Joanna and Dr. Minos stood just outside the door with sympathetic gazes. I stopped in my tracks. I didn't expect them to be so close.

"Are you less scared now?" Joanna asked.

"How did you know I was scared?" I questioned.

"First, your plan involves negotiating with a wild dragon. Only an idiot wouldn't be afraid. You're insane, but you're not stupid," she said.

If I was an American in my past life, I'd say that I exercised my right to remain silent.

"Second, I know you too well. I've been by your side since you were born. I've given you my milk..."

"Please don't bring that up," I said. "I was trying to forget that."

"Why?" a look of confusion spread across Joanna's face.

"Just please," I begged.

"Alright. The point is that I know you. I could tell that you were putting on a strong face for everyone else when you were terrified inside."

Joanna placed her hand on my shoulder. A feeling of comfort flowed through me. It was like I was a little kid being held in her arms again. A normal teenager would be embarrassed as hell, but I wasn't.

"I appreciate that you're trying to be strong for me," Joanna said. "But you don't have to be. I can see right through it, and I want to help you. So, the next time you're afraid enough that you want to be alone, let me stay in the room with you."

"Thank you, Joanna," I smiled.

She smiled back. Then, her face turned grim.

"Also, I know you're planning on going into the dragon's lair by yourself. Don't you dare do that."

"But anyone going with me would die if things go bad," I said.

"If a retainer's lord is in danger, it's their duty to protect them. Even if that means death. Everyone traveling with you understands that. The only people who aren't your retainers are Donnie and Dimitri. Donnie wasn't in this meeting, so I doubt you're planning on taking him to the dragon. As for Dimitri, he knows the risks and is going anyway," Joanna stated.

"I don't want to be the sort of lord that uses people and throws them away," I replied.

And people sacrificing themselves for feudal lords is bullshit.

"I know. You want to protect people. Ever since you were a child, you wanted to make things better for commoners. You're going out of your way to find solutions that don't involve raising taxes on them. And I appreciate that," Joanna said. "But you're not the only one who wants to protect people. Please think of the sworn duty of your retainers. You don't have to throw them away. Just let them do their job of protecting you."

"I will think about it," I replied.

"Please do."

We left the tavern. A cool breeze flowed through my hair. I smelled baked goods and turned to see that bakeries were opening. Children ran through the streets with smiling faces.

"We were fast enough that news of the attack on the arena didn't reach here yet," I thought. "Good. I don't want to be around here when it does."

"Then you'd better be fast," Dʰéǵʰom said.

"I will," I promised.

Then, I turned to Joanna. Her blond hair swayed in the wind as she gazed at the scenery. She kept her hand close to her sword.

"Joanna, can I use your crystal ball?" I asked.

"Of course," she answered.

My wet nurse pulled out her crystal ball and handed it to me. I contacted Donnie with it.

"Saint Gustav, I got some good news. No one died in that attack, and I found the perfect man to be our lead actor," he said.

"That's good," I stated. "But I'll have to meet you back at Greenrivers."

"Why?"

"Some business came up, one of my various investments. I need to attend to it as soon as possible."

"Alright, Saint Gustav. I'll see ya later."

With that, he hung up. I took a deep breath. Cool air flowed down my throat and into my lungs.

"Everything seems so detailed. It was never like this before," I noted.

"I'm not surprised. You're risking your life more than ever before," Joanna said.

"Yeah, I guess I am."

Joanna looked uneasy.

"Gustav, you told me that you remember your past life," she stated.

"I remember it," I replied.

"This might be an uncomfortable question, and I don't feel comfortable asking it. But I want to keep something like that from happening again," Joanna said. "How did you die?"

"I was struck by two bolts of lightning," I said.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Joanna's eyes widened in shock. She looked straight at me with a dumbfounded expression.

"Who was the god who reincarnated you?" she asked.

"Dʰéǵʰom," I answered.

"And he reincarnated you, who died of lightning twice, into the Blitzburg family?"

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" Dʰéǵʰom said. "I fucked up so bad! I wasn't thinking enough when I reincarnated you here! I thought you'd be fine as long as you're in Greenrivers! I'm so sorry!"

"I thought you did it on purpose," I replied.

"No, I didn't."

"I also thought it was really cool," I thought.

"That's weird, even for you," Dʰéǵʰom stated.

"When I was reincarnated into the Blitzburg family, I thought you were giving the middle finger to the god that killed me. It's like saying 'You killed this guy with lightning? Well, fuck you! I'm making him part of a family that rules over a place called Lightning Castle!' It's just the sort of defiance that I'd expect from you."

"You're talking to Dʰéǵʰom, aren't you?" Joanna asked.

"I am," I answered.

"What did he say?"

"That he reincarnated me into the Blitzburg family by accident."

Joanna started to facepalm, but she stopped herself.

"Tell her it's okay to do that. I deserve it," Dʰéǵʰom groaned.

"Dʰéǵʰom says slapping your forehead is fine," I said.

Joanna facepalmed.

"I didn't know gods could make mistakes like that," she stated. "It's no wonder saints end up being very casual with their god."

The sound of footsteps reached my ears. I turned to see Dimitri, Johannes, and Astrid approaching us. Dimitri had a set of papers in his hand.

"You were fast," I said.

"I used magic to make my legs stronger," Dimitri replied. "I found a rumor, transportation, and where Johannes and Astrid were."

"You'd use magic for something that trivial?" Joanna asked.

"I'd rather not waste time," he answered.

"It still seems like a waste," I said.

"So you think in Greenrivers. We have a different perspective in Weltai. If you have magic, you might as well use it," Dimitri stated.

"You're not entirely wrong. If I want to show off, I'd use magic," I admitted.

