The twilight sky began to blanket Pixa City. The clamor in the arena slowly subsided as thousands of spectators started to disperse. As Party Noiver stepped out of the arena gate onto the main road, their steps were halted by someone calling them from the side.
"Hey! You three! Wait a moment!"
A short but sturdy man with a thick, neatly braided beard jogged toward them. He was slightly out of breath from having to cut through the crowd of people taller than him.
Keyzier, Donovan, and Novalia turned around. They were surprised to see the dwarf who was the owner of the shop that sold their weapons.
"Eh? Aren't you the Uncle who owns that weapon shop?" Donovan asked in surprise. "What are you doing here, Uncle?"
The dwarf grinned broadly with his hands on his hips. "Watching the match, of course! Did you think I would miss the chance to see the weapons I made tested on the field?"
"You watched?" Keyzier asked in amazement. "We didn't see you at all earlier."
"Hahaha! That's only natural, Brat!" the Dwarf's laughter boomed. "There were hundreds of people crowding in there. Especially since I'm short, I even had to climb the barrier fence just to see your action!"
The dwarf then extended his rough, calloused hand. "My name is Havel. When you came to the shop, we didn't have a chance to introduce ourselves formally. I am the owner of the 'Black Hammer' shop."
Havel gazed at the Phantom Demonic at Keyzier's waist and the Mythril Greatsword on Donovan's back with a satisfied look.
"I saw everything earlier. How my greatsword shattered that Tank's shield, and how that shortsword channeled magic without resistance. Honestly, I'm proud. Those weapons found the right masters. Seeing my best work used so effectively... ah, that is a unique satisfaction for a smith."
Keyzier smiled with satisfaction. "Thank you, Uncle Havel. Your weapons are indeed great. Without this sword, perhaps my attacks wouldn't have been as sharp as they were."
"Good! If you need maintenance, just bring them to my shop. But remember, no discounts! Quality has a price!" Havel joked.
After that brief, natural conversation, Havel said goodbye and went home, leaving Party Noiver feeling a little more relaxed after the tension in the arena.
Party Noiver continued their journey home towards the Moonlight Inn. The city streets were still bustling with citizens discussing the match.
"Hahaha! Today was truly crazy!" Keyzier laughed while shaking his head. "This is the first time I've seen the guild in chaos just because of a rank matter. Guild Master's face was so pale earlier."
"It's not just you, Key. I was also shocked when I realized everyone was defending us." Novalia chimed in. "Turns out the citizens of Pixa are brave enough to oppose the guild's decision."
Keyzier walked casually with his hands behind his head. "It seems like starting tomorrow we'll be celebrities in this city. Rank A or S, our names have already spread."
He turned to Novalia. "And that's good, Nova. The more famous we are, the harder it will be for your family to kidnap you secretly. Public scrutiny is your best shield right now."
Novalia smiled thinly. "Thank you, Key. I hope my Father stops chasing me after knowing I have strong friends like you."
However, as they turned onto a somewhat quiet street leading to the inn, Keyzier's steps suddenly slowed. His relaxed expression turned cold in a fraction of a second.
"Huft..." Keyzier let out a long sigh, sounding bored. "This is the second time someone has watched us like this."
Donovan stopped, glancing at Keyzier. "The second time? Where was the first?"
"When we were in the Antrows City Guild Master's room. Someone was eavesdropping on our conversation about the bandits," Keyzier answered quietly without looking back. "At that time I just let it be because I felt it was the Guild Master's guard."
"What now? What should we do with that stalker?" Donovan asked.
"Capture him. We need information."
Without a signal, Keyzier turned sharply into a narrow alley. The startled stalker tried to turn around, but Keyzier had already used Shadow Step.
Whoosh!
In the blink of an eye, Keyzier was already behind the person and kicked the back of his knees.
Thud!
The black-robed figure sprawled hard onto the street ground. Keyzier immediately stepped on his back, pinning him down so he couldn't escape. Several passing citizens gasped in surprise seeing the incident and stopped to watch.
