"Cen to your right! Olly, make sure that you are always on the move, don't just stand there and wait for your opponent to hit you!" Maria shouts as Cen and Olly are fighting a group of Faceless. These monsters just popped out of the ground while they were traveling. Rem was currently at the back and casting Physic to heal them from time to time.
'This is so boring, I want to fight too. My precious EXP is being stolen by Olly and Cen!' Rem can only frown at the situation. He wants to transform to his werewolf form then punch those Faceless.
After a few minutes, all of the Faceless were cleared. The escort that they have didn't help in the fight since Maria said that she wants to let Cen and Olly do it alone.
"Nice work! Both of you need to work on your flexibility and movement, but it can be polished in time." Maria patted the two making them smile.
"Thanks, Miss Maria."
"Miss Maria, we should continue on our way. In a few hours, we'll be arriving at Fort Dragonfall. We'll be staying at the inn there to rest, you can explore around and sightsee on the fort when we arrive." Jaren, their escort, said.
"Alright, get in the carriage everyone." The group nods and rode inside the carriage.
"Jaren is such a nice escort. He'll even let us roam around the fort!" Olly excitedly said.
"True, but don't get your hopes up. The fort isn't that impressive." Maria explained. She already went there, and the fort just simply looks like a slumbering dragon. After that, there is no more anything impressive to see around.
"You're such a mood killer, Miss Maria." Olly stuck her tongue out making Maria chuckle.
"I'm just telling the truth."
"It will still be a sight to see, sister Olly." Rem commented making Olly nod excitedly.
"Yup!"
"*Sigh* You two are so optimistic, don't get sad when you don't see what you expect." Cen replied making the two just nod at her.
A few hours passed, and the group soon saw a giant building in front of them. Bones and carcasses can be seen on the walls of the fort. The fort was huge and as the rumors say, it looks like a dragon that is sleeping.
"Wow... It's big!" Olly can't her mouth from opening in shock.
"It is, they said that an Elder Dragon died on this exact location. An architect then decided to use the bones and carcasses of the dead Elder Dragon to make a fort. The remains of that Elder Dragon is strong enough that it didn't deteriorate even as time passes." Maria explained.
"That's true, from what I've read, this fort is a great defensive line that protects the capital. Even then, it's surprising to see only a few soldiers around." Cen added.
"They must be confident enough with just the fort. It is made from an Elder Dragon, after all, it won't be destroyed that easily."
"We have arrived, Miss Maria. This is a small inn that operates here outside of the fort. There are also some shops and restaurants around. I'll be going to the inn first to arrange your rooms." Jaren bowed then left the group to go inside the inn.
"Let's go look around!" Olly runs around the stalls outside.
*Sigh* Maria and Cen can only shake their heads while looking at the energetic Olly.
'Fort Dragonfall, Iago managed to partially revive this dragon before. I wonder how he managed to do that, would I be able to do that too? It would be great if I can, this can be a perfect base if I managed to do that. I would be cornered though if that happens, but if it can move then it would be not a problem.' Rem looked at the huge fort in front of him.
"Awww! The items they're selling here are the same as the items in Macarath!" Olly shouts in disappointment.
"I've told you to not let your hopes up." Cen sighed and shook her head at Olly's antics.
"Hmph! Let's just go to the fort then!" Olly jumped and run towards the fort after.
'I can't believe how energetic she is while wearing her armor. She's running as if it is nothing.' Rem can't help but be amazed at Olly's strength.
"Come on, little bro!" Olly motioned for Rem to follow making him obey her. It was fun to play along even if he was forced to.
'It must be my immature body that makes me enjoy such activities.'
"Don't go too far, you two!" Cen worriedly runs after them while Maria just chuckled at them.
Hours passed with just them looking around the fort. They were not allowed to go inside the fort as they are stopped by the guards. Olly complained about it for a few minutes until she saw a small dragon doll that Maria bought her. This pacified her and made her back to her energetic self again.
--
"Soooo tired..." Cen let out a deep breath while laying down on her bed.
"Huh? You got tired with just that?" Olly asked.
"You energetic monster..." Cen grumbled making Maria chuckle.
"Rest up, and take a bath. We'll go down later to eat our dinner." Maria said as she prepares a set of towels.
The day passed and the group continued their way towards the noble's household when morning came.
--
A week passed and the group are soon facing a huge gate and a mansion. It has many trees that are symmetrically arranged and has the same height. The trees though was black and looked likes it dead like any other trees in Nohr. Even so, the place practically screams 'rich'.
"We have arrived, Miss Maria." Jaren bowed while opening the doors of the carriage.
"Thank you, Jaren."
"Please follow me, Miss Maria. I'll escort you towards the Madame and Sir." Jaren walked while being followed by the group. Many maids and butlers are around the place and are bowing to them as they walked past them.
They arrived in front of a huge white door after a couple of minutes. Two guards can be seen guarding the door.
"Please tell Sir Lindor that Miss Maria and her group have arrived." Jaren told them as one of the guards nodded and knocked on the door. He then went inside making the group wait for him.
"Sir Lindor is waiting for you at the other side." The guard says as he opens the door with the help of the other guard. Maria and others didn't dally any longer and quickly entered.
"You've done well, Jaren. You will be rewarded for your hard work, For now, you are dismissed." A guy with black hair said. He was 6 ft tall and has a short beard that makes his sharp jaws more attractive. He was a handsome and muscular man that will surely swoon many women. A woman was beside him. She also has black hair and has a slender body, white skin that looks delicate, and a face that is at the same level as the man.
"Thank you, Sir Lindor." Jaren bowed and knelt at the man then left the room afterward.
"I'm Lindor Guenrt, the head of the Guenrt's Household and the father of Diantha." The man introduced.
"Nice meeting you, Sir Lindor. I'm Maria Thorne, and this is Cen. Olly, and Rem." Maria introduced while bowing her head. Rem and the others followed her action as they have planned.
"Hmmm, nice to meet you too. As you have already known, I want you to guard my dear daughter. She is currently pregnant and bearing the child of King Garon. Your group must do your best in protecting her and my grandchild, you'll be rewarded greatly when she finished delivering the child." Lindor explained in a serious tone.
"Yes, Sir Lindor. We'll surely do our best." Maria replied making Lindor satisfied.
"I'm sure you will, I have heard stories about how you defeated a giant monster. This task will surely be easier compared to that. You may go, your job will start tomorrow. Maids, escort Miss Maria and her group to their rooms." Lindor rang a small bell calling 2 maids outside.
Maria and the others bowed at Lindor again before leaving. The 2 maids escorted them to their rooms, then left them afterward.
Olly let out a deep breath once they are alone and laid on the bed. "I was so nervous in the presence of Sir Lindor." She says.
"Right, it felt like he was ordering us around instead of requesting for our help." Cen added.
"That's how most nobles are, you'll get used to it." Maria replied.
"Why do they need us to guard his daughter, Miss Maria? I mean, they already have guards around here. Do they even need us?" Rem asked making Cen nod at him.
"That's true. It's so suspicious." Cen added.
"I think that his guards didn't meet the strength to protect Miss Diantha. Either that or Sir Lindor is just worried for nothing. For now, always keep your guard up, there might be a strong foe that is targeting Miss Diantha's life." Maria answered.
"Okay." The three replied while nodding.
'What a troublesome situation, but maybe I can acquire some information from Diantha on the other concubines. This might help me know which concubine the tribe should side with.' Rem thought.