Chapter 21: Retreat.
"Get him!"
One of the soldiers from the Neuk army walked towards Alaric, the rest tailing behind him.
Arthur had already began to growl, it's eyes picking up on the soldiers circling around him.
"Don't do this... We can discuss like men without violence..."
Rashin spoke , trying to convince Stifen to call off his mean.
But Stifen was resilient, words like that would do nothing to him.
"Ava..." Alaric suddenly called out.
"Yes My lord..."
After her response, the last thing the soldier saw was Ava drawing out her blade.
—slash
She had arrived beside him, her blade slicing off his head.
The shock on the enemy's face was evident as they all immediately took steps back to avoid the Ava.
"What the..."
"I didn't see her move..."
They were stunned. That included Stifen, who was still trying to understand what had just occurred.
Slashing her blade to the side, Ava spoke to the soldiers in front of her..
"Who's next..."
Her words were short but effective.
Rage fueled the soldiers as they all gripped their blades, ready for battle.
"Stop." Stifen suddenly spoke, halting his soldiers.
He took a minute to scan Ava with his eyes, picking up on the growing aura on her body.
"You there... You're a diamond rank knight, aren't you?"
Ava calmly responded, "You have a good eye. Yes I am a diamond rank knight. Ava Isenberg".
Surprise hitch on the faces of the soldiers.
"Impossible! A diamond rank in the Montclair Barony?"
One of the soldiers blurted out.
"No, the girls speaks the truth... Only a true diamond rank can conjure the aura energy." Stefin spoke, leaping down from his horse.
"I'll admit, I didn't expect you meet a diamond rank in such a barony. Seems like such a waste."
He moved towards Ava, standing only a few feet from where she was.
"From a knight to another, I respect your skill. It's not easy to make it to diamond rank, even I haven't acquired such a feat. You should be proud."
"Who said I wasn't? My master is amazing, it's only natural he would have someone like me by his side." Ava responded.
"Your master?" Stifen looked behind Ava, picking up on Alaric waving at him, "the joke of the barony?"
"..."
Stefin sighed, "Why would someone of your talent devote yourself to that.." he could barely understand why, "your talents better suited else where, even the royal capital. So why subject yourself to someone like that?"
"Because..." Ava raised her blade, pointing it at Stefin, "I am nothing if not my my master. If you still insist on talking down on him, then my blade will hold no mercy when I cut off your head in front of your soldiers."
"You stand before 13 of my soldiers, and yet, you are still confident?"
"If you doubt me, and draw your blade..." Ava replied.
The silence right after was loud.
Though most of them were gold rank; they still knew the woman standing before then was way stronger than she looked.
"I understand." Stefin turned around, "We are retreating for now. This is not over... Joke of the barony."
And with that, the the people of the Neuk barony retreated. Confused and embarrassed.
"Alaric!" Kika was the first to act.
She ran towards her son, embracing him in a tight hug.
"I'm so glad you're okay..."
Alaric smiled a bit, both his mom and sister hugging from both sides.
It reminded him of his friends back in his original world. How they would always hug him after every successful mission.
Truly... It was an amazing feeling.
"You too Ava... I didn't think you were this bold. You sent them running back to their lord." Rashin spoke, a deep smile on his face.
"Bold?" Ava tilted her head to the side.
"Father is right, you looked so cool standing up for my little brother." Erica chimed in, still hugging Alaric.
Yes, her boobs were below average. But Alaric could still feel it pressing the back of his head, as for his mother, his face was completely buried between them
"I didn't notice I was cool. I only did what I could to protect Lord Alaric." Ava looked at Alaric, a teasing smile on her face.
'The hell is she smiling at me for?' Alaric shivered a bit.
[Ava feels happy you upgraded her class..]
[You have gained +789Cp.]
[The barony family is glad you saved from the Neuk.]
[You have gained +970cp.]
[Look at you being a good person...]
'You really think so?'
[Definitely not.]
'Shut up.'
Aleric turned his gaze towards the direction of the Neuk barony.
In that moment, he knew the Neuk barony wouldn't let what had happened go. They lost two of their soldiers in an attempt to bully the Montclair...not only was it a hit to their pride, it was also a shame to Neuk himself.
He smiled.
"Now that, that is done. Ava!!!"
Ava looked to him like she was staring at a pile of poop.
"Let's get started on that mining ground."
"As you wish."
"I do wish. I wish very much to get this done and finally rest. Mercy on the introvert for God's sake." Aleric pushed his way from his mother's grasp and began to walk away.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone