Gwelissa's current state still overshadowed Elisia. The people there must suffer from the tyrannical leadership that was not clear who yet. She still had a long way to return to her homeland. If only she had the self-transfer ability.

In endless contemplation, Elisia watched the Tanin settlement from behind the window with flat expression. She was curious about the great power that existed in this region so that bandits with agents protecting them could control. It was as if agents were a group of people who had a great influence on global crime.

“Did the agents have any relationship with Gwelissa?”

Critical thoughts stung her young head. Elisia's disappearance for one year must have changed many systems in this world. Everyone started hunting for her, though she didn't know yet what people did it. The girl also remembered that the Elite Markman knew her earlier.

“What makes them come after me? Is it because of this pendulum?”

Elisia held the [Fire Pendulum] and looked at it from all sides. Only rubies could fuse with the pendulum. Hot air felt from it. However, it was just an ordinary activity that Elisia often experienced.

“This pendulum only gives me the power of fire and able to store my valuables. But, what special is this item?”

Suddenly, Elisia heard a noise from the 2nd floor. She ran to the source of the sound that seemed important. Upon arrival, Zach surprised the girl lying on the wooden floor. They found several wounds in his body. Everyone had gathered to help the tall man.

Risk and Captain carried Zach's body to lie on the carpet. After that, Upgrade examined that man’s injuries. Elisia approached Risk to find out.

“Risk, what's wrong?”

Risk turned around. “I haven't an idea. Zach will answer us.”

All the wounds on Zach's body had been bandaged tightly. Upgrade helped him to sit up and lean against the wall. Risk and Captain sat across from him, followed by Elisia. His eyes continued to stare straight and his mouth opened.

“Zach, what happened? Were you attacked?” Captain asked curiously.

Zach nodded. His Hands moved slowly to his jacket pockets. A slightly wet piece of paper took from it. However, his hand couldn’t be raised anymore. Captain took the paper and opened it. He read it seriously. His eyes widened, and he looked out the window.

Risk was still looking at Zach's face to find out directly from his partner. Zach's limited speech made it difficult to convey what happened. Elisia took Zach's right hand and stroked it gently. The man looked up with a smile.

“Zach, were you attacked by Sicilian?” Elisia asked.

Zach nodded slowly. Elisia's thoughts turned her mind to the theft mission they carried out the day before yesterday. It was possible that one of the Sicilians recognized Zach and immediately beat him. She stood up to approach the Captain.

“Captain, what's in that paper?”

Captain turned and showed it to Elisia. She inscribed the paper with a red code written in red ink. Elisia didn't understand what it meant, but they bound for something big to happen.

“Looks like we need to come up with a plan to get out of here soon. This afternoon, we will gather here again.” Captain went up the stairs to the 1st floor, followed by Violet.

“Guys, come with me!” Upgrade invited his traveling companions, including Elisia, to go to his room.

“You guys go first. I'll catch up,” Risk replied, who was guarding Zach.

Upgrade started operating a small computer-like device. He opened some documents he had been working on so far. Elisia suspected that had something to do with the agent again, though she didn't know what kind of agent it was. Looked like something big was about to happen.

“What is Upgrade gathering us here for?” Dao asked.

“I got an anonymous message asking us to go to Runga region. From the way he typed, I know who sent this,” Upgrade replied.

“Oh. Captain said that the region we are going to after breaking through the barrier is the Runga region,” Elisia said.

“You’re right. That way, we will fight again, like when we were at Glomouth. This time, the battle will be even greater than yesterday.”

“Doesn’t matter. I will prepare my shield,” Rhino said excitedly.

“We stay on our focus to protect Elisia. There will be many cunning that could harm our little girl. We will follow the plan make by Captain Hans,” Upgrade explained.

Everyone nodded firmly. They left Upgrade alone after a small meeting. Upgrade continued to look for some data that he thought can penetrate the border of Tanin and Runga. However, a message appeared on his screen. How shocked the pale man was after seeing the contents of the message.

“Damn, he still find me! I can't hide from his glorious eyes."

...

Elisia walked back to the main room. Zach and Risk were still there, but Zach was already standing, staring out the window. She approached him to see the state of this man who became her favourite.

“Zach, how are you doing right now? Has your wound healed?”

Zach looked up with a smile. He nodded slowly.

“Zach, you haven't changed since then. You always surprise me,” Risk said.

Elisia smiled, seeing the closeness of the two of them. Accidentally, she saw the piece of paper that Captain saw earlier. The girl took it to study. The bright red writing was bothering her mind. There were several things that seem to be connected to this incident.

“Zach, can you tell me about what happened earlier?” Elisia asked.

“They... are looking for you...” Zach answered hoarsely.

“Looking for Elisia? Could it be....” Risk suspected.

Zach nodded. “That... sword....”

“So, they're looking for me just because of Sully's sword?” Elisia confirmed.

“No…” Zach pointed at Elisia.

The girl became curious, but Risk responded with shock face.

“What's the matter, Risk?”

