The mother and child were currently huddled together while staring at me with fear in their eyes.

"I'm only looking for information...and food. Let's move this conversation to the table." Actually, I was just hungry.

Also tired of the manure smell.

I put my clothes back on and follow the duo inside their home. We made our way to the kitchen table and sat, me choosing the seat with the largest helping and the two sharing a seat directly adjacent.

It was the best meal I had in a long time.

Although it was only a broth with vegetables, diced meat, and potatoes.

I made a complete mess. Going so far as to drink the contents of my bowl directly with my mouth, I spilled not a drop. Finally some good fucking food. I felt the heat of their gazes on me, but I care not, I haven't ate in fifteen hours. After I finished indulging myself, I address the mother.

"What are the names of you and your daughter?"

She clutched her daughter tighter at Mors' question, "Leave her out of this, please....I am enough to fulfill all of your desires..I beg you leave my child's innocence."

"I hate repeating myself. If I have to, I'll start getting persuasive."

Tears start to roll down her cheeks as she began to speak in-between sobs, "My name is..Klare...and she is Karliah." She squeezed out while gesturing toward her daughter.

"Okay, Klare. Can you tell me where this village is located?"

"It doesn't have one...Just an unknown place on the outskirts of Karse."

"Hm...Did a group of adventurers travel through here? Around a couple of hours ago...possibly searching for someone?"

She shook her head. Either she is lying or they gave up? Strange.

"How long have you lived here in town, Klare?"

"L-look my husband is an adventurer, H-he'll be back any moment..If you promise to leave now, I-I won't say anything to him or the a-authorities."

Abruptly standing, I made my way over to the pair. Before she could protest I pushed Klare to the floor despite her pleas, and took hold of Karliah by her hair. I tore a fabric of cloth from her nightgown, exposing her budding breasts.

Klare frantically crawled on her knees as she tugged at my leg, begging for me to stop.

My hand gripped tightly around Karliah's neck, "Do not attempt to negotiate or take control of the situation. You will listen to me, and that is the end of it. You are making this harder than this has to be. Will you listen or do I have to be more persuasive?" I tightened my grip a little more, Karliah could only flail around helplessly as my fingers were slowly squeezing her windpipe shut; preventing her from screaming.

Klare pressed her face against the front of his boots.

Begging.

Pleading.

A thought formed in my mind.

As petty as this may seem, I am sort of jealous right now. I chuckle to myself, my mother didn't even get that luxury.

I release the girl and she falls to the floor coughing harshly. I handed her a mug from the table that was filled with water, "Drink it."

Klare repeated my instructions and aided her daughter with the task. I took the seat that they was previously occupied.

"My question, Klare."

"...I have been here for more than thirty years..this house was my parents' and it was created by my father's father as a gift for marrying my mother...sir."

"You have been here a while so you should have heard tales of Cassius Sparta, the famous war general, yes?"

"...uhm...yes?" She was unsure of why he was asking about that at such a time.

"What are personal things you know about him that you have heard? It does not have to be confirmed, street gossip is fine."

She was confused for a second but decided to think on it for a bit.

"He stays in the Royal Empire in the Golden Capital. It is impossible to enter the Capital, unless you show a token of proof that you are a descendant of royal blood. It's not easily accessed by common-wealth."

"Does he stay alone, wives, children, anyone he is around in his daily life?"

"Father of nine children but a familiar rumor that goes around is that two of his children died...however, some say that's just a cover-up. Those two children are actually born from slaves. Nothing is confirmed however. Not even the identity of the two."

By how much force was used to clench my jaw, I fear that my teeth may grind to dust.

"Interesting. How can I meet him?"

"The only for-sure way to come into contact with him is to enroll in a school, funded by him, for young talented future soldiers. Once every three years, a competition is held and broadcasted all across the globe for the country to see future prospects. I've heard that he usually makes an appearance of two to bless the young warriors, allowing them to become official knights."

I smiled at hearing that. This is too fucking easy.

"Let me guess, I can enroll by talking to a local guard within the city?"

"Correct. Just ask to be admitted to 'Spartan's Training Grounds'. They'll go over everything with you once they deem you eligible."

I stood up and emptied the contents of my coin pouch onto the table. "Payment for information and hospitality."

I did not even waste another second as I stormed out the front door with a new goal in mind.

Too eager to miss that my wounds from earlier have already healed and scabbed over.