The pride in her smile. The twinkle in her blue eyes. Moulin's eyes were wide open as if he could fit the whole world in his view.

She was wearing a silver heater shield on her right arm. It gleamed under the light and the muscle on her forearms tensed through the leather straps which kept the shield in place. Within the grasp of her left hand was a sharp arming sword. The blade gleamed under the sunlight and the strong female Maeruthan appeared like a war general filled with ferocity.

"What? Too shocked to reply?" Ghana joked. Her grin could move mountains even it was forced.

Moulin blinked. A frown then shaped his expression. Silver eyes turned fierce. "Don't get distracted!"

"...!"

Ghana turned and immediately swung her sword at the incoming red shards swiftly targeting them. The sound of shattering glass sang in the air as red fragments fell to the ground.

Narrowing her blue eyes, Ghana stared at the creature who was keen on chasing her friend. She didn't know how Moulin was stuck in this situation and the intention of the horned man before her but she was certain about one thing. She could not let this man slip away unharmed. Anyone who dares to hurt her friend should face her and receive punishment.

Palms open, his arm outstretched. Blood-red eyes narrowed dangerously. His current gaze was beyond terrifying. Ghana felt a chill ran up her spine. This man was dangerous.

"Impudent..." He spat out the word like there was a disgusting taste on his mouth. His arm withdrew and the grasped around his sword tightened. With lowered eyes, he glanced to the side when his ears caught a noise. With drawn eyebrows, he swallowed a curse. A sigh escapes his mouth.

He could not come back empty-handed again. However, the situation had changed. The youth's little friends have come to aid him... Although he believes he could eradicate the likes of those worthless creatures, time was running and his master would soon wake up.

"Tsk."

Moulin and Ghana flinched when the humanoid creature slowly lifted his gaze to stare at them. Specifically, at Moulin. Moulin's heart trembled as he dwells within the center of that horrendous gaze. Although he was thankfully unharmed, he felt as if he was hanging on a rope on the verge of snapping above a sea of bloody spears. A thousand thoughts entered his mind.

That gaze meant to give him a message; he will return to have him. An ominous feeling caressed the youth's heart.

A swirl of dark red enveloped the man as if it was devouring him. Alha's figure disappeared before their eyes and not a trace of him could be found. The birds in the trees cried out as they fled from their homes and the skies were darkening, bringing a gloomy atmosphere within the forest. Like a wave of dimness haunting the trees.

"Woof?"

Silver eyes lowered and stared at the small wolf pup in his arms. Those bright gold pupils, staring at him and filled with worry. A relieved sigh was released from Moulin's lips. It was good that Keir wasn't hurt. He wouldn't know what to think if this little pup would be injured.

There was a noise from the ground and a hand was offered before his eyes. Looking up, Moulin furrows his eyes at the strong-looking woman who was smiling at him. Grasping that hand, Moulin was pulled off the dusty earth until he could stand steadily. The clothes on his body were slightly torn because of his fall and there were scrapes on his skin where blood blotted around it.

"Are you alright?" Ghana questioned as he assessed the youth.

"I'm fine..." Moulim appeased her.

"Good." Ghana sighed in relief. She palmed her forehead and lowered her gaze. She thought she would have to fight that man who just disappeared. Truthfully, she felt a bit fearful.

"...?" Her eyes suddenly caught sight of the black wolf pup in Moulin's arms. "... Is that Snow? Did you rub his fur in with coal?"

Keir tilted his head curiously.

Chuckling, Moulin shook his head, "This is Keir. He's Snow's playmate. Snow and the Lords left a few days ago..."

"Oh!" Ghana's eyes brightened.

"How did you get here? Aren't you with Troid in your mission?" Moulin asked as he glanced around them.

Ghana patted her friend's shoulder and gave him a smirk. "Did you forget? We were assigned to Skilis country. When the envoy from the Kingdom of Thundralln came to the Azuran academy's doorsteps, we received the news from Rowan and a request for reinforcements. Rowan and the female captain Relena already tracked down your location in Skilis country through the little bracelets you people carry around"

'The conveyer band. Hadrian was right' Moulin raised his brows in surprise.

"Since we were already dispatched in Skilis, we immediately dispatched to search for you and the guild lords. My friend, it must've been hard for you..." Ghana patted Moulin's shoulder. "But I'm glad I made it in time. I just didn't expect to see you in this unimaginable situation. Honestly, you looked like a damsel in distress..."

Moulim cocked an eyebrow at her.

"Haha, I was joking" Ghana laughed, and then she cleared her throat. "Come, we need to meet up with the others. It seems you have a very friendly relationship with these..." Ghana shivered. "... Snake-humans..."

The thought of their scale skin and slithering tails. Their bright green eyes... She found it dreadfully frightening... Why did it have to be snakes?