Keyzier grabbed the person's hair, forcing his head up. "Who are you? Why are you following us?"
The person remained silent. His eyes stared wildly.
"Mute, huh? Or deaf?" Keyzier asked coldly. "If you don't answer, I will torture you until you wish you were dead."
The person remained silent, loyal to his duty. That made Keyzier lose his patience.
"Shadow Bind!"
Black shadows crept from the ground, binding the person's body tightly until he couldn't move an inch. Keyzier then crouched down and removed the person's shoes and socks.
"Just the classic method!" Keyzier muttered.
He burned the soles of the person's feet with concentrated fire magic.
"AAAAAAHHH!"
A heartbreaking scream broke the silence of the night. The watching citizens covered their mouths in horror. The smell of burnt flesh wafted through the air. Keyzier let it be for a moment, then healed it back with Heal magic.
"Painful? Good. Let's repeat."
The cycle of burning and healing continued. Because the person kept screaming, Keyzier gagged his mouth with shadows.
It only took one hour for the person's mental defense to completely collapse. The repeated pain without end made him give up. He nodded weakly with a face wet with tears and cold sweat.
Keyzier released the gag from his mouth. "Speak, who sent you?"
The person coughed, his voice hoarse and trembling with fear. "Ma... Marquis... Marquis Sylvestre!"
Hearing that name, Novalia's face instantly paled. Her body tensed. That name was a nightmare for her.
"Father..." Novalia hissed softly.
Keyzier and Donovan looked at Novalia for a moment, understanding the situation, then looked back at the spy with sharp gazes.
"So..." Keyzier spoke in a dangerously low tone. "You sneaked into this kingdom just to spy on us and kidnap our friend? Is your master lacking work? Do you realize this could trigger a diplomatic conflict?"
"Y-Yes... we know! But the Marquis's orders are absolute!" the spy answered stammering.
"I will hand you over to the Ruler of Pixa City. Let him deal with trash like you according to the law."
The spy suddenly chuckled, a laugh of despair. "The Marquis... he already knows who you two are protecting his daughter. He knows you come from a village in Altoria. He will mobilize his elite troops to slaughter your parents! Prepare yourselves, Brats! You will regret this!"
The threat was intended to scare them. However, Keyzier and Donovan's reaction was truly beyond the spy's expectations.
The two of them looked at each other, then burst out laughing.
"Slaughter our parents? Hahaha!" Keyzier laughed until he held his stomach.
"Are you serious?" Donovan chuckled along while shaking his head. "I pity those soldiers. They don't know who they will be facing, do they?"
"I'm sure the Marquis's side will be wiped out before they even knock on the gate of our house!" Keyzier mocked. "Good luck fighting our parents."
Novalia, seeing her two friends' relaxed reaction, slowly felt relieved yet worried. She knew that her father would not give up easily before what he sought was found.
Without wasting any more time, Keyzier dragged the spy, whose feet were smooth again but whose mind was shattered, towards the noble district.
They arrived at the gate of Lord Wilson Hederega's mansion. The guards who recognized them immediately opened the door.
Wilson received their arrival in his office. His face hardened when he heard Keyzier's report and the identity of the spy's sender.
"Marquis Sylvestre from Altoria..." Wilson muttered seriously. "Sending a secret military operation into my territory... This is a violation of sovereignty."
Wilson looked at the bound spy. "Thank you, Keyzier. This person will be strong political evidence. I will ensure he is tried."
After handing the prisoner over to the city guards, Party Noiver said goodbye.
"I'm sorry, because of me you got involved in trouble with my father." Novalia said softly as they walked home.
Keyzier patted Novalia's shoulder. "Don't be stupid. We are one party. Your problem is our problem. Besides, facing one or two crazy nobles seems fun too."
Donovan nodded in agreement. "Right. Let's go home and sleep. We'll think about it again tomorrow."
They returned to the inn, closing the very long day with a feeling of vigilance but remaining solid as a team.