The armored soldier around Jack became alert. Gala scanned her surroundings carefully while the tier 3 commander stayed close to her to protect her. The tier 3 commander knew Gine was strong and that he needed no protection.

A man in dark heavy clothing with light armor came out from the forest. He had a black knight's helmet that hid his face. Gala recognized that helmet, it was the helmet of Desnio. Desnio was a famous tier 5 knight of the Karnol family, he died seven years ago to an assassin.

“Amoz, the knight hunter,” the tier 3 commander whose name was Befas said loudly.

This made the armored horseman aware of the enemy's capability and they became fearful. Looking at Dule Gine, they became calm and confident.

“How did you know it was us?” Amoz asked in a deep voice.

Duke Gine sheathed his blade and smiled.

“It’s simple really,” Duke Gine said with an old voice, “the only known group of assassins who would have the guts to try and assassinate a duke’s family would be the Plight assassins. The fact that your friends over here revealed that they had family further adds to the evidence.”

Amoz thought for a moment.

“Leave us and escape!” The three assassins screamed.

As long as Amoz escaped, he could take care of their family. If Amoz didn't escape and died to Duke Gine, their families would be helpless on their own. Amoz understood his subordinate reasoning, but he did not want to run. He had climbed up from the pits of the slum by running from his enemies. When he had reached tier 5, he no longer wanted to run.

“Let them go,” said Amoz.

“Ok,” said Ginr.

Gine pulled out his blade and Amoz became relieved. If Gine had not given in to his demand, he would have hunted his family down. Gine sliced his sword and the ropes tying the assassin fell off. Amoz smiled happily, he then saw his assassin's head fall off. Amoz became stunned. Everyone else around also became stunned.

“I like giving back to threats,” Duke Gine said with a smile.

Amoz came to a realization and his aura flared, everyone around him who he considers an enemy got their Rilt suppressed by fifty percent. The tier 1 armored soldiers managed to fight off his aura Rilt reduction by ten percent.

Amoz pulled out a long serrated blade and shot towards Gala, he would avenge his subordinate by killing one of Gine's family members. Befas stood in front of Amoz and blocked him with his sword.

Amoz shattered Befas's sword with his blade and sliced Befas throat. Befas fell to the ground clutching at his bleeding throat. Assassins rushed out from the woods and attacked the armored soldier.

Amoz turned towards Gine and saw that he was running away.

“Perhaps he had grown old and weak,” Amoz thought to himself.

Amoz rushed toward Gine and attacked him. Gine turned around and grinned, he sliced his blade towards Amoz's right arm. Amoz expected this and bright light erupted from his eyes. Gine became blind and Amoz shoved his blade deep into Gine’s heart.

Gine’s eyes widen and he took a deep breath. Amoz became surprised, he wondered if it was this easy to kill a tier 7. Amoz pulled his sword out and Gine fell to the ground lifelessly. Amoz looked around and saw that his assassins had killed every armored soldier. He was about to scream for joy when he wondered how his assassins could have taken down this many tier 1.

“Wake up,” said Gine’s old voice.

Amoz opened his eyes, he saw that Gine had a blade shoved in him close to his heart. With a shift from Gine, Amoz was sure he would be dead. Amoz looked around and saw that his subordinates were incapacitated by the tier 1 armored soldiers.

“Look at me,” said Gine.

Amoz looked towards Gine.

“Tell me who sent you and I’ll let you and your men's go,” said Gine.

“The third prince of the Lyrain empire sent me,” Amoz replied truthfully.

“What did he offer you?” asked Gine.

“He said he would fix the slums and give the commoners better lives if I helped him,” Amoz replied truthfully.

“Thank you for your answers,” Gine said with a smile.

It was at that moment that a mental clarity came upon Amoz, it was as if something heavy was lifted off his head. He realized that it was illogical to answer Gine truthfully. He also realized that Gine might not keep his words and would kill him and his men.

“It seems you’ve realized the truth,” Gine said with a smile.

Amoz's heart dropped and he despaired.

“Don’t worry, I’ll let you and your men go,” said Gine.

The surrounding soldiers and Gala didn't understand Duke Gine’s logic, he should kill the assassins and make sure they don't come back to attack again. Amoz's heart rose and he became hopeful.

“I’ll let you and your men go, but I never said I’ll let you and your men live,” Gine said coldly.

