The troupe continued their march down the mountain and finally, after the sky turned dark they arrived at Heinz, as was expected the city's gate had been closed for the night but thanks to the messenger pigeon Hannibal sent earlier they were granted entry after intense scrutiny. Once the entry procedures were done they were escorted into a barracks where a merchant and two men waited.

"Master?" Hannibal greeted,

"Richter..." The fat man replied as he twirled his mustache

"Master Richter, greetings."

"Greetings to you too, Hannibal. I remember, it has been four years since we last met."

"I would like to apologize for the lost goods."

"That may be so, but circumstances have it that you brought to us a more excellent cargo." His eyes then turned to the 'cargo' in question, "Ah, this man looks valuable, I wonder what secrets he keeps!"

"You can never make me talk you pigdog!"

"So says the other one, yet they always talk once I'm done with them." The merchant slapped the man before turning his attention to Hannibal,

"So do we keep our commission?"

"What why?"

"Well, we did hand over a bandit."

"Yes, but you lost the cargo?"

"I understand we lost the cargo but I was wondering if we could get another chance. This bandit here holds information that will be profitable for other commissioned troupes as well."

"You make a good point, but we already have him in custody, unless of course, you're suggesting something?"

"Not at all master. Just that-"

"Ahahaha, I was just joking. Indeed, people who work well must be rewarded. That said I do not have the power to reward you with anything, I can however make recommendations to those who do have the power to give out rewards." He then took a deep breath as he made his calculations, "Considering the cargo lost is about 50,000 marks, the information this man gives without a doubt doesn't even come close."

"That is true, but all we ask is that our commission not be removed and we be given a chance to redeem ourselves."

"Ah, that is reasonable. Very well, I shall inform the brass about your request, so do come to the guild tomorrow at, hmm, 3 perhaps."

"Thank you."

"Yes yes, go away now."

The merchant then left with the bandit in toe while the troupe was required to stay for a while in the barracks, testimonies had to be given and investigations occurred as the nature of the attack was somewhat big, they then brought on a healer to give them aid, paid for by the guild. Once all that was done they were allowed entry into the city. Iska and Hugo went to the adventuring guild to complete the formalities for entering a foreign city meanwhile the rest all went straight towards an inn that the guard had told them to go to.

"Merchants orders." He told them,

The inn was a big one, however, it was by no means an upscale inn rather it simply had plenty of rooms. The inn was called Azure Alley and was warm and cozy, diners sat on the many tables in the big living room eating and drinking while being served by the patron and her children. The inn itself is owned by the Orkellion guild and thus most of its customers are either merchants or adventurers working for the guild. They quickly reserved a room, though they were required to show proof of a commission, and laid their bags down, once Iska and Hugo arrived they ate a quick dinner and went straight for bed. Their exhaustion is too much to bear.

The room had six beds, three on each side, and a large window gave the place enough ventilation to keep the room cool.

And that was it for furnitures.

It was barebones but cheap enough to justify its lack of comfort.

Fei and Hannibal slept in the same place while Hugo and Iska slept in one corner. Senzuki had excused herself to go somewhere leaving Isaiah alone. He laid himself down to sleep, he was already used to the bedding's texture but the humidity had made it difficult to sleep yet. After trying and trying in the end he got up, he was exhausted, but not tired enough to sleep.

Senzuki still hasn't returned and so he left the room and out the inn, he wondered where she went. The streets were already deserted with nary a soul on sight, though upon reaching a corner he found two beggars sleeping in the streets, partially covered by the shadows. He continued walking the abandoned areas until he arrived at a nearby pump where he found Senzuki wiping herself,

"Oh."

"Hm, oh..." Senzuki recoiled in surprise upon seeing Isaiah, "It's your second time seeing me bathe."

"T-true."

"How'd you know where I was?"

"It, not that... It's hot, so I was wondering if I should bathe or not."

"Ah, you should then, our body is not meant for high temperatures and the water here is cool and crisp."

"You got permission to bathe?"

"It's a public facility, I doubt you need permission. Ah can you help me pump water, my muscles grow tired."

