Shortly after Sora and Key parted, Sora used his shadow magic to warp himself into the halls of the castle. It was a surreal sight that his vison immediately changed from looking at a dark wall to a wall of beautiful marbles bricks and stones. Because of the candles and chandeliers, every part of the hall is illuminated with lively colors.

Though he looked like he infiltrated the place, Sora walked away like nothing happened.

But just when he was about to turn to a corner, he stopped walking and looked behind his shoulder. There was no one else in the hall except him, but his eyes and shadow magic tells him something else.

“Gurduva, I know your there.”

“Aww. I got found out.”

All of a sudden, the fire from the candles became stronger and started forming into a fire tornado with the size of an average human. Next thing after that, a woman with the same uniform as Sora with the only difference is the chest part. While Sora's uniform is tight to the neck, the woman has her cleavage shown with her breast looking like they'll jump out at any moment.

“Should I take sneaking up on me as a challenge?”

“Oh no, I'm not interested in your title as the Vice Commander. You know very well what I'm interested in.”

After the woman named Gurduva denied his suspicion, he let out an annoyed sigh while turning his leg. When he started walking away, Gurduva followed.

“Since you weren’t in the meeting, I'll give you the details of our mission myself.”

“My, you're pretty sweet, Dreier. Are you finally falling for me?”

“Please don't say something that could cause misunderstandings.”

Though Gurduva was just saying some jokes, Sora gave her a cold glare with a cold tone. Normally, a person would get chills running down their spine if they get this treatment from Sora. However, Gurduva did not even flinch, but instead, found it charming.

“Ah! That cold glare of your magic eyes makes me feel butterflies in my stomach.”

“Tisk!”

Gurduva's whole body shook in delight. Luckily no one else was there to see her perverted expression, or else they'll be overwhelmed by it.

“Stop those vulgar actions already! I'd like to take some rest, don't make me spend more energy over useless things.”

“Oh, if you want to rest, you’re welcome in my room. I'll make sure you'll enjoy it there.”

“If you will not start being serious, I might be inclined to claim your [Phoenix Feather].”

While saying so, Sora started releasing black smoke all over his body while his shadow starts turning into a liquid state while boiling. Because of this, Gurduva froze and gulp down her own saliva. Though she would usually act to taunt him, the way Sora showed his anger overwhelmed her.

After falling into silence, Sora calmed down his power and let out a sigh.

“Now then, there are a lot of things you need to remember. Four days from now, we will go to the northern part of the continent. Though there are rumors of this, his highness confirmed it. The kingdom of Thulwerthera has fallen.”

“Thulwerthera? Isn't that country supposed to have the largest army in the whole Fulsheri Alliance?”

“Well, they used to. According to the reports, the Kingdom of Thulwerthera was struck with an epidemic of unknown source. This killed a lot of their people, but the victims mostly are from their armies.”

“But didn't the price of magic and healing potions lowered and their supplies increased? Why weren't they able to cure the said epidemic?”

“The king has his suspicion about that too. He thinks that the cause of this problem is the potions themselves. If I remember correctly, there's been rumors about multiple Magic Intoxication incidents happening in the royal capital. Not only that, most of them are incurable.”

“I'm guessing the king used his power to slow down the leakage of these incidents.”

“That is without question. And lastly, we also have another mission aside from investigation of the epidemic's source. Apparently, the royal family of Thulwelthera were killed by the Fel Gurda.

After they finished discussing the important parts while walking, they started talking about different things.

“Oh that's right! I remember about a report about you and this maid of a Helius Saint. But before that, you didn’t expose your real identity did you? The Helius Saint is your natural enemy as a half [Dark Elf] half [Shadow Elemental] after all. Much more against a Real Darkus Saint.”

“What kind of question is that? Do you really think I'll expose my identity as an Elemental? Are you trying to taunt me?”

Gurduva shrugs her shoulder like she wasn't serious about what she just said. Still, Sora did not stop walking and looked forward.

“Then about the maid, the reports said that you fancy her. Is this true?”

“I don't know what you're talking about.”

Sora did not show any reaction to the question, but Gurduva sensed something else which piqued her interest.

“Also, I hear that there's a prophesy about a man who wants to overthrow the gods. Is this related to the person you're accompanying in your leave? Oh right, how did you get here faster than me anyway? Resha is half the distance from Berigious. I don't get it.”

“You ask too much questions.”

Because both of them were too absorbed in their discussion, Gurduva didn’t notice that they already reaches Sora's room in the barracks which is an extension of the royal palace.

“I will be expecting you to relay the details of our mission to the rest of the 23rd Knight Order.”

“Yes, Vice Captain. But that aside, are you sure about throwing away the Potion stocks of our Order?”

“Not necessarily. I just want everyone to bring the ones from 4 month's stock just to be safe. The rest of them will be brought to the alchemists in the Arcanum Alchemists for inspection.”

Just when Sora was about to enter his room, for some reason, he noticed that Gurduva looked like she was about to follow him into his room.

“What are doing?”

“I should be the one asking that. Why are you going into my room?”

After Sora asked her that, Gurduva made a chuckle while approaching him. Next, she puts her arms around Sora's neck and slowly approaches his lips.

“Is this how you treat your fiancée?”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Just when Gurduva's lips were an inch close to Sora's, he pulled away his head. It seems that it's the first time he has heard of this matter.

“The king has spoken of this while you were away. Since you have not shown interest in marriage yet, the king was very concerned. Obviously, a lot of female Elementals volunteered to be your wife candidate, but since you're just a Chevalier, you can only have one wife.”

“So the king was concerned, but what does this have to do with you becoming my fiancée?”

“The king decided to appoint me to be it because I'm the one who's powerful after you. Well, the final decision is yours he said. But are you not interested? The half [Shadow Elemental] half [Dark Elf] blood mixed with the successor of [Phoenix Feather] which is the rival of the [Dragon's Blood]. Can you image the power of the child that we can raise if we get married?”

Gurduva's voice were filled with excitement as if Sora had already accepted her. On the other hand, Sora just expressionlessly looked at her face with his eyes glowing with power. He may not show it on his face, but deep inside, he is irritated like mad.

“Yes, I can imagine how powerful the child will be. But, that will not happen since we are not getting married. You said it yourself, the final decision in mine, and my decision is no. I may be ruthless and unforgiving, but I'm not a man without pride that wants to be told who to love. I have my own heart. If I want to offer this to someone, it will be to someone who I love.”

After saying that, Sora suddenly went through Gurduva’s arms by turning into a black mist. Then after that, he closed his door and locked it.

On the other hand, Gurduva didn't expect to get turned down by Sora. Usually, Sora would follow everything when the King is in the topic. So when Sora turned her down, her face froze in shock.

But instead of feeling down, she found herself blushing from ear to ear. Apparently, Sora's words were too much for her heart to handle. She did not expect Sora to be a romantic man. So when Sora talked about love, she saw him in a new light.

“No fair! You’re supposed to fall for me, not the other way around!”

Though she yelled at the door, Sora would not hear it because he already created a soundproofing barrier around his room.

-End of Intermission-