„So there was five of them, no six, maybe more, some were hidding in the crowd, and only revealed themselves at the last moment. At least eight on one. Impossible odds I tell you” Alice was sitting in the restaurant run by Marisa. She was telling totally true stories of the attempted kidnaping earlier today to the beat of some random guy called Rudolf, a wanna be musican who forgot his instruments and was making music by hitting rhytmically the large oak table they were dinning on. She made a short stop to take a sip of beer from her mug as it was apparently legal for her to drink. It was her third and she was rather tipsy. No, wait she saw a man in a full body armor ornamented with gold sitting across the table right now, so maybe she was already drunk.

„I was on my way, going to the guild, when those pathetic men came to me, and made fun of my dress. The dress I got from someone very important to me. This offense was a real no-no. I said angrily ‘let’s have a fair fight one on one’. Their leader agreed and soon we went to a secluded place. I let him choose a weappon, because I knew I’d beat him with any. And you won’t believe what happened! All ten of them jumped on me.” The story didn’t hold any water, which should be obvious to pretty much anyone, but people there were seemingly too drunk to notice and simply cheered, expecting her to continue.

„I killed one of them on the spot, and somehow I managed to throw another one into the river, hopefully he died too. The rest of these disgusting individuals restrained me with a rope.”

When she mentioned that a few of them started whistling at her like some hopeless perverts and she felt embarrassed. She stopped talking and wondered why did she even make up that part. Suddenly Rudolf, the wanna be musician, spoke.

„It’s very fortunate Ms. Luca came to your rescue, but still there’s a question to be asked. As I see you are a rather frail creature I wonder how did you throw that one thug into the river. I don’t think I’m any stronger than any of them, so I propose you demonstrate it on me in a wrestling match. Show your valour and proove what you say is true, if you want to, we can make it a bet…”

Someone whistled and a few men cheered. Rudolf had his eyes wide. His smile was creeping Alice out. Alice started thinking about a way out. There was no way she would just let some creep feel her up. Thankfuly a rescue soon came.

„Rudolf, you are an abhorable pervert. Why don’t you finally find yourself a woman? You could wrestle with her in bed instead of harrassing a girl twelve years younger than yourself.” A woman’s voice was heard. And not any woman’s at that, but Marisa’s. Alice was saved. In an instant everyone started laughing and the beat stopped. Someone patted rudolf at his shoulder, but still admitted Marisa was right and he desperately needs someone.

The beat played again but this time it was the man in armor rhytmically hitting the table. Maybe it was time to turn off her brain, Alice fought. This was getting even weirder. She started looking for her saviour but it was hard to find anyone in that crowd. Then, the man in armor spoke.

„Fine folks of Westende, I did see bravery in her eyes, so I deem the story she says must be true. In midst of such struggle you find in yourself strength you never knew you had. I fought many such battles and won them all with no questions asked. With my bow I lay down three in a second, against me no Celtyh scum stands a chance. Truly, they stoop to tactics this low, these cowards know no honor and this I must say, their king shinjey is a brat. My God this whole situation is a farse. All these trouble started way before when our dear Emperor, we all kiss his royal feet, saw a falling star and decided it’s a sign…” Everyone gathered payed attention to that man, but what he was sayng wasn’t really of any interest to Alice. Having strained her eyes to see Marisa, Alice finally found her. She quickly sqeezed through all the people between them and jumped on her, ending up in an affectionate embrace.

When did you come back from your date? Are you going to spend the rest of the evening with me? Did your boobs get larger? There were so many questions Alice wanted to ask Marisa… after a short pondering, she decided to go with the last one.

„My my, I wondder how did your boobs get this much bigger? Hehe, I cleared an epic quest and as a reward your breasts leveled up.” Alice lied her head on marisa’s chest while still embracing her and closed her eyes.

„I am glad you are safe and sound. It really shouldn’t have happened. It’s all my fault… it..” Marisa started but as Alice weighted on her much more than usual, almost toppling her, she quickly changed the topic.

„Agh, seriously? Just how much did you drink?„ Marisa asked. ”Usually you’re not this creepy… At this rate you’re going to be far worse than Rudolf. ”

„I’m sorry, I don’t want to be like that. It’s just… you were so cool with that line and I just got so excited when I saw you. And your boobs are so big so I had to ask… I guess, I might be a little bit drunk, but I behave normally. Two mugs are nothing for me.”

„They’re a liter and a half each, you know that?”

„Haha, that is nothing for me. I beat a thug… erm four, I mean ten thugs, I can beat three liters of beer.” After saying that, a silence fell between them.

„You know it’s entirely my fault, right? I couldn’t walk ten minutes straight across the main street. And if I used my brain a little more… It was so easily avoidable.”

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They stood in the middle of the crowded restaurant embracing each other and ignoring the people talking all around them. Ignoring the man in armor who just kept going on and on about politics. Ignoring… Simon who was walking towards the man in armor. Only now Alice noticed him. His face was red and he was picking at his nails. He was agitated, he looked like he’s about to assault someone. Alice had never seen him like that. Well, to be fair she had only seen him a handful of times.

„What’s up with Simon?” Alice asked. She might’ve not liked him, but this made her worry.

„He… he wanted to apologize to you too, but he lost his temper after Agapos started talking… you know the crazy looking guy. There’s no use trying to discern why. Simon should’ve just left when he saw him, but he didn’t listen to me. He can be very opinioated at times and like… can’t keep his opinions to himself.”

Marisa barely finished the sentence as Simons voice was suddenly heard. He interrupted Agapos’ speech by shouting angrily.

„You demean our people. Talk about them like some monsters, yet here I am, one of them. Some Celtyh have been living in Westende for generations. Good citizens have to suffer because people like you.”

