Naga looked at Bella smiling before walking away. Bella lightly bowed to the emissary and hurriedly followed Naga.

'This child is dangerous.' The emissary thought to himself.

"Follow me!" He said to the knights before walking. He was furious with what his knights did.

Bella asked Naga while walking, "Where did you learn that sword style?"

Naga chuckled, "You considered that a swordsmans.h.i.+p?"

"Are you criticizing yourself now? I would say the way you used sword is cunning." Bella said smiling.

She continued after a while, "It was not the emissary. It could be someone from the Duke's camp who ordered that to test you."

Naga smiled but did not respond. He doesn't want to know the reason why the young knight asked him for a spar. It was a simple child's play for him.

Naga stopped walking when they reached the mansion's gate. "Thank you. I will leave now."

"I am glad that you went personally. I heard that the Magic Blacksmith will leave with the emissary tomorrow?" Bella smiled and asked.

"Yes. He will stay there for a bit. Well, perhaps a year." Naga said.

"I see..." Bella said. She didn't know what to say next.

Naga thought for a bit before asking, "Would you like to go to our manor later? Perhaps at sunset?"

Bella was surprised. She knew that there will be a banquet later but only the member of the House of Iron Crow will be there. Even her sister was not invited.

"Would it be fine? It is only for your House, do you think so?" She calmed herself and asked.

"Your presence will make the banquet more lively so they won't mind." Naga said smiling.

'Bill most probably invited the City Lord and Old Samuel asked some of the officials.' Naga thought to himself.

"Then, I'll be there. Thank you." Bella said and smiled. She was really happy with Naga's invitation.

Naga lightly bowed at her and at the guards. After that, he went to his carriage.

Bella went to the mansion with a very pleasant mood. She asked her maids to prepare her favorite dress.

"What made my little sister so happy?" The City Lord asked smiling. She saw Bella talking to the maids.

"Sister, I was invited by Naga to go to their banquet later." She hurriedly went to her sister.

"Really? Then, you should bring a gift to Old Drun. I will help you with it." The City Lord said smiling.

'This is good. It seems that the young master is interested to her as well.' She thought.

"Also, just wear a simple dress. Young master Naga will appreciate it more." She said and smiled.

"Thank you, sister!" Bella nodded and said gladly.

At the manor, the servants are busy with the preparation for the banquent. One of the servants told him that Cris and Nicholas are waiting for him inside.

"Hahaha! Boss, I'm back! Give me some tasks to do!" Nicholas immediately stood up when he saw Naga.

"Greetings, Boss!" Cris stood up as well and lightly bowed.

Naga nodded at them and smiled. They went to the Meeting Hall to discuss the updates to their plan.

"How was it?" Naga sat down and asked Cris.

"All good, Boss. The uncle of Alfred, who is also the village head, agreed. He knew how you helped Alfred so he immediately gave us his full support. The constructions are already starting. We talked to reliable and honest people to help out." Cris said.

"Nice. You are really reliable." Naga said and smiled.

Cris is giving his best for it. He talked to the carpenters and masons who he can trust from the town to start the constructions. He hired a group of veteran mercenaries with the help of the village head to guard the area. He did this so people will not investigate further who ordered the constructions since only the n.o.bles or powerful clans can hire mercenaries as guards.

"Nicholas, Draxus found resources near the village and I need your help in checking it out. I heard that it is a place where we can mine certain type of magic stones."

"Sir Draxus? I thought Sir Hextor..." Nicholas frowned and said.

"It seems that before going to the Bluemist Mountain, he and Alfred went to the village. It might be that time when he noticed it." Naga responded.

"Then, sure! I am a mage with great knowledge about magic stones so you can leave this to me! Haha!" Nicholas said and laughed.

'This elf is really doing this for fun'. Naga thought to himself and smiled.

