“Mister! Can you help with loading these boxes!” Called a young voice as they ran towards a familiar man. A man of whom only carried with him a single arm.

  “Which ones, Tony?” He smirked as the young kid pointed at the heavy looking wooden crates carrying an array of vegetables. “Oh those ones! Is Mr. Royce already setting out for his delivery?”

  “Yep!”

  He used his remaining arm, his left hand, to pat the kid's head and ruffle his hair. “Alright, I’ll be there in a bit.”

  Hughie Monroe, had adapted into the vilge of the people that had rescued him that night. He was given free lodging at one of the inns and ever since then he’s been helping around the town.

  Due to his Adjudicator abilities, he possessed a far superior strength than an average person which allowed him to dispy more powerful feats for the average person. He used this strength to help with bor around town and also for defending the vilge from wild animals.

  “Rightee-o!” He dug down beneath the crate and lifted it up until it banced on his hand and shoulder. “Where's the cart, Tony?”

  “Over here!” The kid ran around and led the old soldier down a path towards the cart.

  Hughie smiled as he watched the young boy. Reminiscing of his own past, of his own vilge, of a time where he lived in blissful peace with his family and friends.

  He missed this life. Heeding no worry about war or death, and only worrying about dinner tomorrow. There's no anxiety regarding whether or not the next moment's your st, and only be troubled regarding the fact that moles have come out of season.

  It was a second chance for the life he had always wished and had always wanted.

  A town of simple quiet on the wayside to Nieve. Where he and the people can rest easy here with only a few minor problems.

  He had changed as well. His body toned down in bulk but he was a lot more fit. He had a clean shaven face and his silver hair was slightly longer than it was. The scar on his lip was still prominent but it held no such issue whatsoever.

  “Uncle Royce, I have one of the crates right here!” He called as he and the youngster approached a rge cart stacked with a couple yers of boxes filled with this year's harvest.

  “Oh, Hughie, I didn't expect you to come at such a time.” The aged man squinted his eyes trying to see better. “Did this kid bother you again?” He gnced toward Tony who pouted as retaliation. “

  “Wha–”

  “Boy, you know our Hughie here has only one arm, since he lost his left one from a Demonic Beast attack.” Royce flicked the kid’s forehead. “You can't have him doing all this menial work, we don't wanna push him too hard.”

  Hughie chuckled and pced down the crates he carried on his shoulder onto the cart. “It's fine uncle Royce, young Tony here has been keeping me company by telling me about his adventures.” He ruffled the boy’s hair.

  “More like his daydreams.” Royce scoffed and arranged the boxes in the back. “He still wants to join the Azaroln Knights. Even though he can't even properly hold a stick.”

  “Hey! I can!” The young kid compined.

  “All you do is swing it around willy-nilly. Hardly counts as wielding it.” Royce shrugged. “Hugh, can you hand me that box over there if you can.”

  “Right there with you.” He picked it up with his hand and slid it over neatly behind the cart. “You’re going to sell this week’s harvest, Uncle Royce?”

  “Town's gotta make money.” The old man sighed. “Cab and Tram have already left with the rest of the goods. I’ll just catch up to them.”

  “Oh yeah! Uncle Royce! Didn't you say I can come with you to Nieve some time?” Tony beamed from ear to ear.

  “Did I?” Royce squinted at the boy and clicked his tongue. “Well I’m not just going to bring you without your mother's—”

  “I already begged my mom and she finally agreed!” He grinned even harder. Somehow Hughie felt the she just let him go since the kid probably won't shut up about it

  “Tony, it's 2 and half days worth of travel.” Royce expined. “It's dangerous and boring.”

  “I’ll do it!” He excitedly hopped. “If it means I get to see the Azaroln Knights!”

  Hughie smiled and looked towards the Old Man who was only dismayed by the young boy’s excessive enthusiasm. “If it won't hurt, I’ll come with Uncle Royce. Someone's gotta manage Tony and I’ll be sure to help around in case you need me.”

  “Ugh. Fine.” Royce finally gave in. “Get in the cart, both of ya.”

  Tony squealed and hopped in the back next to the crates and boxes of harvested food and iced meats and poultry. Hughie sat next to Royce by the reins as the Old Man yee hawes the horses to start moving.

