Seeing YunYun nod, Nick continued, “What do you think, how many people or girls are like you in the world? Look like you, think like you and do everything the same way you do things?”

“None, of course!” It was impossible for two identical people to exist, it was common sense.

“Then what makes you think that the style which someone has developed for themselves is the best for you even if it is a strong and effective one?” Nick grinned. He knew the talented girl in front of him instantly understood his idea.

And it was indeed so, YunYun immediately fell deep in thought.

“That doesn’t mean you have to think of something from the scratch. Just pick a style you like and improve it bit by bit – you don’t have to make revolutionary discoveries immediately.” He added.

“But regarding you three, just start from the basics and add the weapon practice later.” Then remembered something, “By the way, Conny, some time ago I came up with a technique that could help you train your Qi. Although I’m not clear of it’s effectiveness as I never tried it myself, I think you and Steven would like to try it and may be it can be very beneficial, to you especially.”

“Oh, what is it?” Kate was intrigued, “Tell us, may be we can get better results as well!”

“This…” Nick instantly blushed.

He just thought that the dual Qi exchange could help Conny to increase the amount of her Qi and strengthen Qi pathways, but he didn’t really think it trough and let his thoughts slip out through his mouth. There were other girls around and, in fact, this technique could be called somewhat indecent in the current situation, “This technique can be only practiced between married people, that is why I am not certain of it’s effectiveness.” He tried to get out of situation somehow.

“But how does it work?” YunYun’s interest was ignited as well.

“Well … the basic idea is the Qi exchange between the partners and as a result the Qi flow would multiply the progress for both of them.” Nick awkwardly explained, trying to not touch the intimate part of the technique. He was kicking himself inwardly for bringing it up – no one really asked him and he could’ve just spoken about anything else or even better – not spoken at all! No wonder old men say – silence is golden!

“Sounds interesting, let’s try it out!” YunYun excitedly sat next to him, “What do we have to do?”

Nick was already blushed, but now he turned deep, deep red. He still vividly remembered the happy and loving faces of the grand elder and elder Agnes, and the looks they gave each other. Nick’s heart was beating wildly as he glanced at the beautiful face right next to his and his mind started to have some fantasies against his will as well.

“But … but it can be only done by a married couple.” He stuttered weakly.

“Alright, then you’ll be my husband!” YunYun confidently said while the rest almost fell over from such statement. Women from eastern continent were really something else.

“First of all, in such case you would be my wife. But, anyway, we just met …” Nick tried to protest in increasingly weaker voice.

“But you said you like me!” She angrily glared at him.

“I do!” A weak answer came.

“Then don’t you think I’m pretty?” She was getting inpatient.

“Well … truth to be told you are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen.” He honestly replied, but in barely audible voice.

Nick really thought so. Looking at her was, in fact, taking his breath away. Her beauty was even miles ahead of the prettiest girl in Stanford that he used to date back then, its just that they now were still too young!

“Then what is your problem?” YunYun got angry. Even though he was a boy, this was the first man in her life whom she liked and it was only normal for her to choose him. That was how things worked in the Lethe kingdom! But she got rejected instantly? That was incomprehensible!

“You see … YunYun … we are very young … and … and I’m still only a boy.” Nick stuttered in an increasingly weaker voice, “It is simply not proper for us to think of such things.”

“What things? I’m fifteen! Women at my age are often mothers already!” She seemed to start panting from anger, “So you don’t like me after all?”

“Khem,” Kate found this whole situation extremely hilarious, but still decided to help out, “YunYun, you see, in the Sun kingdom people don’t always get married at such young age. Conny and Steven, for example, were engaged for several years and married only after she turned eighteen. That didn’t mean they didn’t like each other – she often accompanied him in training even if she didn’t train herself and they met regularly to spend time their together as well.”

Kate did her best to help, but for some reason it turned out a bit differently.

“So you like me and think I am beautiful, but can’t marry because of a tradition?” YunYun calmed down and appeared to be thinking. In fact traditions were strong and important aspect in Lethe kingdom and were thoroughly respected, “Alright, then I accept your proposal. We are engaged and will get married when I turn eighteen!”

A smile bloomed on her beautiful face and from the furious maiden she suddenly became a sweet and loving flower.

‘Accept your proposal?’ The other four were flabbergasted, especially Nick.

He honestly liked her a lot, but she was a bit too young and despite the testosterone rampaging inside of him at this moment, he had to hold back – he wasn’t initially a medieval barbarian, but a modern youth who respected females. The way Olle and Marrianne brought him up wouldn’t allow any indecent thoughts and there was no way he could take advantage of a young girl. But for some reason it felt like he was the one that was taken advantage of.

