As the night went on, the two sat in the deserted pub and were playing with some cards Grace had hidden in her bosom. The barkeep seemed to ignore their existence and began cleaning the place up and mopping the floor.

"Those bastards, they cheap out on my liquor and leave the floor looking like something out of a prison." The man muttered as he wiped.

They somehow got him to lend them a torch and it sat on the table between the both of them as they played cards.

"Come on Grace, give up already," Tibaut asked as stretched out and yawned, seemingly out of boredom.

"S-shut up, I'll get you to pay for our meals." She intensely looked at her cards as if it would change her dealt hand.

The two had been playing cards for quite a while since Tibaut suggested it. Based on his astute observation of her going to buy beer he assumed she had money of some kind. Feeling a bit cheeky and hungry he betted in a game that the winner would pay for both of their meals. Seemingly unaware of her own luck she decided to gamble. Now, this was all well and good but she soon managed to drag Tibaut down in her misery by doubling her wager each time. At this point, there was 1.5 × 10^13 in currency gambled but that amount only existed in theory. She only had about 1.5 × 10^2 coins on her so this was essentially wasting Tibaut's time or buying enough time to hope she could squeeze out a win.

"Come on, if we're gonna ask him to cook us something it better be now. Within a few minutes, he'll be goin' home." Tibaut said.

"Shut up. Damnit what else can I bet? That's right my bra, I'll bet that!" she said triumphantly. The bartender gave her an odd stare before continuing his mopping of the floors.

Now, the only reason Tibaut had been entertaining this farce was because after she had made a compromise that with doubling the wager she would also offer a piece of clothing as compensation for what she couldn't pay. Of course, Tibaut didn't do this so he could see her in her underwear or possibly more, absolutely not.

He just wanted to see her embarrassed reaction after she dug herself in too deep. It wasn't because he'd get to see a woman strip for the first time in this life or the last in real life, it was simply to have a good laugh. Though if she did strip after losing he certainly wouldn't stop her and it'd obviously make for a better laugh if he told her she didn't have to do it after she finished.

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Anyway, that was the idea but it wasn't worth it in the slightest. After her bonnet she told him she would cut 1-centimeter strips off of her uniform, eventually switching to one of her sleeves when she realized her skirt was going to be too short if she kept cutting it, then the other and now finally the bra since the chest would still be covered. The excitement had died and Tibaut's hunger overpowered any feelings that came from his second head.

"Cut the shit and buy us something already."

"Heh, scared. Are you truly satisfied with only seeing my luscious thighs and my smooth arms?" She said while attempting a sultry voice.

"I already see your forearms since you love folding your sleeves. That rest of your arm can't be that exciting. Besides, nothing is stopping you from flaking out and doing nothing to your uniform."

"Trust me, I'm a woman of my word, so let's get on to the next round."

Tibaut threw down his cards and Grace immediately went over to the bartender to pay.

After a hard-fought battle, Tibaut picked up the torch and headed for outside after his well-deserved meal. Grace made extra sure to keep her mouth shut and went outside with him.

"I hope you'll keep your word, Grace," Tibaut commented with a shit-eating grin on his face as he turned to her.

She gritted her teeth and turned away.

He walked around the village not really expecting much. After a few minutes, he was walking back towards the bar.

"Don't tell me you're hungry again?" Grace asked.

"While I am, that's not the reason. Since we are borrowing the barkeep's torch we might as well ask to walk him home. I can't imagine he'd be too happy if we didn't return with it before he went home."

"Hmmm." Was all Grace could mumble in response to that. She was surprised he'd make such a gesture. "I suppose I could ask him if I could buy any beer from his personal stash. All right let's go." She said. She went behind him and started pushing him forward.

As they went Tibaut stopped her.

"What's the deal?" She asked.

"Is that a torch?" Tibaut asked as he pointed.

She looked where his hand guided her and saw a lit torch on the floor.

"Huh, maybe someone dropped it."

She quickly walked over to it and Tibaut slowly followed.

("What optimistic thinking.") He thought as he carefully watched around her.

As he looked around he couldn't see anyone suspicious but still couldn't stop his unease.

"Hey, Grace be caref-"

"Aw!?"

She suddenly put her hand to her neck and pulled something off. It looked like a small dart. Before Tibaut could rush over, she fell to the ground on all fours struggling to get up.

"GRACE!!" Tibaut shouted.

He heard something fall behind him and felt sweat starting to form on his forehead. He quickly turned around and formed a giant fireball above him as a brighter light source and to discourage any attackers.

As soon as the light shone, he saw him. It was unmistakable. That black mask, and the black cape that was still retained its burns. It was the man in black from before. He slowly walked over to Tibaut with an unconscious person on the ground behind him.

"Funny meeting you here."