After we changed, Major Amset decided to take us out to a local restaurant while the envoys finished preparing to meet with Republican officials. Legate Ventor guided us to a nearby, popular place with a bunch of local food.

As we spread out, Durreg found a free table for three, which Nico and I rushed to reserve. Soon after we took our seats, a waiter arrived by our table.

“Welcome to the Tastes of the Provinces.’” He said, handing us a menu each.

“Our establishment proudly offers cuisine from every corner of the Republic, right here for you to sample. Feel free to take a look at our offerings and call for me when you’ve decided on what you’d like.”

A professional smile later, the waiter was on his way. As we looked at the menu, things quickly took a confusing turn.

“…Anyone know what the abyss this Poolet aw sidr stuff is supposed to mean?” I asked.

“It’s pronounced ‘Poulet au cidre et aux carottes de Créances,’ Kiara, and I believe it’s a Frankish dish, judging by the script. That said, I admit I don’t know the language enough to tell you more.” Nico answered.

“I suppose it was naïve to think knowing Latin alone was going to be enough. Perhaps we should get the waiter to help us?” Durreg said.

“Why not just get one of every dish?”

“And risk the Major breathing down our necks for reckless spending? No thanks.” Durreg shut me down instantly.

“Boo…”

***

Eventually, we managed to order something each and chow down on it. Nico ordered something called a pizza, which looked incredibly delicious, making me regret my own choice of a ‘pasta’ dish – not that it wasn’t delicious.

While we ate, Durreg noticed something peculiar.

“I see a group of Tyrians on the other side of the restaurant. Do you think they might be the Tyrian team?”

“No way, this city’s huge. What are the odds we’d just stumble on them on the first outing we go on?” I objected.

“Likely higher than you’d think. It’s not a stretch to assume the other teams were given accommodations near the coliseum like we were, and people from the four nations aren’t a common sight in the Republic. I’ll bet the other teams are also close by.” Nico said.

Huh.

“Fair enough, I suppose. Give me a minute, I’ll go wash my hands.” I said, pushing my empty plates away and getting up from my seat.

I went to the restroom and washed my hands before heading back when I felt a prickling feeling in my chest. Looking down, I found a barely visible green magic circle already fading away.

“Could it be…?” I wondered.

Regardless, it was worth a look. Instead of heading for the table Durreg and Nico sat at, I went straight out of the restaurant and onto the road.

Already, I felt the feeling grow slightly stronger.

“It’s time to meet again, bastard.” I said under my breath.

I don’t know what kind of expression was on my face, but people on the street weren’t eager to be in my path as I used the soul oath to search for my target. Street after street, I felt the feeling grow stronger and stronger.

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I was getting closer.

It didn’t take long for me to find my target, Alanus Alypius, the young man who tried to enslave me nearly a year ago. He was walking down the street without a care in the world.

As I hurried to catch up with him, I used [Appraisal] to see his abilities.

[Mindflogger Lv. 24 – Monster Master Lv. 143]

‘He’s already a rank A creature…?’ I gaped, surprised at what I saw.

It didn’t matter; my business with him wasn’t going to change even if he was rank S.

“Alanus. It’s been too long since I’ve seen your ugly face.” I said, having finally caught up to him.

He froze, then turned around to face me.

“How dare y- huh?” he said.

I savored the sheer look of surprise on his face before his own soul oath glowed faintly, bringing him back to reality.

“It’s you.” He said, narrowing his eyes before sighing.

“No matter, even if you are a vulture and a leech, I gave my word to grant you a favor, and a favor I shall grant. Let’s find somewhere private to talk.” He said.

***

“So, what do you want from me. Make it quick, I don’t have all day.” He said, leaning against a nearby wall.

I scoffed.

The two of us stood in a nearby abandoned alley, far from any prying eyes and ears.

“I just want an answer to a question, and only you can provide it. Does that count as a favor for your oath?”

His look of boredom and mild irritation morphed into incredulity.

“What…? You can ask any favor from me, be it wealth, land, influence, or power, and you choose to waste it on a question?!” He asked in astonishment before shaking his head.

“Whatever, your foolishness is none of my concern. Ask away so we can both be on our way. I have a tournament to prepare for.”

I grinned. He’d just fallen into my trap, with no way to wiggle out of giving me a correct answer.

“What is it that you value the most?”

Again, his face was covered in disbelief.

“What? Is this some kind of elaborate courtship proposal?!”

I rolled my eyes.

“Of course not, you idiot. I am asking what it is that is most important to you, the thing that gives you purpose and meaning, the thing that you cannot do without.”

“And why do you want to know that?” he asked, his expression shifting from incredulity to suspicion.

“I am the one asking questions here. Answer me or lose your soul.” I growled.

“Either is fine by me.”

Clearly unused to having his arm twisted by someone beneath him, Alanus bit back a curse as he answered me.

“My place in House Alypius is what I value the most. House Alypius is my family, the place I belong, and the place I yearn to contribute to. That is what I value the most.”

When Alanus finished, the magic circle on his chest faded before our eyes and dissipated, proving that he had fulfilled his end of the deal.

“There, you got what you wanted. My end of the deal is fulfilled. I don’t know if you were looking to deal some kind of blow to me, but destroying House Alypius is a dream within a dream. Your plan failed.” He said smugly.

“Oh, destroying House Alypius isn’t my plan, not that it’s beyond my abilities. I can do it with my eyes closed. No, Alanus, my goal is to destroy you.” I said, stepping closer to him until my eyes were mere inches from his.

“I swore a soul oath to make you pay, Alanus, and my wrath towards you hasn’t faded once since I swore that oath.”

I glared at him for a few moments before turning away.

“What the hell? Who are you, and what the hell’s your problem with me?” He yelled at me, though I ignored him and went on my way back to the restaurant.

He didn’t follow after me.

Declaring war openly like this may have been a mistake but letting him stew on how I intend to take revenge, why I bear a grudge against him, and what to do about it should be revenge enough to serve as dessert before the main course itself. Already, a plan was forming in my head about how to enact my revenge and satisfy my soul oath.

“Best to get back before anyone realizes I’m gone.” I said, retracing my steps back to the restaurant.

***

By the time I was back, everyone was done with their food, and we were ready to head back.

“For the rest of the day, we will be doing fitness training, while tomorrow will be a rest day. By rest day, I mean no strenuous activity. If I see anyone so much as jogging in a hallway, I’ll have your hides. Back to the inn!” the Major said, already heading out of the restaurant.

As we rushed outside, Durreg moved closer to me.

“You alright, cousin?” he asked.

“What’s wrong, Durreg? Just started to care about my wellbeing now? You shouldn’t have stolen half my plate if you were so concerned.” I chuckled, though Durreg didn’t laugh along or quip at me.

He stared for a moment before looking away.

“Fine, have it your way. I won’t pry. But do remember that I am here to help if you need it. We’re not family in name only.”

“…Thanks, cousin.”

We both remained silent for the rest of the way to the inn, where the Major had us lift weights, stretch and reach for extremities, run laps around the inn, and a bunch of other strange things she called ‘excercises.’