Demetrius did not attend the funeral for the fallen samurai and their servants. Instead, he sat in his tent, doing various logistical work. The boy spent the evening filling out paperwork. There was a cold expression on his face as he did this.

Deep down, Demetrius' thoughts were filled with worry. Did he make the right decision by showing mercy? What would Tomoe think of this? Would it impact his reputation? When he checked his stats, they weren't any different than before. It seems that none of the samurai had any good or bad thoughts about him. He found it quite confusing, but Demetrius figured that it meant the samurai just saw him as a commander and nothing else.

That concerned Demetrius quite a bit. After all, he needed more people to dislike him to increase his magic's power. But he could always do that elsewhere, right?

Then, one of the Theme warriors opened the tent flap. Demetrius turned around to face him, the general's expression sending a chill down his spine.

"Yes, what is it?" Demetrius asked.

"Someone is here for you, despotēs. It is that barbarian woman who saved you before," the guard answered.

A hint of joy flashed through Demetrius. But it was mixed in with feelings of guilt.

"Tomoe's here? I'm glad to see her, but I shouldn't be. She shouldn't get involved with someone like me. Not that it matters now that we have a Fate bond. We are linked together, for better or worse. Hearing that voice announce my fate bond with Tomoe was the first time I cursed the gods," he thought before speaking. "Let her come in. Also, do not call her a barbarian. If she is one now, she will not be for long."

The warrior nodded and left. A moment later, Tomoe entered the room. There was a look of complete and utter concentration on her face. She took a deep breath before speaking.

"Demetrius-san. Fight me," Tomoe said. "Pay back with fight."

A blush crossed Demetrius' face. Nervousness entered his body.

"If you're asking to spar with me, I'd be happy to. But if you're asking me for a duel, the answer is no. The Remen Empire does not approve of dueling," he spoke before thinking. "And I don't want you to die."

The Stratigos stood up before Tomoe could say anything else. He forced a smile on his face.

"I have something far better to offer you than a duel," Demetrius said.

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"What?" Tomoe tilted her head, not fully understanding what he just told her.

"First, the same offer that the other samurai were given: citizenship. However, I have a bonus for you: citizenship and wealth. I could give you lands beyond that of what the other samurai were given, and they would be in a safe area of the Remen Empire. You'd also be given enough wealth to hire servants or buy slaves to work your land. You'd never want for anything," Demetrius replied.

He then explained a second time, using different words, to make sure Tomoe understood what he said. The Stratigos then explained a third time the same way.

When Demetrius was finished, tomoe shook her head. A pit formed in the Stratigos' stomach.

"Are you refusing, saying no?" he asked.

"Yes," Tomoe answered.

"Why?" Demetrius questioned.

"Because honor," was the only way the girl could think to say it. "And nothing for me. Left. Fight me."

Sadness crossed the Stratigos' face.

"Tomoe, please, we are bound together by fate now. I don't like the fact that you're bound to me any more than you do, but I do not intend for us to be bound as enemies," Demetrius said.

He struggled to avoid clenching his hands. A hint of fear crossed his face as he imagined what could happen to her if she got a connection to his family.

"Even if we part ways, we are bound to meet again. And I cannot kill someone who saved my life," the Stratigos stated.

Tomoe looked down, grimness coming over her expression. Demetrius hoped that she accepted that he wouldn't try to duel her.

"Fight someone else," she said.

Panic flashed through the Stratigos.

"No, there's no need to do that," Demetrius spoke fast. "Listen, you can travel with me if you like. Doesn't that sound good? You might be able to get me to duel you if you convince or annoy me enough."

A moment of silence passed. Demetrius felt his heart beating in his neck. Sweat poured down his brow. Then, Tomoe nodded.

"With you. Some day, fight to death," she stated.

Demetrius grimaced. As his panic faded and relief passed through it, a realization came over him.

"Why does Tomoe want to duel someone else? I thought it was just me, and it was because she thought I insulted her. Is there some other reason why she wants a duel to the death? She mentioned honor, so is there something else involved?"

The Stratigos observed Tomoe before him. Demetrius felt a sudden sense of incredible beauty. However, he pushed it down as best as he could.

"Whatever the cause is, I doubt Tomoe will tell me. I don't think she even has the words to explain. I can only hope that I'll find out as we travel together," Demetrius thought before speaking. "I'll start tutoring you in Grekken after we leave. Right now, rest up. I have work to get to, and the journey to our next destination will be arduous."

He waved Tomoe away. She nodded before leaving the room.

"It seems that Demetrius-san is more grateful after I saved him than I thought he'd be or than he showed before. He might also be honor-bound to not kill me. I need to find a way to get him to kill me that won't dishonor him if that's the case. I should also tell Adriadne-san that I'm going to be learning Grekken from her brother from now on. She'll probably be disappointed," Tomoe thought.

Adriadne was the furthest thing from disappointment.