Gine pulled his sword out and everything became dark for Amoz. The carriages and the armored soldiers traveled on while leaving bodies laying on the road.

In the carriage, Gine sat still with his eyes closed, he seemed to be asleep.

“How would you rate the illusion?” Jelly asked the other three.

“Six out of ten,” said Jill, she understood how hard it was to work with Rilt.

“Six out of ten,” said JJ. “It didn't seem that impressive compared to the feats mana pulled off,” JJ thought to himself.

“Seven out of ten,” said Jack, he enjoyed using the illusion.

“How would you rate the reduction of mental thought process?” Jelly asked.

“It’s decent,” said Jill.

“It’s useful for battles,” said JJ.

“It’s not the most fun to use,” said Jack.

Jelly and everyone went back to doing their own things. A few days passed and the carriages reached the capital of Lyrain, they drove to a mansion and everyone got off. The nobles' gathering would be held in three days and everyone relaxed during that time.

Duke Gine was in the garden while sitting back in a rocking chair. He listened to Dalina who was in her own rocking chair playing the violin.

“This is the life,” Jack thought to himself.

A male servant came up to Duke Gine.

“My lord, the second prince has come to visit you,” said the servant.

Duke Gine nodded and the servant brought the prince in. The prince had bright blond hair and bright blue eyes, he was eighteen years old and seemed like a young chap.

“Greetings Duke Gine and lady Dalina,” said the prince.

“Greeting prince Sikal,” Dalina said with a light bow.

“Greetings,” Gine replied while still rocking in his char.

A servant brought a rocking chair for the prince and he sat in it.

“Duke Gine, I’ve heard many stories about you from the day I was born, I’ve come here to listen to your stories,” said the prince.

“I don't have much to say your highness, other than I've killed many,” replied Gine.

Prince Sikal saw that Gine did not want to talk about the past. To Prince Sikal, it seems Gine had become tired of war long ago and was peacefully retiring.

“Duke Gine, who do you think is going to win the young heroes contest in champion?” Prince Sikal asked.

Jack searched through Duke Gine's memories. The young heroes contest was held in the empire every ten years. Commoners and nobles at ages ten to fifteen from all around the empire could join. The contest included who could be the best doctor, the best builder, the best cook, and many others.

The contest with the most eyes was the champion contest where the strongest person among the teens would be rewarded heavily. Many nobles were once commoners and they rose to where they were through the young heroes contest.

“I have not heard much news about the heroes contest or who's participating in it,” said Gine, “enlighten me of the contestants.”

The prince became happy and went on to explain the contestants to Duke Gine. Duke Gine and Dalina listened to every word he said and found them interesting.

“Did my granddaughter win the last decade champion contest?” Gine asked.

Prince Sikal shook his head.

“The one who won last decade champion contest was Befas, he is currently serving under your family,” said Prince Sikal.

The two conversed until Prince Sikal saw that Duke Gine was getting tired so he decided to leave.

“Do you think he's a fine lad?” asked Gine.

Dalina became surprised at Gine’s question.

“I’m sure he’s fine, Duke Gine,” said Dalina.

“I see,” Gine said quietly.

“You are dismissed,” said Gine.

Dalina nodded thankfully and left.

Gine was left all alone in the garden, he seemed lonely and desolate with his old hair getting swaying gently to the wind. He opened his mouth and sucked in some air. In the air, Jack tasted some blood. He then sniffed some wind and smelled blood. Curious, Jack decided to go out and explore.

Abas was running through a dirty alley, a girl about his age with white hair and white eyes ran with him. She had fear and hope on her face. Her name was Ralis and she was a commoner. Her hair color attracted many with malicious intentions and her parents were killed while she was kidnapped.

Abas saw her hair color and thought that she was a family member. He ordered his guards to take care of the kidnappers but the kidnapper used a spell scroll and put his guards to sleep.

With a necklace gifted to him by his grandfather, he was able to fight off the kidnappers and managed to run away with Ralis. The kidnappers were behind them and they were getting close.

Abas and Ralis were about to reach outside the alley. As long as they were in broad daylight among a crowd, the assassins probably wouldn't do anything to them.

Abas and Ralis were about to get out of the alley. They were about to scream for help when they were pulled back and a hand covered their mouth. The kidnappers tossed a white powder into their face and they became unconscious.

“That was close,” said one of the kidnappers.

“Take them and keep them locked up,” said another.

The kidnappers nodded to each other and left.