Cecilia carefully holding the old hunchback man's left arm when they are walking on the frozen road. “Please be careful, Mr. Grande. It is a bit slippery.”
The old man nodded and walking more slowly. His hand, which holding on wooden cane, trembling slightly. “Thank you for helping me, Dear.”
“It's nothing, Sir.” She replied it with smile.
Max, who walked beside her, took a glance on his fiancé. Never crossed in his mind that the fictional name is really existed.
Mikaela Montgomery used to be working on the coal factory. That building already abandoned for a long time and that poor woman was dead because of disease.
This old man, Derek Grande, remember her as a kind and an energetic underling. She was gone when she was 20. Then, Derek kindly tell them the location of her graveyard.
Cecilia let out a heavy sigh and wondering what kind of expression she has to wear on this man who looks so sincere to her 'sister'.
Derek mistakenly thought that Cecilia was sad, “I'm sorry for your loss, My Dear.”
“Ah… No. It's not your fault, Sir. I just… Confused. I mean, well, I'm not sure what I've to do.”
“Yes, yes. I understand.”
The three of them walked deeper into the forest. They already crossed the exit gate of that town.
Cecilia feels that it's getting darker since the sunlight almost fade into the cloudy sky and the dry pines trees perfectly overshadowing them.
The snow that covered on the ground getting thicker and make their step became a bit heavy.
“Chili, are you feeling cold?” Max whispered to her ear.
“No. And you?” She replied with a smile. That's true. The colder her surrounding, she felt warmer. It must be because the dragon's bless that make them warm,
“I'm good.” Max nodded because he's feeling the same. Then he took of his outer robe to the old man who can't stop trembling.
Derek almost jumped in surprised because of his kindness, “Ah, thank you, Young Man.”
Max nodded once without saying anything.
“Did you married for a long time?” Derek asked with a visible curiosity.
Cecilia keep staring on the ground. Failed to saw Max's smirk.” Not really.”
“I see. Can I ask why did you make the soup, aside than looking for your sister?”
“Not really. I mean, who didn't like free foods? The fastest way to their heart is passing through their stomach."
“You are a wise one. But, what if the bandit's leader know about this? Have you asked his permission to intrude this place?”
Max raised his brows, “Do we have to do that? We didn't do anything bad.”
“But, you were trespassing his area! What if he takes this as an insult?”
Cecilia scratched her scalp and play dumb, “Ah, we really didn't think that far. Perhaps, we should ask his forgiveness. Are you to agree with me, My Husband?”
Max flinched when heard it. He knew that it's just an act, but his heart beat faster. “Y,yes, My w-wife.”
“Desmond Krueger is an evil man, you know. He slaughtered people with his hand.” Derek said with gleaming eyes. “People said that he got the blessing of the protector of this island and became immortal. Unable to die in this frozen land. Rumor said that he was waiting for a worthy enemy. Did you know about Duke Lancia?”
Hearing that names, Cecilia's heart stop beating for a second, “Pardon me?”
“The grim reaper of the war zone, High Commander on this Empire. Duke Lancia's winning history must longer than train's railway. If the two of them fight, who do you think will win?”
“Duke Lancia.” Max said with confident smile.
“Why?” Derek asked, failed to see Cecilia's dark expression.
Max shrugged when said, “Because he is a strong man. That's it.”
“Sir Grande, does her graveyard still faraway?”
The old man raising his brow when heard her cold voice. He wondered why, “No, we almost there.”
But, before she can answer, the ground was shaking. It was so weak. However, Cecilia reflexively take a step back until bumped into her confused fiancé. “Chili, what happened?”
Derek smirked. His wrinkled face look so terrifying, “My, you have a good sense, Kitten. How could you know that this magic's effect will wear out? Hmm, I like you already.”
The young couple can't believe what they saw. Derek's body slowly changing into someone else!
His weak body became more muscular and taller than before. The old long clothes he wore ripped into short sleeve shirt with knee length trouser.
Cecilia stunned when she saw him. The one and only Desmond Krueger!
“What an honor to meet with the mysterious heroes.”
Cecilia shivered when heard his harsh and hoarse voice. Her hand hold on to Max, who still look calm.
She takes a deep breath. No matter what, she can't stop here. “Who are you? What did you do to Mr. Grande?”
Desmond slightly bowed to them for a quarter of a second, “No need to be cautious. I came with peace. My name is Desmond Krueger, the leader of this land. That old man is just my disguise. The same thing with your fictional sister. So, you don't have to worry.”
“She is--,”
“Don't lie to me, Dearie. Besides, this is my turn to ask you a question. What did you aim for? I know you are the one who gave the present to the citizen.
This free soup event must be one of your plan, right? Tell me, do you want to bribe them with great present to turn against me?”
Max snickered, “I don't know if you had a talent to write a novel.”
“I didn't talk with you, Soft Boy.” Suddenly, Desmond took a shiny axe from his back. “If you interrupted me again, my lovely axe will have a nice chat with your neck.”
Cecilia hold his arm more tightly since Max look so angry because of his word. She talked to him with low voice, “Calm down, Maxwee. Please, stick to the plan.”
“Now, answer my question! Why did you come to this place? Which noble who asked you here? Looking at the gift, the one who hire you must be a very wealthy person.”
Desmond slowly rub his axe. Actually, it wasn't an ordinary axe. It is able to detect some lies. If someone lied, it will be changing its shape to a gigantic trident that can pierce deeply to the liar… That's why Desmond call it as 'Judgement Axe'.
“We have no ulterior motive aside to sincerely help them. The Scorpion guild's leader was the one who tell us to do this.” Cecilia said without bat an eye.
The Judgement Axe didn't react and Desmond seem intriguing by this fact, “Scorpion's leader? Why?”
Cecilia then start talking, “He will get marry to Lancia's daughter in the next spring. So, he wanted to make thing became easier to them. You know that one of main objective of Lancia's arrival are make the citizen live in better environment.
The starvation and poverty was the main problem of this island, right? That's why, if he can solve that problem, Duke Lancia's way will be much smoother.”
Desmond laughed. Now, for him, everything as clear as the day. “Haha, what a clever man! I'd like to meet him someday.”
“I don't think you're able to do that.” Max crossed his arms and look annoyed. “He is a busy man.”
“Really?” Desmond smirked. “Then, I will grant you a permission to stay in this place and I will agree with whatever Lancia or even the Emperor wants.”
“Really?” Cecilia asked in disbelief. Never crossed in her mind that everything will be so easy!
“But, with two conditions. I want to have a duel with Duke Lancia. Don't worry, no one need to die since it just a friendship duel." Desmond smiled and he threw his lustful gaze to Cecilia. "And then, you have to stay the night with me!"