Agreement

"Pretty cool, right? Some of your men even fall in love with me. For your information, It's disgusting and I remember you almost took me home too.

"Damn, I get the chills. You're sweaty, ugly and your breath stinks. I almost puked when you approached me at the time."

The man beneath Reizen had his expression turned worse. His smile earlier vanished.

It was a skinny man wearing an expensive robe. Behind the man were two guards with swords in their scabbards.

"You're going to die either way so I don't have to dirty my hands. Oh, by the way. The woman you tried to save is going to be executed with you in two days."

Reizen narrowed his eyes, "Why?"

"She got caught last night trying to get into the prison. Probably to save you but she accidentally killed one of the guards. As per rule, an execution is to be expected," The man replied as there was a hint of ridicule in his eyes.

"Isn't tomorrow going to be a romantic day for the two of you? Pair of strangers saving each other and even risking their lives. Both then end up dead together.

"I don't know if the two of you are idiots or fools," the man insulted as he shook his head before he chuckled. After that, he turned around as he walked away with his hands on his back.

Watching the man's back slowly fade away.  Reizen retracted his gaze to the rope hanging on his legs.

He struggled to loosen it but it was futile. The rope was too tight.

Stopping as he needed as much stamina as possible in case something happened, he retracted his gaze to the distance.

He saw the city and the sea. People strolled on the street and the market was bustling with crowds.

Ships docked and some sailed. People of different ages and races went to the dock as they chatted with their friends. Once in a laugh over their friends' jokes.

Reizen observed them silently. It was a mystery what was in his mind.

"Promise, huh?" Reizen suddenly said as he closed his eyes.

"It seems I can't fulfill it, sorry." He added with a low tone.

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.

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"Jade Sea City… It requires a few hours if we take the fastest carriage. Ordinary ones require days but we don't have enough time," Xu An said, hoping for others' opinion as his voice was filled with that of troubled and dilemma.

"If you guys want to go there. Come with me!" Cecil abruptly suggested.

Xu An and Morgiana shifted their line of sight to her.

Not waiting for their response. Cecil quickly continued, "don't worry! We're going there tonight, okay? Come to the East Gate."

Hesitated, they nodded and had no choice but to trust the little girl.

After that, Cecil looked at Fred.

"What?"

However, Cecil did not respond. She observed Fred from top to toe. Not once did she lift her head after sizing him up to do another observation.

Feeling a bit uncomfortable, Fred pondered, "Is there something on my face?"

After he said so, Cecil grabbed Fred's hand and that lasted for a few seconds before she let go of his hand. Cecil's expression was that of shock.

Cecil's head shaking was his answer.

"No, not that. You," Cecil pointed her finger at Fred, "you're following the magic system, aren't you?"

Morgiana was surprised as she was in disbelief. Xu An was bewildered upon noticing Morgiana's expression.

Is it something bad? Xu An silently pondered.

Fred denied it naturally, "No, I'm not. You probably mistake it over something else, little girl."

"No, I checked your body with my Qiya. There's no denying it. You follow the magic system!" Her voice spread out to the room. Fred quickly covered her mouth with his hand.

Using his free hand, Fred put it before his lip as he whispered to Cecil, "shhh!"

Cecil covered her mouth as she hurriedly spoke, "Sorry!"

"Qiya? Cecil you're...?" Xu An caught her words and asked.

"You know what that is? Indeed! I'm a princess from the neighboring empire, Jah Empire."

The room fell silent.

"A princess…" Xu An was not sure how he should react; he was baffled.

"Isn't it dangerous for an important figure such as you wandering around alone without any guards?" Morgiana asked as she was worried.

"No worries, having guards only made me stand out. I have mercenaries on my side, too. Adding that with my beast and my friends.

"I am completely safe. Though, that happens." Cecil sighed.

The trio felt her explanation made sense and did not probe any further. So what if she was a princess? Their goal had not changed at all. They still want to help her.

Especially so for Xu An and Morgiana. Unless they find a better beast than that serpent, they would not feel at ease.

"I see. Anyway, what's bad about following the magic system?" Xu An could not hold it any longer and ask.

"Magic is coming from the otherworldly tribes. Humans are strictly prohibited to learn it and if there is one, no matter what the reason is, they will be accused of working together with the otherworldly tribes and the punishment is not light.

"You will be executed and your five descendants are going to suffer more greatly." Morgiana explained.

"You know a lot," Xu An commented.

Morgiana smiled proudly as she puffed her chest up, "Hehe, knowledge is power after all."

"What are you going to do next now that you know I'm a Mage?" Fred asked cautiously as he gradually increased his guard. Ready to silence the little girl without killing her.

Cecil was terrified as she felt killing intent from Fred. She hurriedly hid behind Xu An as her body was shaking.

Others may not notice it but Xu An got a faint feeling that what she was doing was anything but acting.

"Protect me, brother!" She pleaded for protection as her lips were trembling.

Morgiana diverted her vision to Fred as she said, "don't you think that's a bit extreme? She's just a child!"

"Although that is the case. She could be a nuisance for my plan of killing Chin Sha! That bast*ard doesn't know it yet and the fewer people know the truth, the better."

"Does that mean you are going to kill us?" Morgiana asked as her eyes narrowed.

"If It is necessary, I will. I cannot allow the hard work I've been putting on to go to waste because of three people." Fred's voice was solemn, and so was his expression.

His eyes were filled with firm and unshakable resolution.

"The two of you, calm down." Xu An karate chop Morgiana and Fred's head with his right hand. Not hurt but enough to get their attention to him.

Xu An ignored their gazes, focusing on him. He instead cast his gaze to Cecil.

"Are you going to tell everyone that Fred is a Mage?"

"Nope! I swear!" Cecil shook her head vigorously.

"See?" Xu An said.

After a short pause, Fred spoke with doubt, "I still can't trust her."

"Then how about this? Cecil, make a vow as you use your Qiya. It will serve as a contract and should you break it. You'll get punished, worst of all, dead."

Hesitated, Cecil nodded but asked, "Okay, but how should I do it?"

"Circulate your Qiya like you usually do and then make a vow. Before that, you have to say, The Star and Fate who controls Rufh and Qiya, the great and powerful Djinn and Angels who bless us with this power. I plead to you so you witness my vow that I, Cecil, will not tell everyone about Fred's biggest secret, that he is a Mage."

"Okay." Cecil nodded as she took a deep breath.

"The Star and Fate who controls Rufh and Qiya, the great and powerful Djinn and Angels who bless us with this power. I plead to you so you witness my vow that I, Cecil, will not tell everyone about Fred's biggest secret, that he is a Mage."

Cecil followed Morgiana's words as her body glowed in a golden light. Small, golden fishes began to take form as they happily flew around Cecil.