“The Hall of Guardians has allocated Guardians their own rooms,” said Paragon Sephira, who was leading Gaius and the rest. “Suitable accommodations have been made for those who want to bring their family along, like you.”

Her eyes lingered on the two kids toddling along with Xanadu, and Gaius could sense her desire to laugh. From the looks of it, he was probably the only one who brought two children along, but it wasn’t like he had a choice either. When he tried to talk to Xanadu regarding her future plans, before the latter could even say anything, La-Ti and Nakama had woken up, before making a huge fuss about coming along.

Xanadu later went over to tell them that she wanted to help anyway, but Gaius and Isabelle still felt bad about the whole incident. They couldn’t tell if she actually had that intention, or were influenced by the two kids, so after some debate, Gaius told the Phantom Blade that her duty was to guard the two kids and the Heaven-cleaving Fortress.

There was no need for her to fight and expend her strength.

“They’re cute, aren’t they?” Gaius asked, his lips curled into a small smile as Nakama and La-Ti looked around the interior of the Guardian Barracks. There were many rooms that were unused, which suited their intention perfectly.

“Yes. Very vivacious, very lively. G-good kids, indeed.” Paragon Sephira nodded.

“I’m glad you agree,” Gaius replied.

Isabelle cleared her throat. “Speaker Sephira, is it really necessary for you to be accompanying us? We aren’t by any means important people, and I believe a battle just ended outside the city walls.”

Speaker Sephira? Gaius noted the term of address that Isabelle used, and decided to ask her about it later. Now that he thought about it, that was indeed how she introduced herself earlier; it was just that Gaius hadn’t thought all that hard about it.

“You are?”

“His partner,” Isabelle replied, a gentle smile on her face. “I’m a very, very protective person. Therefore, please pardon me for questioning your true motives in approaching him.”

Gaius gave her a mental thumbs-up for her words, which was enough to even startle Speaker Sephira.

“My apologies,” she replied. “I am just here to—”

“Invite me to join the war effort under the name of the Southern Assembly?” Gaius asked.

“How did—”

Gaius chuckled and glanced at Isabelle. “I suppose this completes a full set, then. Looks like I win the bet. Nakama’s wish to be the one cooking tonight will be granted, then.”

“Yay!” Nakama, who was now bored at the uniform-looking doors inside the Guardian Barracks, barrelled into Gaius’ stomach.

Isabelle glared at the Paragon, who took a few steps back, before folding her arms. “The bet didn’t say that I wasn’t allowed to help, though. Nakama, you’ll handle the cutting of the vegetables. I’ll take the stove.”

“Oh.”

Rolling his eyes, Gaius turned back to Speaker Sephira, who was looking understandably confused. “Anyway, I’ve had that same offer extended to me by every nation, so please don’t feel offended when I turn you down. Nothing personal, really.”

“Very well.” Speaker Sephira popped a polite smile onto her face. “I’ll refrain from asking any further, then.”

In silence, they walked for a minute more, before arriving at a small counter.

Ignoring the clerks sitting around the counter, the Paragon waved at the booth and said, “This here is one of the many registration counters for the Guardians, located all over the building. After settling your accommodation, you can request for them to guide you over to the physical Hall of Guardians.”

“I see. Thank you very much for your guidance,” said Gaius.

“Think little of it,” she replied. “I must be going now.”

Gaius nodded his head, and the Paragon scuttled away. For some reason, he had a feeling that she was actually somewhat nervous, but he couldn’t quite pinpoint the cause.

“Is it me,” Gaius whispered, “or did she seem very nervous?”

Isabelle flicked his forehead. “You only realised that now? It isn’t like her to back down over a single sentence. None of the others did, so why would she?”

“Does she carry the same status as the Pinnacle?” Gaius asked, curious.

“Let’s settle our accommodation first,” Isabelle replied. “I’ll fill you in after we’re done, okay?”

The clerk sitting at the counter heaved a small sigh as Gaius nodded, before getting to his feet. “Dear sirs and madams, there are many unoccupied rooms in the Guardians Barracks. As a privilege to those who arrived earlier, you can pick and choose any rooms you want, up to a maximum of one per person.”

“Good,” said Gaius. “We’ll take four rooms, then. Make sure that they’re in close proximity to each other.”

“Can I have your name?”

His mind began to drift as he, Isabelle and Xanadu continued with the registration process. There wasn’t much to it; the clerk had explained that the real process would happen at the physical Hall of Guardians. This process was to simply let volunteers settle down their luggage and any family that they brought along.

Evidently, few people actually brought their family along. If he had a choice, Gaius wouldn’t have taken the others along too, but they each had their own points, and he really wasn’t all that good at winning arguments.

After stamping a few more documents, the clerk got up from his seat. “We’ll settle your luggage first, and then head over to the Hall of Guardians. From there, we’ll finalise the registration and get you guys up to speed with the current situation. Follow me.”

Without waiting for any response, he ambled off into one of the many branching hallways, prompting Gaius and the others to follow along. After a few twists and turns, they came to the end of the hallway.

“Four rooms, all yours.” The clerk smiled and gestured at the doors. “Once you’re done, you can head over to any of the counters here and then request for us to bring you over. Also, if anything happens, like a fire or you need things repaired, that’s the place to go to.”

Patting his shoulders, the clerk turned and left.

Isabelle clapped her hands. “Let’s go place our things down. Nakama, La-Ti, you two stay with Xanadu and play some board games with her. She’s very bored after this long journey.”

Xanadu did a double take. “Excuse me?”