“YunYun, can we take it step by step, please?” Nick wrecked his brain on how to salvage the situation and weakly said, “Let’s get to know each other better and become friends and then we …”

“Of course!” She interrupted, “We already decided. Therefore, before we get married, first step is to get engaged.”

Nick sighed, but couldn’t think of anything to say. He looked at other three girls for help, but they continued to giggle and pretended to not care. In addition, it was highly risky to argue with a moody girl in the current situation – the danger of getting caught never lessened, even after killing the emperor.

“Alright, let’s get back to the previous topic.” After a long and awkward moment of silence Nick tried to switch the subject of their conversation. The young girls tend to change their minds all the time and probably this one next to him will probably calm down soon as well, “The three of you practice your original Qi techniques. YunYun, you think of something to do as well and meanwhile I’ll try to get you a sword.”

He understood that this eastern beauty was, in fact, a dangerous weapon and Kate already said that she killed several pirates and crippled a castle servant, therefore it would be beneficial for them if he could find her a good katana-like sword as soon as possible and most likely emperor’s full wristband held something useful in it.

“By the way, did you four decide who will leave here first?” Nick suddenly brought up an important subject. Seeing the four girls look at each other in confusion, he added, “You can decide as you want to, may be draw lots or something. I’ll get all of you out eventually anyway.”

Then he closed his eyes and tried to concentrate on the new wristband. He was still upset about the new forceful engagement, but there was nothing he could do, at least for now, and it was better to just focus on something else.

“Nick, can we have something to drink and may be eat as well?” Kate’s voice brought him back from exploring the emperor’s wristband.

‘Damn, I forgot they haven’t really eaten anything. Especially YunYun must have been hungry for many days seeing how they treated her.’ Nick realized he missed something important. Even though he thought he calmed down, most likely the adrenaline or the accumulated stress still impeded his judgment.

“Of course, sorry for forgetting about it.” Nick apologized, “But I can cook you something only when we leave, here you will have to make the best of what we have.”

“YunYun, you don’t know how lucky you are.” Kate grinned and teased, “Your future husband cooks the best food in the Mainland.”

“Of course!” YunYun nodded as it was a matter of fact even if she didn’t have any idea about Nick’s cooking skills.

“Wanna fast for a few days?” Nick angrily looked at Kate who waved her hands defensively while the both sisters giggled at this sight.

Some time after they ate there was an awkward moment with the natures calls as well, but Nick faced the window and pretended to not hear or see anything. The blushing girls also pretended he was not in the room and, obviously, this subject was never brought up again, not now and not for the rest of their lives.

The day went by quickly and with the dusk atmosphere in the room became serious once again. Nick repeated his instructions over and over few more times and then started to wait for Steven’s signal.

Two hours before the midnight was the time for the first night shift. Nick, already covered in ‘stealth powder’, patiently waited at the western window and, as soon as the second light lit up in the distant window across the river, he immediately started to climb down the tower as fast as he could right down to the roof level of the big building which the tower was part of. Already from the very top he tried to carefully observe if there was a guard on the roof and to his big relief he couldn’t see any.

At the roof level he paused, checked if there were really no guards nearby or below him and then continued his way down to the river. After reaching the bottom, he took few deep breaths and went back up.

“Around two minutes.” He whispered to the anxious girls while panting after getting back in the room, “I think it’s doable, but you will have to hold on tight and not make any sounds. Now let’s wait for the next signal at midnight, Beata – get prepared, there won’t be any practices anymore. We are going for real this time.”

She was the first according to the order the girls decided on. Then Kate and Conny would be the second and the third. YunYun refused to take part in drawing lots and announced that her fiance will definitely come back for her and in this way she will be able to spend more time with him alone. Of course, Nick only facepalmed and the rest of the girls giggled in response.

But now Nick wasn’t delving of those embarrassing matters, ‘I think we have half a minute of spare time, may be even a whole minute.’ He thought to himself. He knew it will be very hard to carry an extra person, but they had no other way.

Back in the Riverside inn they discussed a possible switch with Clayton at this point, because he as a Qi master had some definite advantages, but in the end decided against it. There were too many variables involved, like previous familiarity with the castle layout and the guard shifts, and even Clayton’s superiority to Nick regarding stealth skills was questionable. He was, after all a sailor and captain from the famous Evans family and had decent Qi sword master’s abilities, but he was not an experienced infiltrator or assassin. Nick’s training style, flexible mind and unique way of thinking made him much more suitable candidate for the this mission.

Thus Nick was the one currently in the tower gathering his strength physically and mentally for the first real attempt to bring the girls out. Meanwhile they practiced their Qi as well, because they already decided to follow Nick’s advice on training always and everywhere, no matter how silly it seemed. The reason for that was monstrous and unnatural example in front of them in the skin of a young boy, whose existence proved effectiveness of this approach.