"My lady, a messenger had just arrived."

"Welp, it was fun hanging around here in these last few days."

"Aye lass, we'll be seeing you around... Safe travels!"

King Alderius and Clyde then waved goodbye as they walked off.

Vixella and Xenthur remained seated, hanging their legs past the aqueduct railings.

They overlooked the Betrasian Sea with a good view of the bustling docks below.

"It's rude to not show yourself."

Kartana laughed and lobbed herself up with a surprised look.

She had hung underneath them on the pillar this whole time.

"I hid my presence though... How did ya notice?"

Vixella held back Xenthur by the face as he began flailing his arms wildly at Kartana who was out of reach.

"Mm-!? How dare you underestimate my lady-!? U-Unhand me...! This Sir Greedfallen will not tolerate---"

BzZzZT-! BZzT-- BZztTtt......

A short sigh came from Vixella as Xenthru fell back against the railing to sizzle.

"Uouh... I see you and your assistant have that kind of relationship."

"With that aside...", she hinted by lifting her chin at the docks, "Got a ketch (ship) we can use?"

"Yea, I think we do? Ya want some wind mages as well ta go fast?"

"Hm, not really... Can you have the carpenters cut some planks? I want to try something."

...

About two hours later, Vixella placed the last nail and hammered it through the planking.

"Aaaand... Done!"

"Ella... W-What is this thing?"

"But... There are no sails on it... How is it going to move-!?"

Vixella hopped on and spun the crank, spinning the large wind propeller.

"This is an Airboat... So it goes like this-- Eh, it's moving already-!?"

Xenthur then hopped onto the ketch after her and quickly undone the docking ropes.

"That is because of your monstrous physical strength, my lady."

"I see... A miscalculation on my part but don't worry! I've also made air intakes for wind magic."

WHOOSH! The waves crashed up as their ship left the docks.

It went very fast so no one had the time to say their goodbyes.

...

Great Port.

A blooming Capital of Trade, residing by Merchantia's Southern Coast, the flattest plains in Afria.

Seagulls soared around the bustling docks as busy workers loaded cargo ships after the commands of their foremen.

On the side docked row of naval vessels with enthusiastic looking Corsairs ready to set sail on escort missions.

If one shifted their view further into town, they would spot a marketplace just right beside the harbor district.

Workers pushed wagons, swarming about, lifting crates around as they continued with their menial lives.

There was a father who was out with his daughter to buy some supplies from a market stall nearby.

A nun was also seen buying some painting tools and canvasses... Perhaps it was her hobby?

On another side of town, shutter doors swung open as two finely dressed people stepped into a dusty dim-lit café area.

Men and women in varying attire and gear sat around in booths that were spread out in the vast room before them.

"This foul smell of blood-stained commoners... Aah, choose someone suitable for us already, will you-!?"

The haughty noble rebuked at her butler who meekly nodded a few times, causing a few laughs in the background.

The butler then whispered in such an obvious manner before slowly pointing at a cloaked figure by the far back.

FLASHBACK

Upon arriving at the Enchantian docks, Xenthur went off to retrieve an exact copy of Vixella's dress from a nearby asset.

Despite not wanting to put it on, Vixella eventually realized that flashing her pantyhose in public wasn't too good either.

After all that was said and done, they went around to contract many merchants for their Magical Induction Jars Inc.

To earn some coins on their way to Enchantia, Vixella ordered bundles of Beastmen Wool, delivered to their wagon.

Beastmen Wool conducted heat extremely well and kept one's warmth intact for longer periods.

They were apparently in high demand, especially in the cold and barren landscape of Enchantia.

UN-FLASHBACK

Currently, Vixella was playing the role of that one troublesome noble who was about to recruit a bodyguard.

The Merchant Guild required nobles who tagged along with a caravan to at least have one bodyguard contracted.

She nodded in approval before gesturing to Xenthur to call over the cloaked figure in which he had pointed to earlier.

A quite tall but small-built scruffy-faced man sprung forth to kneel in front of them who stood by the entrance.

"My Lady... May I have the honor?"

In return, Vixella threw a slight glance at Xenthur.

"My apologies, my lady and I here had already decided to hire that person."

He firmly pointed at the cloaked figure who steadily approached them with the sound of clanking plate armor.

"Arara? Are you perhaps talking about me?" ((Arara? = Oh me Oh my? -- WEEB LOL))

It was... Well, a lighter voice than what one would expect from such an intimidating figure.

The figure lowered their hood, revealing a sharp face with signs of slight femininity, a striking womanly appearance.

Her black hair smoothly flowed underneath the gorget of her silvered plate armor going well with her deep blue eyes.

Everything about her reassembled that of a fine warrior, she even has a faint diagonal slash scar across her left eye.

Custom-fitted, her heavy-looking plate pieces had powerful protective runes etched upon them.

There were also slight chips and grazes here and there; traces and proof of live combat experience.

A strangely large claymore was also hanging by the reinforced leather strap to her hip's side.

The knight woman politely passed over her mercenary Identification Card in a single, firm motion.

Vixella casually took it.

Jessica Bluestars.

