Osbert allowed Delphine and Simon to enter the city, and he led the way towards the palace. Some of the citizens turned their gaze to the two demon hunters who entered the city and stared openly at them. Half of those people already knew who they were, but the others doubted their existence and assumed that they were asking for more than just gold. They thought the demon hunters made deals with dark beings and brought death and agony to the humans. But, the other side of the citizens believed them to be heroes who were sent by the gods to save them.
Delphine and Simon paid no attention to the people of Bebbanburg and continued to follow Osbert as the morning is ongoing. The day will come when they will ask for the assistance of the two hunters and defend the city against the next demonic invasion. The day will also occur when the earl of the town will step down from his throne and give his life to protect the people against their greatest enemies. Delphine and Simon were pretty tired and needed some time to rest their legs before the night comes for them. Unfortunately, they were not here to celebrate some feast that the earl might have planned for them; they were here for a much higher reason.
"There are a lot of people staring at this. Children are doing it too. I've never had this many people take a look at us before," Simon said.
"They must have already heard about us. It may be a good thing for them because we have done so much for even those we don't even know," Delphine said.
"It's as if they're letting us through without a second thought. I think they believe us to be leaders or something," he said.
"I did not come all this way to overthrow the earl. That would be a direct betrayal. Of course, if something bad happens to him, we will not hesitate to help him out. Even the leaders of the people need guidance from those who have enough experience with demons to protect this town. If we did it for Gisbourne, we'd have to do it again for other large cities and villages."
"I love to hear much about what happens around here and what these people think of us. Perhaps they might invite us over for a feast or allow us to tell them tales of our victories."
Simon spoke to Delphine as if he knew every aspect that the nordic people have in store for people who fight the night creatures. The only difference about the northern cities is that those places have people who wish to test the might of others who have strength and courage inside them.
"That sounds great. I wouldn't mind telling them about me, but it may not be worth all the trouble we will have to face," Delphine said.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right. Given the fact that we travel from city to city with nobody to offer us a ride to our next location," Simon said.
"You're a demon hunter, and you don't like walking in the outdoors? Never heard someone think like that before," she said.
"I don't know what you mean. I didn't say I never liked being outside. Of course, I like exploring the outside world. But, me saying nobody offers us a ride is just a minor problem."
"Just remember, you and I have a lot to say to the earl. Be prepared to answer a bunch of questions from him. After that, we both will be facing a dire threat emerging from the demons."
Even in cities that seemed like there will be trouble brewing wherever they go, Delphine still became concerned about what might happen. People may seem very friendly to others, but there is a bigger chance that it may affect the reason why the demon hunters are in Bebbanburg. Osbert did not care about the conversation Delphine and Simon were having, and he never stopped them for anything. His only reason for bringing them to the palace is because the earl might be the one to give him all the answers. They all walked on because of how much they cared about doing this business and doing it right amongst the citizens.
Then, they all stood before the entrance of the palace, and Osbert opens the doors and allowed the two hunters to step inside. Since he was known a lot in Bebbanburg, he was allowed to enter anywhere because he is the most trusted person in the city. They walked inside and were being led to the throne room as the guards were taking a look at Delphine and Simon. They mostly stared at Delphine's black armor and greatsword; they believed her sword could cut off the head of a giant. Osbert opened the door of the vast room and saw the earl and his wife sitting on their thrones and turning their gazes upon their new guests.
They watch Delphine and Simon walk towards them and were getting surprised by the way they appeared. Delphine wore entirely black armor with her cloak sliding on the floor, and Simon wore hunting armor; his cloak hides all the critical features of what he wore. The earl stands up and walks down a few steps and looked at Osbert, strolling towards him with some news to offer. His name is Einar, and his wife's name is Katherine. Both of them both ruled with an iron hand and ruled Bebbanburg for ten years.
"Osbert, who are these people? I know I told you to guard those doors with your life," Einar said.
"And so I have, my liege. But, these people are far different than other strangers who come here," Osbert said.
"If what you say is true, then there must be something these two are capable of."
"Your excellence, these two are the ones who have been talked about since yesterday. I bring you the Ebony Knight and the demon hunter who is with her."
"What? So it's true. Bring them to me."
Then, Osbert stands back and lets Delphine and Simon walk towards Einar as some of the guards were walking towards the doors. They did not recall accepting strangers, so they made sure that nobody comes in or out of the throne room.
"My servants and my people seem to know quite a lot about you. It's fitting to see how much they care about those who swing their swords against the demons," Einar said.
"Such has been our purpose for our entire lives. It's a task that I must never abandon," Delphine said.
"Since you have been getting very popular as of late, I would like to hear the names of the ones who have done such heroic deeds," he said.
"My name is Delphine. And this person is my comrade. His name is Simon."
The earl becomes astounded after learning the names of the two demon hunters, and his wife acted very suspiciously towards them. She assumed that they did not follow the laws of their city and live to bring danger wherever they walk.
"I find it impossible to hear you two easily came in through those doors. Surely, all of this must have been a mistake," Katherine said.
"No mistake, your highness. I'm the one who let them in. They are our guests and should be treated as such," Osbert said. Then, Katherine ignored his words and slowly walked towards Delphine and Simon and had statements to be told to only one of them.
"Which one of you is leader?" She asked. Delphine did not answer her, but Simon lifts his hand and points at Delphine; she looked at Simon weirdly and had no idea what would happen next.
Then, Katherine walked over to the Ebony Knight and looked all over her body, and she grabs onto Delphine's left hand and lifts it to see what kind of person she is. She then rubs Delphine's ebony armor with her hands to feel how tough it is; she could tell just by looking at her that Delphine is not like the northerners.
"You're not a Dane," Katherine said. Then, she smells Delphine's body to see where she came from, but it was almost impossible to tell what her scent is.
"I do not know this scent, but I do know that you're Saxon. But, there's something different about you. What sort of tricks are you up to?" She asked.
"My blood is different. But I cannot tell you. Otherwise, you will rise against me and call me a traitor," Delphine answered.
Then, Katherine said to her, "I thought you might have known this. The Danes and Saxons are not allies. You'd do well then know that you have entered Viking territory. You are speaking with the ones who are in charge of this city. We worship Odin, and Valhalla is where we go when we die. Disrupt my city, spew nonsense around my people, and I'll send you and your friend to your Christian god."