The group arrived at the inn to meet the innkeeper waiting for them, he told the humans that he already prepared the food and meeting Kurumi in the process. The seraphim gone off somewhere as Sorey and Velvet sat down by a table as the innkeeper came out of the kitchen with a plate for them each, Sorey digged in immediately as Velvet slowly took a bite before looking at her food with a smile as she had started to be able to taste little by little over time before she continued eating. It didn't take long before they were finished.

"Whew, that was good! It really hit the spot!" Sorey said in relief and Velvet smiled.

"It really did." Velvet agreed even if she was lying and the innkeeper laughed.

"You ate like a champ!" He said as he turned to the two.

"More like a pig." Velvet pointed out and Sorey became embarrassed as he was somehow comfortable having the woman near him.

"It was delicious! You sure you don't want us to pay for it?" Sorey asked and the innkeeper nodded.

"Of course I am!" He replied.

"Thank you so much, sir!" Sorey thanked him as the innkeeper bowed with his head to the two before walking away.

"Princess Alisha is really something else, how did you two meet?" Velvet asked as she took a sip of her water.

"I found her unconscious in a ruin near my village, I was raised by seraphim together with Mikleo." The young Shepherd explained and Velvet placed her chin on top of her hand, looking interested in his story.

"No wonder you have such strong resonance." Velvet said and Sorey shakes his head.

"That's not why I have strong resonance." He replied and the traveler narrowed her eyes. "Gramps told me that I was born with it and I got it from my parents. He told me that my dad died when he protected me when I was a baby but he didn't mention anything about my mom except for her being alive, so under this journey I need to find clues about her and where I came from."

"I understand that, let's just hope we find what you're looking for." Sorey looked up to see Velvet smile. "Someone dear to me was like that."

"So you're going to join us for real?" Velvet nodded and Sorey smiled. "Thank you for everything, Velvet. I hope we make a good team."

"Oh, I have something for you. A gift arrived from Lady Alisha." The innkeeper said and they both stood up.

"Huh? What could it be?" Sorey asked as they goes to the reception table to see a few of Sorey's things on it. "Huh, it's… a letter, my sword, bag, and… clothes?" Their seraph friends came to them and heard what Sorey said.

"Ah, perfect timing. Go get changed, you kinda smell." Mikleo pointed out to his childhood friend.

"I never thought about it, did you two?" Velvet asked the girls and Lailah shakes her head while Kurumi giggled.

"Because of everything that had been going on, I don't think nobody thought about it until now." Kurumi said and Sorey scratched the back of his head as he chuckled as well.

"All right, then. I'll go get changed." Sorey said as he takes his things and walks to his room as the others wait in the lobby.

After a couple of minutes, Sorey came out with new attachments to his old clothes. A silver colored glove was on his left hand and more belts was attached onto his wrists, his blue shirt was now full buttoned up and tucked into his pants. The most interesting feature was the white cape with black lining and markings.

"Oh my!" Lailah exclaimed in surprise.

"Not bad!" Milkleo said and you could see a little jealousy in his eyes.

"It fits you." Velvet pointed out even though it reminded her of her past.

"How about it?" Sorey asked and Kurumi waved her tail.

"It's truly fitting for the Shepherd." The wolf replied excited. "It was really made for you!"

"It looks fantastic on you, Lord Shepherd!" The innkeeper said impressed.

"It really does! So dashing!" His wife said.

"Oh man! I want one!" Their son said jealous.

"It's the garb of the Shepherd handed down from tradition in Ladylake. You wear it well." Lailah pointed out.

"So you can put lipstick on a pig." Mikleo said which made Velvet try to hold her laugh.

"Just admit it, Mikleo, you're jealous." Sorey said a little irritated and the water seraph crossed his arms.

"Yeah, you wish." Mikleo snorted before Velvet turned her head to Sorey.

"What's in the letter?" She asked and Sorey takes it out from his pocket.

"Well, let's see." The Shepherd said and begins to read the letter out to his friends.

"Dear Sorey,

I was surprised that you fainted so suddenly. I hope your rest at the inn was rejuvenating. When I learned that you can communicate with Seraphim, beings of divine nature who cannot be seen by ordinary people, when I saw you draw the Sacred Blade from the Lady of the Lake and quell the riot at the festival before my eyes…

My heart leaped with joy the like of which I've never known. The only thing I can think of to tell you is a sincere, heartfelt thanks. I hope you do not find this strange. Though I do think that my true feelings do not come across well in a letter.

