They arrive at the train station, joined by Bjørn and Nora. Going aboard the train, they find themselves seats, Ezek pulling out a newspaper from beneath the seat the moment he sits down, curious about this week's news. In their; stories about different countries, local news, stock exchange, and many more. And with one more turn of a page, Ezek sees the picture of them standing in front of the fortress of Beastbane.

"News spread quickly," Ezek says, showing the others the article.

"Woah," Bjørn whistles, nodding at seeing himself inside there. "And that, gentlemen and lady, is another step into becoming legendary. That's right"

"Learn how to not disturb others while you're at it, will ya?" Nora orders to him, slapping him across the head as he had drawn attention to them.

Nahshon also decides to take a look, learning a little more about the world through this article. His page-turning stops as he sees something that catches his eyes, his lips bending blank to the picture he sees. Kaia and Ronnie, accompanied by others, walking into a palace with the headlines of her being the first sea priestess in 500 years.

"Oh hey, I've heard about this," Nora says, seeing the article. "I guess the goddess of the sea must have forgiven them now"

"Forgive who?" Nahshon asks.

"Wohlstand. When was it? around 500 years ago," She tries to calculate, eventually just going into her phone. "Yea, around that, an evil dragon commander declared war on the entire world, and Wohlstand was suspected in aiding in his conquest, so after his defeat by the hands of King-"

"Bjørn!" Bjørn declares proudly, having Nora hushing him with a single look.

"Yeah, King Bjørn and some other world leaders. So after that, King Bjørn sent troops to warn them to never cross the line again, and around that time, their priestess disappeared"

"I see," Nahshon says, seeing Ezek looking through the window as he pays them no mind.

And finally, they arrive in the small town of Highgarden, and already, Nahshon can see the change in scenery. Compared to Strongcastle's black rocky-surface and Dragonford's grassy lands, He can now understand the meaning of 'garden' in its name. A rich theme of colour, a region that homes millions of flowers that breathe within the soil of the province. A place of elegant attire for most in the province, most looking way softer compared to the civilians of other provinces he had been to, even looking fancy with how they walk as well. They walk through the fairytale-like narrow streets, deciding on splitting up to ask around for where Ayame was last located. As he sees people ride across the water with their small boats, Nahshon stops to smell some flowers, mind at ease as he is pleased with the scent he is capturing.

"Huh!?" A young man comes. "Hey, would you look at that"

Nahshon turns to a familiar face, his eyes becoming not blinking through his surprise, also hiding some shame within.

"Don't tell me you forgot about me," The young man says. "It's me, the guy's sister you and your partner saved"

"Yeah...I remember," Nahshon smiles, scratching his head. "How's it been? everything alright?"

"Yes, sir! never thought I'd see you in these parts. What brings you all the way up here?" He asks.

"Oh, I...need something returned to me," Nahshon puts it.

"Really? well, is there anything you'd like to ask? maybe I could help you out a little"

"Well, yeah. I'm looking for someone called Ayame, you know her?"

"Hmm? Ayame of Highgarden knights?" He asks, Nahshon confirming. "Hmm, I don't think I've seen her for a while. I guess the best thing to do is to go to Red Fleur, just a couple of towns after this one...I figure she stole from you"

"...Yeah"

"Tsk," He laughs. "The commander lives there. She'll want to hear this, especially coming from a hero such as yourself"

"Ah," Nahshon scratches his head.

"Well, I shouldn't hold you up any further. I also didn't thank you properly, did I?"

"That's okay...I'm just glad we could help"

"Hmm, how about this? I just moved here with my mom, and I run a barbershop, so how about when all of this is finished, you let me cut your hair," He says, nodding at Nahshon's messy hair, getting a slight nod from him. "The name's Christopher, by the way. Yours?"

"Nahshon...it was nice meeting you again," Nahshon shakes his hand, Christopher hailing goodbye after, walking up the road as Nahshon watches his back.

"Yo," Ezek comes. "So he lives here?"

"Yeah..." His shame comes back, remembering how he shut his lips close in that crushing moment for Christopher.

"He gave you some info?"

"The commander lives just a couple towns from here, he said we could try speaking to her"

"Neat, just perfect... and how was he?"

"He seems fine...but who knows, maybe he looks that way to not worry others"

"...Let's go get the others. I wanna see this burglar's face too"

"Just don't shoot anybody, that's all I'm saying," Nahshon chuckles.

***

Bjørn buys some snacks for himself and the others, resting as both he and Nora had to question many about Ayame as well. Into the bag, Nora's hands rumble through, looking to see what she can steal for herself before the others.

"Hey, I wanted that," Bjørn says, grabbing onto the snack as well.

"Agh! But I grabbed it first," She challenges.

"Huh- And I bought this"

They enter into a staredown, who can overpower who for the biscuit. Nora gentle puts down the snack, nodding as she cracks her fingers and stretch. She sets her dominant hand down, fire in her eyes as she really wants that snack.

"Hand wrestling! If I win, I'll take it with no further arguments. But if you win, you take it, and I won't say a word"

"Come on, man. This isn't fair," Bjørn hesitates, Nora telling him to just do it.

