An eventful day yesterday. Hopefully today there's nothing crazy.

"Hey, Silas. Want to have lunch together?" Caroline was the first to invite Silas over whereby Jenny's chauffeur brought them out to a nearby shopping mall.

"I'm so glad classes are over." Nora said as she stretched her arms, releasing the tension in her veins, where Silas noticed people moving about.

"You got bodyguards, Jenny?"

"Yes. It's become a requirement since my elder sister has been in some trouble lately." Jenny spoke with a bit of annoyance lurking in her voice. Looking for a restaurant among the catalogue, Silas found one that was interesting. There was one that he couldn't take his eyes off.

"Battle Chef? Sounds pretty weird."

"It's famous because the owner's a Hunter. His class is Grand Cuisine, a legendary class that makes every food amazing, but he requires it to come from the dungeons." When they reached the entrance, Jenny rushed off to someone.

"Sister!"

"Jenny?" Silas saw Ace who was carrying shopping bags like a gofer.

"This is rich. The Crimson Reaper's Leader is acting like a gofer... Wait a sec... Is this a date?"

"I don't know what this is either." Ace said as he looked at Jenny who was ecstatic with Stella. Hugging her younger sister as they stepped inside the restaurant.

"So what you got?" Ace and Silas's Dimensional Gloves brought out a variety of meats, spices and herbs from their adventures. Where the staff went on working everything through and crunching numbers. The restaurant was willing to pay them for what they caught. Roughly 200 thousand for a total of 500 ingredients. Silas nodded and Ace nodded as all of it was brought inside.

"Wow. It's the first time I go to a restaurant and people pay me." Silas said where Stella turned to Ace who seemed bored out of his mind.

"This restaurant loves exotic ingredients." Stella said, while Jenny was fawning over her sister, leaning by her shoulders.

"It might do you better to be more relaxed Ace." Stella said to him where Ace shook his head.

"It's not easy to relax when other Familiars are giving their reports to each other on a general channel." A sigh escaped Ace's lips as he thought about things.

"But, about your master... What's he like?" Jenny asked.

"The Familiars are just his support, he's the one that ties us all together. Greet cruelty with cruelty, kindness with kindness. That's how he is. It's why it was so easy for us to deal with Garden. He told us to stop thinking about how other humans see us. Just fight without much worry." Ace said as he glanced out to view the crowd enjoying themselves on this fine day.

"So about the Reaver class.. How many people pass the selection?" Silas asked.

"300 tried out. Only about 5 manage to pull through. The 5 are still at Initiate Rank. They had to fight 500 Crimson Reavers. The other 295 failed within seconds because they didn't have enough Willpower to handle those things. The 5 of them did well, they're mainly from the Guardians. Seems like Loren wanted to see what's so interesting about the class."

A special class quest has opened up for you!

It's a... It's mainly good for you to gain money from this quest.

It's not exactly a special class quest, more of a special world where you can find rare materials.

Even the materials to craft your Lord of Thorns gear is here...

There's a catch though.

You'll have to play the part of a Duke.

A Duke who's a known powerhouse.

Cold to women.

Has caught rumors of portraying nasty things as a lecherous Bastard.

Also, this Duke has a group of soldiers that work for him exclusively.

Reward wise... There's... There's a lot you can get.

You can even get the Tears of Thorns, a rare metal that can be given to Bellwitch to enhance weapon sharpness to Thorns.

Various Legendary items exist in this world.

Including divine beasts and summon spirits that can be recruited.

Time spent in that world is different. One day in realtime is 6 months in their world.

They have 24 Hours.

Firearms wise, they only have basic revolvers, bolt action rifles.

But magic and swords are still there. Due to firearms being a commodity of sorts.

You will begin your story during the morning of the day your engagement to the Princess is annulled.

Also, the Saintess is a person who reincarnated from another world.

There is no goal for you, it's mainly for you to just have an adventure to another world.

Don't worry about Garden. From my understanding. After communicating with the system of that Lord of Thorns.

