The tension in the room was at a breaking point as four people were frozen in time. William glanced back and forth between the smith on the floor and the girl holding a broken sword standing next to the smith. He also took in the familiar cold youth standing a few steps away holding…

  “That’s my sword! Not only do you abuse your authority, you also rob honest-folks?!” shouted William as he blew hot air out.

  “KUEE!” Thunder Chicken felt threatened and shrieked at the top of her lungs, contributing to the chaos.

  “Drop your sword. This is just a misunderstanding.” Sophia called out as she stepped away from the smith.

  “So you’re with him on this too? Both of you drop your weapons first, then I’ll lower mine.”

  “What the hell are you saying?” As a daughter of a noble house, lowering one’s guard in the face of danger was akin to suicide. This stranger who suddenly barged into the room and drew his weapon was definitely a threat to her. She threw down the broken sword and swiftly drew out her own sword.

  Without a moment to react, William dashed forward, intending to deal the first blow. Maybe she was caught unprepared, but she stumbled backwards as she blocked the strike. With the opportunity given to him, William looked like he was about to subdue her by wounding her. It would’ve worked too if only Vincent hadn’t interfered.

  Clang!

  At some unknown time, Vincent had appeared between the duo and parried the strike, “Take this outside or else you’ll damage the wares. I don’t think you both can afford that right?”

  William was a poor village boy who moved into town recently so he can’t afford to pay for any damages. While Sophia had been stimulated by the youth and wanted to vent so she went along with Vincent’s advice and they both quickly left. In the free moment that he had, Vincent went to the frozen smith and smacked his face, waking him up from his stupor.

  “Do you know that boy?” asked Vincent.

  “Y-yea, Ol’ Gertrude from tha town yonder sent ‘im.” replied the smith.

  “Why is he here?” Vincent wanted to understand this reason so he could make adjustment to any deviations from the original plot.

  “Fer a delivery. T-that sword was sent from Ol’ Gertrude.” He pointed to the sword in Vincent’s hand. “She said tha boy needed some cash.”

  ‘So that was why. It’s just a minor detail that the author had left out.’ thought Vincent as he let out a relieved sigh.

  “Yer not worried ‘bout tha girl?”

  “And why should I be worried?” Vincent revealed a smile that was not a smile. “I’m not the one whose head will roll if she gets injured.”

  The smith’s eyes widened in shock upon the realization and bolted out the door shouting angrily.

  “HEY! BOY! STOP WHAT YER DOIN’!”

  Vincent nonchalantly dropped the sword in his hand and petted Thunder Chicken before following after the smith. The best resolution was to avoid the MC, if this world was anything like the novel, the MC and Sophia would grow closer from their ‘duel’.

  Lo and behold, when Vincent saw the two battling it out in the streets with excited smiles on their faces, his predication came true. The smith was still yelling at them to stop, but the two were off in their own special world as they exchanged pointers. Even the crowd thought this was more of a performance than two people resolving their differences.

  Finally, when Sophia ran out of stamina, the duel ended. William barely broke a sweat as he reached out a hand toward Sophia.

  “You’re pretty good on your feet. I can tell that you’ve received formal training,” complimented William.

  “Thanks.” She shyly answered as she accepted his help.

  “WOOO! That was awesome!”

  “Good going you two!”

  “Oh my, the young lady might have found her match.”

  “He’s also quite a looker, good going Lady Evergreen!”

  Dozens of cheers erupted from the crowd, embarrassing the two as they awkwardly bowed. The whole time, Vincent only silently watched the performance from afar. Even though Sophia and William met earlier than originally planned, it shouldn’t affect the plot of the story, Vincent assumed.

  After everything was sorted out and misunderstandings absolved, the three were left standing there on the streets. Try as he might, Vincent wouldn’t be able to escape from Sophia, he was her guest after all.

  “Vincent! I want to introduce you two,” chirped Sophia. She dragged William over by the arm. “This is William, he’s an amazing swordsman. Did you see just how innovative his moves were? They were also all self-taught.”

  Vincent and William both frowned. They knew each other, but they were not on the best of terms. However, William also understood how to keep the pleasant atmosphere.

  “Nice to meet you. I’m William. I apologize for my misunderstanding back then.” He held out his hand.

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  “Since you know where you’re wrong, then please remember this lesson for next time.” Vincent’s words were harsh, but he still took the peace offering and shook hands. “Since I’ve done what was requested. I shall take my leave.” Vincent walked away without hesitation after accepting the apology. It had been a long day.

  “Where are you going?” asked Sophia as she ran to catch up to him.

  “Making preparations to return back to Redwall. There’s no need to accompany me. I won’t be returning to the Evergreen estate.”

  “Hm? Really?” Sophia had a playful glint in her eye as she skipped beside him. “Is that really it?” William looked like a lost puppy as he trailed behind the two.

  “What else can it be?” Vincent looked annoyed as he turned around and scowled.

  “There’s no need to become hostile,” giggled Sophia. For some reason she felt a little giddy. “Come on. Let’s go home. I also invited William to stay a few days and learn Evergreen Swordsmanship. Didn’t you go to my father’s training camp? They should’ve taught you a bit of it no?”

  As much as he wanted to, Vincent couldn’t become friendly with William. It’s because he had to play his role. Part of the reason why is because Vincent would have some connections to less than pleasant individuals. He also planned to use these connections before they ‘encounter’ the MC.

  “No thanks. You both can go ahead and enjoy your time together.” Vincent didn’t bat an eye as he continued walking. What he didn’t know was that they had walked by a temple in a side path. The temple was old with ivy running up the walls, but that only added to the holy atmosphere.

