The guard squinted. "Hey… aren't you the guy from before?" he said.
James tightened his grip on the Double Axe, letting its weight settle in his hands. "I am," he responded with a casual smile.
The guard hesitated, shifting slightly. "What brings you here?" he asked. He was nervous. He had assumed himself strong, yet standing before James, he felt something off, a presence that was human but he could be mistaken for a Demon.
"I wanted to speak with the governor. His name was… Leillo, wasn't it?" James said casually.
"James, you know him?" Nell asked as she turned to James.
"We spoke before," James responded.
"And you didn't think to tell me that?" Nell frowned slightly.
"I thought we did," James gave a small shrug.
The guard's looked at the unconscious men scattered across the ground. "And why are those guys lying there?" he asked as he reached for his sword.
Saya stepped forward, meeting his eyes without hesitation. "They attacked us first," she stated plainly. "Started harassing us, so we acted in self-defense," she added.
A second guard approached looking around. He checked the faces of the fallen men. "These guys all have criminal records," he stated.
The first guard exhaled, the tension in his stance loosening. "I see… Then you were telling the truth," he said. He straightened slightly, adjusting his position before nodding. "I apologize for the trouble. As a token of goodwill, I will personally guide you to the governor's mansion," he added.
"But I wanted food," Shizuka grumbled, arms crossed.
"We can buy some on the way," Jasmine responded.
The group gathered themselves, stepping forward as they approached the mansion. The towering structure loomed over them.
"This is his house?" Jasmine asked as she looked around.
"Our castle is bigger," Shizuka remarked.
James strode ahead. "Let's go in," he said. The girls followed.
Inside, the air was thick with formality. Governor Leillo stood in the center of the room. He wore formal robes. His fingers curled into fists as his eyes locked onto James.
"You have come again." Leillo said. "Even though I vowed never to let anyone enter the Haunted Forest… I should have known. This was inevitable," he added. He exhaled deeply.
"Please, spare the lives of my people," he said. He lowered his head. "If a life must be taken, let it be mine," he said as he held his knife.
"Relax. I only came to chat," James responded.
The girls looked at each other and smiled. They looked at James. They thought his aura alone commanded presence, and they couldn't help but lick their lips at the sheer power he emanated.
They followed him deeper inside, settling into the living room. James took the center seat, flanked by Saya and Jasmine on either side. Nell perched on a chair nearby, while Shizuka wandered toward the table, eyeing the food with interest. Lois made herself comfortable on the sofa, and Saeko stood behind James, arms crossed.
Leillo hesitated for a moment, then gestured toward an open chair. "There's a seat here," he said.
Saeko barely glanced at it. "I will stand, " she replied.
"Since we're here, I should probably clarify, I don't exactly have a hobby of massacring people," he said.
Lois coughed loudly. Saya pinched him with her fingertip.
James smirked. "Well, the living ones so far, at least," he said.
Leillo studied him carefully, then straightened.
"I came to ask, who is really pulling the strings behind this country?" James asked. He thought in the original story, Yuki had asked that very same question. He wondered what happened to him.
Saya thought there was something. She looked at Leillo.
"What has given you that impression?" Leillo asked.
"Well not only can they mobilize the army, they can also pressure the church to mobilize a hero," James said.
"Someone of that power should be well connected, people like that live in high places," Saya said as she put the Porter X2 down on the table. Leillo felt a sweat drop down. He knew that gun was powerful.
"Wait, did you say hero?" Leillo asked. He looked shocked.
"Don't try to change the topic," Saya stated.
"I am a Princess, politics don't interest me but I know now of a scheme when I see it," Jasmine said.
Lois looked to see Saya and Jasmine. They were growing. She thought both of them were 18 but were mature for their age. She looked at James and thought he had chosen right.
Nell spoke up. "Nice to meet you Governor, I am a holy knight belonging to the Fardienn Knights and I am the Hero of this Generation," she said.
Leillo looked at her. "It seems like you really are but why are you with him?" Leillo asked.
"Well I was sent to defeat the controller of the Dungeon but ended up losing," Nell admitted. "I heard James` story and it was different from what the church said, very different," she added.
"So I came to this city to verify," Nell said.
"I came to get food," Shizuka yelled out as she ate a piece of chicken.
"Well that was one reason," James said.
"Those fools," Leillo shouted. "How could they send the Hero out for this matter," he added.
Saya stomped her feet on the ground. "You know who is behind this," Saya said. She glared at him.
James reached over and grabbed Saya. "You are very cute when you get all serious," James remarked.
"Hey," Saya said, looking all flushed. "Stay serious," she added.
Lois giggled. Saya looked at Leillo and said, "Tell us the name," Saya said.
"I cannot," Leillo responded.
"We have our ways of knowing," James said as he looked at Jasmine. "Can I borrow the Lasso of Submission?" James asked.
"Sure," Jasmine replied as she handed James the lasso.
James held the lasso and threw it over and wrapped it around him. "Say the name of the man behind this," James stated.
"James," Nell shoued.
"It is Prince Ryuuto," Leillo replied. He thought he said that. He had betrayed his kingdom.
James let go and handed the Lasso back to Jasmine. "I already had a hunch," James said. "Let's go," he added. The girls all got up.
"Wait, what are you going to do?" Leillo asked.
"Who knows?" James said as he left.
"Wait for me," Shizuka said with a mouthful. Lois, Jasmine, Saya and Saeko left.
Leillo sat down. "I can't believe he knows," Leillo said.
Nell sat down. "I think he would have found out. He is smart and cunning. However he is not bad. I saw him, he does it to protect the people he loves. He is strong despite being a human, with no magic," Nell said.
"No magic?" Leillo said. "That can't be possible," he added.
"I think he has," Nell responded.
Nell thought of changing the topic. "If the Prince is involved, I will notify the Knights and church appropriately," she said.
"Be careful, there are other powerful players," Leillo responded.
Nell nodded and left. She saw James and the girls waiting for her. "Nell, we are heading back to the Dungeon, why don't you come for food and rest and we can explore more tomorrow," James said.
Nell thought it would be good to learn more about his powers. It might come in handy. She will stay strong.
"Come on," James said as he grabbed her hand.
Nell immediately blushed. "James," she said, going red.