“Before we attack, we need to drive out the bandits.”, said Yuulah.

Just as Yuulah was about to finish her sentence, a bandit came and tried to ambush her.

Yuulah aimed her weapon at the bandit, ready to counter, but Moto dashed towards the bandit and knocked him out.

“Are you alright, Yuulah”, said Moto as he reached his hand.

“I’m fine.”, said Yuulah as she grabbed Moto’s hand

Although she is flustered, Yuulah realized that she is still in a battlefield. She grabbed Moto’s hand tightly, and whispered to him,

“We need to find a safe place. Let’s try to hide in that building.”

“Sure thing Yuulah”, said Moto.

While the two went into a small building and hid, more bandits showed up. Morgana, sighing, pointed her staff at them and yelled,

Flames of the dragon, spray my enemies with fire. Destroy them all

FLAME BULLET

A barrage of small flame orbs appeared and hit every bandit one-by-one. Then after flinching from that attack, a giant shield propelled across the area, knocking out the bandits

SHIELD BOOMERANG

“Nice one, partner”, said Morgana.

“Thank you.”, said Lance.

While Musa is being healed by Yuuno, Morgana and Lance decided to wander around the town to finish off the remaining bandit attackers.

“Wait”, said Musa

“You can’t really stop them. They genuinely want to assist this town.”, said Vul’Kish.

Vul’Kish then turned around to leave. Before he left, however, he told Yuuno,

“Yuuno, guard Musa well.”, added Vul’Kish

“I will.”, said Yuuno

I wonder where he will go next? thought Yuuno

Morgana and Lance continued walking across Kuldro, knocking out bandit after bandit when they saw Fil’Gharn and his group. It appears that they also have defeated their opponents. Fil’Gharn merely gave Morgana a thumbs up.

“We’re doing fine. The bandits are already in disarray, we can win this”, said Fil’Gharn.

Looking around the town, Morgana and Lance saw more bandits knocked out. And soon enough, a group of bandits tried to escape through the gates.

Great dragon of yore, provide me with your breath, destroy everyone who defies my way

DRAGON BREATH

A massive fire emerged from Morgana’s mouth, hitting the remaining bandits and knocking them out.

“You’re still overdoing it.”, said Lance.

“But I don’t want them to escape”, said Morgana.

“I know, I know.”, said Lance.

After the remaining bandits were knocked out, Fil’Gharn and his group approached Morgana. He offered a handshake to the young sorcerer, and told her,

“Come with us. We have a surprise for you.”

Morgana and Lance followed Fil’Gharn and his group. They went around a corner and saw a group of sorcerers. When Morgana and Lance saw the sorcerers, they saw that some of them were people they have encountered when they arrived. Some were also the ones Morgana attempted to recruit to her guild.

With familiar faces, Morgana’s eyes were amazed in wonder. Suddenly, they all clapped and shouted,

“THANK YOU, MORGANA. THANK YOU, LANCE. THANK YOU FIL’GHARN. THANK YOU FOR HELPING US!”

“But, we only took out I’shil and the some small bands of bandits in this town.”, said Morgana.

“A little help goes a long way. Furthermore, if you hadn’t taken down I’shil, he would have his forces attack our town as well.”, said Fil’Gharn.

Morgana then bowed her head towards Fil’Gharn. She simply said,

“We could not have taken down I’shil without the help of Fil’Gharn and his companions”

“Anyway, let’s have some feast”, said Fil’Gharn.

Some of the sorcerers prepared a banquet, and a feast for the heroes that saved their town. Morgana, ate a grand amount of food given to her. Plate after plate ran out simply by serving her.

“You really eat a lot, do you?”, said Lance.

“Grandpa always tells me. You need a lot of energy to prepare ahead”, said Morgana.

While they were eating, Yuuno, Musa, Moto and Yuulah arrived. Following them are townspeople from Kuldro. Musa and his companions bowed their heads towards the sorcerers

“Thank you. If it wasn’t for your help. This town would have been ransacked by the bandits. I wish I could have done more to protect this town.”, said Musa.

“But you did. Not only did you defend the town itself, but also the counties and the farms that surround the town.”, said the townspeople.

“Master, the people here acknowledge you. None of them think you are a failure.”, said Yuuno.

“If only that were true”, said Musa.

If only I could have saved her

“You’re still thinking of that.”, said Yuuno.

Silently, Musa simply nodded solemnly. Turning around, he walked towards the direction of his castle.

“Brother…”, said Moto

Morgana saw Musa leaving the area and appearing to walk towards the castle. Although she is tempted to go to him, she realized that the incident she read also affected Moto, Yuuno and Yuulah. She sat beside Moto and simply pat his head.

I know it’s also hard for you

“Morgana?”, asked Moto.

“You’re still a young man with a life ahead of you. Don’t be too down on yourself.”, said Morgana.

“I need to be strong too. I need to be strong for…”

Moto looked at Yuulah before he could finish his sentence. Eyes full of fear and hesitation, but also full of determination. It reminded Morgana of herself when she was younger. She remembered her promise to save her mother when she was dying. Looking back at it, Morgana was glad that Lilith came to her.

I need to be like Lilith in my own way. They may be older than I was when I lost my mother, but their scars still seem fresh.

Morgana then invited Yuulah to sit beside her. The latter shyly walked towards her. Sitting quietly, Morgana simply pat her on her back, telling her,

“You are getting stronger Yuulah. You’re also brave.”

“Thank you, Ms. Morgana.”

Lance, looking at Morgana with Moto and Yuulah, smiled to himself. He knows that he joined the right guild, even if the two of them are the only current members. But at the same time, he fears that something out there may eventually break Morgana’s spirit. Worrying about that, he resolved to be stronger and assist her in finding more members for their guild.