'He's incredibly incompetent, brash and impatient. A classic villain from a SUPERHERO show. The other Lords and Gardens cringe at his inability to think or reason. There's a reason why the Garden's Familiars refuse to work with him. He's AN INCOMPETENT VILLAIN.

The other Gardens of evil enjoy his schemes but find his execution to be too weak and pathetic.'

-That is the quote I received-

SO the world that you will enter is known as Upiezen.

Silas was thinking about it. That looked very interesting, he will think about it later. The weekend was coming, and he put the menu away. As food arrived in front of him. Ace looked at Stella who seemed to be struggling with cutting her piece of orc steak. Ace took her plate, cutting it to nice cubes that were bite sized for Stella.

Jenny was taking it easy with the cubes while, Silas was cracking open his diamond shell crabs. Cracking them open with his fingers, then using the utensils to carefully take out its flesh to add it on everyone else's plate. The garlic butter sauce was a nice addition with the tender nature of the crab meat.

Each bite Silas had of the crab meat, he could taste the juices and the seasoning that was added. The taste of the salt within the juice was something that had Silas thinking of the ocean. Standing in the center of it, seeing a giant grab appear in front of him. With the sign 'Garlic Butter sauce is perfection'.

Silas blinked and he was back at the table. This chef was amazing, the taste would send you elsewhere and you might end up seeing many things with just a few bites.

An adventure in another world sounded fun but Silas had to think about what he needed to prepare. He would be going at this alone, there's no need for him to have his Familiars. Silas fanned those thoughts away, it would be rude if he thought about those things when he was with people.

"It's very rare to see the Student President be fawning over someone like that." Stella giggled as she patted Jenny's head.

"She hasn't seen me in years. My mother was a piece of shit who abused her. She picked up a knife and tried to stab Jenny. I shot my mother 20 times with a pistol." Ace choked on his drink as he heard that. Silas's brain was slowly being fried by that random out of the blue revelation.

"Is that really safe knowledge for people who don't know this?"

"People know this fact. It's not hidden." Stella looked at Ace's dumbfounded face, unsure of what to say or even do anything. Though who wouldn't be? It was an out of the blue statement and Ace for once had nothing to say. Mainly lacking the words.

"Don't be such a downer, sis... Oh, thank you for keeping my sister safe!" Jenny said to Ace, where Ace nodded.

"Maybe one day you can thank my master personally." Ace winked at Silas who ignored it. Not wanting to blow his cover at all.

"So... Silas, do you have any hobbies?" Caroline asked as Jenny and Nora tuned in to hear the answer.

"I just like to read stories. Tragedy novels where a person who was wronged wins in the end. I am a sucker for romances too. Can't go wrong with a classic boy meets girl case."

"Ooh! My favourite trope has to be the serious guy and the naive girl. It always shows how people can change when their perspectives get turned upside down." Nora added into the conversation.

"So, then. Does that mean you have someone in mind when you read those romance novels?" Silas shook his head to Stella's question.

"I think the toughest part about being a Hunter is that you never know when you'll die or get badly hurt. I think the toughest part of that would be if my partner can handle that. Or if I can handle my partner who's a Hunter in that situation. The anxiety of not knowing if they'll come back? I think it's difficult for a lot of people in that sense." Silas said as he stirred his cup of his black rose tea.

"That's fair, but do you even have a crush on someone?"

"I don't. Not yet anyway. It's because I don't remember a lot about myself. So I'm still learning who I am and the way I see it. If I don't learn who I am, I don't think I'm ready to date anyone yet." Silas's answer had them all surprised but, it was a fact. Silas was not someone who understood himself yet. Just spending time with these people was already showing that he still had Joshua Gates's Kindness within. It was something Joshua's family would do, always serving everyone else before themselves.

Perhaps this was the part of Joshua that had rubbed on Silas in a bigger way than Silas had originally thought.

"Not even a teensy itty bitty bit?" Nora asked, where Silas shook his head with a grin.

"Not getting anything from me Nora."

