look like someone who believes Luke and Constance?"

"It depends, but it's true." He calmly reliped. "And if is not then what is the difference anyway? I promised to take you to Agula and I will definitely do it, in any way I can. Isn't that what you want? "

She was silent, he continued, "Now it's my turn. What is your name? "

"You has already known my name!"

"Not that long ass royal title they called you." Tobias shook his head. "A simple name for us to address each other. I'm getting tired of calling this 'kid' or ' girl' and I'm sure you do too.

"You really are ..." The girl sighed. "Okay, when I was about six or seven years old, the servants called me Leia."

"Very well." Tobias smiled and lifted the beer mug up. "Leia is a beautiful name for a girl."

.

.

Two strangers entered the Vando inn when Leia finished her grilled fish and fried onion. The man was an old warrior with tanned skin of the Southern islander of Pearl Sea, carrying sword and a invory hilt daggers on his waist. His face exuded an expression of confidence as he looked around the dinning room filled with the smell of smoked sausage and burned fat of the affordable inn. In contrast, the blonde woman who hide her face behind the white hood seemed to be uncomfortable with the atmosphere here.

"Who are they?" Leia asked anxiously as the two strangers looked at where they sat.

"I don't know"

He replied and put his hand on the newly sharpened dagger in the morning. In close quarter combat, a 24-inch blade was the equivalent of an Amonius sword. The old man taught Tobia that many years ago, when he was still a boy with a wooden sword. The lesson was strange and hard, his teacher was usually more drunk than he should be and got angry with every mistake he made. Tobias hated all of them, the old drunkard and his harsh training but he coudnt deny their effectiveness.

"I will try to hold them as long as I can" He said to the girl, "As for you, try to run as fast as you can."

"Run? Where to? "Her tone told him it was not a question. She was smart enough to understand that its journey was hopeless in the first place and it was a miracle that she made it to the Capital.

"Just run and look for a place to hide first." He sighed. "There are so many people in the harbor, they can't find you easily. I'll come to you when I'm done here"

Although saying that, Tobias himself knew that he could hardly do it. He suddenly realized who old knight was. Gray of Thrach, they called him, one of the heroes of the Battle of Carenhall and if the rumors about his talent for swordsmanship were true, Tobias only had few chances to get out of here alive.

And there was still the woman who accompanied Gray. Tobias could see the sword hilt carved into the shape the owl's head slightly looming behind the with cloak and according to his hunch, she didn't cary it for fun.

I can't beat both of them in a fair fight.

But most of the battles he once participated in were unfair and he always knew how to win this sort of fight. The hight and mighty knights were trained to fight with another knight. Thi result of this metality was they often paid too much attention to the enemy's sword and forgetting other equally dangerous threats.

"Take this." He handed the flagon of beer to the girl. "When I give you a signal, throw it at the old man's face, understood?."

Leia looked at him hesitantly for a few seconds but then she nodded, "I understand."

Tobias picked up his cup and slowly drank it, trying to be as natural as possible when the other two approached them. Gray was the target he needs to taken out first if thing went south. The knight was old and the hair was slowly living up to his name, but still his movements were still as cautious and flexible as a leopard, exactly the type of opponent that Tobias wanted to avoided.

"Are you Tobias Pisia, the one who they called the knight from Vizima?" Gray asked him

He smirked, not borther looking up at the old man. "In my village Pisia, people will politely introduce himself first before asking questions."

The woman immediately was insulted by that, her hand clenching on the hilt of her sword. She clearly was not pleased with the attitude of Tobias. Seeing that, Gray raised his hand and put the stop to that.

"Don't ever draw your sword in anger, Beatrice" He reminded the woman "Don't you remember what I have taught ? "

The woman named Beatrice smiled and removed her hand from the sword's hilt. "How can I forget it, Ser. It's just a little hot in here. "

"Then go look for something at the counter to cool it down." Gray suggested, "I will do the talking"

"If you say so"

When Beatrice was gone, Gray sat down on the bench opposite to Tobias. Excitement danced in the old knight's green eyes as he glanced at Leia with the flagon in her hand.

"Well, you supprise me, young man. I didn't expect a person like you to have a female squire. Most knights prefer to train boys. "

"She is not my squire and it is strange for a person like you to say that."