Silently lamenting her situation, she led Moulin out of the forest and they began to approach the little village.

"Moulin!"

Ghana flinched and deliberately slowed down her steps to hide behind Moulin. The youth noticed her actions and secretly smiled.

They approached the center of the village where Seryu and a couple of nagas were having a serious conversation with the people in uniforms. Seryu, who spotted Moulin, waved his hand to the youth. There was uncertainty in his eyes but they quickly vanished when he saw the poor form of the young man. Worry crossed his face instantly.

"Are you alright? What happened?" He asked as soon as Moulin greeted him.

"It's a long story."

A familiar voice then interrupted. "Moulin..."

Stepping forward from the crowd of Leonile sentinels with shields and swords. A head of midnight blue and piercing blue eyes, Troid stepped into Moulin's view. His expression was gravely serious. He didn't know how Moulin was able to communicate with the naga tribe but none of that matters to him right now. His eyes grow solemn and he faced the youth with little cuts on his skin and torn clothes.

"Where is Lord Hadrian?"

Moulin stared at him for a few seconds before he responded, "He left the tribe a few days ago in search of a rare herb. He said he wouldn't be able to come back in three days and ordered me to stay put and receive your arrival."

Troid's expression dimmed. He sighed as he understood the situation. "I understand. I am glad you are all well. The prince of Thundralln was quite anxious about your predicament and I had thought something worst had happened... Thankfully it is not..."

Moulin had never witnessed Troid act so anxious before. His loyalty to Hadrian was indescribable.

Moulin introduced Seryu and Troid to each other afterwards. While walking towards the chief's abode, Seryu ordered the nagas to welcome the guests before he left to inform his father. The chief felt slightly uneasy with the situation but with his trust in Moulin, he appeased himself and listened to the explanation of the man introduced to him by Moulin.

To better communicate with the man, the chief offered Troid the tonic that would enable him to understand his people's language. Troid and the chief discussed for hours until the sun began to set.

"So... They treat you like a hero instead of food?" Ghana knitted her brows as she threw some pebbles on the water. How is that believable?...

"Yes, they are not as scary as you think they are, Ghana. They are kind people." Moulin smiled while sitting on the grass beside her. Keir snuggled in his lap, sleeping heavily.

"I'm still uncomfortable with them..." Ghana squinted her eyes. "I am not fond of... snakes..."

"I figured..." Moulin smirked...

...

A question lingered in his mind and he could not help but voice out.

"How... is Jagra?"

"Hm?" Ghana blinked at him. Processing the question, her eyes softened. "He is awake... and recovering..."

"What?" Moulin widened his eyes at her. "How?"

Giving her friend a side glance, she slightly narrows her eyes and smiled. "It is because of you..."

"Me?"

"Yes... You Moulin..." Ghana nodded. Her eyes stare at the rolling clouds in the sunset skies. "They said you brought a rare material that was surprisingly capable of curing soul and mana paralysis. They tested it on one of the paralyzed sentinels and we didn't have to wait a few days for them to wake up." Ghana turned to look at her friend. There was an amused smile on her face. "They called you a hero, Moulin"

"Hero?" Moulin furrowed his brows. "I only know it would help because I tried it on Sir Rowan..."

"Sir Rowan?" Her eyes widened in disbelief. "You actually experimented on your captain. I didn't know you were that bold to-"

"If I hadn't, he would have died." Moulin rolled his eyes. "He is one of Lord Hadrian's most loyal subordinates I couldn't just..."

"..." Ghana blinked her eyes. "I... didn't know you were so concerned about the people loyal to our Guild Lord..."

Moulin remained relaxed. He only glanced at Ghana as he spoke solemnly. "I admire our Guild Lord and I do not wish for him to lose his most trusted people..."

"I see" Ghana nodded. Indeed, their Lord was the most admirable man Ghana had ever seen it wouldn't be a surprise for Moulin, the most untouchable aphrodite maeruthan in Azuran, to idolize the man. She faced Moulim with a teasing smile, "Tell me, how were the days together with two esteemed guild lords? Who do you think is better? How did it feel to be with the two lords?"

Moulin knitted his brows at her question. For some reason, he was terrified that Ghana would become like Alsander. A high-class interrogator. Nosing around for gossip.

"Don't give me that look. I'm only curious. I heard that the two Guild lords don't get along very well. So tell me" Ghana pressed as she squinted her eyes. "I won't stop unless you tell me..."

Even her words were greatly similar to how Alsander would act around Moulin.

With a sigh, Moulin predicted that he was going to tell the most absurd lie in his life. The night was coming... he only hoped Ghana would be satisfied with every word that escapes his mouth.

Moulin narrows his eyes at Ghana. The muscled female only raises a brow.