There was a great commotion around the Eisensargburg mansion.

Inside and out, the whole area was brimming with activity as the mansion was reeling in from the fire it had just put out. Slaves were being lined up, searched, and then inserted into one of the many carriages waiting for its passengers, some of them headed for a nearby slave quarry owned by the mansion, others to more secure temporary prisons. Reinforcements had also arrived with jailers, mercenaries, alongside the guardsman at a nearby town, and even some adventurers, however, despite the fresh manpower it was still lacking. Orders were shouted, and men grumbled as they trudged along.

At the center of the courtyard there were slaves lined up in poles, some beaten half-to-death while others died from their wounds, then not too far was a smaller line where the ringleaders, the wounded, and those deemed too dangerous to let live were beheaded, one by one. Their captors fared just as badly as many of them were punished for their failures while officer after officer was put on the chopping block Schaff included, their surviving comrades forced to kill their friends in the punishment known as decimation. Many were demoted, and some were forced into slavery. A fire was lit in the middle, where the bodies of the dead, both free and slaves, were thrown away.

Tents were erected to facilitate the wounded and inside the largest one, "Damn it all!" The duke of the region, Caleb von Azerbeck, screamed at the top of his lungs as a surgeon accidentally pricked him with a needle whilst patching up his forehead, "Be careful with that thing or I will have your balls sewed into your chin!"

"Y-yes... My lord, forgive me" The surgeon replied nervously as he returned to his duties, doubly careful this time. In front of Caleb was Kilo who was unable to meet his master's eyes, seeing him only made him rage harder, which caused his body to shake and the surgeon's job more difficult.

"You... You stupid, stupid..."

"Forgive me, my lord..."

"How exactly will I forgive you!?!?"

"Forgive me, my lord..." That was all he could say.

"You let Nicole of all people escape, alongside that mage?" Caleb's voice cracked as he raged on, "The misfortunes you had brought me! Even if you were to lick the ground and bark like a dog I would never forgive you!"

After much silence, he replied, "Forgive me, my lord..."

"You stupid, stupid bastard!"

"But... But my lord! We weren't prepared for the battle!"

"YOU HAD TITAN WITH YOU!" His whole body shook as he replied, "That damn bastard cost me 250 golden coins and you tell me you aren't ready? A simple mage managed to fight off and escape a diamond class?"

"My lord... Please calm down," Kilo nervously replied, "Everything will be fine..."

"Fine you motherless whore," His cheeks rumbled about as he gritted his teeth, he relaxed first before continuing, "Her grandfather is Alto von Bismarck of Swadia, a duke mind you, a duke! If she returns home to her father, my lands would soon be beset by the armies of Swadia because of your idiocracy! Even worse, the church might do something... Ahhh, you stupid, stupid imbecile." Caleb proceeded to beat Kilo who stood still with his head bowed low.

Kilo gritted his teeth in anger, he wanted to say the same thing to this landwhale who dare call himself a man. 'This whole thing could've been avoided if you kept your penis to yourself... You really had to take a duke's daughter, didn't you?' However he said nothing, the front man was his boss after all, and unless he wished to join the less-fortunate jailers and die or be a slave himself, then he'd rather shut up.

Caleb sighed and turned around, "And where is this failure of a diamond class? Where is that bastard?"

"He left..."

"What!" The man spat out, "Such coward, he ran away with his tails tucked behind his legs!"

"That... That is so."

"Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!" Caleb's body shook with rage but he managed to calm himself down, he beat his chest in anger "The misfortunes falling before me, what have I done wrong? What have I done wrong?"

Both the surgeon and Kilo wanted to laugh, they knew that he was the ultimate cause of this current situation but none dared to say otherwise.

"I shall make sure that she is returned,"

"Well, you should! It's your fault." Caleb's face became more peaceable as he flicked his fingers and shooed the surgeon away, "I bore of this..." He took a swig of the wine glass to his side, "My blood is rising to my head, and I need rest... By the time I am awake, I want her all tied, in my bed, is that understood!"

"Jawhol!"

"Might as well go all the way now that I have done it... This stupid shit..." Caleb grumbled as he got up from his seat, his massive bulk hindering his movement. He glared at Kilo one more time before he made his way outside the tent, grumbling under his breath.

