(Lumis.2)

As they made their way behind the defensive walls and into the gate courtyard, divulging to several city streets. Diana decided to stop at a nearby stable for carriage horses to rest them for a bit until they can be put into a more permanent lodging.

The town city of Lumis somehow remains lively even with all the people trying to flee inside, and the swarms of adventurers.

"I wasn't expecting to see people be so happy here." Landis says as he adjusts his glasses to look around.

"With how things are at the gate, I thought so too." Milina was taking care of one of the horses by holding up a wooden bucket full of water up to its face.

"That's because the lord who governor this region, Is a respectable person, and a nice guy." Diana said to them.

"W-wait." Landis was shocked to hear this news.

"Why did you make it sound like you know the lord of these lands?"

"Yes, I do? Is that really such a surprise for you? I'm part of nobility if you haven't forgotten" Diana replied.

"What parts make you noble?" Landis faintly said to himself.

"Not to mention."

Diana's tone and attitude had a change of expression, her voice sounded quieter and her posture became lax.

"He's my old knight master~"

"He's what!" Everyone had drop whatever they were doing and ran up to her.

"Getting a person like that to be your master is." Duva was speechless.

"I heard stories that the lord of Lumis was an odd and peculiar man, and he had some unique interest, however" Sara mindlessly stared at Diana.

"You're..." Landis moves up even closer and his face was a few inches away from Diana, he squinted his eyes and inspects her closely. "You're not lying to us are you?"

"Eh... Eh? EH??!!"

"H-Hold on, Hold on." Diana steps away from everyone and reorganized herself.

"It's true, I'm not lying to you guys, the lord of this city was the knight who trained me."

"Lies, that is a lie." Landis said

"When have I ever lied to you guys before?" Diana retorted what Landis said.

Everyone looked at each other and immediately knew what was on their mind. Because they had almost a week left before they departed for Lumis, Diana force them into a harsh regimental teamwork training exercise, she would have use whatever trick or lie up her sleeve to make them continue training.

"Right~" Everyone but Diana said at the same time.

"What?" Diana said cautiously

"If you don't believe me, Just wait until I introduce you guys to him."

"Speaking of introductions" Sara looks around the area. "Why hasn't anyone reported to us?" She thought there had been enough time for a messenger to alert the lord of their arrival, and then someone would come and greet them.

"Maybe because the management here is probably flooded with all the problems as of late" Diana said to Sara.

"That means I'll have to go directly to him." Diana turns to look at the central castle where the lord resides.

"Or, if any one of you would kindly come along with me?" She said turning her head back around.

"I think we will try to find a place to store the carriage and horses, and an inn to rest up." Landis said

"I could really go for a warm bed right now" Duva Excitingly exclaims.

"Then... Sara and Landis go find a place rest up, Duva and Milina go store up the carriages and horses." Diana orders her group.

"I'll go meet with the lord, and then I'll brief everyone shortly after on what we are going to do"

"Everyone has their own jobs..."

"Yes, Captain." They all said in Sync.

Sara and Landis both hastily left together down a street, Duva and Milina stay back to attend to their horses and check on what supplies are left. Diana spun around and headed off to a different street, going to the city castle.

Diana wanders the city streets of Lumis, peasants and serfs were lying on the ground, families huddled with each other. The city wasn't in ruins but the atmosphere of the place feels morbid.

"Thief! Stop that thief!"

A hooded individual was running through a nearby street, he was carrying two pouches in one hand while being chased by one of the city guards.

"Halt! Stop!" The guards shouted at the thief.

"Fuck off already!" The thief shouted back at them.

The thief turns his head forward and crashes straight into a person, falling backward onto his back.

"Ack- Watch where your g-" The rabble was stopped by a young woman in armor, with her sword pointed directly at the guy's neck.

"Ah~... Shit." He said to himself.

The city guards soon came up and arrest the criminal, quickly taking him away from the area. One of the guards stayed back to talk with Diana.

"Thank you for the assistance, Ma'am."

"No worries." She slides her weapon back into her sheath.

The guard was examining this newcomer because he has never seen her in the city before until he noticed a metal emblem dangling off the side of Diana, and knew right away who she was.

"You must be the knight captain that the Lord told us about, that would be coming to this place."

"That's me." Diana said with a smile.

"I would bring a message to the lord, to tell him of your arrival, but the city garrison is too busy for that at the moment." The guard apologized

"That's not a problem, I was going to meet him in person." said Diana.

"Very well, I won't hold you here any longer." The guard bows down and then walked away.

(" This place used to be so much... Better. ") Diana did another scan through of the city streets, still seeing the unpleasantry that lay awake around her.

She started to continue down the street until she stops right in front of the castle gate. She lifts up a hand and knocks on the gate, a small metal window opens up a few seconds afterward.

"State your business." A guard replied, peeking through the small window.

"My name is Diana Noriel, I'm the knight captain sent here from the capital, I wish to report to the lord."

"Identifications?"

She grabs the emblem and holds it up for the guard to see.

"One moment please."

The guard closes the window and sounds of metal clicking and a wooden thump could be heard behind the gate. The gate creaks open to allow a single person through.

"Welcome Captain" Said the guard holding thr gate open.

"The Lord is currently in his meeting hall, That is where you will find him."

"Thank you." Diana said entering through the gate.

The gate closes behind her and she began to make her way to the castle's main front doors. She grabs hold of the handles and pulls the door open to enter the building.

(" I wonder how will he react to seeing me now. ") She thought to herself.

Now standing in the castle front hall, she had to jog her memories of previously being here to know which hallway leads to where. She walks up a wooden staircase and then turning right she heads down a hallway to the meeting hall, to meet with her old master. Approaching the door for the meeting hall, she reaches out for the handle and holds her hand there.

(" 3... 2... 1... ") She opens the door and walks into the room.