  “Alright, hold tight!” Royce braced the other two as he swung the reins down and the cart sped up as it headed straight towards the Northern Capital, Nieve, The Heart of Azarol.

  Around the same time in Hielo, the Northern Duchess along with her Niece took a short stroll around the city. They walked not too far from each other. No Knights or Maids surrounded them or were even in the vicinity. After all, what good would it do to guard the Lady of Ramirez when the Azaroln Duchess, The Spear of the Empire, was right next to her.

  “The North shares a border with the Outnds, the barren freezing wastend that used to be the Demon's hideout.” Amelia spoke as she walked with Alejandra. “But after the vanquish of the Demon Lord, it's nothing but a cold desert.”

  “The Hero Arunn was the one to defeat the Demon Lord wasn't he?” Alejandra mused. “I wonder what happened to him afterwards…?”

  “I wouldn't know.” The Duchess shrugged. “He vanished after the Demon Lord was killed and as the forces of that army slowly dwindled, most of the troops that remained were the Demonic beasts…and so they ran around up north untamed and uncontrolled.”

  “I assume that's when the hunting began, Your Grace?”

  “Hah!” The Duchess shook her head. “My Grandmother was blindsided. She was a benign ruler but refused to think practically. The concept of Hunting Demonic Beasts only took pce when a whole vilge was destroyed by them.”

  “Oh.”

  “Demonic beasts gather and lump together. While they do still engage in predation, they will often work together to strike other races.” Amelia stopped walking and faced Alejandra, staring her directly in the eye. “The bloodshed that attack caused made my Grandmother step down and my Father take over.”

  “Grandpa?”

  “He orchestrated the movement to hunt down demonic beasts, and helped found the guild that sends Hunters to the Outnds to make sure no congregations or gatherings of demonic beasts occur.” Amelia wagged her index finger. “That’s how multiple outposts, trade routes, and many other things were founded thanks to my Father's intervention. It wasn't long before people realized the demonic beasts taste good as well and often provide much more nutrients than your average cattle.” The two continued on their stroll, with Alejandra trailing behind the Duchess.

  “But based on what I’ve seen, beef and pork are still prevalent.” Alejandra commented and thought for a brief moment. “That must mean that demonic beasts are untamable and difficult to farm?”

  “Exactly! While there are seasons to which some beasts appear more often, the avaibility of a specific resource is a gamble at best.” Amelia looked ecstatic at Alejandra's suggestion. “That’s why Hunters are paid quite well for each hunt they make, especially the rare kinds of beasts. What an astute observation, My Dear Niece.”

  “Then what about the trees, Your Grace?” Alejandra looked around and saw how almost every house and building was made from the same reliable wood. “What’s the rate of the gathering for the Promethean Trees? I heard lumber made from its wood was fireproof and extremely sturdy.”

  “You are your Father's daughter aren't you?” Amelia turned back again to squeeze Alejandra's cheeks. “Did you come to enjoy time with me by only speaking about business, Dear Niece?”

  “Ahm Sowwy~” Alejandra tried to speak but her mouth could only mumble a barely tangible noise. Amelia let go of Alejandra's soft cheeks and let the Lady regain her dignity.

  “Shall I take you somewhere sweet? Perhaps a young girl like yourself would enjoy a nice dessert?” The Duchess smiled and coiled her arm around Alejandra.

  “Neither a good man nor a lovely woman would be able to deny an invitation for sweets, Your Grace.” Alejandra smiled.

  “I’ve been meaning to mention. Haven't I said to not be so formal when we're alone?” Amelia raised her eyebrow and the Lady could only yelp.

  “However, We are in public aren't we, Your Grace?” Alejandra tried to rebut but the Duchess only shook her head.

  “Yet there seems to be no one paying a speck of attention to us. Let us go, Dear Niece.” Amelia stared expectantly at the Lady who finally caved.

  “Yes, Auntie.” Alejandra felt strange saying it out in public. It was different when they were alone together in a room—-being in public and addressing someone of higher esteem than you feels…rude.

  Amelia leads the young woman through a bustling street and a pale peach painted wooden establishment, mixed with yers of carved smooth stone along its edges and windowsills, with hefty flowery decorations and cute windmills that spun about by the doorside.