  “Oh! Are you perhaps religious, Vincent? William?” asked Sophia in an attempt to change the topic.

  “Mhm,” answered William. William wasn’t only religious. He had transmigrated into this world with the help of the goddess. He had been given a second lease at life and also given multiple boons, he was pious towards the goddess Aerith, Goddess of Life. They also just happened to come across her temple. “Do you mind if we stop by so I can make a prayer?”

  “Sure! Let’s go!” Sophia skipped forward as she entered the temple grounds with William following behind. “Vincent?”

  “Nngg! I-I’ll pass.” Vincent looked as if he took a punch to the gut and left clutching his stomach.

  “F-fine! I tried!” cried Sophia. She felt some disappointment coming from her chest as she watched him leave. “I was just giving you a chance,” muttered Sophia as she turned around and followed William inside.

  Back outside, Vincent turned around the corner and immediately tore off the ring from his finger. “AUGH! HAH~ HAH~!” The ring was burning so hotly that it left a red welt on his left index finger.

  “Kuaa!” Thunder Chicken felt some worry for her caretaker.

  “What the hell is happening?” gasped Vincent.

  As if to answer his question, a dialogue boxed opened up.

===

The Aion Ring goes against the Heavens. If the wielder’s identity is known by the gods, he will be destroyed along with the Aion Ring.

===

  “Really?” Vincent felt breathless. “A random ring that was a family heirloom just happened to be an artifact that even the gods wish to see destroyed. If that was so, then just what is the true identity of the Aion Ring?” wondered Vincent. Then he remembered what happened before he got to the training camp. Whatever he does, he had to meet his grandfather again.

  With this goal in mind, he hurried over to the inn his retainers were residing in. He quickly made arrangements to return home, he wanted to ask his mother about his grandfather. Maybe he could find out more about just who his grandfather really was.

  The next day, a man asked his master, “Young Master, are you sure you really do not want to stay for a few more days? The Duke’s daughter sent a message this morning asking if you won’t reconsider.” Leo’s words seemed to hint at something, but Vincent didn’t seem to notice as he rejected the request.

  “No, I still have some business to take care of.” His mind was dead set on looking more into the Aion Ring and his grandfather’s identity.

  Back in a guest lounge, a maid entered and whispered something to the expectant girl who had gotten up early that morning. “He rejected me?! How dare him!” fumed Sophia. “Fine. I’ll pretend I won’t know him if we meet again. I’ll watch what he does then.” She stormed off, leaving a speechless William and a frightened maid behind.

  The trip home was uneventful and Vincent and his retainers returned without any problems. Vincent dropped off Thunder Chicken to be looked after before looking for his mother.

  “Where’s Mom?” He asked a servant who flinched.

  “M-madam is in the garden.” The servant answered before running off looking as if he escaped a trial.

  The garden was a beautiful place, especially with summer just starting. The flowers have budded and would open up their petals to greet the sun every morning. These were Daylilies, which shone brightest at midday. They were also sisters to Nightulips, which glowed in the moons luminescence. Right now, Catherine was gently watering these Daylilies.

  “Mom…” Vincent said as he approached her.

  “Vince,” beamed Catherine as she dropped the watering can and embraced her son. “You’re back so soon? You’re not hurt are you?” It looked like a routine check-up as Vincent waited for her to rummage through his clothes checking for cuts or bruises.

  “I’m not hurt, Mom. I actually got you something.” He reached into his pouch and retrieved a small gift wrapped parcel. “Go ahead, open it.” He smiled gently as he urged her. It was only to her that he constantly showed his real smile, only her unfiltered love for her son would allow him to open up to her.

  Catherine looked excited as she opened his gift while at the same moved gracefully. “Oh my! Vince, you got me these?” She held up a pair of spotless white gloves. They looked as thin and as soft as silk.

  “They’re woven from cloudworm silk, they’re as soft as clouds and as durable as work gloves. Since you liked tending to the flower garden so much, you can wear these and protect your hands.” Vincent felt a bit bashful when he had to explain what the gift was.

  “UMU!” Catherine felt a huge surge of happiness pour out from her chest as she embraced her blushing son. “Thank you, Vince. Mommy will treasure it always!”

  “Please, just use it. I can always buy you another,” entreated Vincent. “Mom, there’s something I’d like to ask.” He scratched his cheek as he waited for her mother-son skinship to finish.

  “What is it, Vince? Mommy will be happy to answer any questions. Is it about a girl?” She asked as she eyed the second gift in Vincent’s hand.

  “Ah, no… This is for Isabel. I promised her that I’ll give her a present.” He said as he put the other gift away. “It’s actually about grandfather... What was he like?”

  “You want to know about Papa?” Catherine seemed to have regressed back into her childhood age as she bubbly smiled.

  “Yea. What was he like?”

  “Papa… Hm… Papa was the strongest person in the whole world.” Her eyes looked far off into the distant sky as tears welled up within them.

  Vincent frowned. He wasn’t going to get much information from her in that state. “Mom, it’s alright. You don’t have to say anymore.” He would have to find another way of looking into his grandfather’s background.

  “Young Master Vincent, the Master is asking for you.” A servant apologized as he delivered the message.

  “I’ll be right there. Please, bring my mother inside, she needs some rest.” The servant was a bit odd-looking after hearing his words, but he ignored him and entered the house.

  Zeke was waiting in his study when Vincent entered.

  “Vince.” Zeke said as he walked up to Vincent. “Won’t you return and take up the Redwall name once again?”