Chương 1273: [1189] - Y06.089 - Trouble in Floria VI

'Stop it!' Commander Silversky thought.

'You fool! Stop trying to get yourself killed!'

"Seriously, don't be so rude to those about to take care of us," Adam said, letting out a soft chuckle. The Bellflower Sword remained silent, not impressed by the half elf's words, though her blood boiled with shock, and a slight tinge of shame. Was this fool truly the same half elf she had seen the previous year? Ah, it must be, since he was as audacious back then too, wasn't he?

"Sorry about my cousin. You know how Iyrmen are, always wanting to show off!" The half elf laughed, accepting the small chest from his brother, holding it out to the Bellflower Sword.

"I hope this is enough for us to stay the night?" The woman motioned her head, allowing another to accept the chest, noting the glint of silver and gold from the corner of her eye, estimating the sum at over twenty gold.

"It is acceptable."

"I hope so, there's fifty gold in there, and well…" Adam glanced aside towards the soldiers.

"We're paying for their stay too, but if you require more…" The Bellflower Sword caught the gem Adam had flung, an onyx, worth fifty gold coins, and she narrowed her eyes towards the half elf.

"What is this game?" Adam's brow pulsed.

"If you'd like to talk, perhaps we should do it inside?"

"…" The group made their way within the Order, a giant fortress, with large sections within for their training, gatherings, and other activities. They were led to one side of the fortress, where the Order could keep an eye on them easily, trapping them within.

'Damn it,' the Bellflower Sword thought, hearing the bells ring lightly, revealing there were more guests. As the group unpacked their belongings, a figure approached. She was well built and ready to fight. Her hair was cut short, her wrinkled face unmarked from any scars, though her armour hid much of her body. The blade at her side seemed normal, except the hilt was made of what looked like brass.

'Hmm,' Adam thought, fairly certain he recognised her.

'What was her name again?'

'Why did it have to be her?' Alexander Silversky thought, feeling a drip of sweat run down the side of his neck.

"Sir Gladys," the Bellflower Sword greeted.

"Sir Bella," the newcomer greeted.

"How may I be of assistance?"

"I recently procured some tea, and though to share it with good company," Sir Gladys Grovepetal said, the woman bowing her head gently, though her eyes said far more.

"I am ever honoured you thought of me," Sir Bella, the Bellflower Sword, replied, flashing a polite smile that held the hope she would leave soon. Gladys' eyes swiftly darted to the side, and not towards the half elf who was still trying to remember what he recalled of her, certain she was strong, but towards a particular teen whose eyes burned as they glared at the older woman.

'…'

"Taygak, stop staring so hard," Laygak said, patting his sister's back gently.

"Sorry," Taygak replied, her eyes darting away in embarrassment, all the while her elder brother chuckled.

"Do you wish to speak with her?" Laygak asked, and as Taygak tried to refuse, the Iyrman held up a hand.

"Sir Gladys!"

"Iyrman," the woman replied, narrowing her eyes slightly as she took in the sight of his tattoos, certain she had seen them before.

'The red skin. The horns. The tattoos…'

"It is an honour to see you again," Laygak said, flashing a bright smile.

"Taygak, greet the Blazing Petal Knight." Stolen story; please report.

'That was it!' Adam thought, vaguely recalling the woman from a few years ago, when they had passed by this way during the civil war. Taygak flushed a deeper red.

"Hello! I, Taygak!"

"Hello, Taygak," Sir Gladys replied, beginning to recall the young woman she had met previously.

"I met your… elder sister previously?"

"Cousin Jaygak," Taygak confirmed, her eyes beaming with pride, the teen shaking slightly with excitement.

"We have some other connection, though I do not quite recall," the woman admitted, her eyes holding the girl's gaze expectantly.

"Yes! Lord Oscar kill Rogak! Good fight!" Taygak stated.

"Grandaunt also wished to face you," Laygak added, patting his sister's back gently once more. He could even feel Tagak's delight from nearby, the trio full of excitement to speak with such a legend that was the Blazing Petal Knight. Even though Laygak had met her previously, he had let Jaygak speak, but since she wasn't here, he took on that role for Taygak. The Iyrman whispered something, causing Taygak to stand taller.

