Ichi reached the treeline. He saw Satou holding Scipio's dull golden sword. Rikya's eyes darted to him and he knew she spotted him. Rikya stared at him for a second and smiled, then looked toward Satou with a straight face.. Ichi stopped and hid. His instinct was roaring at him not to approach. From that look on Rikya's face, he felt like she didn't mind if he came or not. Ichi hid in a bush, holding the orc sword low.

Satou bit into Scipio's sword. She pulled it from her mouth, sniffing it, then put her ear to it and tapped on it with the golden gauntlet Syon gave her. Satou listened intently to the ringing metal as Scipio studied Myon's sleeping body.

"This is awful." Satou complained. She twirled the sword in her hands. "I'll take it as an early dowry."

"Hey hey hey," Scipio turned his head to the girl, "give it back."

His arm reached out, but Satou twisted the sword collapsing it into a shower of golden sparks.

"I worked hard on that." Scipio's face grew angry. Satou stared at him, and he ran a hand over his face to hide the fact that he was looking away.

"Are you trying to become a Druid or something?" Satou asked.

Scipio froze as his hand pulled away from his face.

"What?"

He was dumbfounded. For second there, Satou's tone sounded like praise.

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"You did well with that sword. Better than you've ever done. But, I could also say you've done too well."

Satou looked to the ground nearby. Her eyes traced the treeline. She could see Ichi's orc sword and black stick easily. Her eyes were good for seeing the value of things, even from far away. Even though Ichi was hiding, his high class weaponry couldn't escape her eyes. She met Scipio's gaze like she saw nothing. Satou's voice took on a dark tone.

"You were trying to surpass Dracula, with a sword like that?"

Scipio looked at Rikya. Rikya smiled at him, and Scipio looked back at Satou. He didn't want to say it in front of her.

Satou saw his gaze move to Rikya.

"It's alright. You came here for the Armory that Syon and Myon were hiding, right?"

Scipio's breathing stopped, then he nodded. He had no idea how Satou knew that it even existed. It didn't occur to him that he blabbed the whole thing to Ichi earlier and Satou was in Renya's fort listening to the whole speech.

"Isn't it a shame that Rikya got to it first?"

Scipio's brow furrowed. The dull golden shackles that were binding his ankles snapped.

"I came all this way. I'm getting something for this. You can't take my sword and expect me to leave empty handed."

Satou looked down and grinned.

"Ichi. Throw that sword you're holding at Scipio, would you?"

Ichi flinched in his cover at the treeline. His eyes darted to Rikya waiting for approval. As always, Rikya smiled. It seemed like anything was fine with her. Ichi didn't understand what was going on at all. The fight looked over. Myon and Syon were down too, Ichi was grateful to see Syon tied up at least.

He stood up and walked out of the treeline, hefting the orc sword over his shoulder. He stared down Satou, sizing up the small girl.

Satou noticed his stance. She thought he needed convincing. Satou shifted her head to the side and the golden sword condensed in her hand. She tossed it to Ichi's feet, point first.

"Take that in exchange."