Meeting at the mansion

“Sorry for what our deputy commander did, Great hero”

The graceful figure that appeared spoke elegantly with an attitude worthy of a kingdom’s lord. But to Yuuji, something felt off about the lady in front of him.

When Yuuji first heard of “Lord” he thought it’d definitely be a man whose hair was grey and with a long beard wearing some fancy clothes, however the person– the lord in front of him was in fact a woman.

Green hair tied in a ponytail, Reddish orange eyes, and a long dress with a plate around the chest area. That was Thoka Smith.

“No need to apologize, Miss Thoka!” Amilia panicked as she replied

Thoka giggled at Amilia’s panic and followed it up with a “It’s fine It’s fine.”

“Alright. Let’s get to the matters at hand. Please, follow me, Hero.” Thoka clapped her hands to grab everyone’s attention once again

“Please, call me Yuuji. Just Yuuji.” Yuuji replied back to Thoka.

As soon as she heard his tone of voice, Thoka’s eyes widened. Amilia started panicking at his demeanor, but to everyone’s surprise, Thoka didn’t mind at all. In fact, Thoka had a mischievous smile on her face.

“Mister Yuuji, You’re the first person in many years to be able to reply to me like that.. As you wish.”

As soon as she finished her words, Yuuji bowed in apology. He too knew he shouldn’t talk like that to anyone, let alone a Lord, and thus bowed in apology.

After this entire commotion had finally settled, everyone followed Thoka to the meeting room.

It was a spacious room not made for any minor meetings. The room had a big round table in the middle with 20 chairs surrounding it. One of the chairs looked different from the others, obviously showing that it belongs to the lord. A large-circular window stood behind said chair illuminating it slightly enough to make sure the lord always outshines everyone.

Yuuji’s first thought was to open his mouth in awe. The scenery could be even said to be straight up out of a movie from how unbelievable it was.

Cutting into his thoughts, Thoka smiled “Do you like it, Yuuji?”

Yuuji nodded “It really looks well planned and well maintained, Miss Thoka.”

“No need for formalities. Isn’t that what you already stated giving your name down there?” Thoka giggled mischievously.

“Larson,” Thoka called out to someone.

The knight in silver armor immediately stepped inside the room with a sound form

“Make sure no one comes in unless it’s an emergency.”

“Yes, Lord Thoka!”

The guard hit his spear on the ground to show his compliance and left the room. With that done, Thoka clapped her hand to grab everyone’s attention in the room.

“Please, everyone. Take a seat, let's start talking.” Thoka sat down then spread her arms gesturing to sit down.

The room currently had 5 personnel. Thoka, Amilia, Yuuji, A bearded man and a ginger-haired beastkin.

“These two are General Marcus and General Rüdiger,” Thoka pointed at the two men sitting next to each other.

At that gesture, The bearded man stood up first.

“Esteemed guests of Wintervale, My name is Marcus Dominic. Please call me Marcus.”

The man bowed respectfully like a noble and sat down. Straight away, The ginger-haired beastkin stood up with the same pose as Marcus

“My name is Raphael Rüdiger. From the proud family of Rüdiger. We serve loyally as royal guards.”

The man seemed to boast a little but nothing out of bounds. The moment he finished and before he sat down, Marcus gave him an elbow to the side.

“Why are you boasting, Raph?” Marcus’ tone seemed to be very light-hearted.

‘Maybe he’s trying to lighten up the mood a little. It does feel a little suffocating with many people here.’ Yuuji thought to himself.

Yuuji was good at talking to anyone, one on one. But when it came to talking to crowds or in meetings, he felt an immense weight on him.

“Alright, everyone. Now that introductions are done, Let’s get to the matter at hand.”

Finally, Thoka decided to get to the point.

“I’m sure you have many questions for me, Yuuji.” She narrowed her eyes at Yuuji, whilst resting her chin on her hands.

“Indeed.” Yuuji paused for a moment to collect his thoughts. “Why did you bring me here? Also what’s these colored crystals that you all have? And why would I be the perfect candidate?”

Thoka’s eyes widened with surprise at Yuuji’s questions. She let out a sigh, narrowing her eyes once again.

“Let’s start off with something simple.” She paused, “The crystals are blessings granted to those who are deemed worthy… We don’t understand what’s worthy enough to be granted such special magic, but nonetheless it’s given only to certain people.”

Yuuji looked at Amilia who shrugged her shoulders when she felt his gaze as in “There’s no other answer”

Clearing her throat, Thoka continued. “As to why exactly you..” Her voice trailed off a little “Perhaps, You could call it fate”

With a smile on her face, Yuuji felt suspicion towards her.

‘She’s definitely hiding something’ is what Yuuji first thought to himself before nodding to her answer.

“I know my answer may not be satisfactory to you, Yuuji. But that’s about all I know.”

Her expression seemed sincere enough however. So Yuuji dropped his suspicion for now.

“Now for why you’re needed here.. We need you to–”

As soon as Thoka was about to finish her sentence, One of the guards rushed through the door.

“LORD THOKA!” The guard could barely catch his breath “The kingdom walls are being attacked!”

Thoka stood up immediately and looked at Yuuji

“Looks like your answer came fast huh..”

Thoka’s voice was filled with anxiety. To her, this man right there could just about refuse to help her completely and they’d not be able to force him. However–

“I’ll go with you. Please, prepare a sword for me.” Yuuji confidently stood up slamming his hands on the round table.