"Alright." Isaiah then touched the pump, it was similar to the ones he found littering the countryside, it was made of a long handle that one would have to constantly pull up and down to draw water in. Senzuki had placed a tub at the pump's mouth and Isaiah started pumping, after awhile water gushed out, and even though he was far Isaiah could feel the cold moisture,

It reminded him of the river,

"Thats also where I met you didn't I?"

"Pardon?"

"Oh... Nothing, just me rumbling."

She chuckled, "Then I shall pretend I heard nothing."

Isaiah waited until she was done before washing himself, though he kept his clothes on he washed his face and body as carefully as he could so as not to reveal the tattoo. Senzuki had given him space but he did not want any accidental reveals. Just as he was about to finish, however, he found her still sitting on the box waiting, her eyes looking up in the starry skies,

"You're not leaving?"

"Mm, no... I'll wait for you."

"Why?"

"You would send a poor and defensless woman, such as I, on a dark road? Mmm?"

"Well... You weren't afraid getting here."

"There were people around, then suddenly they all went to bed."

"I see... I'll quicken up, just wait."

"Ara, you not yet done? Strange, I thought men bathe much faster than women." Senzuki turned towards Isaiah and found his careful movements amusing it felt as if he was trying to hide something from her, her curiosity got the better of her and she found an amusing way of figuring that out. Her eyes glinted with mischief as a grin crossed her lips, "Say, Isaiah-san."

"What?"

"Since you're taking so long to wash yourself, shall I help you bathe?"

"Wha-!" Isaiah's cheeks burned beet red upon hearing that word but he quickly shook his head, "Aah, no..."

"Really eh?"

"..." Isaiah couldn't answer immediately when he found her basically behind her, "Re-"

Senzuki started removing her dress Isaiah quickly looked down and fought hard to keep his thoughts pure, he did not want his flagpole to rise in its full glory though that was an impossible feat. Before he knew it, she was right in front of him, her white legs smelled good and the moon's reflection gave it the brilliance of a diamond, she bent over till her lips were close to his ears and whispered,

"Shall I? Hmm?"

"Senzuki-san. Look if you tease me this much..." When Isaiah looked up, he found her clothed with a wrap around her breast and silk shorts, though it was risque and seductive it somehow calmed his mood and made him rethink. The last thing he wanted to do was look desperate to Senzuki, he did not want to be at her mercy.

"Ara ara, why are you glowing like a tomato?"

"Why wouldn't I be, you were making suggestive remarks."

"Ah were you perhaps thinking I was naked, well too bad I'm wearing something underneath." She chuckled and spun around in delight as Isaiah shook his head and sighed,

"That was too much."

'It almost awakened something inside me.' His body shook as he wiped his head, only to find her crouched and looking at each other eye-to-eye. "Senzuki-san."

"Your face, it's cute."

"Hu-" His face turned red once more as he felt his forehead feel light.

"The way you react so innocently, makes me want to tease you more."

"Come on now. Please don't do that."

"Ill try but I make no promises."

Isaiah quickly finished washing his face and then started wiping. He turned around to see Senzuki had returned to her old chair though she was glancing at him, upon seeing her get caught she playfully waved her hand. Isaiah nodded and quickly changed himself turning his back on her, he looked back only to find her looking in a different direction. He began to calm down as he gathered his stuff and went to her,

She must have been too focused since she didn't even notice him arrive as he had to pat her shoulder for her to notice, something unusual for Senzuki,

"Eeh, oh..." She was startled but her usual calmness returned, in fact, she looked relieved. "Isaiah-san."

"What's wrong? Found something, like a ghost."

"Eek, I am afraid of ghost." She playfully grabbed his shoulder and stuck herself to him,

"Senzuki-san."

"Ara, did that excite you?"

"You... You better stop with the teasing, I might bite."

"Oooh, a horrifying prospect indeed."

"By the way, what is wrong though?"

"Nothing much, just saw some people walking about."

"What's wrong with that?"

"Most of the city will sleep at night, those who stay awake are one of two things. Bandits, or criminals."

"Oh."

"So I prefer sticking to you since that would mean I am safe."

"I see... If that's the case then don't worry. I'll protect you."

"Mmm... How sweet, I shall take up the offer."

And so the two walked, their hands almost touching. Isaiah did his best to keep calm while Senzuki, reading his mood and reactions, was enjoying every moment of this journey. Isaiah turned to her and found her looking at him with such intensity that he found himself blushing.

