Oh the three months on the sea have passed far faster than any hour would normally pass.

  During those months that have passed Jean became quite proficient in the art of sailing, dueling and even sea fairing.

  Although he still lacked the skill to defeat his teacher but was strong enough to defeat anyone else on the ship.

  He even trained against fighting a mage, so far he has yet to get the grasp of it but he is able to put up a decent fight.

  Yet now the birds were heard and clouds were seen, soon they will reach their destination.

  Thanks to the Captain Astana's teachings, Jean learned that if you see or hear birds then there is land relatively nearby, you can also check that with the presence of clouds, though the Astana did not know why, luckily the mage on board knew why.

  Answer was simple, land heats up faster than water and on land you usually have plants with moisture, so the heat evaporates the water from the plants thus creating clouds.

  It was stupidly simple, and nice to know on the ship traveling by sea.

  Jean also got grew closer to his teacher, in fact the two of them started to play pranks on other sailors and were getting in quite a bit of trouble.

  In short the boat became quite a lively place and the mage also grew quite attached, she helped around the ship and provided effects for special events with drama plays.

  As her sign of trust she shared her name with others.

  Siene Rhone, an only student of the archmage and a genius of the Imperial Academy.

  This in fact way for her to show that she trully trusts the crew, for a mage to share their name would mean that the said mage would be willing to not only die for them but even kill and save them at the cost of their own life.

  This tradition mostly stems from the second cycle, it has no definitive explanation but mages have continued to uphold it.

  Mostly using it as a way to be weak to others, and to show that they wish to grow closer to other people.

  But as the time passed and citires grew, all of them were required to adopt false names, mostly for rulers and convenience.

  After all you don't want to say "I am a mage" when ordering food or spending the night in an inn.

  Though some still do that, mostly the stubborn ones or the weird entitled ones.

  With the seas calming and water turning into a crystal blue, it was finally time for the ship to arrive to it's destination.

  Nasau, that was the ship's destination.

  It was as if the ship had a will on it's own, for it moved swiftly to get to the port.

  And what a city it is, Nasau is defacto jewel of the Archipelago.

  It was build from the ground up as a trading port.

  You could buy basically anything from this place, including herbs or products not grown in the region.

  While not having a vast public infrastructure due to it's size it was still impressive.

  Using trams pulled by horses, roads were wide and the houses were build in such a way to allow people sunlight and a park.

  If Jean had to choose where to live then this city would be at the top of the list.

  Not to mention the city was in a weird legal limbo, officially it is part of the empire yet in reality, the laws, regulations and even the military was handled by the local lord.

  So it was an independent country within another countries border.

  Though the reason for that was vague for Jean, he never really had a keen mind when it comes to anything really.

  As the ship sailed to the port, a weird feeling of sadness brushed both passengers who've joined the venture.

  This was perhaps the final time that they would be able to see their new friends.

  And though their new day was filled with sadness, they were able to finally taste of their freedom.

  Captain Astana was once again bossing everyone around to carry the cargo out of the ship to sell it but before Siene and Jean could leave they were called out by both the captain and Edward.

  "Ya'll won't even say goodbye to us all!?" Astana was the first one to yell out.

  With Edward following suit "Oh, THEY HATE US!, TO THINK THAT MY FEELINGS WOULD BE HURT THIS MUCH!" He dramatically acted out as if he was shot in the heart.

  "... ignore im, he'll always be weird." Astana got closer to the pair that was leaving "You two, if you ever need a cap'tn lemme know. For my hat is yours, friends." she turned around to her ship "ALRIGHT PEOPLE, GET A MOVE ON, WE ARE MAKIN BANK TODAY!" With this statement and yelling on the ship, the pair of newly homeless and jobless pair went for their adventure.

  The duo continued on their journey, sticking together rather than going their separate ways.

  It was mostly out of convenience since it is safer to be with friends rather than going alone.

  And considering that Jean learned the true name of the mage, it wasn't a lie to say that both of them trusted each other.

  Though now there was an issue ragarding the afformantioned name.

  As the pair entered an inn that was recommended to them by their now ex-captain Astana, they could see why it was recommended.

  It was cheap and did not have many patrons, perfect for resting and overall recovery from a voyage.

  "We need a room." Siene asked the barkeeper

  "one or two rooms?" The barkeeper had a weird face, more reminiscent of a mask made from porcelain.

  "two please and with food if possible."

  "That would be 8 Irons, 3 for one room and 1 for a meal, good enough?"

  "decent and thank you."

  Jean did not speak and before he even could Siene already took her key and left. "I-uhh am gonna also go."

  "Of course, let me know if you require any assistance." the barkeeper was emotionless but Jean wanted a soft bed so he did not care.