After that, Naga asked Cris to do a different task since the village head will take care of the needed constructions. He asked Cris to gather information about Ludwig and the four knights. Cris told him that Ludwig is close to Duke's grandson and that he will investigate further so he can give full report.

After their meeting, Naga went to the lake to train his physique and practice his arcane. He used the informarion he got from the Elder to improve his training and practice routine.

It was almost sunset when he stopped and asked a servant to prepare his bath. After cleansing himself and wearing a new set of commoner's clothes, he went to the garden where they will have their banquent.

"Good afternoon, My Lord." Bill stood up and greeted him.

"Kid, they prepared great food and drinks for us! Haha!" Old Drun said.

"I heard that the young miss is coming." Old Samuel said and smiled.

The four elves where surprised when they heard it.

"Hahaha! As expected of Boss!" Nicholas said.

"Good to see you again, Naga!" Albert said.

"Good to see you, Albert. How are you?" Naga asked before he sat down.

This is the first time that they are all together in one place again after four months. They are really glad to see each other. They are laughing and talking about the things that happened when the food and drinks were served. They asked the guards and servants to join them as well.

"Young master, the princess is here." A guard approached their group.

"Oh, quick! Let's escort the young miss!" Nicholas said.

He and the guard hurriedly went to the gate so they can escort the princess.

"You are lucky, Naga." Albert looked at Naga and smiled.

"She's a talented mage too. She's perfect for you." Dilan said and smiled.

The servants and the guards were amazed when they saw Bella approaching. This is their first time seeing her. She's wearing a simple white dress yet she looks elegant and stunning. Her presence alone made the place more pleasant.

"What a beauty!" Some of the servants exclaimed.

"Greetings to the House of Iron Crow." Bella elegantly bowed and said.

Bill stood up and bowed, "It is our pleasure to have you here, princess."

"Welcome, princess. I hope that you will enjoy our meager banquet." Old Samuel bowed and smiled.

She smiled at them and then she approached Old Drun, "I wish you a safe journey. I am confident that the empire will surely benefit from the great magic blacksmith's skill."

After that she lightly bowed and asked her maids to bring the gifts.

"Haha! Thank you, young miss!" Old Drun said.

A servant approached Naga and put a wooden luxury chair beside him. Dilan and Albert also moved so the princess can sit beside Naga comfortably.

Old Samuel and the elves looked at Naga who's not doing anything. Bella looked at him as well and smiled.

Naga seemed to understand so he stood up and greeted Bella, "h.e.l.lo, young miss. Please have a seat."

"Thank you, young master." Bella smiled and sat down near Naga.

"Is the City Lord not coming?" Naga asked curiously.

'Did something happen?' He thought.

'Cough.' 'Cough.' Nicholas lightly coughed.

"We didn't invite anyone, kid." Old Drun said smiled.

'What?' Naga was surprised and thought to himself.

"But you are allowed to. Inviting the princess means that she's important to you." Albert said and smiled.

"Welcome to our House of Iron Crow, princess!" Nicholas said smiling.

Bella smiled at him and then she looked at Naga.

"Then let's enjoy the night!" Naga said smiling.

It was a great night for everyone. The servants, the guards and even the four elves are singing and dancing. They have great food and drinks. It was a really entertaining night for everyone.

Naga and Bella went to the stone bench near the lake. They sat down and enjoyed the view.

"This is a beautiful place. This night view is relaxing." Bella said.

"It is. I'm glad you like it." Naga looked at the lake and smiled.

"I want to ask you something. It is fine if you don't want to answer it." Bella looked at him.

"Sure. What is it?" Naga asked.

"Who are you... really?" Bella asked while looking at the calm lake.

"Does it matter?" Naga asked and smiled.

"No... Please don't mind it." She lightly shook her head and smiled.

"The Silver Sparrow. It will soon fly and will roam the world freely. I am the master of the Silver Sparrow." Naga looked at Bella and smiled.

"A Silver Sparrow and an Iron Crow. I will remember it." She responded with a soft voice.