„Many of these co called good citizens... Good citizens, seriously, can you believe this guy?” He mocked to the sneer of the crowd „Only today these good citizens ganged up three on one to kidnap one innocent, fifteen years old girl. God only knows what they’d do to her if they actually knew how to fight. Oh, the poor fellows suffering because of the evil me.”

„It was ten of them!” Alice wanted to object, not yet aware of how serious the situation was getting. She was slow on the uptake, and was budy thinking whether they bought her story or not. There was a full report made by Luca. Did any of them bother to read it? Maybe they just played along for the sake of it and actualy knew she didn’t even manage to harm one of the thugs. She felt stupid for getting carried away by the moment and making up stories. Then she felt Marisa’s hold on her getting stronger. Marisa also started shaking.

„It’s just a small incident. What about the centuries of unjustice? You think…” Simon was at a boiling point already.

„No! This argument is beneath us! You bring it all on yourself and then. My goddes, can you believe the guy?!” Agapos shouted to the crowd. In fact he was speaking more to the crowd than to Simon. „And then he thinks he can use it to justify plunder, murders and kidnapping of a young girl? Isn’t she a friend of your girlfriend? You have no shame? Poor girl, bad life decisions… All these rebels, everyone who has ever took arms against the empire must die! And every Celtyh within the city deported! You are...” In that moment something broke inside him. He exploded in anger. Marisa got Alice off her, almost making her fall to the ground and started running toward him, hitting multiple people on the way, toppling many of them, who in turn cursed at her. It took some time for Alice to realise what’s going on and when she regained her balance she saw a sad scene.

„Scoundrel! I challenge you! I challenge you!” Simon screamed at agapos. The room fell silent.

„No, He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Simon, you can’t challenge a noble to a duel on a whim. I am sorry, I’m really sorry, we’ll compensate you Sir, just please ignore him, we all know you’re good and understanding. He’s out of his mind.” Marisa jumped out from the crowd and was frantically trying to drag Simon away. He pushed her away. Marisa landed on the ground with a thump.

„Don’t you dare stop me now. This is important. Way more important than you or me. Five centuries of humiliation. Hundreds of thousands if not milions of people are counting on me. And I am not going to disapoint. I want a duel to the death.” Simon was adamant. But instead of acceptance of the duel he got asked something entirely different.

„Tell me, do you say your name with pride?” Agapos asked in a calm voice.

„What? That’s the name given to me by my parents. Great people of a great nation. The very nation you have put in chains. Pride? Don’t you dare to even say this word.” hearing that some onlookers started to ruffle and others were outright threatening him, although no one did any harm to him yet. With the situation spiraling out of control, feeling helples, Marisa began to cry. Ignoring them, Simon, somehow convinced he’s done great, that his words must have struck a weak point, that he could win that duel, paused here to make a faint smile and tried to gauge Agapos’ reaction. To put it mildly though, agapos was not very impressed.

„But your name is Simon? Did I get it right? I think I did. For someone bragging about their heritage you have a typical Western name.”Agapos stood up and slowly came towards Simon, he was emitting an aura of strength. With a single hand gesture he silenced the gathered masses. His gaze was stern and fixed on the faltering boy. „ And you even wear weastern clothes. My goddes, have you ever been outside of Westende? Boy, you’ve either never seen this so-called heritage of yours or you have subconsciously rejected it in your heart. It’s the latter, isn’t it. Of course, you’ve lived your whole life in civilisation after all.”

„Are... you out your mind… there’s no way that...” Simon was stuttering while agapos gazed into him.

„Do not argue with me!” Agapos shouted in a very imposing tone, which immidiately silenced Simon. he reached his hand to Simon’s head, pulling his ear. „You don’t look like you believe what you’re saying. If you lack convinction, this argument is hopeless. HEAR IT?!”

„And as for the duel” Agapos now pointed towards crying Marisa. He patted his cheek „Your girlfriend is not ready for you to die. She saved your life. If I ever hear that you shouted at her again, or hurt her in any way, then it will be I who challenges you to a duel. There’s no glory won for you today. Only shame. But that’s alright. You’ve lost your way. You need to become a better version of yourself. I believe in second chances. I said before that all Celtyh should be deported but… your name’s Simon. If you truly reject your ancestors, these scum of the earth who only brought suffering to the world, just like you rejected their clothes and names... Then, then I’ll give you a chance to prove yourself. I’ll give you a chance to become one of us.”

„Everyone!” Agapos shouted! „Soon, some of the lower ranked adventurers are going on a quest to exterminate rats in the sewers, because the city swarms with them. Outside of the city however, swarms with rats too. Just another kind of rats. The human kind of rats. The Emperor might not want to do anything about it. But sooner or later… we will have to stop pretending there’s no war. And if you make up your mind boy…” he looked at Simon „You will get your chance. I know you’ll choose the right side.”

Simon run off and Marisa followed after him. Alice was unsure whether she should go after them too or stay. She wondered, what was she supposed to do? Use her superior otherwordly knowledge to suddenly make everyone not hate each other? Just… how exacly? And besides, she didn’t care about this whole conflict… she did care about marisa, who had her boyfriend, and maybe it was better to leave them alone. On the other hand, she thought… she wanted to be there for her. Just in case.

Alice stood there like that, pondering and hesitating. Not being able to decide what to do, she lost the sight of them, so she ended up staying. She wasn’t sure what exactly happened later on. There was a lot of cheering, people were dancing and they eventually even got some music instruments. And most likely real musicians. She drunk copious amounts of alcohol, it was all on agapos, who payed for everyone, so she had no restraint. Stuff was going on, things were happening… she had no idea how much time have passed and the next thing she remembered, very briefly at that, was being carried upstars by Marisa. Then it was all blank.