A few hours had passed since the battle between Berin and Zes.
Lord Berin was continuing his treatment in the Lord's Hall.
While Kartz was explaining everything that had happened one by one, a man with a healing element was tending to Lord Berin's wounds.
Lord Berin: So… light, huh? What is that light supposed to be? I've never had a power like that before.Kartz: Yes, it was extremely powerful. I've never seen or heard of such an element.Lord Berin: And what do you make of that wave of power?Kartz: We call it a power wave, but it was more like pressure. Everyone froze for a short time. The only people capable of such pressure are either Emperors or Shadow Sovereigns.Lord Berin: So you're saying one of them was here…? Impossible. If one of the Emperors were nearby, we'd have heard about it beforehand. And if it were one of the Shadows, why would they do such a thing? Their representatives already attacked.
Kartz thought for a while… then spoke, hesitantly.
Kartz: Could White Flame have done it? We don't know the limits of his power. That white flame he used looked incredibly strong.
Berin considered it for a moment. It was possible…but he chose to ignore that possibility.
Lord Berin: Don't be ridiculous. Are you implying he has Emperor-level strength?Kartz: Well, actu—
Lord Berin cut him off.
Lord Berin: Speaking of White Flame, that reminds me. We're supposed to leave tomorrow to deliver him… but how are we going to do that? If I leave here with soldiers, they'll overturn the city. So I can't take many troops. At least one of us needs to stay. I can't stay — Emperor Bozdag wants to receive White Flame directly from me. That means you must stay… which leaves us weak on the road. The journey will be dangerous. What are we supposed to do?
At that moment, Berin remembered White Flame's words:
"I don't think so… I'd say only two or three soldiers will be able to come with us."
Lord Berin (thought):(And that's exactly how it turned out… I didn't expect Shadow Officers themselves to attack. But if they're acting personally… I really can only bring two or three soldiers.)
Berin fell deep into thought.
Lord Berin (thought):(Then how did White Flame know they were going to attack…?)
A loud female voice suddenly echoed through the Lord's Hall.
??? (yelling): Hey, Berin — this pathetic mood doesn't suit you at all.
The voice came from the high window at the top of the hall.But Berin and Kartz didn't even need to look to know who it belonged to.
A figure leapt down from the window — thump! — landing beside them.
Stranger: When I heard you'd beaten a Third Officer, I thought you might've turned into someone cool. What a disappointment, Berin.Kartz: You will address him as Lord Berin, Miss Lila… Wait a moment—Or should I call you the Desert Archer Girl? That was the name they gave you during your hunt in Sira… wasn't it?Lila: You haven't changed at all, Kartz — still the same mindset.Kartz: Miss Lila, we both know this is already the changed version of me…
Lila smirked and turned to Berin.
Lila: So? Did you miss your childhood friend at all, or—
Before she could finish, Berin suddenly hugged her — fwmp!
Berin: You're alive.
Lila was startled for a moment by the sudden embrace, then recovered and smiled softly at him.
She gently stroked Berin's hair.
Lila: Still the same big baby, huh?
After reuniting for a while, the three of them sat at the table and began drinking together.
Lila threw her feet up on the table, bottle in hand.
Lila: Ahhh, it's been a while since I drank. That really hit the spot.Kartz: This is a lord's hall. Please behave more appropriately.Berin: It's fine, Kartz. Let it go this time.Lila: You heard your master, hahaha.Kartz: Ahh… I'm far too old to be a babysitter.
Kartz and Lila exchanged a smile.
After a while, Lila grew serious and looked at Berin.
Lila: I heard you talking. I can help you.Berin: How?
Lila leaned back even more comfortably in her chair.
Lila: I'm free for quite a while now. After defeating the 8th Officer of the Mad Arol, one of the Shadow Sovereigns, I made a fortune. You told me not to take that job — but thanks to that job, I'm comfortable now.
Berin stood up angrily.
Berin: Of course I opposed it! Even if he was only an Eighth Officer, he was still an Officer. It was dangerous.Lila: I'm a bounty hunter. All of my jobs are dangerous. And on top of the normal bounty, the client offered five times extra. That makes 300 gold — enough to support a family for sixty months. In short, I don't have to worry about money anymore.
Berin: That's not the poi—
Kartz suddenly cut between Berin and Lila.
Kartz: Let's return to the topic. Miss Lila, how exactly do you plan to help us?
Lila: As I said, I'm comfortable now. I don't plan to take jobs for a while. But that doesn't mean I won't help my childhood friend and his grumpy old butler.From what you said, one of you has to stay here… and that means the road will be dangerous because you can't take many soldiers…
Lila paused — then smiled.
Lila: BUT… if I accompany the group that's going… I don't think it'll be a problem.
Kartz and Berin looked at each other. After a moment, both nodded.Berin smiled and answered.
Berin: Just so you know, I'm not paying you.Lila: HAHAHA! Who said I'd take money from you two… broke idiots? If you like, I can donate to your army instead.Berin: Get lost, Lila.Lila: HAHAHAHAHA!