When both teams returned they were met with a mixed reception. On one hand, they were welcomed back with open arms for bringing back the exploration team but on the other, they were met with criticism due to the fact they were inexperienced and should have left it to the professionals namely the veteran Mercenaries in rescuing them.

But the exploration team, namely Henri and Shigeo, the team leader of the Exploration Team and the oldest being eighteen, reassured them that they were capable of handling such a mission despite their age. This amused Mark because as far as he is concerned they would have been dead had not for Mark's insistence on bringing flares for the mission. Either way, it managed to give them a lesser which involves putting them under accompanied arrest meaning all of them in the rescue team are not allowed to run off without any superior supervision.

In other words, they were grounded from taking any other missions.

"And that's why I'm stuck at my tent for the time being," Mark told Gray through their call in their respective Holo-Phones. He had just finished explaining to her the incident from earlier.

"That's rough buddy." She said with a sympathetic look on her face. It should be noted that right now it's already dusk at Samtara while it's still sunrise in Loria therefore there's a bit of difficulty in trying to contact one another due to time difficulties.

"Not really it lets me relax a bit and enjoy the frozen wasteland," Mark said sarcastically earning a chuckle from Gray. "So what about you? How are you handling things now that the Broken Horn is split up?"

"Horrible my grandmother is constantly lecturing me on the 'proper ethics of a proper lady'." She said making a faux sophisticated tone on the phrase 'Proper ethics of a proper lady' much to Mark's amusement.

"I thought your grandmother allowed you to go on adventuring?" Mark told her raising an eyebrow at her.

"Oh she did but only within Loria so that I'll be able to 'learn and understand my domain first' whatever that means." She said in a slightly bitter tone.

In other words, she's teaching her to learn and understand the problems of her land before running off to other foreign lands, pretty on the nose if you ask me. Mark thought wanting to explain it to her but she was not in the mood to do so.

"So how's training for you?" Mark said changing the subject and to his surprise she perked up almost instantly as she smiled.

"I'm glad you asked," She said pulling out an axe as she stood up and began to adjust the camera of their Holo-Phone and moved away to demonstrate her attacks.

Her moves were sluggish but were clearly more focused on laying down heavy hits and can easily be overpowered or overwhelmed by someone more nimble and agile than her but at the same time, her movements were almost hypnotic as her footwork shows that she was capable of being nimble and at times comes off as her dancing to each swing.

"What do you think?" She asked slightly panting and now covered in sweat.

"Amazing," Mark said, it was a white lie as technically she puts too much effort on the force of her attacks but she makes up for it as she tries her best to put on extra effort into her footwork.

"With more practice, you'll be a skilled fighter in no time," Mark added honestly, while he did see the flaws of her combat style he wasn't one to discredit effort and to give where it is due.

"Thanks unlike you I've been working hard," She boasted confidently with her ears and cheeks turning a little bit pink from his comment.

So she still carries a torch for me? Little girl, I'm way too old for you. Those were Mark's thoughts with a light chuckle and smile, but their call was then interrupted by the sound of Grandmother Yulia, who insisted that Mark, Miriam and Mirabelle refer to her as grandmother due to their father's close relation to her son in law, started calling for Gray causing her shoulders to droop a little as she let out an annoyed sigh.

"Ugh the old hag is calling me, it's time for my morning Mastership lessons." She said waving at Mark.

"Good luck, your Mastership." Mark teased her.

"Stop that! It's bad enough that the servants here call me that." She said turning red with embarrassment as she ended the call much to Mark's amusement.

"She a friend of yours?" He turned to find Henri, who came to check on him due to being in the same age group as he was while holding Arthur in his base form which the files dub Caliburn. This is because the Camelot Arms series is based on a legendary King and his entourage of Knights, and it just so happens he is the one named after the King.

Guess this world has its share of Kings and Knights, Mark thought as he recalled his old world and remembered it had its similar band of Kings and Knights. Unlike the one this world has which views them as the paragons of the time, the Kings and Knights of his world were greedy, corrupt and downright horrible. It was because of this that Marchosias managed to exploit them easily and assume the title of the Emperor of that world and unite them under his heel, or so the original plan, they were so eager to win his favour that it disgusted Marchosias and had them all killed in the most gruesome way fashion and often it's more associated with whatever they were more infamous.

