"Zeno... may I suggest something?" Cynthia spoke as we walked in the middle of the city

"Sure, what is it?" I asked

"You need a force to combat those creatures right? that's why you tried to get close to the King am I correct?"

"Yeah, that was my plan but forget about it" Is she still sad?

"Then... let's retake my Kingdom back, as I've told you in the past, I'm the princess and sole heiress to the throne, if we can reclaim the Kingdom then I can raise you an army but please don't misunderstand, I didn't suggest this so I can have my old life back, I just want to help you in any way I can!" Cynthia explained with a tinge of nervousness

I can only chuckle and reply

"I know, we've been together for so long already, don't worry, I trust you" I ruffled her hair

She can only chuckle as she enjoyed my friendly gesture

"Zeno!" I heard someone calling from behind and when I looked, I saw Brunhilde out of breath and covered in sweat

"Brunhilde? you're covered in sweat, what happened?" I asked

Brunhilde stand upright before kneeling

"Zeno, I've given up my position as a royal guard and am wanted as a criminal, my words may not hold weight or be untrustworthy since I've desecrated the royal oath of a knight but please hear me out" She stated as she lowered her head

"Woah, Brunhilde, I will help you out in any way I can but please stand up" I have no idea why she's kneeling but people are starting to stare at us

"You see I-" She was interrupted by Gram who came running

"Hey guys, nice to see you again" He's also covered in sweat but he's still smiling

"Gram, is there anything I can help you with?" I asked

"*sigh* I left my position" He stated, we were all shocked

Gram is a good general but having a King like that... I think this for the best

"What will you do now?" I asked

"I am tired of fighting... I will leave with my family to a mansion far away" He replied

"But dad, I-" Brunhilde protested but stopped halfway after Gram smiled at her

"I know, you want to do something, I won't stop you but if you ever miss us, you know where to find us" Gram chuckled as he pulled out the sword I gave him

"I won't be needing this anymore, you can keep it" Gram held the sword and tried to pass it to me but I pushed it back into his arms

"Keep it, this is my gift to you and besides, you may need it to defend your family" I stated

Gram nodded and returned the sword to its sheath

"Well, I'm no good at goodbye's so I'll turn back and leave" Gram turned around and started walking

"Gram! see you later!" I shouted

"See you later uncle!" Cynthia also shouted, although weak, it was filled with her good thoughts

Gram turned around and looked at us, his eyes were teary and nose was runny, he smiled with snot running down his nose, he may be a mature man but it does not mean that he can't be sentimental

I waved goodbye as he ran away

"Brunhilde, let's continue this outside the city" I suggested, if she's a wanted criminal, the guards will chase after her

So we left the city in a hurry, we stopped at the entrance of the forest where Alissa was going to land

"Zeno, like my father stated, I have something to do and that is, to follow you!" She stated

'Lilith, I believe every word she said, it pains me to do this because she's my friend but please' I requested

'Gotcha, analyzing... please wait...'

I stared at Brunhilde for a few seconds, staring deep into her eyes, she really is full of conviction.

'The result is Truth, Brunhilde is telling the truth' Lilith replied

'Thanks'

"Brunhilde, if you choose to follow me you can never go back, think of this as signing a deal with the devil, you will be selling your life to me" I warned her, I want her to know what she's getting into

"I am willing" She stated full of conviction

"Alright, welcome to the family" I patted her shoulders

"...That's it? no ceremony or blood oaths?" Brunhilde asked

"I believe every word you said but if you want a ceremony, then we'll do one on the ship" I stated as I entered the forest

"Ship?" Brunhilde was puzzled

We walked for a few minutes until we found a small clearing, I double checked the map and confirmed that this is the spot that Alissa is landing on

Brunhilde was still confused but she still waited with us and soon enough, the trees started to rustle as we felt a strong gust of wind hit us

"What's happening?" Brunhilde asked

"You'll see" I pointed at the sky

The ship disengaged the cloaking system and revealed itself, Brunhilde's reaction? well she was shocked

"What is that?! is that your ship?!" She asked

"Yup" Her reaction was priceless

The ship landed and the hatch opened, we entered. Brunhilde was still feeling a bit nervous inside. We entered the living room in the middle of the first floor, Cynthia sat on the sofa and placed her staff beside the sofa. Brunhilde nervously sat beside her, she still kept looking around, I can't help but wonder if she's curious of all the new things around her or scared of them because her reactions are a mix of fear and excitement.

