The Princess And The Lord

Suddenly a strong wind swept past them and followed by a swirling sound that came from above, Zhao Li Xin looked up feeling strange about what kind of Beast was approaching them but Lory knew clearly what it was.

Without minding Zhao Li Xin who was still not wearing pants, she pulled him to hide thankfully the camouflage barrier that Lory makes hide them so no one could see them, but even if they did, they might think they were just a perverted couple which Lory didn't want to be known of.

Though the camouflage barrier hide their existence but not their voice and if there were any powerful gifted people around them he or they might notice someone using spells around them, therefore, Lory pulled Zhao Li Xin hiding behind tall bushes.

A moment later as Lory expected a military Aircraft slowly landed on the ground, after that the plane's doors began to open then people in military uniforms came out carrying military-type guns, and behind them, dozens of people in medical uniforms also came out.

[Lory who are they?] Zhao Li Xin was mystified by the flying vehicle that coming from the sky that was able to carry dozens of people.

[They're military people but I don't know which country they're from...] Lory can't find any nationality markings on the military and what's with that medical-clad people, why are they taking samples from that Zhyger, do they know something?

After that few soldiers came carrying a large aluminum crate and then put Zhyger's carcass in the crate then closed it with a combination lock after making sure everything was safe and sound they carry the crate back to the plane.

Lory couldn't let them leave without getting any information after all she had a very urgent need to take care of, Lory then took a pebble then aimed it at the nearest soldier.

"Who's that?!" the soldier looked back warily he raised his gun and then checked the place behind him.

"Hey come on, we have to go!" another soldier called out to him.

he looked behind the bushes but no one was there not even a small animal sign, he thought he was imagining something.

"Yes Sir!" he replies firmly.

The soldiers heard his answer and then headed to the aircraft in a hurry.

The soldier lowered his gun after finding nothing he felt maybe it was just his imagination he turned around to head back but suddenly a hand covered his mouth and pulled him behind the bushes.

The soldier made a muffled sound as he tried to break free but then something hard hit him on the back of his head and everything went black, unfortunately, no one realizes someone is missing maybe because they were in a hurry or they just assumed everyone had already inside, for whatever reason the Aircraft's engine roared loudly causing dust to fly everywhere, not long after that the aircraft took off.

[They have gone!] said Zhao Li Xin.

[Okay. first thing first, let's take his pants!] Lory unbuckled the soldier's pants but then her hands movement was stopped by Zhao Li Xin.

[I'll do it, you look away] his tone didn't give Lory a chance to refute.

Lory gave him a strange look then she realized she married a conservative man, of course, he wouldn't let her strip another man.

  [Okay!] Lory agreed readily, it's not like she wanted to strip other men either.

Lory took a step back and then stood with his back against them, but then something cross her mind [Oh, right Li Xin, please checked his body for any identification, like tattoos, a tag, or something!]

[En] Zhao Li Xin answered simply.

Lory leaned against a tree while thinking about what just happened, who are those people, who sent them, and what they wanted with Zhyger's carcass? By the way that Zhyger was indeed strange, how could the beast come back to life after she split its head, and since when could Zhyger grow a tree branch on their body? no...that's not Zhyger or at least not a normal Zhyger she knows, but what it is?

[I'm done!] Zhao Li Xin got up [I don't find anything on his body, no weird tattoo, necklace, or anything could be found]

[I'm done!] Zhao Li Xin wakes up [I found nothing on her body, no strange tattoos, necklaces, or anything else found]

Lory turned and saw a soldier who had passed out half the waist down covered in bushes which made him look funny.

[No markings or anything... that means they are very thorough, very secretive] Lory then glanced at the rifle the soldier had, she took out his gun and inspected the gun carefully then she saw new marks that seem made by hand under the handle.

[Mara Sigil?] Lory muttered.

[Did you know it?] Zhao Li Xin saw a strange symbol of a star with a crescent moon in the center surrounded by runes.

[It's a symbol of chaos from an old belief called Azanoth, and most of the adherents of this belief stay in Luxemborough country]

Lory's expression became heavy because if it was true those people were from Luxemborough then that strange Zhyger might have something to do with them if that was true then what was Luxemborough planning? whatever it was would definitely not benefit Harland because these two countries never got along and Lory blamed Luxemborough's prejudice against the Gifted people and they didn't like seeing 'Creators' and 'Gifted' people living in harmony.

[Lory someone is coming!] Zhao Li Xin's words awaken her from her thoughts.

"Miss Jane!" Garrof scream.

"Where is she?" Lyod look for any sign but other than battle remaining he found no one not even the Zhyger carcass.