“I was just surprised.” Risk lowered Zach's hand, which was pointing at Elisia. “The Sicilians informed their headquarters that you are in this region. They will find you and arrest you, so they want bring you to Gwelissa. That's what Zach say from his finger, maybe.”

“That means they already know who I am?”

“I think so, but I’m not sure,” Risk answered.

Elisia sat on the dining chair while sipping the water. The water flowing down her throat started like a problem that continued to run in her life. Under these circumstances, Elisia must always be vigilant.

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Risk and Zach walked over to Elisia, who filled with sadness in her heart. They held both of Elisia's shoulders at the same time and smiled. Her face stared at them, followed by a happy smile. The girl understood that they would protect her, but relying on them would not solve her problems.

Elisia was still curious about the reason Gwelissa Kingdom was looking for her until they made a competition. The story from Upgrade made her think that there was something special about her, so the kingdom, already overrun by evil tyranny, did everything they could to find their princess.

The state would be two conditions; she could to save the kingdom or be killed by the kingdom.

Without her realizing it, her two friends' faces were still facing the girl. Elisia threw away all those assumptions and tried not to tell them.

“Don't worry about me. I will try to take care of myself,” Elisia comforted them.

Their hands slipped from the girl's shoulders, their faces still staring at her.

“I've never wanted to protect you from a long time ago. The reason I accepted your offer to train you was you can protect yourself. You don't have to cover anything up, because I've known that you're a princess long ago. In fact, I would love to bring you back to Gwelissa in my own way.” Risk told.

“But why didn't you do that to me? I knew nothing at the time though.”

Risk smiled and stroked Elisia's head. Risk could smell the soft and fragrant taste when her hair touched. However, Zach stopped Risk's hand and lowered it from Elisia's head because it was impolite in his eyes.

“Because I thought that you were the one who would change this world,” Risk replied. “Gwelissa is the center of the world, where almost all governments depend on this country. If you take over your kingdom again, you can become the ruler.”

Elisia silent for a moment. Risk's words kept her brain spinning. Memories of the past flashed back and made her think about the reason the father was talking to a noble family from Kazimriez back then. She would reveal all the mysteries on her journey one by one.

“I don't understand what you're saying, but my reason is–” Elisia cleared her throat. “–back to the palace. That was the place of the past fun I've had.”

Risk held Elisia's shoulders. “That beautiful place must have become a mess. Your position has become a fugitive from the kingdom. You have very little wiggle at the moment. That's why I protected you.”

Elisia held both of Risk's hands and closed her eyes. The warm energy emitted by her pendulum creeped into Risk's hand. The man was no longer surprised, because the warmth that came from Elisia was love.

“This journey will definitely get tougher. Will you always be with me?” Elisia asked.

“Of course, My lady!"

Another hug between the two of them. Elisia thought that Risk was someone her father sent from the afterlife to protect her. Affection with a little assertiveness to him was like her father's. It made Elisia considered Risk as her family.

After letting go of the hug, Elisia looked at Risk's face. Her father's face appeared on him. Confidence in her heart peaked. Whatever plan they would make, Elisia would follow it well.

“Elisia, I admit your tone has become a woman's. Have your memories returned?”

Elisia turned her face away in anger. “Why did you say that? I say this because I want to!”

Elisia pushed Risk's body away from her face. Then she looked out the window again. Overcast clouds still covered the sky, but there was no sign of falling water droplets again. The glass outside the window also dried out. A good sign to carry out the plan. Elisia opened [Hex Aegis] to look for info on other skills.

Elisia remembered that she had raised her level to 19. There was very little change she had aside from an increase to her regular stats. Elisia checked the stats to see the change.

Elisia Naumann

Level 19 (1200/2400 exp)–Vanguard

Max HP : 1192 /1192

Stamina : 720/720

Skill Point (SP) : 214/214

ATK : 510

DEF : 293

RES : 15.9%

Agility : 45

.

Skills

Active Skills

1. Molten Flame (level 7 (Max level))

SP Requires: 36

ATK +75% and every attack gains 40% chance to ignore 20% Enemy DEF.

Duration: 31 second

2. Duetto (Level 4 (100/700))

SP Requires : 23

ATK +40% and burst a Fire that can attack 3 targets within 2 metres range. When hit the enemy, decrease 21% RES to them for 5 second.

Duration: 20 second

3. [Unknown]

(Unlocked in Level 25)

4. [Unknown]

(Unlocked in Level 40)

5. [Unknown]

(Unlocked in Level 50)

Passive Skills

1. Sixth Sense (level 5 (Max Level))

Can see the level, full statistics, and all skills of other characters, including their weakness

Duration: Passive

2. Overheat substitution (Cannot be upgraded)

When 2 or more enemies within the radius 5 metres; ATK +10%, DEF +15%, and RES +5%. Deal 40% damage to enemies that attack you. When against a hostile enemy, ATK +100%, DEF +50%, gain 80% physical and art dodge, and reduce 40% Critical damage that attacks her.

Duration: Passive

.