"Fufufu. I win."

"There was never a contest."

"Oh come on, just play along. This way we at least entertain ourselves and release all the nervousness inside us."

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

"Your nervous?"

"Indeed I am, we are in a dark alley after all. Who knows what awaits us in that corner."

Isaiah stopped, he knew that Senzuki was unusually attentive so he became scared when she mentioned the corner.

"Relax, there is nothing there, but who knows there might be."

"Stop joking around."

"When it comes to lives, Isaiah-san, I do not joke."

Isaiah nodded and started walking, his face was all tense when they got closer but upon turning the corner there was nothing waiting. He sighed in relief,

"Don't worry." Senzuki wiped the sweat off his forehead, "I'll tell you if I notice something unusual."

"Right..."

The two continued on their path until they reached the highway, here Isaiah kept glancing at Senzuki who in turn kept glancing back at him.

"Hwaat?" She chuckled while tilting her head, "Why do you keep looking at me, ah, are my charms working?"

Isaiah could only nod sarcasticly, annoyed that Senzuki is still teasing him. But he kept his cool and decided to joke around,

"Yeah, yeah... Your charms worked on me so much that I am now in love with you. I cannot think of anything else other than Senzuki's naked body in the river."

"Hey, ahahaha, knock it off."

"Oh no. Your beautiful body and breast which is not that large, but still perky enough."

"Ahahaha." Senzuki's cheeks blushed and Isaiah continued his march,

"Her butt is also really round, I would love to slap it."

"Now, now... This pervert over here is too much, ahahah." Senzuki began leaning her body over to Isaiah to stop him "Stop describing my body."

"You started it, I'll end it. Told you not to push me that far."

"Ahaha, hai-hai I've learnt my lesson." She wiped her mouth and straightened her back, "But to think you still remembered my body, well yours was somewhat great. No muscles though, but you've got a really good pole, ahahaha."

"Ey."

"Fufufu." Senzuki patted his head, "You know, when I am with you I feel very comfortable, I am rather surprised to see myself very open."

"Comfortable?"

"Indeed. It feels as if whenever you are around I am safe, I feel safe." She then playfully struck his shoulder, "A very reliable man."

"Well... I am glad you see me that way." Isaiah sighed, as he looked at Senzuki who promptly turned to him,

"What?" She chuckled, "Is there something on my face?"

"Say Senzuki-san."

"Hai?"

"What if, I really fell for your charms how would you react?"

"Eeeh?" Senzuki's face turned red as she looked away, her reaction was too stimulating for Isaiah who couldn't help but smirk,

"Ara, are you embarrassed now Senzuki-san?"

"Wait, where you just playing around."

Isaiah hesitated, it was true that he saw her in a romantic way, but he was too shy to admit it. "Hmmm, who knows? Why don't you figure that out for yourself eh?"

"Eeh, tell me Isaiah-san, is that true?"

"Schrodinger's cat Senzuki-san."

"Who is Shrew-donger?"

"Ahahaha."

"Muuuu..." Senzuki began to pout as her eyes suddenly spotted movement, she looked around and held Isaiah's arms tighter, "Isaiah-san."

"Now now..."

"I am not joking..."

"Oh, I see."

"Help, help..." A fat man who was running towards them crashed into Senzuki's foot, bruised and battered, his face looked horrible with blood and blues everywhere. It was quite evident that he had just been beaten up. "Please-please you have to help me."

"Eh, aren't you the merchant from before?" Senzuki recognized his face as the merchant they met at the guardhouse, "Master Richter."

"It is him, huh..."

"You, you were the Silver Spoon, aah, I'm saved." Richter wiped his forehead but upon seeing Senzuki's fox ears he grimaced,

"Aah..."

"No, no... I don't mind, I was just surprised no wonder you wore heavy clothes back there."

"My, my, my, my. So this is where the pig went."

"Eek!"

"Oh. Well, if you hand him over, we will pretend to not have seen you." A short man wielding a whip came out from the shadows, to his left and right were many others. He crossed both his arms and gave a toothy smile, "You'd do well not to mess with me, boy."