Taygak reached down to her sword belt and undid it, offering the hilt of her blade to the woman.

"Draw, please!" Seeing the eagerness in the teen's eyes, the old woman allowed herself to be swept away in the moment, and she reached out to clasp the blade. She paused for a moment, feeling the tingling of the blade through her gloved hand, before drawing it, holding it up to see her own reflection within the steel. Taygak's excitement only grew, the girl's eyes twinkling, utterly starstruck. The Blazing Petal Knight drew her sword!

She couldn't wait to go back home and show off to her younger brother and sisters.

"This blade is a fine blade," the woman said.

"How did you come to receive it?"

"Cousin Adam gift!"

"That's not right," Adam said, flashing a wider smile towards them all.

"I did not gift you that sword, did I?" Taygak narrowed her eyes, since Adam had certainly- Oh!

"Ray Vonda!" the girl declared, standing taller and prouder.

"That's right! Ray Vonda gifted you your magical items, didn't she? So beautiful! So kind! So wise!" Adam exclaimed, doing his best not to lose himself within the moment, his cheeks flushing lightly.

'Magical items?' Sir Gladys thought, noting Adam's words, especially the plural.

'Ray Vonda?' Sir Bella thought, wondering why that name sounded so familiar to her.

'A Ray? Why would a Ray gift an Iyrman multiple magical items?'

"Yes! Ray Vonda is best!" Taygak confirmed, the girl's voice heavy with pride. It wasn't just heavy, it was full and deep, as though threatening to bludgeon all those around her to make sure they all knew how amazing Ray Vonda was. Sir Gladys swung the blade through the air once, the air giving into the blade, before offering it back to the young Iyrman.

Taygak plucked the blade from the woman's fingers, slowly sheathing it back, feeling the woman's warmth against the hilt of the blade, the young Iyrman still brimming with delight, like a child who got to see their babo for the first time in months. Laygak thought to ask for Sir Gladys to also draw his blade, but his blade was just an ordinary blade, so he decided against it. If Taygak got to show off her magical sword, that was good enough for him.

'So this is how he feels? I now understand why he wants to constantly show off…'

"Which other items did Ray Vonda gift to you?" Sir Gladys asked. Taygak's lips pursed together, the girl no longer willing to part with any more information.

"Her full plate and her shield!" the fool exclaimed eagerly, giving far too much information, far too easily.

"They're all Greater too!" Jurot's eyes fell to Adam, who couldn't help but show off about his wife. He exchanged looks with Kitool, but the pair sighed, since they couldn't ask Adam to stop being a fool when it came to his family.

"Greater full plate and a Greater shield?" Sir Gladys glanced down towards the young woman, who stood tall and proud. The woman didn't need to check, since though the Iyr wasn't confirming or denying it, would a fool like Adam lie so brazenly?

"It seems there are a great many expectations upon you."

"Yes!" Taygak stated firmly, clenching her fists tight.

'What is this?' Sir Gladys thought, noting the pressure emanating from such a young teen. She had half stated the words as a joke, but seeing the serious response from the teen…

"I always said that the Blazing Fire Knight was the best," Adam stated proudly.

"Blazing Petal Knight," Jurot corrected.

"I might joke around whenever I pretend to be cringe, but I really am bad with names," Adam admitted, the red splashing his face with the heat of embarrassment. Though he was acting the fool, the eyes of the Bellflower Sword no longer fell upon the half elf. Sir Bella caught his eyes, and the smirk upon his lips caused a cold sweat to pool against her back. The half dragon, with his arms casually crossed, didn't seem to pay any of them heed, too busy smirking playfully as the scene befell them.

The woman's eyes then fell onto the figure of black, the Aswadian who carried a spear upon his back, and seemed almost as haughty as the half dragon. She recalled his presence, having spoken to him lightly in the previous year. The sheer audacity he had in speaking so playfully with the King replayed within her mind. He, who chose to step forward, for the sake of his…

"It is our pleasure to host Aswadians," Sir Bella stated. Ashmir exhaled and though he disliked all these theatrics, he nodded.

"It is a pleasure to be hosted." It seemed as though the worst of it was over, and since Dunes wanted to pass through peacefully, he would need to keep his mouth shut. If only Adam would do the same.

"So, is there going to be a fight?" the half elf asked.