Route 1: Bandits and Ice Part 1

**Scarlet Aubrielle**

“So what do you think about thee food that I cooked?” I asked after each and one of us have already finished the food and now there is a specific knight that is collecting the plates that we have used and also is assigned to clean them as well.

“It was delicious my lady”

“Honestly, I thought it is something that a chef from the duchy has made”

“When did you learn how to cook, my lady? Do you have any plans of actually being a cook or anything?”

“I think, Lady Scarlet is actually good in anything that she does”

“Well, I agree. I am really surprised that she is able to cook such delicious food.”

Those are just the few things that they have said and I cannot help but to let out chuckle. Well, this is really the first time that I have received such amazing words ever since that I came to this world. Well, of course my parents and Calyx often praise me but still it is different from being praised and complimented by other people outside of your family.

In my previous life, I am also often praised and complimented because of my achievements in life, however without those achievements I am simply just an ordinary girl. Someone who does things that normal people would do and someone who should be pitied because of the fact that I have lost my parents when I was still young and I have left with little insurance to keep me supported until I reach high school only and the moment that I have reached my senior high school year - 2 years before I officially entered the tertiary level, I became used to working during the night and studying during the day.

In fact, now that I am living a new life with a body that does not really belong to me, I cannot help but to be amused of how was I able to survive such a life. Well, I guess I was just really focused on my goal before and the fact that I wanted to forget the tragedy of my life.

“You really cooked some delicious meals my lady, I think that young master Calyx would be pleased when he learned and got to try the food that you cook” Theo said with a smile plastered on his face.

To be honest, this is actually the first time that I have seen Theo smile genuinely, well he did greats me when we cross paths but the thing is, he had always have this barrier around him - it seems like he is just preserving the fact that he is just a knight and we - Calyx and I are his masters and there is no need for him to act that close to us. Even if he literally grew up with Calyx and that he also grew up watching over Scarlet Aubrielle.

Actually, I am completely clueless that ever since Theo was a child he would already guard the original Scarlet, but then one of the previous nights I have dreamed of something. I thought it was something about my past life or what is destined to happen in the distant future that I already know of, but I was shocked when it was a memory of the original Scarlet when she was still young and in that memory, I have seen Theo almost all of the time.

Because of those facts, he really have the right to act friendly with us not to mention that there is not much of a difference between our age - he could honestly pass as my other older brother because just like Calyx, he had always been with Scarlet. Even in the original story line of the game, when Calyx was alive and even when he died he remained by Scarlet’s side protecting her not just because Calyx ordered to do so because he knew that he has the duty to do so - a duty as an older brother.

And it is not just my assumption but in fact he had said it - he had that line in the game.

“Well, when we come back victorious maybe I will really cook a meal for my family and also for you guys. So, make sure that each and one of you will come back alive so that I will be able to cook for you again” that is what I said as I let out a smile.

They all looked at each other for a while then they looked back at me - then they smiled and synchronously said - Yes, my lady.

Well, of course they will come back alive. Again, I am not going to let anyone die - not on my watch.

*

**Third Person’s Point of View**

While the group of Scarlet Aubrielle is packing their things so that they can already resume their journey towards the center of the Ixtal Empire where the imperial palace is located, Theo suddenly stopped from moving and he worriedly looked at the young lady.

Scarlet Aubrielle not slow to catch on with Theo’s reaction, she knew that something was up because Theo will not even act in such manner if there isn’t. And so, she immediately closed her eyes and started to release her mana a little bit in the surroundings - it is a way to detect if there are anyone or anything that is surrounding them, giving as well a clear detail how many are there near the area and it is something that she have learned in one of the books found in the library of their household.

The moment that she opened her eyes means that she successfully scanned the area and she cannot help but to grit her teeth in annoyance because of what she found out.

“My lady you have to get inside the carriage fast” that is what Theo said however, she immediately faced him and said.

“No need to hide everything from me. I will soon see a bloodbath the only difference is that these are humans that we are going to eliminate and those that we are to eliminate later on are monsters of the dungeon”

Theo them was surprised of what he just heard from the young lady - he really cannot believe what he just heard and he cannot help but to think that it could be the young lady was able to notice that right at this moment, they are actually being surrounded by about thirty people.

It was actually stupid of him not to realize sooner that of course it is already dark and nighttime is actually the favorite time of the day of not only a monster but also humans who act like monsters. And now, technically it is his fault that the young lady, Scarlet Aubrielle was about to be exposed to danger.

However, then again he is extremely surprised of what she just said - it is as if she already knew that they are being surrounded, but then again the big question still remains and that is ‘how?’

“My lady, it is much better if you are to reserve your energy later during the subjugation. We can handle this” that is what Theo said obviously, trying his best to convince the young lady to go to her carriage and stay there until the cost is clear.

He believes that even if she is the one who is going to lead the team as they are to go deeper in the new dungeon that has appeared, still she is also a lady that they need to protect and he doesn’t know what to do if something were to happen to her that is why he is being cautious.

“Don’t worry, it is better to fight with you guys than to let you handle it alone. I am not the only one who needs energy to enter the dungeon tomorrow, you guys need it to so, it is totally unfair if I am the only one who didn’t even break a sweat. Right now and until the expedition had finished I am not the young lady that you need to protect but rather your leader and a person that will fight with you”

Scarlet Aubrielle said and it is loud enough for the other nine knights to hear - it was not only Theo who felt the presence of the thirty people surrounding them. In fact, it is not even that hard to detect them because even if they are using a magic that will hide their presence - the Elvoi Ice Knights are quite skilled in being able to not be constrained by that magic.

Theo doesn’t know whether he is going to be happy with what he heard or sad - but the thing is the next words that came out of Scarlet Aubrielle’s mouth literally shook his whole world and he didn’t expect her to pul out such a thing, it is as if she had known everything right from the start and that she just pretended not to because of the fact that it is what her family wants. But at the same time, such a thing is quite scary because if that is the case then perhaps they don’t know who is Scarlet Aubrielle exactly?

“Now, what should we do about these people who dares to ambush us and ruin our trip?Well, maybe it is best if we used the Elvoian way huh?”