"Eh, I tried." Nora said as they continued to eat their meal. Savoring the taste down to the last bite. After the meal they all went their separate ways with Nora and Caroline going off to do some shopping. Ace, Jenny and Stella headed home together. Jenny began to bombard Ace with questions about his combat style where Ace gave her only vague answers.

Silas on the other hand was thinking about diving into that world soon as he arrived home. His only familiar that he would bring. It will have to be Zephyr as Silas reached home.

"Have fun." Ericson said whereby knowing what Silas was going to do.

"Thanks, Grandpa." Silas went inside his room. Locked the door, and went to the system.

Ready to go?

Silas accepted it. Where he ended up being transported into the body of a silver haired youth, waking up from bed. Taking a look at the physique. Quite a tall figure. The body was agile thanks to the thin body, Silas found a long sword and a white set of clothes. The long sword itself was black and the sheathe itself was unusual.

The room looked luxurious with a disgusting sight for Silas.

"Whatever." Silas said as he went to take a shower and get dressed. The memories of this body was coming to him. Duke Albert Sylvanus of House Sylvanus. One of the Four Great Dukes of the Reznoa Kingdom, the house that held the title the Kingdom's Blade.

The memories of Duke Albert of the Princess was that the Duke was a cold person. An orphan who never understood romance or bothered to keep relationships with people. When in times that he is needed to fight, he would ensure his men return home safely. Perhaps in the eyes of many he would be a villain due to his cold demeanor. His engagement with the Princess of Reznoa was not the fondest of his memories and his meeting with the Saintess was far from pleasant.

The Saintess had a duty to save the humans from the threat of the monsters all around the Kingdom and Duke Sylvanus however, had a duty to act as a guard for them. Part of the chosen Guardians. There was a need for a seal and Duke Sylvanus didn't have the seal that was needed to be part of it. Trained his replacement and left.

From the way Silas understood it, it sounded like Duke Sylvanus was the most reasonable person in the Kingdom.

"Your Grace." The door opened where Silas or rather, Albert got himself dressed up with the butler calling him.

"There's been a call from the Royal Castle. They..."

"My engagement? Well at the very least. There's something to look forward to, I've been trying to get that annulment for years."Albert answered as he put on his white long coat, sheathing his long sword to place it by the hip.

"Were the Princess or Saintess unbearable?"

"Two spoiled brats. Can't offend either of them. I only know how to fight, and they expect me to be one of the Chosen just because I am a fighter? Preposterous." Albert grumbled on while his butler could only smile.

"Your Grace. It would be best if you do not utter such words in front of the Royal Family."

"Yes, yes, Terra. I know. They fawn over them too much. In terms of actual experience. Both are useless." Albert said as he tied his hair to a tail and made his way out. Where he looked at the stables that were empty. Terra, the butler gave Silas a black face mask that was fashioned in a skull.To be more accurate it was a face plate that was similar to what he had worn as Silas in Cresnax.

"Thank you Terra."

"Have a good day, Your Grace." Terra bowed as Albert put on the mask.

"Where are the Fangs?"

"Standing by for an assassination attempt against the King."

"Good. Zephyr." The Spectral Horse appeared from below as Albert held the reigns, hearing an affirmative neigh that greeted him.

"Let's go Zephyr." Albert went over to the Royal Castle, the sight of the azure mane and the violet streaks left behind from Zephyr's gallop caught the attention of the people. A Summon Beast, where the midnight steed and the white knight had contrasted each other beautifully.

Arriving at the castle caused quite the stir as they were cautious of Zephyr but seeing Albert dismiss Zephyr easily as he walked through the doors. The maids and guards greeted him, where Albert greeted them back as he strolled over to the ball room.

Seeing the Royal Family of Reznoa along with the Saintess, with the many other nobles present. A piercing gaze that was fueled by hostility, it seems that many rumors had spread.

"Albert of House Sylvanus greets the Royal Family and the Saintess."

"Do you understand why you're here today, Albert Sylvanus?" The King spoke with a sharp tongue, using a bit of mana to cast an intimidation to Albert. It would have worked if Albert wasn't a strong willed warrior.

"It is because of the fact that the Saintess and my daughter has brought up complaints against you!" Albert sighed.

