Guilford and the Mayor spent a few hours in the old man's office talking about leads the knight presented. Over the course of their discussion, Guilford learned that the fighting near the knight borders are getting fiercer by the day. Entire Villages have been razed if not taken over, the knights' defensive line pressured thin in trying to prevent the taint from spreading any further. In addition, survivors show up every now and then to knight controlled towns seeking refuge.<br/><br/>Guilford pondered at the news.<span style="color: #0080FF">"So they've begun to move, and we're actually losing ground. This is bad..."</span>The Mayor could only nod his head in agreement. "I'm afraid so. Although Jenault is quite far from the knight borders, it's only a matter of time before the fighting reaches us at this rate. Euri's unit too have come across Sinners while on patrol every now and then. Nothing he couldn't handle though." the old man added.<br/><br/><span style="color: #0080FF">"Has Jenault come across any of those survivors you mentioned?"</span>Guilford asked out of curiosity. Once again the old man nodded. "We certainly did. Not to worry though, Dyce always followed your instructions to the letter for newcomers." the Mayor proudly informed, reassuring Guilford on the matter.<br/><br/>Guilford's earlier worried expression softened somewhat,<span style="color: #0080FF">"I see. Then there is no cause for worry."</span>The Mayor chuckled at the Seraph's words. "Master Guilford worries too much. We have been used to life without protection from the knighthood, you have taught us to defend ourselves, there is nothing to fear." smiled the Mayor.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I'm afraid I haven't done enough--"</span>The Mayor stood up from his seat and cut off Guilford's words midway.<br/><br/>"You've done more than enough Master Guilford. Come, this type of conversation always gets me hungry. I'm sure the townsfolk have finished preparing the food at the Great Hall. I will have the people gather your squad and companions. It's time to feast!"<br/><br/>Guilford could only smile sheepishly and follow the Mayor outside his office. Before stepping out of the room entirely, Guilford looked back at the large window that had an overlooking view of town. What used to be rubble and destroyed infrastructure was now replaced by livelihood and new homes. It was much better than the first time he was here.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________</div><br/><br/><br/>In the meantime, the rest of Guilford's squad has been called to the Great Hall. The people have also gathered, eager to share a meal with the knights who helped re-establish their town. All of them have fallen to relaxed coversation, observant eyes roaming the townsfolk who flocked the hall. It has been quite a while since anyone celebrated their accomplishments. Events like these happen next to never in both Gless or Lindela. It certainly had that pleasant air of being significant.<br/><br/>The squad's eyes shifted to the doors when several other knights came in. Adair, Seraphim, Valiar and Deimos walked towards their assigned long table to join the rest of Guilford's squad. Brynhildr was somewhat relieved to see them but couldn't help wondering where the rest of them were. She had asked her fellow Vice Captain only to learn that the rest have made extra effort to see all of town and that they had retired to bed early. A shame, they would have loved sampling these people's cooking. It was one of the best things you can't get in Lindela or Gless.<br/><br/>Some thirty minutes later, Guilford walked in along with the town's Mayor and joined the rest of the knights. He too inquired about Lethe from Adair but received the same answer Brynhildr did. Frowning just a little, Guilford took his place in the middle of both squads. When the Mayor stepped up to the only pedestal in the hall, the people's chatter fell into silence. Words of praise and pleasantries followed in the form of a short speech dedicated to the knights. After a few more words of wisdom, cheering rocked the entire hall, signifying the start of the feast.<br/><br/>But before anyone could begin their meal, the doors of the hall flung open, revealing a young man of dark red hair making his way inside. He was clad in light leather armor, had the eyes of a warrior, and carried himself with pride. One look and anyone could tell that he is an accomplished fighter. He had the familiar sword<span style="font-style: italic">Judgement</span>sheathed in his left hand but by no means was he a knight.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"It's Euri! He made it just in time for the feast! Come lad, join us!"</span><br/><br/>The way he was addressed and revered by the people signified that he was an important person to the townsfolk. The young man eased the cheers for him with a gesture of his hand asking the people to settle down. He had his eyes trained at one of the long tables, Guilford's in particular. He made his way to the front of the said table and knelt down with respect to the man.<br/><br/>"Teacher, it's good to see you again. Welcome back." he said with a warm smile. Guilford returned the smile and gestured for the man to rise.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I told you countless times to stop calling me that but, likewise Euri. Come, you're just in time for the feast. Join us."</span>he invited.<br/><br/>The young man simply shook his head lightly. "Before that teacher, if it's not too much to ask, I would like to request a match with you."<br/><br/>The hall was filled with gasps and shock. The Mayor too couldn't believe what he just heard. "Euri! Do not be so rude! We are just about to eat! Couldn't this wait?"