It was evening by the time Akiara reached Seafood tavern. She entered and sat on one of the empty chairs. A server brought a glass of water. She kept on glancing here and there looking for that female knight. As she shifted her glance to entrance, she noticed a young woman in knight's uniform entering with her friends. Her hair was caramel color and her eyes like roasted cocoa color just like the receptionist described her. They sat and ordered food and beers. As she was waiting for an opportunity to speak to her, her food arrived.

Suddenly a man in his thirties-forties approached towards the female knight, "Oi white saber... now that you've officially became soldier how about paying back my debt?"

"What kind of debt? As far as I remember... I never borrowed money from you." The woman mocked him.

Akiara listened to their conversation while eating her shrimp fried rice.

"Hey don't give me sh*t! You took away my treasure I earned for years! Now you are pretending to be good person because you got nobility's title huh!"

She stood up and slammed on the table, "Hey! I've always been a good pirate. I stole it and returned back the possessions to the owners!"

"Hmm... she is somewhat like Robin hood." Akiara thought while eating.

"Are you looking for a fight?!"

"Oh yes I am because you are one who started it."

The man punched her but she dodged it and punched his stomach which threw him away hitting the wall. Everyone stopped eating and was staring at the fallen man.

"You should already know that you are no match for me." She fixed her cuff.

"Who said that I came alone to fight you?" He spoke with a smug face.

She and her friends saw ten well-built men came from the crowd surrounded them. Her friends charged towards them fighting barehanded. As she was fighting against them, one of them sneakily approached behind her. He took out his dagger. As he was about to stab her, Akiara rushed towards him. She grabbed his hand tightly almost about to break his wrist.

"You should be aware of your surroundings Miss Knight."

"Ow ow ouch! Let go off my hand!" The man writhed in pain. She pulled towards her side and hit him on his nape making him fall unconscious.

She turned her face to see who see who said those words. She noticed Akiara but her face could not be seen because of hood. She threw the guy down.

"Let's go guys. Our mood is ruined."

"Okay Cap'n." They walked out except for her.

She approached towards Akiara, "Hey, um... can we talk outside?"

Akiara smiled as she was waiting for this opportunity. "Sure." she replied. They both walked out of tavern.

They walked towards the harbor where their ship was anchored.

"Hey kid... thanks for saving me back there." She spoke as they walked.

"..."

"Is there any way I can do to repay your favor back?"

Akiara smirked, "If you don't mind can you drop me off to Vasilindro empire?"

Her face lit up, "Oh what a coincidence! I am also heading to Vasilindro empire!"

"... Heidi bought it for you." She handed her the wine bottle.

"Five peaches wine from Wi Mei kingdom! Thanks!" She hugged her.

Akiara shoved her off, "Hey it is suffocating!"

"Oh sorry." she immediately let go off her.

"May I know your name?" Akiara asked.

"Oh... how rude of me I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Lieutenant Colonel Brielle Carter from second division of imperial knights order. What's yours?"

"Akiara."

"Akiara? That's quite unique and beautiful name."

"Thanks."

"Let's go my ship isn't that faraway." Brielle wrapped her hand around her shoulder walking.

"I can walk on my own." She shoved off her hand walking faster.

"Aww you are so cold."

"..."

"Why are you not showing your face?"

"... I have no interest on showing my face."

"Huh? Then how will you stay with me?"

"Once we reach the empire, we will part our ways."

"I see."she felt but didn't complain about it.

They reached the ship's stairs. They climbed up the stairs as they entered the ship's maindeck. Her crew mates were preparing for their journey.

A young man with tricorne hat noticed them, "Hey Cap'n who's that hooded guy?"

"She? She's traveling with us." Brielle replied.

"This guy is a 'she'?" He exclaimed looking confused.

"We are ready to leave Cap'n!" Another young man with eye patch on his right eye shouted from top mainsail.

"Then let's get going!" The young man walked towards the helm and held it.

A beefy man and a young teenage boy pulled back the anchor. As the wind blew on the sails, ship started to sail. Their captain spined the helm.

They crossed the international borders by midnight. Captain changed his shift with the young man with right eye patch. He noticed Akiara was standing at maindeck. He took off his eye patch and stared at her for a while. She seemed like she was enjoying the night view.

"Why aren't you going for a sleep?" He spoke.

"... I just don't feel like... to sleep."

"Do you have any problem with the room provided to you?"

"No. I just wanna stare at the endless ocean."

"The name's Zayden."

"... Akiara."

She took off her hood. Her black hair fluttered in the air and the moonlight shone her blue eyes. "This is the first time I am seeing someone with black hair." He noticed her eyes looked sad and void with no emotions. He clenched the helm tightly wanting to ask her. She stayed at the deck for the whole night and went back to inside chambers by dawn. She helped the teenage boy cooking breakfast. When everyone except Zayden went for breakfast, Brielle noticed that Akiara looked exhausted.

"Akiara... did you get good sleep last night?"

Akiara flinched, "U-uh I just couldn't sleep. Don't worry about it."

Brielle was bothered by it. Later at night she came to check on her, she saw Akiara wasn't in her room. She walked to maindeck. She saw Akiara was staring at the sea even though she was exhausted. She hid her presence and hit her on the nape.

"What the? Someone just hit me..." Akiara lost her conscious.

Brielle caught her from falling. She carried her in her arms, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Zayden, in charge as helmsman replied, "I... just... I was also worried about her."

"Whatever." She walked away and headed to captain's private quarters. She laid her on the bed and exited the room.