"Your engagement to my daughter shall be revoked. As you have been caught messing with other women! You've also been unfaithful to my daughter! You've also troubled the Saintess on many occassions by refusing to aid her in training! An-" Albert was done listening to this nonsense.

"Your Majesty." Albert called up where the pressure in the room started to intensify, nobles were choking on their breathing. The guards fell one by one and the maids were banging their chests in a desperate attempt to allow the air to go in.

The Saintess was unable to breathe at all, the Princess was struggling as she fell to her knees. A snap of his fingers and the pressure was lifted.

"I cannot spar with the Saintess because she cannot withstand the pressure. It is why I was always away from her, because if I used this. She would not be able to breathe. With regards to Her Highness Leandra. I was meeting an informant regarding an assassination attempt on her life and the life of the Saintess. A brothel is a good place to find information and because people will talk about what they do without thinking due to their innate desires. House Sylvanus's duty is the safety of the Royal Family, and as the blade of the Kingdom. It is my duty to cut down all those that wish to harm the Kingdom. I do not need to report to you about everything. You've given me full autonomy to do what I wish. Duke Hagard." Albert turned to Duke Hagard who was the Shield of the Kingdom.

"Yes, Duke Sylvanus?"

"I am aware that you have feelings for Her Highness and to my understanding from my contacts. It is mutual. Your Majesty, please break off this engagement between Her Highness Leandra and myself. Though House Sylvanus is the most prominent among the Candidates for marriage. I believe that Duke Hagard, who serves as the shield and has feelings for Her Highness Leandra would do best."

"To what is your reason for that, Duke Sylvanus? Do you truly believe Hagard is deserving?"

"Your Majesty. If I recall, Her Majesty the Queen was someone you married out of love. I believe you would understand that Duke Hagard's affection and care for Her Highness Leandra is far better than mine. I only know war, Your Majesty. I am a blade. A tool that is meant to cut down whatever that opposes the Kingdom. I have tainted my hands with the blood of their families in the name of the Kingdom. It is better for Her Highness to have the Shield instead of the blade. For if she carries a blade, she must resolve that her life will be about killing others." Albert spoke eloquently to the nobles.

"But Albert I.." Princess Leandra words were cut off by his gesture.

"Follow your heart, Your Highness."

"I suppose you have your reasons... Then what about the Saintess? Why not be engaged to her?"

"His Highness Elerei would be a better fit. For he is one of the Guardians and would fit well as her fiancee."

"But Duke Sylvanus! You're the best warrior of the Kingdom!" One of the Guardians spoke up.

"I do this not out of merit or for rewards. It is simply my duty. The Silver Lion of Sylvanus. Is a title given to my house because of the fact that being a warrior is merely an act. I am an assassin." The entire ball room went silent.

"When a noble plans to attack the Royal Family, I silence them and ensure that their deaths are known. When someone targets the Saintess. I deal with it in a manner I see fit. House Sylvanus wears these masks to keep our identity hidden, even from the Royal Family. Which is why the Fangs of the Sylvanus are dealing with the matter." Albert said as six figures emerged from the entrance. Running past Albert with weapons drawn.

"Death to the Royal Family!" The six assailants were stopped by 6 masked men wearing long coats, wielding long swords. The would be assassins had their necks impaled by the long sword and heads flying off with slash to the throat.

"Report."

"Yes, Your Grace. Enemy squads of assassins have caused damage to the nearby gates. We've also found that they left behind a baby dragon in the capital. They wish to use the chaos as means of assassinating the Royal Family and the Saintess." One of them reported as they cleaned the blood off their weapons on their coats.

"Stay here, protect the Royal Family and the Saintess. I'll go deal with the dragon." Albert said as he stepped out the door.

"Yes, Your Grace." The 6 Fangs who wore helmets with the skull of a lion and their coat had fur by the hood and collar. More of them appeared from the crowd.

"How will he deal with the dragon?" The Saintess asked.

"By simply giving the dragon its kin back, Saintess. Duke Sylvanus will be able to handle it."