Jared walked out of the room, and was somewhat surprised to find Gina standing behind a big tree, peeking at Kelly and Wendy and the others who were chatting there, apparently assessing them. Although Gina didn't regard these people as her enemies or potential dangers due to Jared and Caroline's assurances, but after all, once bitten by a snake, ten years in fear of a well rope. After being treated like that, Gina was already full of vigilance and hostility towards the aborigines of this world, Jared could certainly understand her thoughts, comparing heart to heart, if the one they encountered when they first came to this world wasn't Florentine, or not San Marino Empire, what would their fate become?
（What are you doing there?)
Caroline, who appeared afterward, inquired curiously, and it was then that Gina turned around as if startled, and let out a long breath when she saw Caroline and Jared. She returned to her original calm and collected self.
"It's nothing, Dad, Mom, I'm just a little uncomfortable, maybe I'll feel better after spending more time with these people."
"Well ..."
Jared shrugged his shoulders helplessly and said nothing. Gina wasn't like Tawana, who was always a child that needed to be taken care of by them, and the reason why she called Jared and Caroline mom and dad was also due to her serious and meticulous character. In fact, as a product of science, Gina could be as precise as a machine at times, and although Jared and Caroline had wished that Gina could show her feelings more like a normal girl, it didn't seem to be such a bad thing now. With that in mind, Jared gave up worrying unnecessarily and looked Gina up and down.
Unlike Caroline, Gina didn't like to wear those complicated dresses, at the moment she was wearing the close-fitting leather armor she got from someone, as well as tight pants and leather boots, which fully outlined the girl's slender and graceful figure, and the whole person looked even more petite and delicate. And now noticed Jared's line of sight, Gina slightly uneasy to organize their own body clothes, at the same time, softly asked.
"Not for me? Dad?"
"No... not bad . Can't you give up that other name?"
In any case, the young man who had only just crossed the barrier to adulthood did not want a daughter only two or three years younger than himself.
"No."
Gina was as stubborn as ever, especially in this area, and though Jared had complained countless times, she never compromised.
"You and Mom gave me a new life, and freedom. I'm your daughter, there's no doubt about it. Don't you think so? ..."
Here, Gina took two steps back and gazed at the ground with a slightly sultry look.
"Daddy, don't you want me anymore?"
"..."
（You lost again?)
In the face of Caroline's well-intentioned mockery, Jared could only surrender with his hands up in the air. What he couldn't figure out was how Caroline could accept such a title so graciously and smoothly, perhaps because of a woman's maternal instincts. He sighed helplessly, then reached out and threw a small bag at Gina. Gina reached out with some curiosity and took it, while asking with a puzzled frown.
"This is ..."
"Your weapon..."
"I know."
Gina just opened the pouch and looked at it, and quickly realized what Jared meant, she carefully put the pouch into the pocket of her iron body leather armor. Jared took a deep breath, then stared at Gina and asked seriously.
"Gina, tell me, how did you get into this world? What happened to the rest of them?"
"Ah ... about that dad you don't have to worry, all the others have escaped safely, I can confirm that."
（So why are you here?)
Caroline followed up with the question that had puzzled her and Jared the most. Gina was a little hesitant, she raised her head and quickly glanced at Jared and Caroline, then lowered her head and stammered, "Because I don't want to leave mom and dad, if you guys die, then there's no point in me even living ... "
(The Kid ...)
Caroline shook her head and smiled bitterly, while Jared pressed his forehead helplessly. It was obvious that Gina had stayed behind instead of following his orders, but luckily at least that would lessen the doubt in their minds. If Gina couldn't be sure how she came to be in this world, then so could the others. And if that was the case, then it was conceivable that Jared and Caroline would have to take responsibility for bringing them all together.
"Lord Jared, Lord Caroline."
A pleasant voice came, Jared turned his head, only to see that the female archer who had arranged the room for himself and the others a few days ago was walking towards here. Since that day and that dead fat clash, the other party seems to be quiet, in addition to providing not very nutritious three meals, does not seem to have a move on their own party. But it was understandable, after all, facing someone like them who could easily reduce a not so small border city to rubble, no matter who would be cautious. Although Jared was skeptical that the fat man would have that kind of vision and eyesight, it was clear that at least he wasn't fighting alone.
"Yes?"
Jared turned and looked at the archeress in front of him. Caroline, with her umbrella, watched her curiously. The archer looked uneasy, and said to Jared, in an urgent and courteous manner.
"Just now, thirty gifted warriors came to our camp, and they asked for you by name ... you see ..."