"Yeah we grew up together so she's kind of close," Mark said not wanting other people to assume his relationship with her.

"I see, what's she like?" Henri asked him he handed the sword as Mark grabbed Arthur by the handle and continued to clean him properly. Despite never being used and technically in good condition, Mark still made sure to put Arthur in good condition, after all the weapon is more or less an extension of himself.

"She's technically a princess but she doesn't like being viewed like one," Mark said grabbing a cloth and started cleaning the blade. "She's strong-willed, though at times can be pretty fiery, the time I remember--"

And Mark went on and on listing everything great about Gray, her strong will and how when she wants something done she makes sure she does it. This even affected their dynamic at school back in Ophel, she was voted as the Class representative with Miriam as the Vice Representative which puts them in contrast to him and Gaige which makes him a lone wolf while Gaige is more or less a wallflower. She also had a strong sense of justice in how she refused to back down even when someone requires help, and she doesn't hesitate to throw her hands when needed. This was evident in one situation where their classmate was being bullied and Gray had no problem fighting the perpetrator even if it meant getting in trouble as well.

"--I guess suffice to say one of the things I like about her is her strong will and sense of Justice," Mark said finishing his lengthy explanation of all of Gray's good points.

"She must mean the world to you if you put her in such high regard." Henri smiled as he crossed his arms causing Mark's eyebrows to raise in surprise causing him to realize he had just rambled on for nearly an hour on all of Gray's good traits without him realizing.

"I mean she's important," Mark said defensively. After all the way he had phrased things almost sounds like he has a crush on her, which he doesn't, he just thinks she's a great person and would make a fine Master of Loria.

"If you say so," Henri said almost teasingly which gave Mark the urge to punch him.

"I tell you this, we are just friends. Nothing more, nothing less." Mark said confidently while trying to ease his prepubescent heart to calm down.

When was the last time I felt the joy of Romance? Mark thought to himself. Then he remembered a street urchin girl that he used to spend his days with, but then she left him without a word other than the fact she had chosen to be a slave of a wealthy man. The last time he had heard of her before his death was that he had killed her after learning she was seeing multiple men at the same time.

"Well romance is nothing but a tumour, all it does is sap out the life of your and leave you hollow," Mark said aloud much to Henri's confusion.

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[The Second Advent]

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It should be noted that the Region of Samtara is under a different nation, namely the Republic of Svasha and it currently holds dominion over the entire region and what goes in and out. And it's capital is the Mountain City of Starvalt, true to its name it's based on a mountaintop where the only way to reach that part of the mountain is through a long and winding road where it would take hours to reach the top or through Gondolas where only a small handful people at a time can enter but it's much faster.

Starvalt is known for two things, the mountaintop view resulting in multiple tourist spots such as various resorts and hotels catered to enforce the view of the City and the various supermarkets that are more focused on wholesale and bulk sales. And is these Supermarkets are what made Starvalt a popular spot for the Mercenaries, as it allows them to resupply and gather new equipment for excursions since Samtara is filled with Pre-Collision Ruins and it was these supermarkets are the main reason Sandra and Mark are tasked with heading there is to order deliveries which are to be sent to Camp Vera.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

"So why are we out Grocery shopping again?" One of the Junior Mercenaries asked Sandra and the others who were busy pushing carts containing large boxes of foodstuffs and survival equipment.

"To resupply, with the path for the Northern Vault cleared up the Management is planning on holding a full expedition to the Vault and see what's inside," Sandra said causing Mark to smile, he had only found Arthur and he had little time to fully explore this meant that he has an opportunity to steal something from the Vault and take it for himself. But he'll need to be careful and make sure that he doesn't get caught stealing.

"Alright so here's the plan," Sandra said turning to the Mercenaries present as she handed him a pouch containing bimetallic coins with various denominations but all of them equal to a thousand. They were Neos, which was the currency for the continent of Neogea thanks to the aid of the Vernier Bank of Neogea not only unified the continent with a single currency but also managed to get them to agree with it instead of just delving into the basic Minerals for trade.

"I, Harper and Lee will go check the nearby pub while you kids do your thing okay."

The two other kids nodded excitedly and immediately bolted off while Mark looked at Sandra with an amused look.