He takes her hand as he accepts, Nora counting down to begin. The wrestling starts, both in equal stance, but soon after Bjørn begins using more strength. Her hand begins slowly falling, her mouth fussing as she tries her best to beat him, as she really would like that biscuit. Bjørn sees her cute face of trying hard, hesitant, still ultimately giving her the upper hand, resulting in her winning.

"Yeah!" She says, flexing her tiny muscles., grabbing the snack. "Too bad. If you can't beat me, then you have a long way to go before beating a beast all by yourself"

"I-I guess I'll need to train more, huh," Bjørn replies, as Nora takes a bite out of the delicious snack.

"Here...have a bite," She says, feeling sorry.

Bjørn takes a bite, thanking her. She slightly blushes at his innocent smile, looking away as she swings her legs on the bench.

"Well, what do we have here," A boy comes, dressed in his red uniform, accompanied by friends. "Bjørn, I never thought I'd see your face up here ever again"

"Joseph," Bjørn awkwardly hails.

"First you quit school with how weak you are, then you come all way up here to flirt with your girlfriend," He says, with his friends laughing behind him.

"She's....she's not my girlfriend"

"Shut up, you moron," Joseph says, getting closer to him, poking Bjørn 's chest. "Look at you. Did you think moving to Strongcastle would help with everybody forgetting how pitiful you are? did you also think becoming fulltime adventure would help your case any further? what, did getting your name in the news hype you up? look at what happened to your father, that didn't work out too well for him, now did it?"

"Well...at least he's still alive..." Bjørn simple answers.

"Yes, very much so. Speaking of him, how is that retard of a father doing, hmm?" He asks, putting his hand on his shoulder, Bjørn giving no answer. "Nora, you're smart. Please tell him that adventuring isn't fit for him. Tell him if he doesn't want to end up the same way his father did, then quit and become something more fitting; Weak and foolish, and maybe I'll ask my dad to even let you become my driver when we grow old"

"Fucking hell..." Nora goes, randomly dropping her biscuit.

"H-Huh, is a priestess suppose to be using such vulgar languages?"

Joseph gets slapped across the face with Nora's staff, swelling his cheek as he steps back.

"Get the fuck outta here. God damn it! you ruined the whole mood," She says, flashing her staff for the others to stay back as well.

"Y-You...You vulgar mouthed-priestess, how dare you?!" He shouts, nose bleeding, readying to pull his sword to strike her in anger.

He gets stopped by another who put his hand around his shoulder. The first thing Joseph sees is many tattoos drawn on the person's body, along with his many piercings, sucking on a lollipop.

"A-Alps?!" Bjørn calls.

"My God, man," Alps says, slapping the bruise on Joseph's face once. "I get you're rich and all, but damn. Tell him sorry, quick"

"Huh!?" Joseph goes, slapped multiple times again, becoming upset as knows he can't do anything, upsetting his friends who want to try and challenge it. "...I'm sorry"

"Yo! Bjørn. What's up, little man?" Another comes, giving Bjørn a fist bump, glancing at the friends with a smirk. "How about we don't cause any more trouble?"

"Ten," Nora calls, hugging him as the friends back off.

"His dad is a hero. You know what this guy's dad did for his country?" Alps asks, slapping him again, Joseph only nodding. "Say it. Then tell him sorry again"

"Your father saved thousands and ended up damaging himself while doing it...I am sorry, Bjørn"

Alps smirks as he tells Joseph good job, slapping him some more, ending it with putting his lollipop stick into Joseph's shirt pocket.

"Can I please go now, Alps?" Joseph asks.

"Hmm? No, only my Family and friends can call me that," Alps slaps him. "Say it again, properly"

"S-Sir Adrian...can I go now, please?"

Alps pushes him aside, raising his hand to scare him. Joseph backs into his friends, clenching his fist as tears begin to well up, hurriedly walking away with his pals. Alps turns to Bjørn who's smiling like it was nothing, walking up to him.

"The fuck you doing all the way up here?" Alps questions, flicking Bjørn in the head.

"Ow...We're on a mission," He answers, saluting.

"Huh??"

"Oh, there they are," Nora points, as Nahshon and Ezek walk up.

"What's going here?" Ezek asks.

"Huh. Hey, I've seen you two on the news. That's dope, man," Ten says, giving Nahshon a high five.

"Ayame is stealing again," Bjørn informs them. "And he fell victim to it.

"Shit, no wonder she seems happier than usual," Ten says.

"You've seen her?"

"Yeah. She was buying tons of stuff around this morning"

"...What??" Nahshon becomes stiff-faced, laughing like he's slowly going insane, Nora patting his back.

"We going to Lady Élise, someone said that's the best place to go to," Bjørn tells them.

"The name's Zhang Li, but my friends call me Ten for short," Ten shakes hands with Nahshon, receiving his name as well. "Ayame's a cat after all, but I won't blame ya If you end up doing something her. Yup, she's into that stuff...if you know what I mean"

"Oh?" Nahshon responds, smiling awkwardly as Ten laughs.