  As he went up the stairs he felt exhausted, his body and legs were also not used to the sea and he almost fell when going upstairs.

  With him locking the door to his room and simply falling on the bed he fell asleep, much faster than on the ship he served.

  His sleep though was quickly disturbed by the sun and a strong knock on the door.

  "ughh... I am going, I am going. God forbid I try to sleep." opening the door he saw Siene stand there, ready to depart.

  "Get down and eat after that we are going by my plan, unless you have a plan yourself."

  "My plan was to sleep and rest up."

  "Then it is too bad you are stuck with me, also wash up, you smell." Jean had a decent-ish sleep but I guess it is better to listen to her.

  After washing up, putting on fresh clothes and going donwstairs he sat on the table assigned to both him and Siene.

  "Do we have a plan, or are we just gonna go around asking for a job."

  "We in fact do have a plan." She said biting into a sandwich. "Local lord needs mercenaries to go and scout out the wilderness."

  "You mean meat shields."

  "correct, but we have an advantage and we will be paid handsomely."

  "doubt it, if you mean that we will go to him and say, 'we are special please pay us more' than I would be very and I mean very dissapointed in you."

  "Normally I would agree but." sipping on the she pointed a cup at Jean "while you might be nothing more than a meat bag with a pointy weapon, I am a mage, thought by the archmage himself."

  "..." he took a slow bite "cwool"

  "Stop eating with your mouth fu-"

  Silence followed, and a familiar feeling followed.

  "She is right, my friend." a sound of a cane hitting the floor was heard. "talking with your mouth full of food is indeed quite rude."

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  "..." Jean was not happy with the arrival of this creep. "I have upheld my end of the deal, leave."

  "OH I KNOW, I just thought that this soul would require some guidance as all" The face mask of a raven and a coat as green as winter grass, it was clear who he was. One called as the

  "Bookkeeper or might I call thee the Librarian." It seems the barkeeper was also immune to the stopping of time.

  Jean was quite weirded out, since now there were THREE weirdos surrounding him. "AH, my truest apologies your everlasting lordship" the librarian bowed "I did not know this establishment was under your, benevolent rulership."

  "Thy presence is unsatisfactory to mine existence."

  "I am sure it is, you clay skin, but sadly I cannot leave." Librarian pointed at Jean "I made a deal with this child after all."

  "So thy has sold a soul to a being of unknown origin."

  "I wanted to give my brother a better life." Jean answered, not hesitating for even a moment.

  "Thou would have a better chance to deal with an archfiend of Pime." The barkeeper poured some hot tea for the both of them. "For thy to trust the one who has all knowledge, means thy has lost the meaning for themselves."

  "...what" Jean did not understand a word.

  "He means to say that trusting ME is a downright horrible idea and that you must have been desperate."

  "well... yeah, that is why I am here."

  "..." the barkeeper looked in silence.

  "and what was that about an 'Archfiend'"

  "Uhh... okay imagine a demon but smarter, more cunning and with enough ego to give the Empire a run for it's money."

  "okayyy..."

  "now, multiply that by ten, and you get an Archfiend." bookeeper smells the tea "you sure know how to make it." he sips "As for Pime, that is where they reside, they don't really go out of their realm nor do they want to really, OH but if you do come across one, then ignore them. They hate that but it's not like they will kill you."

  "Is thou looking out for thy life."

  "of COURSE I AM, this kid has." he looked at Jean "ssssomee... talent"

  "HUH"

  "but he is a good kid."

  "YOU CAN'T JUST IGN-"

  "Though a bit loud, hm?" Bookeeper looked around and saw the air crack like glass, originating from the mage that arrived with Jean. "Holy crap."

  "Thy companion is skilled."

  "more like law defying, I guess it's time to leave, thanks for the tea." with that the bookeeper left through the door

  "I fear I must leave thee as well, I have doubts of meeting again, but I desire thy a pleasant journey." the barkeeper left as well but it was more like he evaporated, for there was nothing that even gave a clue that he was here.

  As the surrounding cracked more and more, it could no longer hold and time had no choice but to resume.

  Siene looked exhausted, out of breath but not physically, more like mentally.

  Before Jean could say a word, she spoke up.

  "What in the worlds was THAT."

  "uhhh..."

  "DO NOT UHHH ME, TELL ME!"

  "That was a bookeeper, I don't know his name and he is a major reason I am stuck here."

  "Oh no."

  "hm? something the matter?"

  "The barkeeper, he isn't here nor anyone else."

  Jean did not notice but, yeah Siene was right everyone was gone.

  "Jean."

  "yeah..."

  "WHATEVER HAPPENS, you will NOT speak of this to ANYONE and if this happens again you WILL tell me"

  "Why should I, are you my mom."

  "You don't even have a mom"

  "How do you-"

  "You told me."