"Yes, he would," Astrid nodded.

"Now, tell me about the rumors you found," I said.

"They say that a dragon's rampaging near the capital of the Squat Pad Tribe, that a thief stole a cup from its lair, and now it wants revenge," Dimitri stated. "I find it hard to believe that the dragon's truly rampaging. If it was, there'd be far more than rumors."

"Probably, but it's still worth checking out," I replied.

"I thought so too. I arranged transportation to the Squat Pad Tribe's capital. We'll be taking a caravan there."

"We're not flying a dragon over?"

"No. The transport dragons refuse to go there," Dimitri said.

"Either they're taking the rumors seriously, or they know for a fact that there's a large dragon there," I noted. "Let's go."

The caravan was small, no bigger than 5 carts. However, it was surrounded by men in plate armor. They carried halberds, greatswords, spears, and crossbows. There was a banner over them. It had the image of a green cat with a sail on its back on it.

A man with a scarred face approached us. He was over two meters tall, covered in shining plate armor with grooves in it, and carried a halberd with images of battle carved into the wood. A woman was next to him. She wore black robes and an eyepatch over one eye.

Accompanying the two of them was a short and portly man. He wore elaborate clothes of red and silver. There was a gold ring on each of his fingers and a golden necklace around his throat.

"Lord Dimitri, are you ready to depart?" he said.

"I'm more than ready," was the reply.

My gaze turned to the other two.

"And who are these?" I asked.

"The Company of the Green Cat," Dimitri spoke up. "The younger son and daughter of a lesser noble of Weltai who turned to banditry and fled before Dalv could impale them. If I knew they were here, I'd have signed us up for a different caravan."

"Don't insult us like that. We've given up the life of crime for legitimate business. The Company of the Green Cat are mercenaries now," the man said.

"We have lots of business from the barbarian clans and the king of Greenrivers," the woman added.

"Oh, yes. I'm certain that all 20 of you are a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Maybe you could just conquer a nation of your own? I'm sure that you can take them," Dimitri's voice dripped with sarcasm.

"I don't need to take that from you," she glared.

The scarred man drew his sword, "If you insult our honor one more time..."

"Everyone, stop," I stepped between them. "I am Gustav von Blitzburg, Saint of Dʰéǵʰom. We're all traveling together. So, put whatever grudges you have aside."

I looked right at Dimitri. Guilt spread over his face.

"That's right. Even if you are criminals, we are allies right now. I took things too far. I hope you will accept my apology," Dimitri bowed to the mercenary leaders.

The scarred man literally spat in his face. As for the woman, she stepped around me and kicked Dimitri in the balls with her steel boot. He let out a scream of pain and fell to the ground. My retainers drew their weapons.

"Saint Gustav, keep that boy away from us and we won't have any problems," the scarred man demanded.

"My lord, these people rejected your comrade's apology and attacked him. They defied you as a saint despite being bandits turned mercenaries. You can't afford to let them live and retain your honor," Astrid said.

"She's right," Joanna stated.

The merchant had ducked behind a barrel. Sweat poured down his face, forming a pool below him.

"Fuck!" I thought. "What am I supposed to do now? I don't want to kill them, but if I don't...fuck!"

My mind raced for any nonviolent solution. I recalled everything I learned about the history of this world. Then, I thought back to my former world. A solution came to me.

"I will spare your lives on one condition: you give me and Dimitri compensation," Saint Gustav said.

"How do you know we won't kill you?" the woman asked.

"I don't, but I know that Dʰéǵʰom will get pissed off if you do," I answered.

The siblings didn't speak. They looked at each other with a hint of fear in their eyes.

"Fine," the scarred man groaned.

He pulled out two sacks of coin. One was thrown to Dimitri, and the other was handed to me. I took it.

"Now, tell me your names," I said. "Unless you want divine punishment."

They hesitated a moment before speaking.

"I'm Lexi Loanid," the scarred man stated.

"And I'm Vasilisa Loanid," his sister added.

"Well, then, Mr. Miss Loanid," I gave them a sadistic grin. "Don't fuck with me."

The two nodded and backed off. I walked over to Dimitri. Joanna was healing him.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

"As alright as I can be," he answered. "Where did you get that compensation idea?"

"My last word. Some cultures used it as a way to regain your honor without resorting to violence. I just hope it works here."

"I think you should have killed those bandits, but I respect your dedication to avoiding bloodshed. Just don't let it go too far," Dimitri said.

He grabbed his bag of coins and stood up.

"I won't," I promised.

Then, I walked over to the merchant. He breathed a massive sigh of relief.

"Saint Gustav, thank you for diffusing the situation," the merchant knelt.

"Rise," I said.

He stood up.

"You don't need to thank me. Just run your caravan as usual," I stated.

"Of course, Saint Gustav," the merchant nodded.

He started organizing the caravan again.

"Dʰéǵʰom, why would the Loanids even threaten me in the first place? I'm a saint. I'd think that even kings would hesitate to risk pissing off the gods," I thought.

"They're bandits in Weltai. Only a reckless idiot would be a bandit there," he replied.

"It has something to do with the Voivode, doesn't it?"

"Yes. The Voivode of Weltai hates criminals, especially thieves, more than anyone else. He has any bandits he captures impaled like Dimitri said. And his powers and support among the commoners, he is going to capture any bandit in Weltai sooner or later," Dʰéǵʰom said.

"His attitude must have rubbed off on Dimitri," I thought.

"Yeah. The Loanid siblings did the smartest thing they could by leaving Weltai, but that doesn't change the fact that they're reckless by nature."

The caravan started leaving soon after that. I approached Johannes as we traveled with an idea in mind.

"Johannes, I want to have a meeting where you teach everyone how to hunt monsters," I said.