"Don't scare the kid," Alps grabs Ten. "Bjørn, catch you late, And yo, next time...don't let them take a piss out of you like that. Toughen up...you wanna be the next big beast slayer, don't you?"

"Hell yeah...don't worry, things like this happen all the time, it's nothing," Bjørn tells him, grinning as he waves.

"Tch," Alps walks off, Ten hailing them later, now poking his finger in Alps' face as he jokes around.

They hail a taxi and on their way they go. They reach the small town of Red Fleur, a place of many red flowers they see as they walk along streets. After asking some people, they learn of the specific neighbourhood the commander lives in, and so their walking begins, again.

"Hey, I'm gonna break off here," Nora says, seeing her church.

"Oh yeah, your family lives around here, don't they," Bjørn says. "Hmm, should I come too? Should I give up my dreams of meeting Lady Élise once more? stepping foot into her house for the first time."

"Dude...Nah, I'll catch up later," She shakes her head, running off to her home. "Don't act creepy when you see her!"

"That church...she's a foster kid?" Ezek asks.

"Yeah. They've been her family since they found her as a baby," He explains. "Don't worry, as long as she got me and the others, we're her family. It doesn't always have to be by blood, you see"

"Hmm," Ezek puts on his hat. "...And what did she mean by you acting creepy??"

Bjørn simple laughs it off, Nahshon shrugging to Ezek as they continue with leading them. And at last, they reach the street that will lead them to her home, shadowed by the countless trees that cool the path.

"Man," Bjørn stretches. "I know it's just been a couple of days, but I already miss being in action. Woo! By the way, you guys really can a pack a punch, huh. It's like you both could be like Alps and Ten, but shorter and darker in thinking"

"You fu- you're really are an honest one, aren't ya?" Ezek smiles, tempted to choke him.

"You guys must have trained a lot to be that strong, not that I do the same," Bjørn brags.

"Well, I can't really say it was 100% through my efforts alone," Nahshon says, picking a flower.

"What do you mean?"

"Back when me and Ezek were in Appleton, Anne showed me this secluded place in the hills I could train, and so I did. I really worked my ass off trying to at least attain some level of skill, and that's where I met someone who said he'd teach me some stuff"

"Huh, really?" Ezek goes. "I never heard this before"

"Yeah. He probably felt awkward always passing me whenever I was there, seems like he liked it when it was his place alone to relax, I guess. And yeah, it was kinda cool. He was legit dressed like a ronin too"

"Woah! You mean as a samurai trained you?!" Bjørn excites.

"Mhmm," Nahshon nods, finally reaching the gates.

In front, stand behind the gates of the grand mansion that houses the commander. Bjørn grabs Ezek's back, blushing as he can't believe they are actually in front of her house. Ezek nudges Bjørn back, summoning his gun.

"What the hell are you doing??" Nahshon questions Ezek.

"What? I'm just checking the ammo count. You never know what might happen," He explains.

"Put it away, fucking hell," Nahshon chuckles, shaking his head, and in a minute of their conversation ending, a blaze of heat wash up above them, turning into a red shade of flame which he protects his flower from. "What the hell is this?!"

"And for what reason must three boys come to disturb our peace," The fire speaks.

A woman develops out of the fire with hair of crimson red, face already looking annoyed by their presence as she looks down from above. A fiery spirit that now guards the gate.

"Aye, Vice Commander Aagni," Bjørn grins, three of them sweating from the extreme heat, enough to dry their tongues. "It's me, Bjørn. You remember me...r-right?"

"Yes...unfortunately, I do," She rubs her eyes. "What do you want, Bjørn? Don't tell me you've become apart of her 'elite' squadron of fans"

"No...N-No! no way. Could we speak with Lady Élise, please? Ayame's stealing again"

"And you couldn't speak to the thief herself about such small matters?"

"Uh, well-"

"Hol' up," Ezek goes. "Alright look, lady. Just get the woman out, so we can deal with this like civilized people. We aren't here to get freaking handshakes or something"

"Madam Élise doesn't have time to waste on such petty matters, boy. She is busy attending to important work at the moment. Now if you please, come back another time, preferably with something important"

"Oh my god," Ezek rolls his eyes, Nahshon and Bjørn trying to calm him down. "As our friend told you, Karen, your little Knight is stealing from her people who she should be protecting, don't you get that?!"

"Ngh! you dare use that insulting term against me?? You sure are pushing your luck right now, elf!"

The area becomes more heated as her anger grows, fist formed as servants of the house comes out to ask her why she's upset.

"Leave...now. You last warning," She warns, Ezek smirking as a way to taunt her.

"Agi, what is the matter with you??" A voice comes.

"M-Madam!?" Aagni quickly calms herself.

The boys instantly blush as the fire clears away, as atop the balcony, even with not being close, they could already see her beauty as perfection. Long curly pink hair, matching with her dress, simply elegant. The boys, immediately enchanted, mouths open as they look with no words in mind to describe her, they have fallen in love with the beauty of the lady.