The story about Gray of Thrach taking the position of master of arms at the Imperial palace with more than half of his students were girls was well known. About five years ago, on his first arrival at the Capital, Tobias was told about an order led by the rebellious princess Pina Co Landa. At first, he laughed at this idea and thought the princess was just playing sword for a while before got bored and put her attention on elsewhere, and Gray was a lucky son of bitch when finding such a good place to retired.

"Those girls aren't my squire either." Gray laughed. "Do you think their parents will let their precious offsprings empty my piss pot? I'm simply there to teach the children how to defend themselves. "

"A glorious master of arm then. It's way better than training the peasants in Fallas before sending them to the frontline."

"I admit you are right." He nodded "The gods had favored me, but what is the point of talking about it now? People with royal blood in their veins often have strange way of thinking that men like us would never understand them and the result of that is that some people will receive grace from them while others do not. "

Was that why Leia chose him? He was not a reLeiable guardian or a prestigious knight to begin with and if it was in terms of swordsmanship or achivement, Tobias had nothing to stand out for.

"You will also receive the grace of her highness too if you do what I say." The knight glanced at Leia and smirked. "Or are you satisfied with what you have?"

Leia was stunted by the old man's words while Tobias muttered and cursed his carlessness. He should have told her to cover her face a long time ago. Even in the filthy clothes, the aura of the ruling class still did not fade away.

"It's none of your business." He growled. "Why are you here , Gray? Speak it out or piss off.

"Easy, man. I didn't come here for a fight" The old knight assured him, "But first, tell her to put the flagon down, would you? This trick is pretty old and it's not very effective either. "

I have no chance against this man, Tobias desperately thought when he gestures to Leia to put the flagon on the table. She stared at him and he could see the fear in her blue eyes.

"Put it down." Tobias said, "If Ser Gray wants to harm us, he has done it already."

The old knight shrugged his shoulder "I don't know why you thought I came here to kill this girl but I don't intend to find out. Like you said, its none my bussiness The princess has given me a mission and I will complete it. "

"If your master wants to find mercenaries, I can recommend some people."

Tobias felt uncomfortable with this. Under Pina's command, there were at least a hundred skilled swordsmen, but she had to sent Gray down here to find a mercenary knight. Even if he was not stuck with Leia, he would never get invovle with that family. The emperor was famous for his ruthlessness, Zorzal was a violent dickhead, while his brother Diabo was shady as fuck. There was not much to say about the princess Pina Co Landa other except she was a troublemaker but usually the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

"I came here because of your talent."

"My talent? Drinking and fucking? "

"Honesty and discreetness" Gray said, "Admittedly, these are rare talents for a mercenary, but if it wasn't the case, Gonzori would never trust you with his little treasure right?."

Tobias's hand tightens the grip of the dagger. How much did the old man know? He wasn't sure but he thinks he knows who revealed this. "Do you believe in the words of a criminal now, Gray?"

"I believe in his greed. You should have known that better than anyone else, Gonzori is… well a complicated person, some say evil and they maybe right on that but he is also a realist and all he does for one reason only. "

"So do I. Now, be a good dog and go tell your master that I refuse her offer, no matter what it is. "He pointed his finger in annoyance at the wooden door. "Go and leave me in peace."

Honestly, Tobias doubts that the insults he thrown out would have any effect on people like Gray and unfortunately when in such situations, his judgment was always accurate. The old knight still sat in front of him, as strong as a rock:

"The reward will be handsome," he said. "It's so huge you can think of your retirement."

"I am not interested."

"So what should I do to make you interested in my offer?"

He smiled disrespectfully and raised the beer mug up. "Order a good flagon of wine, a nice room and let that brown hair beauty warm my bed for one night then maybe I will be interested."

"YOU LOWLY SCUM"

Immediately, a jug of wine flew straight into his head. Tobias bent down to avoid it, fragments of pottery and wine splashing right above his head. The one who was behind the attempt of murdering him was none other than Beatrice and Tobias swears that in a moment, he saw her eyes were as red as two burning coal.

Fuck, I thought she was still at the counter, He quitely cursed as he stood up. Trouble!

His trouble came in the shape of a steel blade about 90 inches long, shiny and sharp enough to shave the spider's butt. The people in Vando immediately sticked to the wall when they saw it, some frantically ran out of the tavern when sniffing to see a bloody fight about to take place.