Guardian 1 soon came in and brought some tea and biscuits for the guest

"A little something for our guest" He bowed before leaving

"Thank you, Zeno, correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't that your friend?" Brunhilde spoke

"That's a different guy" I laughed

"What? their armors are the same though..."

"They're nonhumans" Alissa answered Brunhilde

Alissa entered the room, wearing her usual turtleneck sweater coupled with a black skirt that reaches up to her knee and lab coat. She sat on the opposite sofa and grabbed one of the cookies before eating it with delight, I sat next to her

"Brunhilde, this is my lover, Alissa, also the maker of those weapons" I stated

"Oh! it is an honor to meet you ma'am!" She kneeled once again

"Is she a knight?" Alissa whispered to me

"Yes, also, she wants to join us, I trust her but to make it official for her, why don't you do the ceremony like the ones in movies" I whispered back

"Ooooh, I always wanted to do those, count me in" She smiled

"So you want to join us, then, stay kneeling, Zeno, Azazel please" She stood up and acted high and mighty

"As you wish ma'am" I went along with her and unsheathed Azazel

"All Guardians, report to the living room, we will welcome a new member, a knight!" I announced and soon enough, all guardians marched inside

"Woah... there's five of them" Brunhilde was a bit overwhelmed

All the Guardians stood behind Cynthia and raised their swords, Alissa stood in front of Brunhilde with Azazel in hand

"State your name" Alissa asked

"Brunhilde Von Dutchess" She answered with conviction

"What is your purpose in joining us?"

"I believe that your cause is just, to protect the people from the invaders of this land"

"Now Brunhilde, your purpose is not entirely wrong and not entirely right either, in this war we fight, death is everywhere, you're the type that wishes to save everyone she can but please understand, we can't save everyone"

Cynthia and I were behind Alissa, watching patiently

"I... I know I can never save everyone but I still want to try" She replied

"Such an innocent young woman, Zeno, protect her okay?" Alissa looked back

"Don't worry" I replied

"You've given us your reason, it's time for you to hear our oath" Once Alissa said that, I and the Guardians straightened our posture and we all stated together

"In the face of terror, we will not fear, when confronted with evil, we will prevail. We are the Legion, we shall fight for humanity's survival and we will not stop until our job is done" This is the Legionnaire's oath, this is an oath all soldiers know, after that is the platoon oath. Although we don't have our platoon now, I still remember my oath

Alissa cut off Brunhilde's cape with Azazel and took off all of her armor with difficulty

"Give me your weapon" Alissa asked

Alissa returned Azazel to me before taking the rapier from Brunhilde, she tapped the tip of the rapier on her left shoulder as she continued speaking

"I now dub thee Brunhilde von Dutch" She tapped the tip of the rapier on Brunhilde's right shoulder before holding the rapier with both hands and presenting it to her

"A knight of our Legion"

Brunhilde respectfully took the rapier and stood up

She looked at her old armor on the ground, she was now wearing simple clothes

"You've been stripped free of an old chain, now, we will prepare you a new armor but it may take a while for now, follow me, I've got a lot of spare clothes back in my room, I've already given Cynthia a lot of my spares but there's still more" Alissa pulled Brunhilde away with a smile on her face

According to Alissa, she took a lot of clothes back in Mirigai

All the guardians sheathed their weapons and returned to their respected stations

I looked at Cynthia

"Let's go cook up some food, we have to celebrate" I suggested

"Yes" She smiled and we went to the kitchen

I'm planning on cooking some fried chicken along with a salad, and as for Cynthia, she's planning to cook a soup, which reminds me, I think there's a blender in here... why don't I scratch the salad and make some ice cream instead?

"Hey Cynthia, we had some ceremony to welcome Brunhilde, I'm sorry I didn't have much of a ceremony when I took you in" I was a bit embarrassed

"It's okay, the thing that matters is that you took me in, if you hadn't, I would probably be dead or plotting a revenge" She chuckled

"If you were to choose, which is more fulfilling being free out there or being here, killing those damned creatures with us?" I asked, I didn't know why but I just asked it

"Hmmm, if I were free out there, of course I would be happy but... it can never amount to the amount of joy that I've had and will have when I'm with you guys" She replied with a smile

"Geez, you're making me blush" I ruffled her hair as she chuckled