Everyone freezes for a moment at the powerful and angry shouting voice. Because it was the voice of someone they knew very well. When they looked toward the sound, they saw the furious General Lorand, a large-built man clad in royal battle armor. The guard unit, Conan and those beside him, immediately moved into orderly formation. Gregor and his men, however, stood to the side in fear. Because the person before them was a general who had made a name throughout the entire kingdom with his battles. Lorand begins stepping forward angrily. He shouts in rage, "Who started this disgraceful fight?" No one makes a sound out of fear. Lorand speaks again, "Very well then, I will gladly punish all of you."
At that moment, Victor steps forward. "My General, I am the guilty one. There is no need to punish everyone."
Conan does not stay in place and he also steps forward. "Yes, My General, I am also guilty here. I am ready for whatever punishment you give. The others were only separating us."
Lorand throws an angry glare at both of them. "Who do you think you are? Your duty is to protect the city, but you are trying to degrade your duty! I will give you the heaviest punishment!"
Lorand rarely leaves outside. His main duty is protecting the royal family. On that day, he was taking the hero unit to the Dark Forest for training. While all this was happening, the hero unit was also there. Luis, who was watching the incident, begins to speak.
"Respected General, I know that guard. He has always been rebellious like this. If you allow it, I would declare the punishment. After all, punishing the guilty is the duty of a hero."
Lorand looks at Luis. "You are right, hero. My duty is to train you. If you know this rebel as you say, very well. Then go ahead."
Luis looks at Conan and Victor and declares the judgment.
"You two created chaos in the city instead of protecting it. Therefore, as punishment for one month, I assign both of you to guard the back alleys and to do the errands there!"
Luis asks, "My General, do you have anything to add about the punishment?"
Lorand replies, "No, hero, I think this is the most appropriate punishment. Let them continue their duty as guards and also do the errands needed there! As for you, Gregor and those beside you. Imprison each of them for 10 days! Pray that I did not punish you with execution for rebellion in the city!"
Lorand's warriors captured Gregor and his friends and took them to the dungeon. As Gregor was going to the dungeon, he looked at Conan with great anger. As if implying that this was not over yet. But Conan's mind was neither on Gregor nor on the punishment given. He kept looking at Rose. But Rose did not even give him a single glance.
Conan and Victor are sent to their new duty locations.
Victor speaks. "My friend, are you stupid? Why did you step forward? This was my matter. It would have been more correct for only me to be punished."
Conan replies. "What, did you forget the promise you gave? That if they came back, we would not step back and we would fight again."
Victor replies. "My friend, none of us stepped back. But the matter is punishment. We never gave any promise about that."
Conan replies. "There is no need to promise in order to fight together with a friend and receive punishment."
Conan smiles.
Victor laughs loudly. "My friend, did you see how I broke his nose with my head. But I admit, your flying punch was also excellent."
Both of them laugh loudly and head toward the back alleys.
Celaria Royal Palace…
Elena was sitting in front of the mirror in her room. Her personal servant Laura was combing her hair.
Laura speaks with a smile. "My Princess, you look very beautiful. Especially since the hero party arrived in the city, you have become even happier."
Elena smiles. "Laura, why would I not be happy! Since childhood, I dreamed of going on an adventure with a legendary hero. But because I am a princess, I can never join an adventure. But still, the existence of a hero in our time makes me very happy. As if my dreams have become real."
Laura replies. "My Princess, seeing you this happy makes me happy as well. But still, it would be better if you kept distance between yourself and that hero."
Elena replies. "Why did you fall into such a thought, Laura?"
Laura replies. "He looked a bit perverted, how to say, like someone who chases women and girls."
Elena replies. "Laura, you grew up with me and I know you very well. I know that you dislike men. But do not be this boring. Otherwise, you will never marry."
Laura frowns. "I am not boring. I am just worried for my Princess."
Elena laughs and stands up and holds Laura's hands.
"Laura, imagine. You are in a ruined place. Demons are chasing you. That hero comes there to save you. He kills the demons one by one. He takes you into his arms and begins to walk with proud steps. Your savior. Even imagining it is exciting."
Laura speaks seriously. "In general, a young girl, especially a Princess, being chased by demons in a ruined place is a very suspicious and strange situation."
Elena smiles again. "Laura, enough. Do not be this suspicious. This is only a dream."
Laura smiles and holds Elena's hands and both of them begin laughing.
Celaria Back Alleys…
Luis's main purpose in sending Conan and Victor to these streets was because these streets, although in the royal city, were a problematic place. Until now, many guards had been seriously injured while performing their duties here. No matter how much the palace pressured this place, these streets never became normal. In addition, by loading errands onto them, his goal was to completely break Conan's pride from the academy. But there was one thing Luis did not know. That Victor was a resident of the back alleys. Victor was born here and currently his family also lives here. So this was not considered a serious problem for them. All the people here knew Conan and Victor very well. Because Conan also lived here. After starting work as guards, Conan and Victor became inseparable friends. Their entire days were spent either drinking and having fun in taverns or joining some fight. Meaning, the complete opposite of Conan's dreams. But despite causing many problems during this time, the people around them loved them very much.
Conan and Victor walk on the street.
Conan looks at Victor. "My friend, did you handle the errands?"
Victor smiles proudly. "Do you think your friend is incompetent? Do not worry. I gave a small amount of bribe to each of the boys and they will do all the errands while we are here. We will simply patrol the streets and do our guard duty."
Conan smiles. "My friend, maybe after this so-called punishment ends, we should visit the guard unit and ask them to assign our duty here. It would be more comfortable for us. And we would not see the faces of some fools."
Victor walks relaxed with his hands behind his neck and speaks proudly.
"That so-called hero thought he gave us a heavy punishment. How foolish. Someone like him does not deserve to be a hero. This level system works very unfairly."
Conan nods in agreement.
At that moment, Kaelhor's voice is heard.
"Instead of wandering like this, it would be better if you trained a little. Your ability on the battlefield is trash."
Conan looks at Victor. "My friend, an idea came to my mind."
Victor replies. "What, my friend?"
Conan replies. "When we fought today, something caught my attention."
Victor looks at Conan with surprise. "What caught your attention?"
Conan replies. "Even though we have good fighting ability, we are very weak on the battlefield. That is why we receive many hits."
Victor replies. "So what is your suggestion?"
Conan replies. "Let us train. Instead of wandering like this, let us improve our abilities. Also, we do not know when we will fight again. We are free for one month. What do you say?"
Kaelhor speaks angrily. "Did this really come from your mind!?"
Victor replies. "My friend, you have really become strange. We can gain experience by joining fights like this. What else can we do?"
Conan replies. "I do not know. You have many people around you. I thought maybe something would come to your mind."
Victor stops walking for a moment. He looks at Conan seriously and with interest.
"Actually, there is someone. I know someone who will teach us real combat."
Conan replies. "Who is it?"
Victor replies. "Do not ask questions. Move quickly. We are going directly to him."