I know that, as the Shepherd, you are soon to embark on a journey to save the world. But once you are awake, I would like you to come and visit me at my home.

P.S. - Did you have a chance to try on the clothes I got for you? They're modeled after the traditional garb of the legendary Shepherd. I hope they are to your liking."

Sorey looked up from the letter, having finished reading it.

"Looks to me that my hunch was correct." Velvet mumbled to herself with a smile and crossed arms.

"I knew we could trust that girl with our knowledge." Kurumi said in understanding, nodding for herself.

"My! What a kind-hearted young woman!" Lailah pointed out.

"Yeah, seriously, I should be the one who's thanking her!" Sorey said with excitement.

"Why not doing it in person, then?" Mikleo asked, knowing what Sorey would say if he didn't.

"Good idea, let's go." Sorey agreed as Lailah got back inside him and Velvet smiled as she was reminded of her little brother.

"But remember, don't over do yourself after all you woke up not long ago." The Nephilim told the Shepherd, who nodded.

After saying goodbye to the innkeeper's family, Velvet lead Sorey and Mikleo to Alisha's residence as she and Kurumi have been there before. Under the walk, the group pointed out Sorey's new clothing and Kurumi explained what happened when she started a conversation with the two seraphim which had surprised Mikleo quite a bit, Sorey started to tease his friend because of this and Velvet found out that he was scared of dogs even though he's a seraph. As they arrived, a guard noticed them.

"Ah, the Shepherd! Miss Crowe!" The guard said and the two looked at him. "Have you need of Lord Alisha? She's on the terrace as we speak." The two nodded as they understood.

"Thanks, we'll see if we can find her." Velvet said and they walked in to the terrace, where Alisha was waiting for them.

"Sorey! You came!" Alisha exclaimed happily before noticing Velvet and Kurumi. "Velvet! Thank you for coming!"

"Of course, I have a feeling that I should come." Velvet said as she took a chair to sit on.

"Looks like you got my gift, the Shepherd's garb looks wonderful on you!" Alisha pointed out to Sorey.

"Thanks." Sorey thanked her for the comment.

"Some fine lipstick on that pig." Mikleo said and Sorey turned around to the seraphim him behind him while Velvet tried to keep in a giggle.

"Yes, Mikleo, we all know your opinion." Sorey told him a little irritated.

"What? Pigs are nice." The water seraph said back as the Shepherd turned back to the human, who was looking around in confusion and Velvet knew why, the princess didn't have strong resonance enough to see seraphim like they did but judging by the reaction, she could sense their presence.

"I, uh, I take it there's a seraph present with you?" Alisha asked them.

"More like seraphim." Velvet pointed out. "But yes, there are seraphim present."

"My apologies, I forgot Kurumi is a seraph as well." Alisha apologized. Kurumi nodded as an answer. "To be honest, up until the events that took place at the Sacred Blade Festival this year I wouldn't have. But even from the moment we met, I could tell… How can I put it. There was something…"

"Different about us?" Velvet finished for her and Alisha nodded. "It's normal to do that, mostly me under my travels." Sorey chuckled nervously while scratching the back of his head.

"Well, Velvet's right, you know." Mikleo agreed and the Nephilim smiled a little.

The next thing that had happened was Sorey's little performance to introduce Mikleo and Lailah, Sorey probably didn't get it until the end that Alisha couldn't see nor hear them at all which made the scene even more ridiculous. Velvet was just sitting and watching amused as this is the first time she's seen someone trying so hard to make someone believe in heavenly beings that once was slaves and weapons to mankind, when Alisha finally been able to speak with Lailah when Sorey held her hand, closed his eyes and even held his breath, Sorey proved he didn't have a long time to hold his breath which made Velvet laugh at the scene as he had interrupted Mikleo talking to the princess. Once they were done with their little show, Sorey decided to look around Ladylake and even asked Velvet if she would join him but Velvet told him that the reason for coming to Ladylake wasn't just watch the festival. The main reason for the duo to come was that they had taken a request from one of their allies and to find clues about the Lord of Calamity. The two paranormal humans split up to do what they had to but they knew they would cross paths again.


Sorry for the long update! I had much work to do in both school and my other fics but hopefully next chapter doesn't take long to update.

See you guys next time!