After eating during the feast, Morgana slept. Lance and the other sorcerers then went to the Wizarding Outpost. They parted ways from Yuuno, Yuulah and Moto who went back to Musa’s castle. When Lance and a sleeping Morgana arrived at the Wizarding Outpost, Lance placed Morgana in a bed prepared for her. Later, he talked with the other sorcerers, wanting to know more about the current situation. One of them, an older sorcerer told him,

“Kuldro is what one calls a gateway town. It is the gateway between the southernmost towns in the continent and the larger, more populated towns in the North. If the bandits have taken this town, Colbarde and its sorcerer academy would be the next target.”

“Sorcerer academy?”, asked Lance.

“Yes, Colbarde is home to a large sorcerer academy, headed by Merlock Octavion.”

“Merlock, that name is familiar. Wait… If I’m not mistaken, he is Morgana’s grandfather, am I right?”, said Lance.

“Yes, you are. However, the Wizard Alliance is unable to guard the southern towns due to more important pressing matters.”

“Even I know that.”, said Lance.

“Good. At least you know. It is up to us sorcerers in this area to defend the town and drive the bandits back.”

“So how do we defeat this Barone?”, asked Lance.

“We don’t know yet. But based on the previous attacks of the bandits, he would have a sizable army at his hideout. We will help you in that regard.”

“Do you have any idea on who Barone is?”, asked Lance.

“Not a lot, but we know that Barone was responsible for the death of Lady Saya.”, said the old sorcerer.

“Based on what I know, Barone used to be a hunter for the Wizard Alliance. He was one of their more enthusiastic hunters. He would hunt down wanted criminals and outlaws with an incredible zeal.”, said another sorcerer.

“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Zidros, leader of the SunLight Flame Guild, and the old man you were talking to is Guildemonn, the person in charge of the Wizarding Outpost, and alongside Merlock, is the representative of the Wizard Alliance in the Southern Regions.”

“Oh yeah, speaking of the Wizard Alliance. Here is your share of the reward money for taking down I’shil”, said Guildemonn.

Guildemonn then handed a pouch containing GolCreds to Lance. Upon hearing the sound of coins, Morgana woke up from her slumber. Excitedly, she went to the side of Lance, wanting to see their reward money

Her eyes glowed with excitement after seeing the reward money. She imagined all the food she can eat, the cart she can buy and a new set of wizarding hats. While she was still imagining what she might do with the reward money, Lance told Zidros to continue his tale, telling him that he will narrate the tale to Morgana.

“Where was I, oh yeah, Barone’s incredible zeal in hunting down outlaws gave him a reputation as a dependable hunter. However, that would all change when he decided to hunt after the sorceress Dusa.”, said Zidros

“Dusa?”, asked Lance.

“Dusa is infamous among sorcerers as a deceiver. She would corrupt the hearts of those with doubts. But normally, people would simply steer away from her.”, said Zidros.

“The greatest downfall of Barone has always been his pride. He always believed that he is the strongest hunter in the world. He believes that no one is better than him, but when he failed to capture Dusa, his pride was wounded”, said Zidros.

“So, he became a bandit?”, said Lance

“Not yet. But his failure to capture Dusa sowed some doubt inside of him, driving him insane. Although the Alliance told him not to worry about it, Barone’s pride got the better of him. With the belief that he is the best hunter, he should be entitled to better rewards. With that mindset, he decided to hunt down nobility.”, said Zidros.

“The nobility soon felt his wrath and placed a bounty on his head. With a bounty in his name, Barone stopped being a hunter for the Alliance, and would start hunting other folks. Unlike, let’s say a thief who steals from the rich to give them to the poor, Barone would steal and hunt the rich for his own benefit.”, added Zidros.

“And thus, he came here, seeing that there was a large castle owned by the family of Saya.”, said Fil’Gharn, who sat down next to them.

“How do you know this much information on Barone?”, asked Fil’Gharn.

“I am a travelling sorcerer like Morgana. My guild does not stay in one town for a time. Furthermore, I used to be a hunter, and as a hunter, I need to know my prey”, said Zidros.

“Good to know”, said Fil’Gharn.

Finally, snapping out of the thoughts on what to do with her reward, Morgana simply spoke and told them,

“So, when are we gonna go after this Barone guy?”

“Preferably, in the morning.”, said Fil’Gharn.

“Someone has to stay in this town though”, said Guildemonn.

“Me and Lance can simply go there”, said Morgana.

“Are you nuts? Those are dangerous people. I’m going with you”, said Fil’Gharn.

“And me with you”, said Zidros.

“Alright, so the ones that will go are Fil’Gharn and his group, uhhh, Kuldro Defense Squad Guild.”, said Guildemonn

Upon hearing the name of Fil’Gharn’s guild, Morgana simply laughed her eyes out.

“Ahahahahahahahahahah. That is the name of your guild. Ahahahahahahahahahaha”

“Tsk, at least it’s not as bad as Full Potential”, said Fil’Gharn.

Their eyes then met aggressively, unable to take the insult towards their respective guild names. Lance interjected between them and separated them.

“Anyway, the ones that will go are Full Potential, Kuldro Defense Squad Guild and SunLight Flame Guild. The rest of you will have to stay here to defend Kuldro from bandit attacks.”, said Guildemonn.

Finally, Guildemonn stood up and with authority, he said, “Get some sleep!”

With that, the sorcerers in the outpost slept throughout the night, getting a much-needed rest for themselves.

When morning came, they were awoken by someone at the door. Morgana, being the first to wake up, opened the door. There she saw Yuuno. He yelled,

“Master Musa left earlier this morning. I think he is going after Barone.”

Morgana, although shocked at first, changed her expression immediately, she told Yuuno,

“Don’t worry, we will help him defeat Barone.”, said a determined Morgana.