Equipment

1. Wool Jacket (not equipped)

2. Fire Dublin Spear (saved)

3. Greatsword of Sully (saved)

4. Flame Pendulum (equipped)

5. Necklace of Fortune (equipped)

6. Christ Hairpin (saved)

7. Book of Hex Aegis (available)

8. Monstra, Book of Monsters (available)

9. Telum Experto, Book of Weapons (available)

.

Elisia leveled up [Duetto] to level 4. It was fast enough for the girl to make her newly unlocked skill increased instantly. She felt happy, moreover she had seen the greatness of the skill.

“I defeated two markmen with one skill attack earlier. Next, I can defeat three enemies at once,” Elisia muttered.

She continued reading to the next chapter, which was maximizing the use of [Duetto] with [Overheat Substitution]. In the book's explanation, Elisia could do more damage with the addition of ATK from [Overheat Substitution]. Plus, by increasing the skill [Duetto] to where it could attack three enemies at once, [Overheat Substitution] could work better by providing better defense.

“With this, I can defeat multiple enemies at once,” Elisia commented.

Elisia's eyes glanced at the room that had been empty for a long time. Everyone seemed to hide in their busyness. Elisia closed her book for a moment to think about the friends who would take on a dangerous mission to protect her.

Elisia didn’t know what Captain and his friends plan to do, but she knew that she would be the key to this mission. With the [Greatsword of Sully] in her possession, that girl would definitely become a destroyer.

Upgrade out of the room to grab a drink. His eyes glanced at Elisia for a while, then took water from the teapot. Elisia saw Upgrade's tired eyes with slightly dark eye bags. The man's expression made Elisia afraid to ask.

“Where's everyone?” Upgrade asked.

“I don’t know. Probably on the 1st floor.” Elisia opened [Hex Aegis] again.

“Has Dao met you earlier?”

Elisia turned. “For what?”

Upgrade put the glass on the table and returned to the room. “You will find out once Dao comes.”

Those words made Elisia curious. She was with Dao before and conveyed nothing to him. It looked like there would be a surprising message from this robot friend. Maybe about her safety while in Runga later. It made her stop reading the book.

Elisia approached everyone who was on the 1st floor. When she went down the stairs, she didn't hear any sound from there. Suddenly, the girl came into the room. Sure enough, there was nobody there. Elisia surprised to see this situation, even though she saw her friends walking to the 1st floor.

“Where is everyone? Are they taking a walk?” Elisia asked herself.

Elisia walked into the room where things stored. There were many chests and wooden boxes piled there with dust covering them. Some of them had been opened, such as Violet's sniper rifle case and the chest of other equipments. There was one large box that still tightly sealed.

Curiosity came to her head. Elisia fingered the box for the opener. Also, she put her ear to the outer shell of the box. Not a sound from it. Elisia also couldn't find any levers or handles to open the box.

“I wonder what they keep in this box, but I don't think I can be careless,” she said.

Not finding interest, Elisia returned to the 1st floor stairs. Suddenly, her feet tripped over something on the floor that almost made her fall. Elisia saw the object, it was an iron handle. Elisia suspected that there was a basement in this house.

As she was about to grab the handle, the front door swung open slightly. Elisia turned towards the door. Dao and Rhino entered with quite a lot of groceries. They also saw Elisia with her hand still reaching for the handle.

“Elisia, what are you doing?” Rhino asked.

Elisia stood up straight and folded her arms behind her back. “Ah, I was just… bending her legs so they wouldn't hurt.”

“Oh! Dao wanted to convey something to Elisia, but after putting these things in the kitchen.”

“Well. I'll be waiting on the 2nd floor.” Elisia rushed up the stairs.

Elisia returned to the main room with a gasp. Her friends almost suspected her actions. But the iron handle still made Elisia curious about it. Was it the handle to open the bottom door, or something else?

Dao entered the main hall and immediately approached Elisia. The girl looked at him. Dao's expression that was always the same confused Elisia to guess what was in his head.

“Elisia, Dao has something to say.”

“Just say it!” Elisia answered firmly.

They both looked at each other. Elisia didn't know what her robot friend was trying to convey, but the flat face that was drawn on him showed that this message was serious. Dao took out a piece of paper to give to Elisia. The paper opened, but only contained the words 'Brace Yourself'.

“What does this sentence mean?” Elisia asked.

“It was a message that suddenly came in through the back window of Upgrade’s room. When Dao read the letter, it addressed to Elisia. So, Dao gave it to Elisia,” Dao explained with flat face.

Elisia read the contents of the paper carefully. Dao was right; it addressed to her. She turned the paper several times, but nothing came out. However, Elisia felt like she had held paper like this when living in the kingdom. A memory appeared.

“I think I know where this paper came from, but I'm not sure until I prove it myself,” Elisia commented.

“What kind of proof will Elisia do?”

Elisia tried to activate [Overheat substitution] manually just to get the heat out. After that, she stared at the paper for a long time while holding it with both hands. Moments later, writings appeared from behind the words 'Brace Yourself'.

Elisia read the contents of the message. Her eyes widened immediately.

“She....”