"Please, please please please please I am begging you!" Richter knelt in front of Isaiah in desperation, tears, and snot coming out of his face, "Please! I'll pay, anything, tell me..."

Isaiah looked up and scanned the surroundings, the alley they were on was flanked by three story tall buildings on both sides he could see faces peering through its many windows some carrying ranged weaponry. At the ground was a dozen or so men but he suspected even more unseen ones, the group this time seemed oddly large considering they were only chasing one guy.

He was sure that Senzuki noticed them so he decided not to tell, trying to act oblivious as she told him to.

"Boss... That man and that wo-beast woman over there..."

"I see, I see... Look at that. Tsk tsk tsk." He shook his head slowly, "Looks like you guys were the one who brought in my boy and killed the rest. I assume that you were that mage who he is so afraid of eh?"

"What if I am?"

"What?" Richter looked at Isaiah in disbelief, he had heard of the bandit's testimony and even he found it absurd that a single mage, working for a silver-ranked troupe could wield such enormous powers,

"Then... Allow me to return the favor eh?" With a snap of his fingers his men emerged from the shadows, twenty in total, twelve in the front and eight in the rear plus the hidden archers in the buildings.

"Eeek!" Richter pushed his body further into Isaiah causing the latter to fall down,

"Oi!" Senzuki helped him up with shaking arms, Isaiah saw her worry and patted her head to reassure her, "Trust me, bro."

Isaiah stood straight and confident, he wanted to increase the morale on his side. Then he crossed both arms and unleashed his mana,

Senzuki smiled seeing his confidence, she decided to trust him. "Try not to destroy the houses around us, there might be people living there." She gave him a heads-up as they were still inside the city, the last thing she wanted to happen was for them to be branded as terrorist.

Isaiah nodded along as he turned to the enemy, "Now, come."

"Ohohoh... I see, I see, you wish to die." The man raised his fingers, "Then be my guest."

But before he could snap them Isaiah raised his hand and then pointed to the ground. The man's fingers suddenly bent in a way that wasn't humanly possible as bones cracked and in an instant, the smirk on his face was replaced by one of pain.

"Aaaaaah!"

His screams rang loud and echoed in the night as the others were shocked at the suddenness of the attack, however, they quickly upped their guard at Isaiah. Isaiah grinned, he was surprised to see that he could control his powers this precise.

However, his shock was momentary for even in pain their leader was quick to focus

"Wh-what are you waiting foooor!" He seethed his tongue in pain as his head turned blue, "Kill him! Kill that bastard!"

All men charged at once, they knew that mages though powerful, were susceptible, to a large loss of mana and the quickest way to exhaust their mana was to force them to use magicks in quick succession. Some of them knew they would die but death was a far better fate than evoking the wrath the Heinz's notorious gangboss.

However, to Isaiah their numbers meant nothing. He turned to his rear first as they were closest. He reached his hand out and pointed in their general direction, this was followed by sparks of blue light coursing through his arm and escaping his fingertips, they were too late to react, not that they could react in the first place. They were struck down in thunderous applause with only two surviving. Isaiah then turned his attention to the front where he saw them hesitate, this proved to be fatal, as it gave him enough time to prepare his second attack,

Isaiah raised his thumb as if he was giving the thumbs up before smashing it down to the ground like he was squishing a bug. A wall of earth rose from the ground before blanketing itself over the twelve, like a tsunami it swallowed them without a single surviver, their screams still echoing from the ground until it grew completely silent.

"Isaiah-san, archers from above."

"Heeik!"

The archers hidden in the buildings fired their weapons in horror, they couldn't believe that their comrades had just been killed but at the same time knew that the rewards for his death would be enormous. Their greed trumped their common sense and so they attacked,

"Ahaha, its mine!"

"The gold coin! The gold coin!"

Isaiah looked up and raised both his hands stopping the arrows mid-air, before he pointed back at the attackers. This was very inaccurate as only one arrow found its master and struck him down, the others harmlessly pierced through the stone and wooden walls of the buildings around them. However Isaiah was not yet complete, with his outstretched arm he pulled them down with all his might, in an instant the surviving archers were squeezed through whatever opening was near them and thrown into the ground. Some survived the two-story fall but not without injuries rendering them all useless and unable to fight.

