Time passed and the soldiers slowly chained up all of the personnel of the City Lord and brought them away for questioning.

Eventually, most people left, except Gerald who decided to wait. A good hour later Xilia and her sister finally emerged from the underground.

Now, in the light of day, Gerald was finally able to take a good look at Qiona. She was about a head smaller than him and had nice long silver hair, as well as bright green eyes, just like her big sister.

Although she was extremely thin, her eyes had a strong desire for life.

However, differently from her sister who had light-brown skin, she was pale, almost white even, from the lack of sunlight over the years.

Although she suffered for so long, her smile was bright and pure. She did not appear dispirited as you would expect of a forced worker.

The girls came before Gerald, and Qiona deeply bowed to express her gratitude, "I have heard from my sister that you helped us get free from the grip of the City Lord. I will forever be in your debt, thank you!"

Gerald just laughed and waved it off, saying, "Don't mention it, I just helped a friend in need, that's all!" He then continued, "Do you have any plans? If you are free you could join me for lunch."

The girls were already starving, so they gladly accepted.

"Order as much as you want, it's on me," Gerald said when they sat down.

They all ate with delight, especially the little one, she was like a black hole, consuming everything in her path and not letting even a crumb escape.

When they were satisfied with the food, they ordered a round of drinks to wash it all down. It was at that time that Gerald started a conversation, "What's your plan now that you are free? Do you have anywhere to stay?"

Xilia sighed, the question weighed heavily on her heart. She was already thinking about it, but… "I'm not going to lie, I have no clue what to do… My mind is a mess right now. All that happened in the recent days… Sigh~"

"It's not like I was paid to work for the Serrell family, I don't have a single copper coin to my name, and although I lived in this city for more than three years, I barely know anyone," she lamented.

"I see, quite a situation you got there. Yo, little one, how old are you?" he said, turning to Qiona.

She turned her head sideways as the question surprised her, "I'm sixteen."

"Really?" Gerald asked in surprise, "What about you?" He turned to Xilia.

"I'm nineteen, why do you ask?"

Gerald shrugged, "I was just curious but damn! You Elves sure age slowly!" Qiona looked like she was eleven, maybe twelve, while Xilia appeared to be in her early fifteenth year. "Although now that I think about it, it could be from the lack of nutrients…"

"Huh?" the girls both didn't understand what he was talking about.

"Never mind all that! I plan on leaving Geldern and moving to the capital soon, and I was wondering if you would like to join me. I have a few…acquaintances in Auralba and I'm planning on opening a small alchemy business there. Thought you might be interested…"

"This…" Xilia didn't know what to say. She felt indebted to Gerald, but at the same time, she wanted her sister to live an easy life, at least for the time being. She was still a child, in a way.

"You made those potions in the room, correct?" Gerald spoke to Qiona, "They were really good quality, you got talent, Qiona! With a bit of guidance, you could become an amazing alchemist!"

Qiona blushed after getting complimented. Nobody, apart from her sister, ever complimented her and it felt good. "Teehee, I just like making potions," she made an adorable smile.

Xilia hesitated when she saw her sister be so happy. "Are… Are you going to the capital alone?" she eventually asked.

Gerald leisurely drank his drink and then answered, "Actually, I was planning to go with a friend, but she hasn't decided yet. Speaking of which… There she is!" Gerald waved his hand at Sera, who just entered the Inn.

"Why the long face?" he asked when she came close.

Sera sighed, "I just found out what happened to my previous team… Turns out it was all the work of those bastards! The men that attacked us were mercenaries hired by Serrell Egott, fucking scum!"

"So you found out, huh?"

Sera sat down by the table and said, "Yeah, Luna told me… They got the information from one of the butlers I think…"

She looked at the two unknown faces and then whispered, "Hey Gerald, who are these two?"

"Oh," Gerald comically slapped his forehead, "Let me introduce you, this is Sera, my friend and also a partner of Black Onyx," he introduced Sera.

Then he pointed at the other two, "These are Xilia and Qiona, my new friends. They were forced to work for the City Lord…" Gerald shortly explained what has happened to them.

"Oh, you poor things!" Sera immediately sympathized with them.

"So? Are you coming to the Capital or have you decided to stay?" Gerald asked her once again.

Sera stayed silent for a while as if still contemplating her decision. Eventually, she sighed and slowly spoke, "I have been thinking… There is nothing really holding me back here, so I might as well go with you and expand my horizons. Also… I might be able to see that bastard Adelard finally get his well-deserved punishment!"

"I heard some talk about execution, are you referring to that?" Gerald asked with a slightly curious smile.

Sera didn't answer.

Gerald shrugged, "Well, it's none of my business anyway." Then he turned to the Dark Elf sisters, "So, what do you two think? Are you coming with us or are you going on your own?"

"Um," Xilia looked at her little sister. The latter nodded happily. "Okay then," Xilia spoke, "We will join you on jour travel. But when we come to the capital I don't want to be just leeching off of you. It wouldn't feel right!"

She spoke the last part adamantly. The natural pride she had as an Elf was still strong although she was of mixed blood.

"Haha, no worries," Gerald laughed, "I'm sure we will be able to find a job suitable for you!"

They drank and chatted joyfully and let the worries for the future wash away with alcohol.

A day later they gathered once again, this time they brought with them all their belongings, which wasn't much, really.

Gerald sold most of his stuff, as they were easily replaced and he didn't want to carry around a bunch of heavy clothes and alchemy equipment.

Sera also sold a few of her things, not that she had much, to begin with.

Since Xilia and qiona didn't have anything of their own, Gerald gave them a few coins to get themselves better equipped for the road ahead.

Some new clothes for the little one and traveling cloaks were a must. They also got some preserved food and other miscellaneous stuff.

They chose the shorter, but at the same time, the more dangerous route to Auralba. It was the same road where Gerald was attacked by the Earth Dragon, but this time he was confident in beating him without much trouble if another showed himself.

During the travel, he explained a few things to his companions so they wouldn't screw things up for him when it was time to bluff with the boss of the Golden Pouch. He did not tell them his plans in their entirety, but just enough that they wouldn't be confused or say something inappropriate in their ignorance.