After spending the night, Ryder and Benedict decided that they should head out and move to a different location to be undetected by the enemies.
"I must say those are very nice rapiers Ryder." Benedict stated.
"Thanks, I could say the same for your shield and axe." Ryder commented.
"You flatter me." Benedict remarked.
"Come let us move out now." Ryder stated.
"Agreed." Benedict followed.
The two of them went down from the hill and traversed to an entire forest, after they finished walking, they eventually stumbled themselves in locating a nearby town.
"Look ahead, there's a town, maybe we can take refuge there for now!" Ryder said as he started to rush towards the town.
"Sometimes I don't know whether he has a plan or being reckless..." Benedict mumbles to himself.
Benedict follows on suite and catches up to Ryder as they travelled around the humble town.
"Man I feel a little hungry..." Ryder said as he held his grumbling stomach.
"Well we can't simply go eating somewhere without money." Benedict said.
"You do have a point..." Ryder said.
"Hey there strangers, you lost?" A voice called out.
Benedict and Ryder both tilted their heads to the person who was talking to them.
In front of them was a beautiful woman in her 20s with purple hair and hazel eyes, smoking a pipe, looking at them with a smirk look
"Guess I can show you two handsome gentlemen around..." The woman said teasingly, placing her hands on both of their shoulders
Both Ryder and Benedict were surprised, as both tilted their heads.
"Oh no need to worry lads, I don't bite..." She said softly leading them to a tavern.
*As they enter, the tavern was filled with people, and the woman led them for them to sit down*
"Me and my associate appreciate the hospitality you've given us, Miss...?" Benedict asked the woman waiting for her response.
"You can call me Antoinette, or Ann for short, sweetheart..." Ann replied, winking at Benedict.
Ryder is seemingly jealous of the romantic exchange between Antoinette and Benedict.
Antoinette sees this and simply chuckles at Ryder.
"Oh don't act too jealous, honey...I just tend to act playful you know..." Antoinette said softly, holding his chin.
The three of them eventually went to get some drinks and food to eat.
"Don't worry boys, I got it all taken care off, eat up, you don't want to get hungry don't you?" Antoinette said as she started to take a drink.
"So mind if I ask Ann, this village, is it filled with outlaws?" Benedict said while he was eating his food.
"Hm, why'd you ask?" Antoinette replied.
"Well you see me and my associate are a bit well-known here so..." Benedict stated, elaborating the details to Antoinette.
"Oh I see...well no need to fear...as long as you two stick by my side...I'll make sure nothing happens to the two of you." Antoinette replied as she finished her drink.
*While they were busy, Hugo Grimm entered the humble town*
"Well, what do we have here..." Hugo Grimm said as he walked across the town.
He proceeded to head towards the tavern to sit down near by the barstand.
"Hey man, can I get a beer?" Hugo said as he sat down, waiting for his drink.
Antoinette looked down and saw Hugo nearby, feeling shaken and turns back to Benedict and Ryder.
"Is there a problem Ann?" Benedict asked.
"It's not safe around here, we need to move out..." Antoinette replied.
The three hurrily rushed downwards the stairs where they are approached by Hugo Grimm.
"Well hello there...Ann..." Hugo smirked, pointing his gun towards them.
"Do you know this guy, Ann?" Ryder asked.
"That's Hugo Grimm, an infamous bounty hunter known for his brutal methods, he's also my ex, I dumped him after I caught him cheating on me..." Antoinette replied.
"That was a year ago, get over it..." Hugo said.
"A year? That was two months ago!!!" Antoinette replied angrily.
"I'd love to continue this chat Ann, but I've got a score to settle with these two..." Hugo said as he reveals his gun.
"Well I hate to break it to you, Hugo...but these boys are with me and I ain't letting them go that easily..." Antoinette replied.
"Well then suit yourself Ann, prepare to die..." Hugo said.
Antoinette simply chuckles as she disarms his gun to which Hugo responds with his fists.
"Don't worry boys, I'll catch up, you guys can go ahead and run, this bastard's mine..." Antoinette said as she held his fists.
"You're really a tough nut..." Hugo replied.