Isaiah wanted to nail the final blow but decided against it after seeing the reactions of the two people behind him. That said he was happy, as the fight ended in his complete and unexpected victory, whats more is that he did so in front of a conscious Senzuki and the merchant Richter who seems to wield lots of power within the merchant guild.

"Isaiah...San." Senzuki gasped, "This is..."

The fight was brutal, yet beautiful. Everything from his movements down to the magic reaction was just mesmerizingly deadly. She had heard details of his fight at the mountains yet he saw something completely different, from the pure destructive force against the bandits to a level of control so great that it was like watching a master artist draw. Senzuki was having mixed emotions as the excitement of having him as their ally and fear of him as their ally grew in her heart.

Sweat poured from her forehead at the thought of having a double-edged sword that is Isaiah.

The merchant Richter on the other hand felt a different emotion as to him this was a major opportunity. He was in a desperate position after having lost the guild's trust for inccuring many minor losses and so he wanted a way out of his predicament. Though he had given up when the Silver Spoon troupe lost their commissioned cargo, the captured bandit made up for all the losses, and if he played his card right he might regain their favor once more.

The Orkellion Guild was in crisis mode after its chairman fell ill and could not wake up anymore, knowing his old age many had started to believe he was about to die so the many factions within the guild started eyeing each other up to gain the better in the upcoming succession crisis. With the information in his hand, he might be able to gain the favor of a faction which would help his career and now with Isaiah along the side, the chances of them winning the war was enormous. And if they win, he would regain his office or perhaps even be promoted.

Isaiah went to Senzuki and reached his hand out, a smile on his face knowing that he had made the right impression on the right people.

"Are you alright?"

"I... Aah," Senzuki shook her head to clear her thoughts, however Isaiah could see the fear in her eyes. Isaiah patted her shoulders to reassure her, "Just stay close to me and I'll protect you."

"O-okay." She nodded along,

"Isaiah, Herr Isaiah..." Richter grabbed his hand before removing it upon seeing his annoyed reaction, "Herr Isaiah... I would like to thank you for your rescue, rest assured I will repay you."

"You can repay me by helping our troupe out."

"I will, I will... I was wrong in handing the bandit over to the wrong person, I should have waited for Master Ephillus to arrive tomorrow."

"Hold on, did you say Ephillus."

"Ah yes, master Ephillus. He is supposed to arrive tomorrow, I've informed him of the bandit you caught though..." He turned around and found the bandit to be dead, that said there was an even better substitute who appeared,

"There is him." Isaiah pointed to the boss who was stuck on the ground unable to move from fear, "He should provide us with all the necessary details"

"Indeed he will."

"Ohh, everything's all messed up now." Senzuki chuckled as she picked up the pieces of clothes strewn about everywhere, "It seems I dropped them in the fight."

"I barely had any clothes, to begin with," Isaiah murmured softly as he watched his old shirt now ripped apart, the only one left with him was the one he was currently wearing

"Aah, there is no need to worry about that." The merchant's face glowed as he gleefully picked up the clothes for her and even arranged them neatly "If you wish master Isaiah I can introduce you to some clothing stores where even I buy my wares, I can assure you that the quality is great and the price is cheap."

"Ooh, that would be fantastic, wouldn't it be Isaiah-san?"

"I guess so." Isaiah nodded, when he looked at his shirt he knew it was high time to get some new ones,

"Then I shall prepare for the morrow then."

"So what now?"

"Well, I have already informed my men about my situation they should be arriving, ah there they are." Out of the shadows came the two men who were with him at the guard post, "Took you long what were you doing?" He began to scold them who could only bow in embarrassment, seeing as they carried some wounds it seemed that there were more than this who attacked Richter.

"Hopefully, no more betrayals. The guild owes me one for saving their merchant and this." Isaiah sighed,

"Ah, that is correct, and to you, I owe my undying loyalty and patronage." Richter bowed, "If you have any concerns, please inform me and I shall deal with it to the best of my abilities" He then snapped his fingers prompting those people to take the body of the gangboss, "I shall secure his person until master Ephillus arrives to conduct an investigation, rest assured you will be paid for these master Isaiah."