<br/><br/>Guilford raised a hand to calm the people down. As a knight of the Seraph rank, he was forbidden to indulge in such acts of showmanship or to take part in any needless fighting. He however was just about to make an exception.<span style="color: #0080FF">"Very well. I also wanted to see how much you have improved. Come, let us take this outside."</span><br/><br/>The rest of Guilford's squad had curious looks in their faces. They all knew that Guilford was the one who taught the man the art of the sword. It was interesting enough to see how much the young man had grasped his teacher's lessons. "Hah! The Captain against that puppy! This I gotta see!" Afrei said and got up immediately to follow the two. The others appear to share the same interest and went outside as well, except for Bryn who stayed behind for the sake of the others from Lethe's squad.<br/><br/>"Sorry about that. You guys must have been eager to feast. This happens quite a lot every time Euri sees the Captain. It's fun to watch so I suggest we go and have a look. Who knows? That kid might beat the Captain this time around." she said, even knowing that the thought itself was ridiculous.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________</div><br/><br/><br/>Outside, the townsfolk had formed a circle of people in the open space before the hall. Guilford and Euri stood face to face in the middle. There was silence in the air heavy with anticipation. The young man had his sword drawn with its blade pointed at the knight before him. Guilford on the other hand stood there, one arm behind his back and the other extended towards the young man with an open palm poised in a come-hither gesture.<br/><br/>"Aren't you going to draw your sword teacher?" asked the red-haired man.<br/><br/>Guilford shook his head.<span style="color: #0080FF">"No. The sword I have now isn't meant for sparring."</span><br/><br/>"I guess I'll just have to force you to draw it then!" the young man shouted and kicked the ground without warning, dashing towards Guilford.<br/><br/>He opened the match with an overhead slash that was easily evaded with a simple sway to the side by Guilford. The red-haired man immediately followed with an upward slash after his miss that was once again evaded with a sway back. Alfrei who was joined by the others from his squad observed the match with a crooked smile. "The kid's moves have become sharper." he voiced out only for his companions to agree to the notion.<br/><br/>Following two misses in a row, the red-haired man took a step back, positioning his footing to execute three thrusts that were also easily avoided with sways. He followed up with a big move, a spinning side slash that Guilford avoided by ducking low. The red-haired young man grinned and immediately used the spin's momentum to launch a kick of his own aimed for Guilford's chest. The knight however, saw the move coming from a mile away. Using his extended arm, he blocked the impact with his palm and knocked the young man's foot aside. Guilford successfuly disrupted the young man's balance for a moment but had more than enough time to land an open palm hit using the same hand he blocked with to the young man's chest.<br/><br/>The red-haired young man staggered back from the hit but quickly regained his balance, only to notice he was pushed out of sword range. He grinned once more and took up his stance, calculating his next move while watching Guilford take up his own stance as well.<br/><br/>Georg looked to his side upon noticing Bryn just arriving to the scene. "So, how's the kid holding up?" she asked. Georg looked at his Vice Captain and chuckled. "He's gotten better, but Captain's got the opening hit as always." Brynhildr sighed and chuckled as well, turning her gaze to the two who were sparring in the open. "Kid's still got a lot to learn apparently. The Captain's taking it easy on him if he's unarmed like that."<br/><br/>The red-haired young man attacked relentlessly, but not once had he managed to land a hit, much less push Guilford even a step back. However, Guilford finds himself getting pressured as the young man's attacks became sharper and sharper. It would appear that Euri has been working hard on his speed and precision. Blocking a forceful strike with his gauntlet, Guilford pushed Euri's sword arm away and landed another open palm hit, this time strong enough to knock Euri down to the ground.<span style="color: #0080FF">"I think that's enough for today Euri. You've done well."</span>Guilford said and slowly turned around.<br/><br/>Heaving huge breaths and still hot with adrenaline, Euri staggered back to his feet and looked at Guilford's back. For whatever reason, he thought of it as an opening and charged in for a slash recklessly. Guilford noticed too late and was forced to draw his sword and counter with an upward slash. A sharp sound rang in the air followed by two pieces of Euri's sword flying upwards. Guilford's sea blue blade sliced Euri's<span style="font-style: italic">Judgement</span>clean, wounding the young man's left cheek in the process.<br/><br/>The silence that followed left a bad taste in the atmosphere. Things went a little out of hand and Guilford was not too pleased with how his apprentice acted. Stern eyes falling to the young man, Guilford sheathed his sword.<span style="color: #0080FF">"You let your judgement become clouded. A warrior should know when he is defeated. Had I not held back, you would have been killed instantly Euri."</span>With the light of<span style="font-style: italic">Healing</span>now glowing in his right hand, Guilford treated Euri's wound and left the young boy to reflect on his actions. For a moment, he was forced to switch to combat mode and felt something amiss in the air. Guilford silently walked back to the Great Hall without saying a word to anybody. He could only hope that he was mistaken.