Kilo sighed in relief after seeing that his head would not be severed for now, although he wasn't exactly wrong as he was caught unawares by the revolt, it was still his duty to ensure the mansion's safety and was thus rightly to be blamed for the mansions problems, intentional or not. A duty that he had never failed in the past,

'500 slaves revolted, 150 died, 300 were captured back and only fifty escaped... Sixty guards died, hundreds more wounded... Sigh... I wonder just how much money will it take.' He rubbed his temples, 'To think the first ever escape and revolt happened under my watch.'

Kilo was determined not to fail again. He had worked hard for this position, kissing whoever's ass needed kissing just to finally get himself a nice comfortable job that paid extremely well and had great benefits. He was not going to lose this position just because of some slaves, in fact, he would do everything in his power to make them pay back all the troubles they gave him with interest. Although his boss was rather unkind, he was afforded many options to call on in these kinds of situations.

"You there!" He called to a soldier,

"Ja Herr Kilo?"

"Gather the men... And summon Nightstalker now!"

***

The forest was thick with vegetation. The ground was uneven and sometimes wet, swallowing both of Nicole's shoes as they ran as fast as they could deeper into the forest. They had just managed to escape Titan but they knew they couldn't just rest yet, the night was still young and the people inside the mansion would surely come looking for them.

Isaiah was completely out of breath, his adrenalin had once given him the additional boost that he needed but without it, he was practically dying from exhaustion. His eyes threatened to close on multiple occasions but fear of being caught gave him just enough determination to continue. In front, Nicole was in the same situation as Isaiah was, but her condition was slightly better, being more athletic than he was.

As they reached the deeper parts of the forest, the darkness began to cover them. Tall trees from above had blocked out the full moon and it was getting harder and harder to see, Isaiah followed after Nicole to the best of his abilities, but soon his body gave up. Even fear stopped becoming real, he felt like surrendering as he collapsed to the ground. Nicole looked back and stopped,

"Are you alright?" She asked as she fell to her butt.

"Y..." Isaiah couldn't complete his sentence as he lifted himself out of the ground, but his legs no longer had any strength left. Worse still it was filled with cuts and bruises with blood pouring all over, no wonder his strength could not recover quickly enough. "Not, I think."

Nicole cupped both her hands on his legs, "Let me help you..."

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White light enveloped his legs and Isaiah's face was washed with relief, though it did nothing to his dwindling energy it did heal his legs.

"That..."

"I am sorry, I can only do this much now, I've used too much of my own magic."

"It's alright, thank you." Isaiah fell to his back and took calmer breaths, "You're... You're really good with healing magic huh?"

"Huh? Err, I..."

"You even healed me when I got sandwiched by those heavy things, I thought I would die back then,"

"You too did great against Titan. I must say I am very impressed, I had thought that I myself would never live to see another day... Though I must insist that you must never speak of what happened back in that room."

"Aah, that." Isaiah sat up and looked at Nicole, bowing his head, "I had overstepped my boundaries, forgive me for that..." He suddenly forgot the words he was supposed to say. He felt even more embarrassed as he realized that he was using high-sounding words, "Sorry, and all."

"It... It was alright, we were hardpressed... Err, there was nothing we could do."

"Yes."

"That said, I've yet to know your name."

"My name?"

"Yes... Is it not proper to know the name of your savior?"

"Ah, I-... Peter. My name is Peter." Isaiah replied, that he was adamant in giving her his real first name and thus opted to use his second one.

"Herr Peter..." She then stood up, and despite her shaking legs, slightly lifted her skirt and gave a curt bow like a noblewoman, "Then I would like to formally give you my heartfelt gratitude for rescuing me. For your valiant efforts, I swear upon my name Nicole Shaya von Bismarck, daughter of Alto von Bismarck, Duke of Swadia, defender of the Gilded Mountains and Naval Commander of Swadia's Fleet. Once we return I shall personally grant you a reward, separate from what was promised to you,"

"I see... But what was promised to me?"

Nicole tilted her head, "Pardon? Did brother not send you then?"