Isaiah nodded as the merchant left, leaving both Isaiah and Senzuki alone,

"Oh dear..." Senzuki chuckled as she sat down, her legs having given up,

"Are you alright?"

"I am fine... I just need to relax, got a little bit too excited."

"Mhm..." Isaiah sat down beside her and began thinking about tomorrow, the merchant had said that he would introduce him to some clothiers and wondered if he should bring along Senzuki, he turned to her and found her massaging her legs, it shined and glistened under the moonlight,

'She's way above my league.' He told himself, 'What am I even thinking.'

He took a deep breath, then another, then another as he braved himself,

"Say Senzuki-san?"

"Hai?"

"The merchant said tomorrow, he wanted me to go look for new clothes."

"He did say he would introduce you to people, what about it?"

"Would you like to come with me?"

"Ah..." Senzuki looked up and turned to Isaiah with a surprised look, "Are you... Are you asking me out?"

"..." Isaiah swallowed his saliva as he nodded, "Not with that intention in mind, I was just looking for a companion."

Isaiah quickly avoided the question, he found his confidence lacking. That said this was a good step in that direction as he could slowly build up his confidence while also getting to know her a little bit more. It had only been a few days since they both formally knew each other anyway so he felt that there was no need to rush things.

"I see." Senzuki nodded, though she could easily read his intentions she was disapointed that he did not say it. "Sure I don't mind, sounds fun. And I also do need some new clothes."

"Great... So when do we go?"

"Well after we have our meeting I guess, or if it's just Hannibal meeting him."

"So its a date then?"

"Indeed it is." She then playfully patted his shoulder, "Good job."

"Eh?"

"For the offer from Richter, he may not look like it but he is a high-ranking official."

"You know him?"

"Ah no, but if he has two lackeys always following him around and that he was the man who met us at the guardpost then he should hold a high office."

"Astute observations..." The two then proceeded to return to their inn where Hannibal and Fei were waiting at the door,

Fei rushed to Senzuki while Isaiah greeted Hannibal, there they both explained what had happened and what may happen tomorrow. Especially regarding that though they lost their original prisoner they gained someone else and how Ephillus was coming to Heinz and might personally investigate what had happened,

"You did well Isaiah and Senzuki... For saving them both, thank you so much, Isaiah. Especially saving Richter since if we can get on his good side then not only might we be able to keep our commission but we could also earn a reward alongside it."

"But it also means we will be embroiled in the upcomming succession crises within the guild, right?"

"It's bound to happen, we are adventurers, useful assets in whatever conflicts there are." Hannibal looked down as he began to think about the upcoming situation,

"So what now, do we stay at Heinz?"

"Yes... We still need to resolve the issue with the lost cargo though I think that will be settled in our favor so we don't have to worry about it. It's just that we might have to participate in backstabbing and scheming." He nodded and sighed, "You wont-you won't leave us right?"

"Yeah, well... Got no other choice anyway."

"Right. Glad to have you on board. That should settle all our worries." Hannibal sighed, Isaiah was a godsend to his troupe who was struggling with the lack of firepower, that said Isaiah was too powerful that he was suspicious of why a man of his caliber was staying alongside them.

"Eeh, hope you don't think of me as like a one-man solution to all your problems now, the reason why I'm joining your troupe in the first place is because I also have problems you guys can solve."

He nodded as he smiled, "That's what troupes are for Isaiah, they are a collective of problem solvers solving other people's problems, including their own." He then gave him a grin, "So, what's your problem then?"

"Well..."

"Is it Senzuki?"

"Huh?" Isaiah's cheeks burned red as he looked away,

"I can see your eyes always looking at her, your taste in women is great." Hannibal patted his shoulders, "There is something exotic and cute with beast-folks right?"

"It is, yes, somewhat... I kinda like her in a way."

"Ahaha, that is fine. Love is part of us humans." He nodded along, he was glad he found the reason for him joining their troupe, "Should I also assume that you are making good progress? It's rare to find her alone nowadays as she is always with you"

"Well we have good synergy and she matches my vibe I guess."

"Vibe?"

"Mood."

"Same goes with Fei, we somehow match well especially with our reactions and actions. You know, if only the world would be more tolerant of beast-folk, they are missing out on great partners and companions."