Valoratian Elite.

To put it bluntly, Valoratian Elites were a breed of distinguished Knights who originate from Valoratia.

The scruffy-faced man from earlier drew his curved saber and stepped back to make a distance.

"Must we resort to violence? If that is so... Then so be it..."

Jessica proclaimed out as she began to draw the oversized claymore from her scabbard.

"Too slow."

The scruffy-faced man slipped past Jessica's striking distance before she could react.

However, that wasn't the case.

Before his blade could make contact-

CLACK

The pommel of Jessica's Claymore smashed against the man's chin, knocking him out cold as he fell over.

Jessica gave off a smug look, letting go of her claymore's hilt as it slid back down the scabbard.

After all, she didn't have to unsheath it... It was a custom for knights to not draw their weapons unless they had to.

A slight pause came to everyone who saw the scene in the café before they eventually gave their applause.

After Vixella healed the scruffy-faced man, she and Xenthur sat down with Jessica to listen to her contract conditions.

For some reason, Jessica began to tell them about her past.

As far as Jessica remembered, she had lived on the streets with her younger brother.

Helping each other get day by day, they would fend for each other while living on day after day.

It was her brother who managed their food and expenses.

Jessica also mentioned that all she did was mostly menial work.

Her intellectual brother was also able to use and control all magical attributes to great extents.

The local street thugs didn't bother them too much due to their combination of brain and brawn.

Seeing talent in her brother, an Enchantian Mage took him away.

It was hard for Jessica to manage alone without her brother's wits.

She was easily exploited and betrayed by the more cunning street people.

After resorting to thievery to survive, an old Valoratian Elite caught her and raise her into a Knight.

Jessica then proceeded to distinguish herself in many tournaments, skirmishes, and escort missions.

Although just in her early twenties, Jessica retired from knighthood and traveled towards Merchantia.

She registered as a full-time mercenary in hopes of tagging along with merchants heading to Enchantia.

Despite countless visits, Jessica never did find her brother... Yet she never gave up on trying.

Enchantia.

A harsh and cold barren landscape is located in the north-western snow mountains of the Afria Continent.

There was indeed no reason to go there unless you sought something related to magic since mages resided there.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Either way, going there was not easy because the Enchantian Mage Order did no allow any Valoratian to visit.

An exception was that if the presumed Valoratian were to be 'under the reins' of someone holding high importance.

"Aah, about that... I'm quite of high importance, so it's fine for you to tag along."

Xenthur butted in.

"Indeed, our lady here is an Elderian Emmisary tasked with escorting the Archmage during the next peace talks."

"Araaa-!? To think that my lady is someone of such importance!"

"You could say I'm like an errand boy for that damned Elderian King."

"Please don't say such things...?"

"It seems our lady needs some rest... I suggest we leave her to be..."

"Then, shall we talk about something else?"

The knight woman then went on to tell about the last time she had gone to Enchantia about a month ago.

They had set up a magical heat barrier with the use of Magical Induction Jars at the capital of Cold Point.

The hefty magical barrier was powered by the mage population that donated their Magical Power weekly.

Before the heat barrier came by, the majority of Cold Point resorted to housings under the vast ice crevices.

The weather up top was just too severe for stable living conditions.

The only thing that could be seen beyond the everlasting blizzard was the same old wizard tower up the top of the citadel.

In the passing month, the builder mages have worked hard to set up living residences and storefronts on the surface.

The farms and food supplies, however, were still kept underground since it was still too cold to grow on the surface.

Thanks to Vixella's little invention, the hopes of living on Enchantia's surface were no longer just a pipe dream.

"Araaaaa-!? Lady Vixella is also the owner of the Magic Jars-!?"

Jessica blurted out aloud upon confirming Xenthur's final words.

Everyone in the cafe then all glanced their way with bewildered looks as sweat trickled down Xenthur's face.

Whispers sounded in the vicinity as everyone went on with their thoughts, eyeing Vixella who was still asleep.

"Vixella? That name is...", "The appointed Elderian Emissary, right...", "Wait... Hero of the Katraian Revolution-!?"

"Aah, why did things get so loud all of a sudden..."

Vixella grumbled out, sitting back up straight to scratch her neck softly.

Little did Vixella realize as her fingers slid down her frilly collar piece to expose the Crystal Plate.

"Holy shit!!!", "Legendary Adventurer!!", "The rumors were true!!", "Dudeeee!!"

"My lady... I suggest we relocate from this place immediately-"

"Aah? How can I possibly leave when all of the fans want an autograph, right?"

"Hell yeah!!", "Me first!", "Get out of the wa- ARGH-!?", "What the fuck! Calm down... Hey----!?"

Vixella sighed heavily as she watched everyone jumble up to brawl against each other.

"I don't think I'll bother waiting for them to stop..."

"Hoo... To think that our lady is this cunning..."

"What?"

"Truly! To make them fight each other so we can slip away unnoticed... Even I wouldn't have..."

"Aah, this? It wasn't intentional?"

"Ara, to think our Lady would also be this humble..."

Jessica smiled at Xenthur who in return nodded in agreement.