  "oh. Still why should I tell you, what if I don't wanna"

  "Cause you just met a God."

  "... you alright"

  Siene sighed "you met a Kan to be more specific, a being born from a leaf of the Soul Tree, at least that is how the legend goes, he was one of the three protectors of the Empire. The Golem of Life 'Kargasang', there were rumours of them coming back but this is too much."

  "isn't good that the protector is back?"

  "..." Sighing again. "I will be honest, I don't know if we should be scared or not but him actually existing in our current time means that, well I don't know what it can mean." she sat down on the floor of now empty bar "it can either mean we are all dead, or it can mean that a war is soon to arrive or it can mean nothing." She looked down "Kans are being not bound by laws of this Omkha, they are a byproducts of this world's birth, they weild the power to lower mountains, create ravines and destroy civilization just because." she looked at Jean "yet at the same time, they can protect those in need, help build monuments and give comfort to those who are weak." she stood up "They are just like us, easily controlled by emotions, yet too strong to feel them and because of that they are too dangerous."

  Jean looked at the table "I see..."

  Siene's mind was filled with guilt, perhaps she said too much without providing any actual explanation or maybe she felt like she was lying just to comfort the both of them.

  The duo continued their journey, although was more of Siene going to her destination with Jean following in suit acting as a bodyguard.

  Strolling through the city it was more apparent that the city was much more colorful, building were decorated in all sorts of colors with gardens hanging on balconies and fruit trees providing shade to streets.

  There were also many public fountains and drinking fountains, that provided water during the insane heat in the morning.

  Not to mention that most buildings also had a tall tower with what seemed like a blades, from what Siene said it provided the building with cool air by "catching" the wind, a much cheaper alternative to active cooling from ice or magic stones.

  With two of them passing through the city, they seem to have finally reached their destination.

  A mansion surrounded by orchards and a brick fence. outside of which guards were protecting the area.

  Their gear was impressive as well, a musket, clothing that provided plenty of defense while not overheating the wearer, pistol on the hip and what seemed like a sabre on a hip as well, all claded in white and green colors.

  So that most of the heat from the sun could be deflected.

  Before Siene could even speak, the gates opened.

  It seems that they already knew of the arrival of the duo.

  Without even a word two guards followed Jean and Siene as an escort.

  And arrived at the front of the manor.

  The manor was as white as a bone, with tones of green scattered around.

  While smaller than those on the mainland it was still quite impressive, with large windows allowing plenty of sunlight, lamps that would lit up the road to the manor as well as buildings around the manor were as big as the manor itself and regal too.

  The surrounding area was also covered up by large pieces of green cloth that provided shade from the sun.

  If there was a comparison between manors of the mainland and this one then it would be simple.

  The ones on the mainland focused on looking expensive and on making you feel like an ant while here they focused on providing shelter, safety and comfort.

  While smaller than even the most "cheapest" manor in Cerillia, it felt more welcoming than any church could.

  "Ah madam mage, it is an honor to meet you." a man who seemed to be the butler waited at the entrance "Sir Cesped is waiting for you, will your bodyguard be joining you as well" he looked at Jean

  "Yes he will, and I ask that you treat him like you would treat me as well"

  "of course madam, now then I ask that you follow me."

  Opening the door and entering the manor, it was clear that this place was far from regal, most paintings seemed to be amateur at best, although some were of high quality but what was quite surprising was that the interior was quite comfortable compared to extreme heats of outside.

  And entering the audience chamber the two could hear the lord arguing with someone.

  "HELL YOU MEAN INCREASE EXPORTS, YOU GOT ANY IDEA HOW MUCH WE ARE EXPORTING AS IS"

  "This is a direct order from the main house."

  "IT IS A ROBBERY IS WHAT IT IS"

  "Perhaps you would be able to easily achive this by... minimizing the amount you eat."

  "OR MAYBE YOU CAN TELL THE MAIN HOUSE LOSE IT'S GREED."

  "I believe you sir should not talk about greed while, being and acting the way you do. It is of no surprise why you were casted out here, considering the way you act."

  "You say THAT while knowing full well that what I export is being sold at ten times the mark up while I don't even get a LICK of profits."

  "No wonder you are called the 'black middle sheep' of the House, putting profits before honor of serving the family."

  "That rotten HONOR you speak of, forced me HERE. So get out before I send the House your head instead of goods."

  "I will await good news then." a man left while ignoring the duo

  the butler entered. "Sir the guests have arrived."

  "...I hope it's not gonna be about someting stupid."

  "No sir it is a mage, that responded to your letter."

  Entering the chamber the two saw the local lord of the Island, his body was as fat as his arrogance and his face showed no emotion other than annoyance and sorrow.

  For He was the Lord of the City, Media CespedA black sheep of House Cesped.