"Don't get too drunk," Mark said walking away earning a sheepish smile from the Mercenary it was no secret that she was a heavy drinker but the funny thing was that she can think a lot more when drunk.

What to do, what to do. Mark thought to himself as he continued to wander alone, with the amount of Neos that he was given he can get a full set of new equipment and some personal items. Then he remembered Gray and so now he was contemplating getting her a souvenir the next time they would see each other.

Despite being on a mountaintop the place was surprisingly warm as though the entire place is built in a massive furnace meant to keep people warm. There were even rumours going that the city of Starvalt is built upon the ruins of an older city as evident from the beautifully made ground with techniques that a reminiscent of Pre-Collision architecture, the buildings themselves look keenly preserved as they appear to favour dome shaped with a handful of towers reaching up to the sky serving as lookouts for anyone who were to approach the city.

"Watch out below!"

Mark looked up to find a young girl the same age as he was falling causing him to catch her on instinct. Had he not been properly trained he would have crumpled under her weight, the girl is pale-skinned and had jet black hair done in a pair of braids with light blue eyes that are hidden behind a pair of thick glasses.

"Oh hello, thanks for the rescue." She said hopping off his arms and dusting herself, as she was about to introduce herself she looked over his shoulder causing the blood to drain off her face. Mark turned around to find a group of men in suits looking about frantically, immediately Mark put two and two together and realize that they were her bodyguards.

"Can you help me escape?" She said but it wasn't a question as she grabbed him by the wrist and dragged him away running away in the opposite direction.

Oh boy, this girl is going to be a handful, Mark thought to himself as he allowed himself to be dragged away by her. It was clear that she is some rich girl who found the life she led stifling and decided to just make a little romp around the City and see the sights, something that she was deprived of. Mark decided to go along with her, if his observation of her was true then there was a chance he'll be able to make contact within the Republic of Svasha.

"Who are you anyway?" Mark asked her as the two squeezed through the crowd and made their way towards Starvalt Square, which comprised of a mosaic floor forming around a massive statue depicting the founder of the City with many tourists going about taking pictures while small stalls can be seen about selling their products and by then the two have managed to evade the bodyguards that were after her.

"Anya," She said offering her hand.

"Mark," He said shaking her hand, albeit reluctantly. He was highly sceptical that this girl is named Anya but he decided to go along with this set-up instead of forcing the detail out of her. Plus he needed to win her trust.

"So uh where are we?" He added looking around at the square.

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[The Second Advent]

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"So you were running away from your security guards?" Mark asked as they decided to relax a bit around a nearby Coffee Shop, Mark settled for a Latte while Anya went for Black Coffee. "That's right, I'm supposed to accompany my father in this project later on outside the City but that's boring," Anya answered taking a sip of the black coffee and wincing from the strong taste.

Mark immediately noticed that she was trying too hard to act mature given that Black Coffee is supposed to be drank by older people. Mark never really cared that he despises Black Coffee for being bitter, and he prefers sweet things. This is why he loaded a large amount of sweetener into the Latte that he was drinking rather than just accepting the latte as it is.

"Why not? Sounds like your father is trying to teach you a lesson." Mark said curious about her father's project and what can he do to get more out of it. After all, if she is a noblewoman of high standing, there's a high chance that she could be the daughter of someone important.

"Papa constantly wants me to straighten up and learn the ways of the family, he's super old-fashioned," Anya answered crossing her arms with a pout. "So what about you, what's your relationship with your papa like?"

My father? Mark thought to himself as he raised a confused eyebrow at her. "Well the least I can say is that I get along with him but the problem is that I'm too distant towards him."

"Distant? Why is that? Are you the black sheep?" She asked pestering Mark with questions that honestly got on his nerves.

"It's not like that it's just we don't talk much, that's all," Mark answered. Well, it's not like he and Joshua don't have the best relationship as Parent and Child, in fact, he purposely avoids interacting with him as much as possible. This resulted in the two having struggles trying to get him to open up until by the time he was ten the two seemed to have given up and accepted that he was 'emotionally distant' towards the two and decided to dote on Mirabelle and Miriam.

"Though the more I think about it I'm kind of a black sheep," Mark said realizing his position within his family. I mean I'm emotionally distant forcing them to focus more on Miri and Mira.

