As the brothers followed the lady, she led them to a small tavern that looked ordinary and felt like a run-of-the-mill place from the outside. As they stepped inside, they froze. The place was massive and crowded, bursting with life. People were shouting, and others were fighting.
Russel leaned closer towards Ivan, "They are sure quite vigorous, aren't they, brother?"
A man went flying over their table, knocked out cold as a corpse.
Ivan pointed out, "Yeah, sure... Is that man dead?!"
The lady just waves her hand casually, "Don't worry about him, it's just a normal day in this tavern, follow me, let's find a seat."
The lady called them over and tapped the table, "This spot is quite nice! Come, you two, take a seat here."
Ivan introduces himself proudly, "Pardon me, milady, but we haven't introduced ourselves properly. My name is Ivan, and this is Russel, my brother."
"And your house?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Um... we don't have one." Russel hesitated.
"What?!" The lady slammed her hands onto the table, making the brothers jump.
"That's unbelievable, just by looking at your physique, both of you are towering above those regular men you usually find tall people in great houses."
Ivan tilts his head, examining the lady, "Well, you're quite tall too... for a girl."
Russel smacked Ivan's head, "That's not how you talk to a lady, you idiot," Russel whispered.
Ivan groaned and stared at Russel, "Ugh... That hurt a lot, brother..."
"Pardon my rude brother, milady; he meant to say thank you for your compliments."
The lady smiled, and she remembered something, "Oh, right! I forgot! I haven't properly introduced myself yet, too, Maia!"
"I'm sorry, what?" Russel blinked.
"Did she just say, Miya? " Can't tell, I'm too hungry to focus," Ivan said.
"I am Maia Cross, daughter of Desmond Cross, the strongest general serving the king, Gunther 'Battle Crown' Imperium."
"What?!" The brothers shouted in unison.
Ivan stared at her with a stunned look on his face, "H-how can his daughter just casually walk around the city without any guards?"
Maia chuckled, "Oh, about that... I snuck out of the castle. Hehe."
Russel frowned, "Wouldn't you get into trouble by doing that? Your father must be worried sick finding you."
Maia just shrugs it off, "Meh... His, the toughest man around, I bet he wouldn't go soft hearing the words about his missing daughter, he got plenty of sons that would ascend his title."
"Anyway, let's order some food."
Maia raised her hand and called out to the chef, "Sir Roy! Give us the special serving!"
"Alright, coming right up!" Moments later, Roy arrived and placed several dishes at the table.
"This looks tasty!" Ivan leaned forward, drooling, and tried to grab the food.
"Stop it! Lady Maia hasn't told us to eat yet." Russel said, firmly.
"No, it's fine, go on, and you can just call me Maia, no need to be formal," She smiled.
The brothers nodded and began eating.
"Oh, right, I forgot to ask what you two are doing here at the capital?!" Maia asked.
Ivan tried to respond, but suddenly choked.
Russel quickly hands him a cup of water, "Haven't I told you, Ivan, not to speak when food is inside your mouth?"
Maia laughs softly.
Ivan coughs and continues, "What I was trying to say was, we're here to join the mercenary guild, and we need money to support ourselves."
Maia's eyes lit up, "That's amazing! I could recommend you guys to Fred, my father's friend, who is currently the guild master; however, he is still going to measure your strength and capabilities, so good luck with that."
Ivan holds Maia's, "Thank you! That would be a huge help to us. We are indebted to you."
Russel smacks Ivan, "Hey, don't touch her without permission."
Maia pulled her hands back and blushed slightly, "It's fine..."
Then suddenly a bang!
The tavern door burst open, and suddenly, soldiers came rushing in. A man entered the room wearing a bright red cape marked with a golden cross sigil. The room went awkwardly silent as he walked through the aisle.
The man walked with authority. Everyone in the place was staring at him. He spoke, breaking the awkward silence in the room, "There you are, Maia. Father was in great distress when he heard the news that you've gone missing. I knew I'd find you here."
Maia stood up and hugs his brother, "Brother, I'm sorry, I won't do it again! I just want to help the orphans, but father wouldn't let me go."
He gently patted her sister, "I don't accept apologies. You know the mistake you have made, Maia. Correct it and never repeat. And also, you didn't do anything wrong to me. It was your father you disobeyed.
He turned around, "Sir Sander! Pay for the damages we have caused also covers everyone's meal for the inconvenience."
"As you wish, young master, Deceron," Sander took out a sack of gold and walked forward to the counter, dropping it.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Deceron gazes shifted at the brother, "Tell me, Maia, who are those individuals you're here with? I'm curious."
Maia leaned toward his brother and whispered something to his ear.
"If that's the case, I'd like to sign them up for the tournament. I'm taking them to the barracks to straighten their spine."
Deceron nodded and looked at Ivan, "When I entered the tavern, that one person didn't even care, he was completely unfazed, he just kept eating... Interesting, I like his nerves."
Deceron approached their table and sat there, "Greetings, a pleasant day to both of you. My name is Deceron Cross. I have an offer if you're willing to lend an ear?"
Ivan grinned while chewing some meat, "Go on! ser Deceron."
"I would like to recruit both of you... work under my wings, any thoughts?"
"Slap me, brother. I don't know if what I'm hearing is real."
Deceron smirked, "Well, I'm going to take that as a yes."
He stood up, "I will take my leave now, I still have matters to attend to, for now follow Sir Sander to the barracks, he'll be your mentor."
Maia left with his brother, accompanied by a few guards.
The brothers finished their meal; they stood and followed Sander to the barracks of the house Cross.