"Beatrice ! What did I say? "Gray stood up and shouted. "Stay where you are."

But the young swordswoman ignored those words and headed towards Tobias, "You can endure the humiLeiation of him but I cant ! This savage bastard has to pay. "

Savage. Two centuries had passed since the last nomadic horde was crushed under the iron heels of Imperial Legions, flattened riverside villages to make way for newly brick-built towns and this was what they received. The scorn and suspicion, regardless of whether it was a noble lord or a farmer's son.

Tobias smirked "By the accent, You are no better than me, Lady. Nym or Khal's Valley I wonder? "

"Beatrice Delannoy of Exter." She replied proudly. "The Delannoy family was noble of Sadera from the Valerian's era before receiving new the titles and lands from Senate for our contribution in the Western Campaign. We don't share the blood with the nomads. "

"Delannoy? Exter? "The mercenary knight was stunned for a few seconds," Are you Rickard Delannoy's daughter? "

"The one who was murdered by the filth like you after he had taken them in?" Beatrice hissed. "Yes, That's my father."

Tobias looked at the woman from head to toe suspiciously. His mind was overwhelmed by the afternoons in the wheat field, the laughter of the river was small, causing him to faint. The color of the hair and face was exactly the same as that of the girl that year, but why did he feel like he was standing in front of a stranger? Moreover, did he change so much that she could no longer recognize it?

"No way ..." Tobias muttered to himself. "You can't be ..."

"What did you just say, savage?" Beatrice asked jubilantly. "I didn't hear you. Speak up!"

Of course he wouldn't do what she told but Tobias's habit of mocking, taking everything lightly immediately made him regret. "Well, nothing important, just as far as I remember, Valerian's Western Campaign ended in failure and his loyalists were driven to the East by the Senate. A glorious selters, everyone of you "

A terrible thrust was launched at his chest. Beatrice used Window's Guard posture and it was a wise choice in such situation because it would make her thrust faster and more powerful, not to mention utilizing advantages of the long sword. Gray has trained his students well but there were some things that even him could teach.

The knights paid too much attention to their opponent's swords and forgot about other equally dangerous threats.

With surprising calmness, Tobias kicked the table forward with his right foot and the duel quickly ended. Beatric Delannoy was completely surprised by his attack and could do nothing but fall into the trap literally. The table was too old and made of poor quality wood immediately broke due to her weight.

"Bastard." She rose and glowed with hurt pride. "I'll kill you."

However, Tobias's sword was placed on her shoulder first. Compared to the swordswoman's fancy blade, the Tempest was nothing more than a butcher's knife but it still had its own uses, especially when facing opponents wearing only chainmail.

"Yield?" Tobias asked but only received the sound of the gaze that could make hell freeze. "Don't be that stubborn! "

In the past, he also said those words to Ladybug and if the adult version she decided to continue fighting, it should not be a surprise. The only thing that surprised Tobias here was Gray. The old knight just stood still and watched his student get beaten up while he had the opportunity and skill to split him in half.

"Enough, Beatrice," Gray said, and Tobias could feel the dull rage in his deep voice. "You've got your chance and lost."

The female knight's fingers tightened around the handle of her sword and Tobias understood what that meant. The very first duel between them was not fair to begin with. He was fifteen and could be considered a man while Ladybug was still a twelve-year-old child. However, that couldn't stop her from getting up after every time she was knocked down as well as preventing him from going to the Khal's Great Stable every afternoon to accept the challenge.

Now the situation didn't change much except that they are using real swords instead of wooden ones and if thing went on like this, one of then would die. Of course Tobias had no intention of killing an old acquaintance, but the difficulty was that he couldn't guarantee his own chance of survival if he didn't take her seriously. Beatrice was a student of Gray and she wouldn't easily fall for that kind of trap again.

"I yield."

Those strange words rang as she threw her sword on the stone floor. Beatrice Delannoy, His Ladybug had surrendered. The confusion was obvious on the mercenary's face when he returned the blade to its sheath, followed after it was a sad smile.

Everything has changed, he thought silently. He was no longer that young man who have a crush on highborn lady, just as she was no longer his Lady Ladybug.

"This is the reasonwhy I always told you not to draw your sword while ." Gray picked up his sword and angrily pressed it against Beatrice's chest. The female knight's face reddened. "You should have forseen his attack."

