"Finally," Adriadne breathed a sigh of relief as she gazed ahead of her. "We're almost there."

They had been traveling nonstop through the desert for weeks, but now the group saw a city in front of them. It was Cea, standing grand in the distance before them.

Seeing an actual city filled with shade and water and non-rotation food filled Adriadne with an incredible amount of relief. Nearby, Tourmarchēs Khalid noticed her relief. He then turned to Tomoe. The commander grimaced upon seeing the foreigner who gained special treatment in his eyes.

"If it was just from saving Stratigos Demetrius, that would be one thing, but it's obvious to everyone with eyes that he's quite taken with her," Khalid thought. "Well, there is nothing I can do about it. I just hope someone else can talk sense into him."

Demetrius rode over to Tomoe, who was gazing at Cea with a blank expression. She did not seem impressed in the slightest. The Stratigos noted this.

"You must have seen some impressive cities if Cea is nothing to you," Demetrius said.

Tomoe nodded.

"Lung Empire. Biggest cities in world," she stated.

"However big they are," Demetrius shrugged. "I am certain that you will be impressed by Kostaspolis."

"I'll be impressed if Kostaspolis is even half as impressive as what I saw in the Dragon Empire. But I must keep my eye on an honorable death...or perhaps not. Can I move on? Will my honor allow it? I...I don't know. For now, I will wait and see while hoping for a duel," Tomoe thought before speaking. "When are we go there?"

While she spoke, a hint of pride wafted into Tomoe's body. Her Grekken was still far from perfect, but over the weeks of desert travel, she had learned a lot.

"When Basil orders us to. We will stay in Cea for now," Demetrius said.

He grimaced.

"If the Alfara Empire attacks, we'll need as many stratigoi here as we can get. Fighting a war on two fronts never ends well. I should also try to get stronger while I'm here. I need to focus on findings ways to make people hate me that wouldn't be too disruptive," the Stratigos thought, a mixture of guilt and concern crossing over his body.

Demetrius rode into the city with the others following him. Khalid approached the Stratigos as they moved.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"This is where we must part ways, at least for now, despótēs. I have duties to attend to now that I've returned here," he said.

The Stratigos waved him off.

"Yes, yes, be off with you. Go and do whatever it is you do," Demetrius replied.

With a bow, Khalid rode off. Demetrius scanned the city before him. The Stratigos would see Khalid again, considering how he'd be staying at the main fortified area of Cea. Right now, Demetrius needed to figure out his next course of action.

The sights of Cea were the same as last time, with a few notable differences. There was a man wearing a strange black cloak with sleeves of all things sitting at an eatery. It was strange clothing, but Demetrius had seen stranger. Still, there was something offputting about this man that the Stratigos just couldn't put his finger on.

Demetrius decided to turn his attention elsewhere for now. He scanned the city once again, and his eyes locked with a familiar face. Mixed feelings flashed through Demetrius.

"I hope she didn't see me. If she did, that could be troublesome. Then again, if Tomoe is into girls and guys, meeting her might be for the best," the Stratigos thought.

His contemplations were interrupted when the woman rode over. Ganzaya had already seen her. The Ulv couldn't forget the woman who said Demetrius of all people was weak, Theodora Tagaris.

"Well, it has been a while, hasn't it, Stratigos Kallergis," she said.

Demetrius nodded, keeping his expression blank.

"It has been, Stratigos Tagaris," he replied. "I see that you're still dressing like a barbarians."

Theodora gave him a smug smirk.

"And I see that you have a new barbarian in your service. And a wo..." the girl's jaw dropped.

She had gotten a good look at Tomoe, and Theodora liked what she saw. Demetrius realized it with incredible swiftness. An instant flash of jealousy pulsed through him, but the boy kept calm.

"Theodora's smart enough to not break the law by taking the male role in sex. And her family's magic has made her stay a virgin. If there is mutual attraction, it is better this way. I will not subject Tomoe to the torment of marrying into the Kallergis family," he thought.

The woman spellcaster loudly cleared her throat. Then, her gaze turned to Demetrius.

"Stratigos Demetrius, I understand that we've had our differences, but we are both faithful servants of the Remen Empire," she said.

"Yes, we are," he replied.

"With that in mind," Theodora gave him a slightly forced smile. "Do you have anywhere to stay while you're in Cea?"

"I was planning on staying at the garrisson," Demetrius replied.

Theodora shook her head.

"That is simply unacceptable," she said. "Especially since you have a Remen noblewoman with you."

The ice magic pointed at Adriadne, who was paying close attention to the conversation.

"Remen noblewomen should not be subjected to the standards of common soldiers, even if we are mages. No, I insist that you and your subordinates stay in my family's home here in Cea," Theodora stated.

Complete and utter shock crossed Adriadne's face when she heard Demetrius' reply. Theodora looked surprised too.

"Thank you for the offer. I would be happy to accept it," Demetrius said.

"If you treat my family's servants poorly, I will kick you out," Theodora replied. "That includes our indentured servants."

Demetrius nodded.

"Noted. I will not treat them poorly. Now, show us to your family's home," he spoke.

There was nothing Theodora could say to object to that, though a part of her was regretting her decision seeing how Demetrius just casually accepted it.