Looking at the bodyguards who were already on alert, Rei quickly looked around. There were quite a few people watching what was happening, so it was possible to finish here before the crowd gathered. Despite the morning time, they were quite close to the very center of the city, so that the noise of the fight could attract unnecessary witnesses.

Ray had already begun to think about the way in which he would take the life of the arrogant boy, because he was not going to make allowances for his age, but what was his surprise when he realized that he had greatly underestimated the scale of the boy's depravity. He interrupted the thoughts that the guy liked so much with his next remark:

“I am the son of Marquis Lotsza. Think twice before drawing your weapon in front of me.

Ray didn't laugh this time. It wasn't that he cared too much about the boy's status, but the situation was slightly uncomfortable.

Thinking it over, he looked at Tessa. In the eyes of the girl was a sincere plea to avoid bloodshed. The guy himself, despite the fact that he needed the souls, did not want to attract too much attention to himself, because in the future, the murder of the son of the Marquis would be too noticeable and Ray had a little doubt that the minister would harbor the killer of the children of officials. And if she drove them away... Three souls weren't worth it.

“Although, after all, it will be possible to take the souls of those who come to avenge him, the same applies to the Marquis himself ... Or is this already too much?”

Thinking about it made the guy rub his temples. In the end, he decided to just wait. If the boy doesn’t cross the line and just falls behind, he won’t attract attention once again, but if he does otherwise… After all, Ray really wanted to finish him off, probably even more than the guards in the border town, but this was the case when there was a pretty good reason.

And Tirth justified the hopes placed on him. One look at Tessa's body made the boy forget that an unknown warrior was standing next to her. Sighing, he turned back to the girl.

- I'm sure you have no reason to refuse. The thing is, I'm in a bit of a hurry, so I'd like you to come with me right now.

Such impudence stunned even the girl, so she just stood there, not knowing how to resolve this conflict so that it ended in peace.

Fortunately, Ray decided to help her, or rather even Tifra, to approach the cherished line. Tessa only felt the guy's hand fall on her waist, with which he pulled her to him.

- She is mine. he said. There was no pressure or insistence in his voice. A common phrase that sounds like a greeting, or in this situation, rather, as something taken for granted.

The girl, however, as well as Tirf, looked at him in amazement. Tessa at that moment did not understand what his statement meant and how to take it. Whether it was just a provocation, or the truth. And if the latter, then why does he talk about it as if she belongs to him.

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“I’m not talking to you…” Tirf began, but was interrupted:

“I will give you three only one opportunity to leave, for the simple reason that it would be unnecessary to kill the Marquis's son. At least for now. - Ray said the end of the phrase rather to himself, but nevertheless the words sounded loud enough for the bodyguards, and the boy himself, to hear her.

- How dare you!? he roared. The fragile voice broke and turned into a squeal, which only pissed off the son of the Marquis even more. - Finish him off. You heard he threatened me. Let's just take the girl.

The bodyguards, having heard the order, perceptibly tensed up. And not only because it was extremely unpleasant to perform it, but also because there was not even a shred of fear in the eyes of the guy standing in front of them. Completely green, they glowed with a poisonous glow of confidence and, oddly enough, impatience.

Ray released the girl and reached for the daggers, inwardly exulting.

“I think Lifina will have enough of the explanation that I was just defending myself. And if you also mention that they wanted to kidnap Tessa ... ”- the smile that appeared on his face would undoubtedly have alerted the two men even more, only it was hidden by a mask.

But some did not share his intentions.

The figure of Tessa that appeared in front of Ray clearly did not fit into the already practically realized plan.

- Please, leave. We were just walking around. Besides, we are the personal guests of the First Minister. I'm sure you don't need extra problems, just like we do.

The guy tightened his grip on the daggers when he realized that just three souls and a great opportunity to learn more about the combat capabilities of the inhabitants of this world smoothly flew into hell. But he was not going to give up so easily, yet there was no one to confirm the girl’s words.

- Tessa. I'm not forcing you to kill people, but if you don't leave now, I'll have to punish you. - now the voice was not habitually calm, which is understandable, because Ray was very angry with the girl's behavior.

What is happening now has become even more chaotic than it was before. The two bodyguards stood indecisively, not knowing what to do. Tirf was in the same situation, thinking hard about whether the girl was lying or not.

Tessa herself turned to Ray with an expression of extreme surprise on her face. She was worried not only by the strict tone of the guy, but also by the mentioned punishment.

- Eh? - that's all she could squeeze out of herself, before the guy spoke again:

- Yes, and you should not be afraid of them so much as to stoop to a lie. I'm nearby. You could just say that you can't stand the spirit ... - the look was already directed from top to bottom, and the tone in which Rei spoke only increased the effect of the last word, which he uttered with some delay. - ... kids.

It worked so well that the guy was even surprised, because he was not sure that he could deceive a boy who grew up among the intrigues and deceit that were an integral part of high society. Perhaps it was because his face was masked, but looking at Tirth's jaws literally breaking from the pressure, Ray realized that he was thinking too much about it.

The son of the marquis laughed a little strangely, and then, in an unexpectedly calm voice, said:

- I even for a second believed the words of this slut. Why would Milady Ains host some ragamuffins? - turning his head to the bodyguards, this time he ordered in higher tones, - Finish him off! Father has already been waiting for us too long.

It is worth noting that the hesitation in the eyes of the two men was still present, but after the words of their young master, this hesitation faded a little. Maybe it was because they also didn't like this attitude from the commoner they met, or maybe something else. But Ray was worried only in the first moments. Right now, he just waited for the moment when one of them would draw a weapon - nothing more than another excuse for Lifina, but nonetheless.

- If they attack, immediately kill the horses. Rey turned to Tessa, while taking a few steps back.

Still, he had no idea what skills swordsmen had, and one fight with a manor guard hadn't shown him much.