"You have a brother?"

"Huh?" She fell to despair, "Wait... You were just a slave there?"

"Err, yeah, is that a problem?"

"No, no, I would never insult the man who saved me... It's just that I thought my brother had by now, had figured out where I am being kept."

"And this brother of yours? He may have hated you and ordered for this to happen you know?"

"I can assure you that is not the case," She looked at Isaiah with a pair of confident but innocent look, "My brother and I are close in the first place. Plus I was the one who insisted that I join him in this travel of his, we were separated for a while and this is where I am now."

"I see... If you say so."

"Once we see him, I shall petition for him to have you rewarded," Nicole nodded vigorously at Isaiah, it looked like she was asking him to accept this supposed reward.

"No, no... There is no need for that..."

"But I insist... My brother is a very generous man, and so is my father. In fact, my whole family is very generous and we are rich too, rich and generous. They will reward you greatly for this, I-I swear!"

Nicole was strangely insistent on this matter, but that was for her own protection. She had naively believed that Isaiah was someone her brother had hired to go and get her back, but upon realizing that Isaiah was just a random who happened to save her, she began to fear for her safety. After all, this man might suddenly go lusting after her and she would be powerless to resist, just as what happened back at the mansion.

Thus, she was insistent on being able to buy his loyalty for her own safety. Only once her brother had arrived could she truly relax.

"Money and land is not a problem. No, wait, if you are looking for employment as well my brother would be more than happy to take you in, we can help change your identity and safeguard you from lord Caleb, I will also help you negotiate some wonderful benefits and you may, no you will even achieve knighthood if you so wish. I swear. My father is always in constant need of competent and capable people to help manage his lands."

Nicole wasn't sure if knighthood was possible and if her father could even knight somebody, but based on the level of power Peter had shown she was sure he could achieve something high enough.

Isaiah found her persevering and innocent look a bit unnerving. He waved his hand around, "It's alright, it's alright... There is nothing to worry about,"

"Is... Is that so?"

"Yes... That said, what now?"

Nicole stood up and turned her eyes upwards, "If my brother is unaware of where I am, then the only way we can move forward is east, towards the city of Koln. My father has an associate living in Koln who could provide us shelter momentarily."

"And where exactly is east, I am not too sure of this place you see."

"Hmm," She looked back, "Koln is located a few day's walk from the mansion," She then pointed in many directions before ultimately deciding to point left of Isaiah, "If I am correct, that is where we should be heading."

"If..."

"Koln is east of the mansion, if directly behind me is the mansion, then that way is east."

"I see... But if it's a few days away from the mansion, we should get going then?"

"And where exactly should you two be heading?" A man suddenly appeared from behind a tree and both became cautious, the man lowered his head "Greetings, lady Nicole, I shall be taking you back." The man was tall and thin, his head was rather sharp and he had the makings of a strange 'gentlemen'.

Seeing that bow, Isaiah relaxed, "And you are?"

"The escort her brother sent." He gave a warm smile,

"It seems your brother's escort arrived then." Isaiah relaxed himself and sat back down,

"No..." She shook her head, "I... I don't know him."

"You don't?" Isaiah tilted his head as he got up once more, "Maybe he hired an adventurer."

"No, my brother has four men that work for him, I was sure that he would send them instead." The gentlemen then began to walk towards Nicole and grabbed her by the hand, she did manage to shake him away as she hid behind Isaiah,

"Oh dear... It would be best if you come with me quietly,"

"He's..."

Isaiah lowered his body and prepared to fight, "Can't take a break now, can I?"

"Ah, I was hoping to take it easy... So you are the mage that I was told to be wary of." The man took out a knife from his pocket, "Sadly I am under orders not to kill you, but to bring you back alive at all cost, both of you actually."

"Damn, well, let's see you dodge this then." Isaiah pointed his fingers toward the man as lightning sparked around his body,

Lightning shot out from his fingertips, however it missed as the man had already moved well before Isaiah could fire. Suddenly and without warning he felt a biting pain surrounding his legs, looking down the lower half of his garment had been cut asunder, his legs sporting a shallow cut all around it. His legs buckled, having lost blood and energy, they could not resist further injury. He fell on his knees as the man reappeared and pointed his salivating knife at Isaiah, "The sting of a blue jellyfish, too weak to kill, but strong enough to bring down even the most powerful animal." He then licked the knife's viscous and reveled in its taste, "Ohh... Such succulent ting."