"Using trick doesn't have honor."

"That's true, but dying like an idiot isn't more honorable either." The old knight pointed to the wooden door. "Go out there and wait, girl. Remember not to pick a fight with anyone else, can you do that?"

Beatrice obviously disliked that command but like every knights trained in the , she would obey it even without enthusiasm. The honest residents of the Catfish riverport also have the same idea. They were willing to nestle to the side to give way to the female knight, though she didn't like her at all.

"A few years ago, they even smirked when they were passing by," Tobias commented. "Now, if you cough for just a few hours, these guys will get their pants ready. I guess Rose Riders must be busy lately, right? "

Gray did not respond. He waved his hand toward the curious crowd and told them to disperse. Then the old knight then turned to him, sighing:

"This morning we just hanged four men on Bronzewick Street, two days ago eight so hopefully by the end of the week there will be no more rapists or robbers."

The mercenary knight nodded his head in agreement. "Extreme measures can be understood in extreme situations."

"Right. As you said, this is an extreme situation. "He glanced at the broken table." I've trained more than half of the order myself and more than anyone else, I know their limits. It's no coincidence I came to you today. "

The best blooming flowers in warm spring weather often cannot survive the harsh winter. What a shame that Pina named her knight after a flower, as if she had already predicted their gloomy future.

"Forgive me for my harsh words and previous behavior , sir" Tobias bowed down his head slightly. "I was just trying to find a way to turn down your offer."

"No need to apologize, young man. This is not the first time I've heard those words and certainly not the last time." The old knight smiled and tapped his shoulder "They say words cut deeper than sword but when you get older, you know it's completely bullock. I was cut by sword, spear, warhammer and swear to the gods, a kitchen knife include. But no word has ever penetrated my breastplate. They're just like ... "

"... Rain fall on rock?"

The old man's eyes narrowed. "Gonzori said you came from the east. Where exactly is that, I'm curious. "

"Is it necessary, Sir Gray? You can't find it on the map anyway. "

"Oh, it looks like I got my nose into something that wasn't my bussiness. Can you forgive this old man, Tobias? "He slightly bow down but with a little more grace than Tobias." Anyway I leave my offer here with you, so you can think it through in two or three day perhaps. In case you agree, go to Jade Palace tomorrow to meet with Her Royal Highness and we will discuss the details later, okay? You won't loose a thing in this, I guarantee that. "

Gray of Thrac didn't lied, he simply sold him half the truth. The rewards were always proportional to the level of danger and Tobias had been selling his sword long enough to know when to stop. The cemetery was full of people who die of greed and he has no intention of following them to the grave.

Moreover, he already has a princess to rescue. Two would be too much. However, just as the mercenary knight was about to make a final decision, he heard a girly voice spoken up behind his back :

"The mission you mentioned … It took place outside of the city, right?"

Tobias turned around to find Leia climbing down the bench and walking towards them. Her hands were placed behind her back, the hood was removed, revealing her chestnut hair and her beautiful face, though slightly pale. He felt a little pity at the sign. The road from Vizima to the capital was overwhelming for a child of her age.

"Lady .. Sorry but I .."

"Leia." She interrupted. "And I'm not a lady."

And like no peasant girl dared to speak to a knight in that kind of tone. Leia needs to learn how to behave properly or their path to Agula would be very long and painful.

"Leia is my aunt's child," Tobias added, but he himself felt silly and superfluous. "She had just died, so the girl has no one left."

"What about her father?"

"Gods took him many years ago" He replied "Pneumonia."

The old knight laughed in a mocking tone "Do you think people would believe such a story?"

"You will be surprised. These idiots are many these day. Besides, I'm also very good at persuading. "

"Thank you, sir but I believe I can handle it myself," Leia said with displeasure. This was the first time in many years that someone had called him Sir, and it sounded as strange as the time when the Sakkos cavalry called him the Saderan rat. "You said you don't care who I am or where I'm from, Sir Gray? "

"Everyone has their own secret, mi'lady, but as long as the secret is not harmful to Princess Pina, it is not my concern."

"Harmful to the princess, but not to the Empire?"

Those words were like arrows piercing the armor of the knight. His eyes narrowed.

"Let's say that Princess Pina is always loyal to the Empire and I will always be loyal to the princess."