"You two...", Vixella sighed in disbelief, "Let's just get out of here already..."

Upon coming out of the mercenary café, Jessica and Vixella took the corner and went into the merchant guild building.

Xenthur, on the other hand, went away back towards their carriage wagon in the marketplace to manage their supplies.

Vixella casually stepped up to wait at the back of the long queue spanning the reception that handled the nobility.

In the far-off corner, a commoner who was talking to a group of merchants spotted Vixella at the end of the queue.

He then abruptly broke off from the group, telling them to wait before beelining straight towards her.

Jessica who stood nearby abruptly stepped in to block the way as she grasped the hilt of her oversized claymore.

The man, upon seeing the woman knight who was tall as himself block the way, raised his hands in surrender.

"Ahm... My name is Alexei Kiravichi... I'm Devankul's branch manager for Vixella's business..."

"Lady, would you happen to know this man?"

Long minutes later, the two walked away from the reception to meet up with Jessica who was waiting for them outside.

"Aah, Jessica."

"Yes, lady?"

"You can go help out Xenthur with loading and managing the supplies for the day... Rest well, we'll depart tomorrow."

"Understood... But what about you, lady?"

"Alexei here is also Elderia's Lord Protector so we'll be fine."

"Arara-!? Lord Protector-!? I sincerely apologize for my rudeness earlier, Sir Alexei!"

"Ahm... No, it's okay... Really..."

"Then, as my lady has instructed, I shall promptly take my leave... Excuse me."

Jessica then shortly broke off from them and steadily paced down the street.

"Finally! All that aside, Alexei... How have you been?"

"Ahm... The usual... Nothing much to say here..."

"There's a motive behind this, right?"

"What?"

"To travel here for such a simple errand... Why? Is there a specific reason?"

"I wanted to see you again, that's all."

"Aah, you missed me that bad then?"

"Yeah... You?"

"As if."

"Hahaha... Thought so."

"I'll tell you... Although I hope you don't take this personally, Alexei."

"Ahm... Go ahead...?"

"Truth is... Being near you makes me forget that I'm a man... It's a bit... I don't... I don't know... I don't know anymore..."

Alexei was at a loss for words, seeing the usually composed Vixella avert her gaze with a troubled look.

Before he could open his mouth to apologize, Vixella held back her head and grumbled out at the sky.

"...?"

She looked back down to face him, now back in her usually composed look.

"That troublesome stuff aside as well, how are things holding up in Elderia?"

"The business is running fine... Nothing much I guess... Oh right, the nobles and the princess are quite the hassle."

Vixella was then reminded of the times she as Xiveall had to deal with the nobility and the princess back then.

"Aah... The nobles and the princess...?"

"Yep... Also, Vix... What did you even do? Hero of the Katraian Revolution, huh?"

"I don't know what's up with that either since I didn't do anything but kept the significant people alive."

"Seeing you put it like that, you must've fought and gone through a lot."

"Who knows? Also, have you developed anything on the path to becoming a real man?"

Her eyes seemed to glimmer as she compelled her hands while looking up at Alexei.

"Ahm, what...?"

"Made moves on any girls yet-!? Aah, maybe you're aiming to become a prince-!?

"Ahm-!? Why are you asking this? Well, the Princess is nice and all but... Yeah no... Plus, I've been quite busy!"

"Anyways, you coming here all this way just to meet me... There must be something you planned, right?"

"Well, I was planning to ask you out on a date... But seeing that you aren't comfortable with this kind of thing..."

"Nono, I've been thinking that I should confront my fears of becoming a woman as well."

"Ahm... So you're saying, it's okay...?"

"Yeah, it would be a waste if you came here for nothing... No?"

"Okay, Vix... T-Then...", Alexei's cheek began to turn red, "W-Want to hold hands as we walk together...?"

"Aah...", Vixella glanced sorrowly at her hand, "Your sacrifice will not be forgotten..."

"Vix is holding my hand that morbid to you-!?"

"Sorry, for some reason I just love to mess with you."

Vixella sneered as she took Alexei's right hand with her left.

"Ahm-!? O-Okay... I have a few places we can visit... You haven't eaten, right?"

A CENTURY LATER

(City Transition Music)

"That was quite the date, the food was delicious as well."

"Ahm... Thanks... But are you okay...?"

"Yeah? Going around with you like this is like rehab for me, you know?"

"That's great... I suppose..."

"Yup, but why are we stopping here?"

Vixella asked out as she looked down the side street before the harbor area which was lit with oil lantern posts.

Alexei hinted at the double doors on the building just beside them.

"I arranged for us to stay here for the night."

"This place looks quite luxurious for an inn."

"Well, you see... This inn is more than that... Look carefully at the sign."

"No way, is that a heart sign I see?"

Alexei gathered the courage to swing his arm around to hold her by the waist.

"Yeah... We'll be 'wrestling' lots tonight... I hope you're ready, Vix..."

In return, Vixella scoffed once.

"Who do you think you're talking to? A man is always ready."

"A man? Ahm... Guess I'll have to make sure you become a woman tonight then..."

"Aah, we'll see about that."