Isaiah bit his lip, thanks to the jellyfish's sting his body had been numbed to pain so he was able to remain calm. He looked up at the assassin and without warning, shot lightning out from his eyes. The assassin managed to leap back but not without injuring himself. "Ohh... Ohh, that was a close one."

"Damn..." Isaiah closed his eyes multiple times as smoke rose from his brows, "That was hot..." He turned to the assassin and once more shot out another stream of lightning, the assasin by that point dodged before he could aim and struck him down by the chin, "Gah!"

"Now then, cease all resistance."

"Heal!" A voice came from behind as Nicole finished her chanting and a white light filled his body,

"Good!" Isaiah stood up and rubbed his wrist,

The assassin clicked his tongue as took out another knife from his pocket. At the same speed as before, he once again threw the knife towards Isaiah who raised his hand and stopped the knife however he was not the target. The assassin used the opportunity to run straight for Nicole.

"Lower your hands and surrender, or she dies." The assassin held his knife close to her throat as Nicole held still, her eyes pleading to Isaiah to do something.

Isaiah lowered his arm and the knife fell.

"Good... Now raise your arm and turn around."

Isaiah raised his arms, but with a swipe of his chin, the man was suddenly blown away by an unseeing force.

"Gah!"

Nicole ran behind Isaiah as the latter cracked his muscles. "Why don't you surrender?"

"Your tenacity, good, your magic, excellent, your skills..." Like a bullet, he leaped faster than Isaiah could react as the two crashed into the ground far away from where they last stood, "Lacking!"

Raising his arm, he began to pummel Isaiah who raised his arms to protect his face. Nicole quickly grabbed a tree branch nearby to help Isaiah but before she could enter the battle a knife flew towards her legs, creating a shallow cut on her right thigh, its poison rendering her unable to move.

"Peter!"

Isaiah meanwhile kept on defending. He tried to launch a counterattack but not only was his attacks deflected and countered, his position made him vulnerable. Realizing that his physique was too weak to help him, he turned to magic.

The assassin was caught unawares when a pillar of earth struck him from the cheeks, breaking a few teeth in the process. But he was able to regain himself, leaping from tree to tree to gain altitude before throwing a set of knives towards Isaiah.

Isaiah stood up and raised a mound of earth to protect himself, then he broke the wall into pieces of sharp objects and threw them towards the assassin who took out his largest knives and cut through the bullets.

"This... This is fun!"

"Is this also fun!" Isaiah launched a bolt of lightning towards the assassin who was unable to dodge the attack. Lightning raged in his body as he fell to the ground with a loud thud. That said, he was still able to get up,

Coughing and spitting, he grinned. His clothes were mangled and his once gentlemanly air was now gone. Instead, it was replaced with that of a madman,

"Good, good... You should be at least this good if you could hold out against Titan himself."

"You sound too confident for someone who is about to lose."

"Lose? Ahaha, perhaps if you did not have a healer."

"Making excuses now are we?"

"Indeed I am... Now, I hope you can prepare yours."

Both then created some distance, with Nicole hiding behind Isaiah to recover her mana,

"Just hold out for a bit..."

Isaiah prepared himself for a defensive battle, covering his hands with gravel.

The assassin took a deep sigh and played with a new knife, "Now then... I was told you are a lightning type, but it seems you can use other types as well. That said, your mastery seems to be subpar, you are wasting mana like no tomorrow. You are a weak man."

"You aren't too accurate either... You're fast but weak."

"Oho, have you ever heard of the word testing the waters? I've heard you managed to fight back against Titan, I was only trying to measure myself against someone who could stand against that beast" The grin on his face grew wider, as he suddenly leaped, spun his body, and kicked Isaiah at a speed much faster than the last one. Isaiah found himself suddenly blown away from where he was standing. He already had no chance of dodging his previous attacks, but now it felt far too strong.

"Let us begin the fight, mage..."