"So anyways, where do you want to go next?" Mark said sensing a presence approaching him from afar. But Anya went pale as Mark sighed and turned around to find an older man looming over them with a raised eyebrow at them, he had the same black hair albeit slicked back with a dark moustache that she with darker blue eyes.

"Papa, fancy running you here." She said fearfully causing Mark to let out an amused chuckle.

"My apologies sir I was only wrapped into this I mean no harm," Mark said bowing in front of the older man.

"I understand, no need for formalities." Anya's father said as he took a chair and sat between them. "So tell me, how did you meet my daughter?"

"Would you believe me if I say she fell from the sky and into my arms?" Mark said bluntly. Cause I sure as hell wouldn't if you told me.

This response prompted an embarrassed look from Anya while her father let out a chuckle.

At the very least he's amused so that's good. Mark thought to himself, had this been a different father he felt like he would have been skinned alive. Any other father would probably have done that, hell Joshua doesn't seem to take it very lightly the idea that Miriam and Mirabel are being taken by some guy and the only reason Owen hasn't contemplated getting his hands on Mark's neck is that he's the son of his stepbrother.

"You're a funny kid, but yes I would believe you 'cause I no doubt witnessed firsthand my daughter escaping." He said pulling out his Holo-Phone to reveal footage of her opening the window holding a makeshift rope made from the blankets and hopping out as though they were some kind of bungee cord.

"I see, well I apologize for taking your daughter," Mark said with a rather awkward look on his face, trying his best to sound like some awkward teenager that got roped into this mess.

"On the contrary, I should be thanking you, had anyone else they might have taken advantage of her and her innocence." Her father said reaching into his pocket and pulling out a pin, which reminded him of the same kind of pin that his Grandfather, Yulia and Aina owns. A pin of authority, but unlike the Dirus Pin which took on the form of a Wolf, the Archiman Pin with its amaryllis, this pin takes on the form of a Falcon.

And there was one family in Starvalt, no Samtara that owns that symbol.

"You're Anatoly Sokolov, the President of the Svasha Republic." Mark said as his eyes widened Anatoly smiled while 'Anya' just ran a hand through her face.

He was thankful for the new luck that he had just gained for him to not only get to know and meet Anya, who goes by Anastasia Sokolov but she prefers to be called Anya instead, and Anatoly Sokolov. The Sokolovs are the ruling Family within the Svasha Republic originally they were just a small family that rules a small mining factory but eventually rose to power thanks to the wealth they found in various mineral deposits found in their mines and used that newfound wealth to form alliances to amass their power leading to them becoming the leading family of the Republic.

"You're a polite and smart kid, I'll give you that." President Anatoly said as he slumped back in his seat and crossed his arms with a smile. "Tell me how's your stay here in this city?"

"It's magnificent," Mark said as he went on to various details explaining the sights of the city. "I'm a tourist and I'm amazed at how well-made the place is. And is it true that this place is built upon a Pre-Collision city?"

"That's right, instead of preserving it you chose to have it become the building blocks of a new nation," Mark said he was genuinely impressed, while Ophel itself was beautiful in its way in humble yet strong architecture as evident in the major settlements that he had visited while he was still home but the city of Starvalt itself is a majesty that he hasn't seen in a while.

"Thanks it was my great grandfather's idea to do so, rather than linger in the past we look to the future with the past serving as the first step." President Anatoly said with a chuckle all the while Anya rolled her eyes and took a sip of her black coffee only to forget that she was drinking black coffee and winced as the two of them continued to talk for hours about the architecture and history of the city. Just because Mark wasn't in the comfort of his own home doesn't mean he didn't do his research, and right now he was trying his best to impress President Anatoly due to the fact this was his chance to win the favour of another person in power.

After all, it helps to have contingencies.

President Anatoly then cleared his throat and checked his watch. "It's been nice knowing you but I'm afraid Anya and I have things to do."

"I understand," Mark smiled shaking his hand. "It's quite an honour to meet you."

"Tell me what's your name, we've been talking for a while and I never got to ask your name."

"Oh, my name is Mark Dirus, mercenary."

"I see. We shall meet again very soon" President Anatoly smiled as he had just met a potential protege he pulled out a small piece of paper and placed it on the table as he let go of his hand. And with that, the two left while leaving Mark with his drink as he stared at the piece of paper which contained the name, address and holo-phone number of Anatoly Sokolov.