"Coming?"
Jared whispered to himself, the Lord of the Heavens finally chose two plans, one was for the San Marino Empire to carry out a strong attack with the cooperation of the federation, and succeeded in taking the land of the Marco Kingdom under his name. This is the way to strengthen the power immediately, and the other one is for Jared to foster this very weak underground resistance organization, and let them finally obtain the ruling right of Marco Kingdom, and become the new power class. At that time, San Marino Empire can support this puppet government, slowly digest it with patience and skill, and finally merge it into its own sphere of influence.
Either way, Jared needed more men. After all, he was surrounded by the core of the leadership, but lacked effective cannon fodder. If anything were to happen, any loss would be unacceptable to the Empire. So the Celestial Lord agreed to send Jared additional men - in short, cannon fodder that he would not hesitate to sacrifice in times of danger in exchange for victory or survival. But Jared didn't expect them to arrive in such a short period of time. However, if you think about it, both Wendy and Kula have strengths beyond the ordinary, and guiding a position is not a problem for them at all.
When Jared and the others arrived at the entrance to the ruined fortress, he saw thirty well-built soldiers who moved with meticulous precision. They stood in a neat formation, unafraid of the rebel soldiers flanking them, dressed in skimpy leather, their weapons even scrap. A faint light shone from time to time on their black armor, and it was clear that the armor they wore was not of the ordinary variety.
"Your Excellency is Lord Jared?"
It was only when Jared and Caroline came up to them that one of the soldiers suddenly stepped forward and spoke briefly inquiring .
"Yes, I am. Are you ...?"
"We are soldiers belonging to the San Marino Empire's Third Magic Escort Guard, the First Combat Regiment, following the instructions of the Academy's Convocation, we have come to assist your Lordships in their actions."
The man in the lead finished seriously, then he suddenly waved his hand, at the same time the soldiers suddenly spread out, forming a circle, surrounding Jared in it. Jared slightly frowned, somewhat puzzled.
"I'm sorry, but we must confirm if you are the real Lord Jared, and would like you to fight me, as well as confirm my ability to identify myself."
I see.Is it easier to know your own strength and the strength of your opponent in a fight rather than in a flowery speech?
A satisfied smile appeared on Jared's lips .
"Is it okay to put someone else on the field?"
"... If you can confirm your identity to us, naturally there is no problem."
That's all the man said.
In the next instant, Jared had appeared in front of him, slashing his palm flat across the man's neck in the shape of a knife. This caused the soldiers to shrug, apparently they did not see Jared's movements clearly, and the man himself was equally shocked. Although Jared's name has been rumored for a long time in the empire, especially among these gifted magic warriors, the deeds of killing the black dragon alone, as well as forcing back tens of thousands of troops with Caroline can be said to be known to everyone in the magic soldier group, no one knows. But just because these things are too incredible, it makes people feel more like a legend than a fact. In fact, when he met Jared, the man was puzzled, how could such a thin young man kill a black dragon by himself? How could such a scrawny young man kill a black dragon by himself, and drive nearly 10,000 soldiers back to their homes? So he was originally very confident that even if the young man in front of him was really Jared himself, with his own ability, he should be able to fight with him for a few moments. As a matter of fact, ever since he spoke to Jared just now, the man had already secretly condensed his abilities to prepare for the sudden attack that might occur at any time.
But he still didn't expect it, the fight ended almost as quickly as it began, and he wasn't even able to react, Jared's finger was already on his neck, if this was really a fight ...
"You can be sure?"
The leisurely voice came again, but when the crowd looked at it, they couldn't help but suck in cold air. Jared did not know when, has come to the crowd outside, leaning on a large tree, with a smug smile looking at the man.
"... Of course, my lord."
The man exhaled a mouthful of cold air, and the hand holding the hilt of the sword gripped the hilt even harder. Although he thought he was strong, under this obvious gap, even he couldn't do anything to react.
Is this what that dragonslayer is really capable of?
"Well ... it's not good to end it so soon."
Jared sighed slightly, then he looked over at Gina.
"Right, Gina, why don't you give it a go, just so I can see if your skills have regressed in the interim."
"Okay, Dad."
Dad?
While the soldiers were still surprised by this inexplicable name, Gina had quietly walked up to the man, and this time the man simply drew his longsword and gave his full attention to the young girl in front of him.
But what Gina did next, no one could have predicted.
She carefully took the pouch out of her leather armor pocket and slowly opened it, taking something from it and placing it in the palm of her hand.
Rough, crude pieces of iron of various shapes and sizes.