  Amelia opened up its front gates and the bell chimed with a sweet twang as the scent of freshly baked goods welcomed the two of them into the shop.

  It was a room decorated with flowers and soft imagery with warm pastel colors making the whole room feel cozy and fuzzy. Round tables represented the dining areas along with fancy sculpted wooden chairs that seemed to wrap around itself like vinewood.

  Lights glimmer up top with a yellowish glow that adds another yer of heat and warmth to the otherwise cold environment of the outside.

  “Welcome, Your Grace.” A man with a wide grin, a white coat jacket with an apron on top and tall chef's hat that made him look a wee bit silly. “Not with your fox today?”

  “Hana is busy as of the moment.”

  “Doing your work I assume.”

  “She volunteered this time.”

  “Good for her.”

  “Shut up, Conrad.”

  “As you wish, Your Grace.”

  The two sat down on an empty table as Alejandra in a curious appalled entertainment as to what happened between the two. They seemed like close friends.

  “Who's the girl?” Conrad asks as he washes his hands with a towel and approaches their table.

  “Are you not going to take our orders?”

  “Your Grace, sometimes knowing the lovely dies you serve is the best way to please them.” He winked at Alejandra which earned him a painful smack from the Aunt.

  “I would suggest you mind your manners. This girl is my niece, an elegant and capable dy down East.” The Duchess complimented with a smile. “She’s the daughter of the Grand Duke after all, as well as my sister's daughter.”

  Conrad shrieked and nervously tapped on his cheek. “So what would you like to have, oh merciful Lady?”

  Alejandra stifled a giggle as she looked through the menu. “A small coffee with a bit of—a bit of almond whipped cream on top as well as your best frosted—donut?”

  “Oh those are just sweet bread and toppings but with a hole in the center.” Amelia shrugged. “It's his specialty.”

  “What are the holes for?”

  “Nothing really, but he gets all sensitive about it if you ask him.” Amelia grinned teasefully at the poor patissier beside them.

  “They are there for the bread to bake evenly!” Conrad scowled. “I have expined the details several times and you still refuse to understand!”

  “Bah, Hana handles the exportation with this anyways—”

  “How are you a Duchess?” Conrad squints aggressively towards his local ruler. “Did you get picked based on a lucky roll or something?”

  “Shut up, Conrad.” She clicks her tongue

  “As you wish, Your Grace.” He replies sarcastically.

  “I’ll have the same as her but give me your garlic bread instead of that ‘donut’ of yours.” Amelia pced down the menu and Conrad walked away angrily mumbling to himself.

  “Did you know him before, Auntie?”

  “He was my friend in the Knighthood. After the first war and losing his sister, he stepped away from the military and inherited his sister's wish to become a baker.” Amelia smiled as she looked at him from far away, beyond the counter in the open kitchen. “He’s still not made it to the capital yet but he's been experimenting with different ways to make his desserts popur to survive his sister's dream.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Bake the next Imperial Wedding cake.” She smiled. “In fact, he was the reason I met my partner in truth. I owe him a lot.”

  “You seem like good friends.”

  “Indeed we are.” She chuckled and turned her face back towards Alejandra. “My Dear Niece—No. Alejandra—Let’s chat, shall we, about our lives, catch up like old friends although we’ve never really met.”

  “Auntie—” Alejandra watched the soft gentle expression on the Duchess' face, filled with vulnerability and fragility, almost distant from her rugged build and intimidating aura.

  “I want to know who my niece is.” She reached over and grabbed the Lady’s hand. “Before we move to Nieve, where your training will take pce.”

  Alejandra smiled and held Amelia’s hand back. “Where should I start?”

  .

  .

  .

  .

  .

  .

  .

  .

  OH MY GOD! IT HAS BEEN A MONTH BUT IT IS BACK!

  MY HIATUS IS OVER AND I CAN COME BACK FREELY WITH NEW MOTIVATION!

  Apologies if the writing style seems slightly different here. If you check my account I have been busy writing something completely different so it might have infected itself in her a bit but its alright now!

  I can(probably) continue on my weekly schedule once more!