There was an awkward moment among them that rendered a gist of uneasiness to Sloane.
"What are you talking about Nine?" Jack asked him breaking the silence.
"We don't know what you are talking about." Orlellian asserted.
"You hid your identity from us and now you disagree with the truth."
"Elaborate what you said Nine." Sloane impatiently asked him. One of the categories of people she disliked were those who beat about the bush.
"They at first I thought were commoners. But they are illegitimate sons of Count Anderton."
"They are nobles?"
"Precisely. Unlike us who have a commoner's blood in our veins, they are half nobility. These who considered themselves assassins were involved in mass murder cases in high society. They if I assume correctly being nobles had the highest chances of committing murder. Although they were victims who were nobles involved in scandals, corruption, and illegal activity like slave trading and the underground black market."
"You seem to be keeping tabs on us. How can you prove we are sons of some noble we don't know?" Ernesto rebuked him.
"Oh really?"
"There it is, the evil grin! The air around him has darkened." Jack and Sloane flinched slowly backing away.
"Where do you think I have been living? And before Nirvana's residence where do you think I worked to earn my living? You don't know a thing or two about me whereas I know the identity of the kingdom's mysterious Lord of Crimes."
They felt their stomachs churning out of guilt. They were choked with their saliva.
"Your words are not easily understood Nine." Sloane retorted.
"I will tell you the rest after we settle down my lady. We still have a few hours before we leave so let's replenish our supplies before we leave."
"He is right my lady the others seem to have finished with the restocking and are ready to depart. It's only we who are wasting time."
"T-then let's get it done quickly before we are doomed to face commander's wrath." Nine replied and hurried with the rest.
"We should be wary of him from now in brother Orlellian."
"What are talking about Ernesto?"
"I thought he was just a mere commoner who meant no harm to us. But it seems I have misjudged him."
"Indeed. On top of that he and that boy Jack will be officially recognized as nobles in high society."
"They might not have much influence but who knows to what heights they might pave a path to."
They left the town in the afternoon. It was their luck that the place was a shortcut to the West Range. Atlanta being a country with a smaller area expanded its land through wars in the last decade. As a result, many new towns and villages were built across the country. Though most of the older ones were annihilated and erased off the new map of the kingdom. It has become half to that of an empire.
"If the Nethiloria and Atlanta were to combine, we could be one invincible empire on the continent."
"Did you say something, my lady?"Jack suddenly interfered with her thoughts.
" No! No, it's nothing. Just wondering about something that popped into my mind. Nothing more.Ahaha!"
"If you say so."
-"It's a bit suspicious but she is acting weird."
"Look we are closer to the foot of the mountain." Someone called out.
"The commander is here!" A knight pointed at the man in the blue and white uniform.
"You have done well in tracking time." He said as he covered his squinted eyes looking at the sun.
"I wish there were hand-sized 'clocks' with us."
"They are watches, Jack. They are afforded normally by the nobles. But I see that you will receive one once you become a knight."
"You are right my lady. It keeps surprising me that the age limit of becoming a knight is barely taken into consideration."
"I hope the new monarch will take care of this problem soon."
"Why is it a problem?"
"I do not like children losing their childhood days to knighthood. These are the days of playing and messing around with friends and sharing warm moments with family. I am against such a rule which deprives children of their rights."
-"My lady cares about people more than herself."He smiled looking at her eyes which were redder than blood in the sunset.
"But you are my influence, my lady. Had it not been for you. I wouldn't have ever had thought of taking this path. You opened the way for me. I am deeply indebted to you my lady. Thank you."
"It's not me who opened doors for you, Jack. Its God. So better thank him for it."
There was no other conversation. They set their camp after the inspection of their surroundings. Night drew in and the campfires were lit up. The knights did not talk freely under Lauren's presence. They took turns to guard their current post.
"It's our turn Nine." Sloane got up with the others.
Jack and the twins moved in different directions. However, Sloane followed Nine.
"You are too impatient to hear the story, my lady."
"Tell me what did you do in the past?"
"I did nothing wrong as far as I am concerned."
"Sigh*That not what I mean."
"How do you know things that I am not aware of?"
"Then I will get straight to the point."
"You know I hate it when people don't get to the point."
"Sigh*You left me no choice, my lady. I worked for the dark guild."