After stopping near the manor, they were greeted by Keel who the new slaves immediately recognized.

"My friends! You all came back!" said Keel, "Where did you find them?"

"We've made a deal with the slave trader back at the capital." said Raphtalia, "But... I really wished we could've find more of our friends."

Meanwhile, Naofumi and Marius carried the eggs from the cart.

"Eggs?" said Marius.

"We're gonna have monsters helping us around. We can't really rely on Filo all the time, right?" said Naofumi.

"True."

The two brought the eggs inside the manor and placed them on the floor.

"Alright, that should do it. I have to go brief the new slaves now. You got something to do?"

"How long before the soldiers arrive?"

"They'll arrived by tomorrow."

"Good. Gives me enough time to rest."

"I guess you earned it. Just don't forget lunch."

And with that, Marius headed upstairs and entered his room. He put his spear, shield and gladius on his weapon rack. Then he took off all his armor and put them on his armor stand. Freeing from the weight of his gear, Marius untied his boots and took them off before putting it beside the armor stand.

He then took off both his tunic and trousers and toss it in a basket. With only his loincloth, Marius walked towards his bed when he heard someone opened the door.

"Marius..." said Filo, wearing only her underdress. "Now that we're here... Could we..."

"No, I am very tired."

"Please, it's been a long time!"

Marius sighed. He grabbed hold of Filo and lifted her up. Filo's heart was racing and her face was blushing, ready to make love with her mate when she was put down on her feet outside of the room.

"No." Marius closed the door shut and locked it from the inside.

"Marius!" Filo knocked the door loudly, "Marius!". The frustrated girl took her dress from the floor then stormed off.

"Finally..." Marius laid on his bed and relaxed his body, before falling asleep.


Marius opened his eyes and saw the sunlight coming from the window. It's already afternoon. He rubbed his eyes and got up from his bed. He opened a drawer and took a simple short-sleeved shirt and a pair of trousers, and put them on. He put on his boots then exited his room before heading downstairs.

He entered the dining hall that was empty. Marius heard noises coming from the kitchen and goes there instead. Inside, he saw Naofumi storing some bowls and utensil at a rack.

"There you are. You missed lunch." said Naofumi, who wore an apron. "How tired were you?"

"Where is everybody?" said Marius.

"I sent them to go grinding to up their levels." Naofumi gave a bowl of stew to Marius, "Good thing I saved some for you."

"Thank you." Marius sat at a small table at the corner of the kitchen and began eating his lunch.

"So how is it?"

"It... Tasted different. What is it?"

"Just the meat from the Spirit Turtle."

Marius immediately stopped eating, "You cooked the Spirit Turtle?"

"It's just regular meat now. Don't worry about it."

Marius then continued eating his meal, despited knowing where it came from. Naofumi then sat at the table with him.

"You are training the slaves to fight at the young age?" said Marius.

"It's better to start them young so they can get use to it." said Naofumi.

"So it's like the agoge?"

"Yeah, it's pretty much that."

"I was in the agoge as well, like every other able-bodied boys in my village."

"Really?"

"Indeed. Though, I was alot older than the slaves when I started."

"... You're greek, aren't you?"

Marius swallowed his food, "What gave it away?"

"You to mentioned the greek gods alot, and you said Heracles instead of Hercules."

"Must have slipped... Yes, I am greek."

"Then why do you have a roman name?"

"That... I am not ready to talk about it." Marius finished his meal then gave the empty bowl to Naofumi, "Thank you." He quickly got up and walked towards the exit.

"Come one, there's nobody here but us. You can tell me."

"Adio." Marius waved his hand as he exited the kitchen.

Naofumi shook his head then carried the dirty bowl to the sink, "At least clean up first before you go."


Inside a wagon heading back to the village, Keel and the young slaves were exhausted after their first training. They then heard horse galloping near them. They all poked their heads out from the rear and saw Marius riding his white warhorse behind them. He smiled and waved at the slaves as they looked at him in amazement.

"Hey, what's going back there?" said Raphtalia on the driver's seat.

Marius rode the horse faster till it reached the front of the wagon, "Let me escort you!"

Raphtalia smiled and nodded, but Filo ignored Marius and ran faster away from him.

After they reached the village, Marius stopped right infront of Filo, but she looked away instead.

"You're not still mad at me, are you?" said Marius.

Raphtalia snickered at the two.

"Do you mind?"

"Sorry." Raphtalia turned around to tend with the slaves.

"Filo..." Marius drove his horse closer and kissed Filo's beak.

"Stop it! I'm still mad at you!" Filo sulked.

"Then what can I do to make up for it?"

Filo turned her head to Marius, "Race me!"

"Hueh?"

