"Alright, alright! I'm just saying that because I find the Knights' loyalty to the King similar to our faith in Mavislin. So, in the first place, why did you want to join us?" asked Bryan, patting Rina's head as if she was an angry puppy.
"I wanted to join because she reminded me of my mentor... But when I fought for her during the final clash, I realized that Mavislin was another person. She didn't care if I was an enemy. So long as I could fight for her, it was good enough for Mavislin."
"And joining the Arks made me feel like I was in a real family again... I don't have many memories about my past before I became a student under a Valkyrie, but I know one thing."
"And that is?"
"I will never regret my oath to Mavislin. No matter what, anyone's words will not falter or sway me from joining the Pillars. Perhaps, you were right; the Pillars are built on the loyalty of the Pillars to Mavislin. But we will never fall like how the Knights did."
"One can never be so sure about the fruits of the future. I've seen loyal dogs bite their master's behinds when the time was right. Anything can happen within these few years, weeks, or even days, so don't make statements that you might never mean."
"Then how about you? I've known that you were Minwoo's main confidante and sworn brother, but that was not the main reason why you joined the Pillars. You could've quickly become the new Marquess of the Campania with your relations to Minwoo. So what made you quit?"
"I didn't quit; I honored the Marquess's last wishes to join Mavislin in defeating the Ocrrupted One. I stayed because Mavislin was willing to fight against her brother with me despite me being an outsider. I found it... Oddly brave and honorable that Mavislin would do such a thing."
"There's one thing I want to tell you about, Rina."
The Flower Mage was caught off guard by the sudden mention of her name from Bryan. The Slayer slowly leaned closer to the flustered Butterfly Girl, causing Rina's heart to beat faster. But Bryan bypassed Rina's head and placed his chin on her shoulder.
"Don't think for a second that you've understood your boss when you have yet to see what's beneath the waters. Mavislin has been hiding things from her close allies for a century... So what makes you think we newcomers know about her history?" whispered Bryan.
"But her past lives doesn't matter... Because mine didn't matter to her when she recruited me. I won't fault her for having a bad past. All I care about is how far she will go to defend her brethren and the innocent commonfolk of the Five Domains," said Rina with confidence.
"That's good... I admire your childishness on the matter, Rina," said Bryan as he messed the Butterfly Mage's hair.
"Excuse me?! If anything, you are the one who should be the child over here! How can you say that my oath to serve Lady Roydon is a childish act when you're in the same boat as me? Did she save your life, or do you owe her favor?!" exclaimed Rina, playfully slapping the Slayer.
"We aren't in the same boat, and she doesn't owe me anything. I'm merely here because I need to fulfill the task my mother has given to me..."
"So your mother asked you to join? I thought you said that-"
"There are many reasons, but my mother was the main part of it. Anyway, I can't come home to her if I don't finish my end of the bargain... It's also the biggest feat I've ever done out of all the stunts I've pulled."
"It sounds like a threat if you don't do this task of yours... Does your mother know about the Arks, or were they good friends or something?"
"If I were to tell you, I'm required to silence you. Anyways, my apologies for my rude comment earlier. I didn't mean to insult you or your faith in Mavislin. On the contrary, your heart and loyalty are unwavering to Lady Roydon, reminiscent of the legendary Knight of Loyalty, Sir Bedivere."
The flashback ended as Rina recalled Bryan saying that her oath was like the undying faith of Bedivere to his King. But, on the other hand, she might have been too harsh on the poor lad for clinging to his beloved King Arthur.
"Your loyalty to the King was wonderful, but it's wrong at this point. Once upon a time, you were known for being the one who threw Excalibur into the Lake, allowing the King to pass on and into Avalon. Have you forgotten that? I wasn't insulting your allegiance to the King..."