"I can't wait to crush you..." Antoinette replied.
Ryder and Benedict headed out equipped with their weapons, in case Hugo chases after them.
Benedict looks back to which Ryder responds.
"You alright?" Ryder asked.
"I'm worried for Ann, but nonetheless she is a brave woman..." Benedict said.
"Don't tell me..." Ryder replied.
"Not another word Securis...let's continue..." Benedict said.
A few minutes later, the battle ends with Hugo knocked down as he is lying down on the ground, and Antoinette breathing heavily.
"Bye Hugo...this isn't going to be the last time we'll meet..." Antoinette stated as she left the tavern to catch up with Ryder and Benedict.
"Sorry for making you wait a bit long gentlemen, I got pretty occupied with our dear obstacle..." Antoinette sighed as she fixed her hair.
"Well either way, we're glad that you're alright Ann..." Benedict replied.
"I appreciate the compliment, but we don't have enough time for chitchat don't we, since our dear boy Hugo is temporarily unconscious, I suggest we make a move for it..." Antoinette stated.
"Right..." Benedict and Ryder responded as the two of them followed on suite.
*Back to Lucien along the Clypean soldiers who are still on the search for Benedict and Ryder*
"How does it feel to go on an adventure with a Gladian?" Lucien asked.
"Well on one hand, I am still quite distrustful considering our still on-going conflict..." The Clypean general replied.
"You've made a valid point there..." Lucien stated.
*Back in the kingdom of Gladius*
"Any luck from Grimm..." The king said.
"Unfortunately Your Majesty, there hasn't been any update from Hugo Grimm..." Phoebus replied.
"Hmph, this is proving to be quite a puzzle..." The king continued.
"If Hugo Grimm has been taken care of...then that means Ryder and Benedict slowly made their way to their own respective armies, eventually leading their uprising against me..." The king said.
"Point made, but then again, look at it in a different scenario, Your Majesty." Phoebus replied with a charismatic smile.
"You are the King of Gladius after all, you have the power, you can control the entire Gladius army to eliminate Securis and Rapier..." Phoebus continued.
"You're absolutely damn right..." The king laughed.
"Anyways how is our dear prisoner doing?" The king asked Phoebus, waiting for his response.
"Well we've fed her and gave her at least some food and drink just to keep her alive longer..." Phoebus replied.
*Cut to Elara, sitting down on the floor of the prison, after finishing her food*
"I don't know how much longer I can wait..." Elara said to herself.
"Brother...where are you now..." Elara said as tears started to run down from her eyes.
"I'm getting tired...please come for me...before it's too late..." Elara cried out before lying down on the ground.
*Back to Benedict, Ryder and Antoinette who are currently in hiding from Hugo Grimm*
"So I've heard from Hugo that you two are his targets...so I'm guessing you two are quite the famous people?" Antoinette asked, waiting for their response.
"Well we are...I guess we never addressed that part to you..." Benedict replied, looking down.
"I'm Ryder Sonnet, known by my alias as 'Rapier'. I'm from the kingdom Gladius and it's strongest warrior." Ryder said as he introduced himself.
"I'm Benedict Astaroth, known by my alias as 'Securis'. I'm from the kingdom Clypeas and it's strongest warrior." Benedict said.
"Well you guys really are famous..." Antoinette said.
"Mhm, we're really sorry that we involved you into this Ann..." Benedict said, looking down.
"It's fine, it's too late for me to leave this situation, so I guess I'm joining you in this quest..." Antoinette replied.
"I'm really glad that you decided to join us..." Benedict said.
"Someone's really glad that Ann's joining us..." Ryder said teasingly towards Benedict.
"Whatever Ryder, let's just rest considering we've outrun Hugo now..." Benedict said.
"Lead the way, Benedict..." Antoinette said.
Benedict, Ryder and Antoinette went on to rest for the night, while Lucien and the Clypean soldiers continue on their search for the two, The king and Phoebus continued to devise their plan to eliminate the heroes, Elara continues to suffer in the prison and Hugo Grimm has regained his consciousness and is back on track in his pursuit for the dear heroes.