Filo pointed her wings at an open field, "The first to reach that spot wins! The loser will have to spent more time with the winner!"

"Very well. I shall take your challenge." Marius moved his horse beside Filo while she unattached herself from the wagon.

"Ready! Set!" and Filo sprinted away, leaving behind dust trail.

"Well?" said Keel, "Are you going or what? What are you waiting for?"

"I think I'll move... Now." Marius's horse bolted away.

"Is he losing on purpose?"

"Filo's winning terms don't really make sense." said Raphtalia.


Filo raced to the spot far away from the village. She turned her head and saw Marius lagging behind, "You're gonna loose and spent more time with me!"

Marius smiled at the filolial, as he was only following her and not knowing where exactly is the finishing line. After reaching her spot, Filo skid on the ground and turned around to see Marius stopping his horse infront of her.

"I win! I win!" Filo hopped. "That means you have to spent more time with me!"

"Guess I have no choice." Marius got off his horse and walked towards Filo, who transformed to her human form.

Filo tackled Marius to the ground and nuzzled him, and her wings flapped happily.

"Filo... The armies will arrived here by tomorrow. Your master wants me to train and lead them, so I will be very busy."

"But will you still have time for me?"

"I will try, but I can't promise you anything."

"Okay. But I'm still the winner, so..." Filo kissed Marius on the lips and untied her bow.

Marius pushed Filo away, "Here? Are you sure?"

"Yes." Filo kissed him again, and Marius gave in.


Naofumi served dinner for the slaves and Rishia with the help of Raphtalia. He looked around and noticed two missing members.

"Are those two still haven't come back yet?" said Naofumi.

"We're back!"said Filo as she entered the dining hall with Marius followed behind. Then she sat at the table with the other slaves.

Naofumi gave Filo a plate of cooked meat and vegetables, and her eyes lighted up.

"Marius, you will sit with the adults." said Naofumi.

Marius patted Filo's head while she ate and he sat next to Rishia.

"So, who won?" said Raphtalia.

"Filo won. But I knew my horse won't be fast enough so I let her win." said Marius.

"Really. I hope that's the only thing you two did?" said Naofumi, giving Marius the death stare.

"Don't worry... We didn't do anything else." Marius said trying to hide his nervousness.

All of them continued eating in silence, safe for the small chattering of the young slaves. After all the slaves finished their dinner, Naofumi and Raphtalia brought the slaves to the houses they will sleep in. Meanwhile, Rishia, Marius and Filo helped with cleaning the dishes.

After they done with the chores, Marius brought Filo back to the top floor and to the same spot before they went to fight the Spirit Turtle.

"Now, where were we?" said Marius, leaning closer towards Filo.

Filo leaned in and kissed him on the lips. The two parted their lips and gazed at each other.

"Marius..."

"Yes?"

"How come you never tell master that we did it?"

"I... I've already crossed too many lines, Filo. I do not want to know what he'll do if he founds out. It's better that he doesn't know."

"I could tell him. Maybe he won't be mad."

"Or we wait till the right time to tell him... Maybe, after we..." Marius cupped her cheek, "Filo... After the wave is over... Should both of us are alive... Will you marry me?"

"Marry? You mean you want me to be your mate forever!"

"Yes."

"Yes yes yes! I do!" Filo pounced on Marius.

"T-This is so romantic." said a familiar voice

The two turned their heads to see Rishia with tears flowing down her eyes.

"Rishia!" Marius put Filo down, "How long have you been standing there!"

"Stop bothering us, second big sister!" said Filo.

"I-I'm sorry... I-I just heard you two and thought I go check. This is just like that book I read. If only Itsuki will do the same to me." said Rishia.

"Is Naofumi down there?" said Marius.

"He hasn't come back yet."

"Thank the gods."

Marius then heard Filo yawning. He picked her up and cradled her.

"Please, keep this between us. I want to keep this a secret until the wave is over."

"Y-Yes, I will."

"Thank you."

Marius walked pass Rishia and headed downstairs. With Filo on his arms, Marius opened the door to her room and tucked Filo on her small bed.

Filo opened her eyes slightly, "Good night, Marius."

"Good night." Marius kissed her forehead and covered Filo with her bed sheet up to her neck.

Marius walked towards the exit and slowly closed the door behind.

"Is she asleep?" said Naofumi.

Marius turned his head in surprised, "Yes, she's asleep."

"You should too. You got alot of work tomorrow."

"Of course... Good night, my friend." Marius turned away and headed to his room.

"Hey."

Marius stopped and turned his head, "Yes?"

"... Nothing. Carry on."

Marius continued walking. Naofumi opened the door to Filo's room slightly and saw her sleeping happily with a small smile. Naofumi sighed, then gently closed the door and walked the other way.