The words touched the hearts of everyone, especially the duke's family. Irene let go of him after a few moments. Wiping he tears she spoke, " I forbid you, all of you, infact she looked at all the boys. Never put your life on the line for my sake. NEVER AGAIN...." Irene glared at all six of them.
"Tell us that you don't consider us your friends. That we are not friends and I promise you, we will do as you asked of us now." Dave asked seriously. This sentence deflated all the anger and frustration in Irene heart.
She panicked, " who told we are not friends. You are all my friends for life. Even if we start living on the different corner of this world you guys will always be my best friends.
Dave then placed his arm over Irene's shoulder with a warm smile. See you can't, and the same way, we also can't. Come I am feeling hungry. Get me something delicious to eat."
Irene smiled and swatted his hand playfully.
Frederick was surprised by the closeness and the bond between these kids. Its was hardly an year and in such a short period of time, Irene had gained friends who were putting their life on line to safeguard her.
"This is what True Friendship means." Fredrick thought.
Take all of these bastard to the prision. Victor instructed the guards.
"And general, instruct them to tie their hand and legs together onto their backs. I don't want anyone to try and commit suicide. I will personally get the answer from them if you can't." Dave informed Victor with an evil grin.
Victor shivered Visibly. Frederick observing this was curious to know more about these amazing lads.
Even though, Samuel, Victor and Lillian had recalled their encounter with the bandits and how a single boy had taken more than 200 of them, he was skeptical but watching them in action today. He believed them.
Once inside. Irene began introducing everyone to her father. Who even being a Duke was a patient man and also a loving father.
He thanked all the boys from the bottom of his heart and asked, if they need anything. The boys politely refused him, saying, "Rewards are given to strangers for their help and not to the friends who stood together when time comes."
Frederick was deeply impressed by the boys and their maturity. " But still as a father, I want to do something."
In that case your grace, " please donate the gold you want to give us to the Guildmaster Stan. That will be utilized for the treatment and healing of the adventurs who gets injured during their missions." Alan requested.
Frederick was taken abak but was truely impressed. He noded his head. "The gold will reach him within 10 days."
All the boys bowed deeply to Fredrick with satisfaction.
"And your grace, do you know anything about one of the rarest metal called Mythril?" Alan asked.
Frederick noded in exitement. "Of course lad. It is said to be one of the rarest metal to ever exist in this world. I always wanted a sword made from Mythril, alsa its not only hard but highly impossible to get our hands on one."
Alan smiled mischievously. " Your grace, you are in luck. Master Steve will be crafting 5 mythril swords in a short while. You can get your hands on one if you like."
Whaaaat !!!! Frederick, Samuel and even Victor were all dumbfounded, their mouth agape.
"How..... How did he.... ?"
"It doesn't matter your grace. You can get the sword now, that's what matters the most." Alan smiled.
Fredrick noded in agreement and smiled. "It's such a great news lads. Thank you for the information."
"Don't worry father, Al had already informed master Steve of your arrival. I believe he had a hunch." Irene said confidently.
"My child why do I feel you look.... Different?" Fredrick scrutinized her.
"She is learning the combat arts from these boys." Saamuel announced proudly.
"What!!!! Irene... You learning combat arts? How?" Fredrick was flabbergasted by this news.
Irene smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
It was past the lunch time when they came to the dining hall. As per the instructions passed down by Irene, They had prepared a huge feast. Initially the cook and the servers were confused and skeptical as Irene had instructed to prepare the feast for a 50 people but now they found only 9 of them.
But as the dishes were served they understood the reason. Even Irene who was a pickey eater was eating with gusto. Her parents were astonished by the increase in her appetite.