Both Lyod and Garrof frantically searched for her, because of their injuries Lydia took so long to help them all that it took hours after all they had to ensure Lydia's safety as it was impossible to just leave her with the reckless Owen alone,  only after they're sure everything was safe the two of them went to find out where Lory and Zhao Li Xin were.

"You guys looking for us?" Lory and Zhao Li Xin who were already wearing pants came out of the dense bushes, though they looked messy luckily they weren't hurt at all.

Lyod leaned on his knee while releasing a sigh of relief they were both fine.

Garrof was no less pleased he hit Lyod on the shoulder saying "I told you they'd be fine, right!"

Lloyd rolled his eyes "Aren't you the one who ran faster than me earlier?" he taunts her.

"That's because you still haven't recovered properly" Garrof scold him.

Lory saw their bickering and laughed "Thanks for worrying about us but we're fine"

"I can see that" Garrof felt that Lory had a nice character even though she had great strength but she was not arrogant and she was still very young too.

"Oh but I didn't see Zhyger's carcass anywhere, didn't you guys kill it?" asked Lloyd.

"Oh, I managed to shake off the beast, but we better go quickly before the beast returns." Lory lied because she didn't want Garrof and the others involved with this matter if those people were truly from Luxemborough then this is not a small matter.

"Then let's get out of here, anyway we already got what we want" Garrof was worried about the safety of the three youngsters.

Lory and Zhao Li Xin exchanged glances before they followed Garrof and Lloyd back to where they had been taking shelter.

Owen was standing up and down in front of the entrance and his face immediately lit up when he saw Garrof and Lloyd coming back "You're back!" but his expression suddenly become awkward when they saw Lory and Zhao Li Xin come with Garrof and Lloyd.

Lory didn't know what the boy was thinking while Zhao Li Xin didn't care about Owen at all. Garrof knew the young man must be embarrassed by his previous attitude, but who told him to act rudely?

The young man had to learn to treat people fairly regardless of whether they were strong or not.

When they entered Dan was sitting with Lydia taking care of him, they were happy to see Garrof and Lloyd returning with Lory and Zhao Li Xin.

Even though he was semi-conscious at the time but he was conscious enough to know if it wasn't for Lory's help then Garrof and himself might not be alive even if they survived they must have been seriously injured therefore he was very grateful to Lory.

"Miss Jane, thank goodness you're okay!" Dan's eyes lit up with genuine joy.

"Hi Dan how are you?" Lory grinned widely, she knew Dan would be fine because from the start Lory could see Dan's injuries weren't that bad he's body only momentarily shocked but there are no external injuries and with Lydia's help he will recover in no time, perhaps taking two days off just to be safe.

"Thank you for helping me, I mean us," he said sincerely.

"It's nothing" Lory gives the perfunctory answer.

Zhao Li Xin collected all their belongings and then slung the backpack over his shoulder, he turned his head to Lory and called her softly [Wife...]

Lory give a knowing nod at Zhao Li Xin then turned her head to Dan again "Well, I think this is where we part"

"Okay, be careful Miss Jane," Dan said.

"Miss Boyd" Lory gave Lydia a small nod.

"Thank you again, Miss Jane," She sincerely said.

Lory then left to bid farewell to Garrof and Lloyd.

"Miss Jane, may I know which Guild you signed up for?" Garrof asked.

"It's Beast's Slayer Guild" replied Lory.

Garrof expression turns serious "If you want I can send you a letter of recommendation to increase your hunter's level?" Garrof thought it was a waste for a powerful gifted like her to be put on the lowest level, it would be a waste of talent.

Lory thought for a while then smiled broadly "That will be very helpful, thanks Garrof"

"My name is Garrof Wells" his attitude became more friendly after she save Llyod and Dan.

"I'm Lloyd Bower" Lloyd chimed in.

Lory appreciates their sincerity unfortunately she cannot reciprocate their feelings even though it makes her feel a little guilty but then again it's for their own good.

"Well, see you again Mister Wells, Mister Bower" Lory gave a polite nod and then left with Zhao Li Xin.

Suddenly Lory was startled by Owen's sudden shout, when Lory looked at him the boy's face looks flustered "My...my name is Owen Stone. I'm sorry for everything and...thank you for saving my brother and friends..." it seemed to take everything from him to say those words it almost seemed like invisible smoke popped from the top of his head.

'Annoying, but honest boy' he a bit remind her of Jay.

Lory waved her head "See Ya, stone head!"

"HEY!" Owen objected.

Lory laughs as she left and so thus Garrof and Lloyd, Owen turned to them with an annoyed face but Lloyd shrugged and casually said "What? Stone head suits you" he said frankly.

Stone head is a joke given to people who are stubborn, hot-headed, and annoying of course it suits Owen very well, Garrof's laughter gets louder and louder while Owen can only scratch his head in resignation.