Like all the people from the land conquered by Imperial legions, Gray never found his heart beating faster while fighting under the golden eagle banner or sobbing at the song tributed to Marius's last moment or the desperated fights on walls around here against the Niffheim's armies. In this regard, Tobias could sympathize with him because even a man who have half of Saderan blood flowing in his vein like Tobias would only regard the Imperial expansion in East as a simple matter of money and power.

"Forgive me, sir. I didn't mean to offend you. "She gently lowered entire her body with her back straight and her legs crossed like a real lady." Back to the question just now, did the mission you mentioned will take place outside the city? "

"Can you tell me why you think it would be so, Lady Leia?"

"I'm not a lady," Leia repeated. "You said I needed Sir Tobias's talent, but I kept wondering what kind of talent it was. Swordmanship? You have a few dozen well-trained knights under your command, but Tobias is somehow better than them? I don't think so! Certainly it's about something else beside his fighting skills, right? Then I remembered that Sir Tobias was the one who went from one end of the Empire to the other while the your Knights were primarily stationed in the capital and it was not difficult to connect those two. "

Gray was a little hesitant, maybe due to the sensitivity of the information or because he was shocked at the sharp mind of a twelve-year-old child but in the end, the hero of the battle of the Well gave her his answer:

"You're right, but I'm afraid I can only reveal that much."

"That's more than enough." Leia took a deep breath and as if slapping his face, she declared loudly, "We agree with the offer."

Stubborn, always doing things in her own way and ignoring what others thought. Although Tobias sometimes relishes her characteristic as a bottle of Ebros, everything had its limits. It was unacceptable to decide on his behalf, and if Gray was not here, she would have gotten a slap in the face.

"We?" He chuckled. "Why can't I remember talking to you about this?"

"The discussion was over with your idiotic plan."

And here was her solution. Engaging in a political conspiracy led by an idiot? For the love of Gods, if she had to involved in a power struggle, at least he should have chosen the winning side first. Zorzal was a unsufferable bastard but he has an army behind him while the poor princess had only Gray and a bunch of knights that had yet fought a single battle in their life. This war was over even before it started.

"An easy decision, I suppose so! Especially when it isnt you who risk the neck. "

"Don't you want to be a true knight in the story? This is your chance, sir Tobias" Said the girl sarcastically."Risking the neck was something that knights always do."

They also did many other things. In Rossbart, he saw Sir Petain the Wild riding like crazy on the burning streets, the beautiful sword in his hand painted horrific red lines on the crowd of people trying to flee the city. Before that was Sir Ethan Mance and the retard shepherd girl, whom Sir Ethan believed was worthy of plugging his penis into before Tobias assured thathe wouldn't plug anything in anyone ever again.

"It's hard to argue with the lady's logic." Gray said, "Danger is like spice of life to people like us, I'm sure you would agree."

"I'm not a lady."

This time the old man grimaced. "A daughther come from noble houses should be addressed as lady unless she is a princess or queen. Although I wasn't educated that much during my younger years, such basic things I also … "

Gray stopped when he saw a rare smile on Leia's solemn face. She was an annoying child and the way she smiled was equally annoyed and uncomfortable. If he remembered correctly, the last time she did that was at Aquaticus, when he tried to to eat a pigeon pie with a fork.

"Tobias." The old knight turned to the mercenary, seeming to understand the meaning behind her odd behavior. "Who is this girl?"

"I thought you said you didn't care."

"Now's not the time for joke and sarcasm, young man." Gray coldly reminded him, "Who is she?"

Tobias glanced at Leia and wondered if this was a good idea. Sure, they could trust Gray and his foolish belife in honnor, but could they trust his master? Wallon was very rich and contrary to fairy tales, having money in life means having everything. There was no guarantee that that Pina wouldn't conveniently sell them like a pair of ox at cattle market. But it was too late and too pointless to ask questions like that! Gray won't stop bothering Tobias until he could knows who Leia was and his plan to get them out of this city was no better.

"If this is your decision," he sighed. "It would be better if you could speak for yourself."

She nodded and serectly signaled the knight to knee down next to her feet. The old man excitedly followed orders with an amused smile on his lips, but as soon as Leia spoke, the smile disappeared:

"Lydia Harrietta Aramond, the legitimate Queen of Agula, the duchess of Achen and Dampe, Master of the Silver River and I request an audience with your master, Pina Co Landa."