"Flame, Grant Me Power!" Griffin shouted as the fire around him surged deep red.

"Armadillo Stance!" In a flash, every single inch of Liacster's armor became coated in a shimmering layer that reflect light like soap. Hundreds of small, razor-sharp spikes rose outward from every surface, giving him thick spines to ram his enemy with.

Caster ran forward, dashing toward Liacster as if there was no time for caution. She passed the flaming Griffin and dove right into the knight's heavy metal chest.

"W-Wendy! Be careful!" Liacster hesitated. "Cancel!" The spikes rescinded, and the soap texture of his armor vanished. In a flash, the knight returned to his pre-buffed self.

Level up! Luck Increased +1!

Holy hell, that was close! Is this girl trying to kill us?!

Caster wrapped her arms around him in a big hug.

"Liacster! It's you!"

Griffin and the guards all froze in confusion.

"You do recognize me! I knew you wouldn't forget me, uncle!"

Uncle? Eh?! I've never met this guy in my life! And did he say Grand General!? Did they already find someone to replace Elenore?

"Wendy? It... really is you!" Liacster hesitated.

He actually knows me?!

"Of course it is. I'm the only 19-year-old on this planet that has grey hairs!"

"Well... you can't blame me. Last time I saw you you were only half this size." Liacster defended himself but quickly glanced back toward Griffin.

"You're with this petulant fool?" He asked her.

"He's not as bad as he seems, honest! Go easy on him." Caster whispered.

"Wendy, get away from that ogre... he could be dangerous!" Griffin tried keeping his tough act on but was too confused to keep his voice steady. Liacster looked up to his opponent, and gently nudged Caster to the side.

"You came here with him, Wendy? This man is dangerous! He is an infamous Lord whose lust for bloodshed knows no bounds."

"Ha! So you DO know who I am! You oaf!" Griffin taunted, the flames still covering his body head-to-toe.

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"Stop fighting you two, please!" Caster pleaded, stepping toward Griffin.

"Griffin, this is my uncle Liacster. He is a Challenger with great fighting skills, and he's incredibly well studied in areas of tactical battle knowledge. If you could convince this village to help us fight the Avatar hiding in the center of the Badlands, he would be of great use to you."

"Lord Griffin does not ask help from anyone." Griffin proudly stood tall, leaving his battle stance as he folded his arms.

"I know that, and you know that. But these people are... like you said, barbarians. They're afraid of their own shadows! Everyone here knows you could kill them all a hundred times over. If you talk to the councilmen and politely tell them to lay down their arms and swear fealty to you, you could gain so much more than a pile of ashes."

"I do not 'talk' or play passive-aggressive games. Those things are for fools and women! My father would do exactly that sort of thing, and I am not him!"

Oh. I see what this is about.

Caster thought back to how Noden acted with the councilmen of Hale's Pass. It was clear that if they denied Cairngowan's advances, there would be dire consequences. Though Noden never said it directly, like Griffin did.

"No my Lord, it is what good statesmen do. Especially ones that are facing a threat that could deal an immense amount of damage to their nation, like an Avatar or enemy army. Show these people that you're better than them by being their savior, not their executioner."

Hearing this Griffin scowled. He huffed, he puffed, he pouted. But after a few seconds of childish self-pity, he sighed. In one big whoosh, the fires surrounding his body became steam and wooshed away from him in all directions.

"Tell your uncle that if he apologizes, I will hear the council's pleas for surrender." Griffin's arms were still folded, and his eyes were closed and his nose was pointed up and away from Caster and the village.

Level Up! Luck Increased +1!

What a child!

Caster nodded and turned, returning to her 'uncle.'

"Uncle, please listen. I know you're strong, but Lord Griffin is on a ramage to destroy an Avatar hiding in the center of the Badlands. He doesn't want anything to do with the village, and if anything, he'll help protect us from the Avatar's army that might be marching this way at this very moment. He's young and prideful, you know how it is with the younger Challengers who all think they're the main character. If you soothe his ego and the council just goes along with his demands, he won't hurt anyone and he'll be on his way by the morning." Caster explained to the knight.

From behind his visor, Liacster slowly glanced back and forth between Caster and Griffin. He grunted and gave Caster a single nod.

"When'd you get smart? There's no way you inherited my brother's brains. The man couldn't outsmart a stubborn goat." Liacster chuckled.

"Oh, you have no idea." Caster sighed. "But, is that a yes?"

"Aye. I'll give him what he wants. If you say he'll put his big boy pants on if we throw him a parade in his honor, a parade is what he'll get. Give me a few moments, I'll be right back." Liacster turned away and headed back into the town.

Whew! My back is starting to hurt from all this carrying! Caster returned to Griffin's brooding spot.

"He's going into the city to tell everyone to stand down. I let them know that you mean business, and not to test you."

"Good. If I get so much as a single bit of lip, this place is going up in flames!" Griffin grumbled to himself.

What a hothead! At least the crisis is averted, for now. Let's just hope the others don't plan anything crazy like a surprise attack.