Standing in front of the huge house, Isamu approached and knocked on the door entrance to see if the orc he is looking for is inside.

After waiting for around a minute, the door opened, revealing to be none other than the u003cChampionu003e / Baron himself.

"Look who's finally here!!" A welcoming grin a.s.sumed on Krothu's face upon seeing his cat-folk protege greeting him outside of his house. He then gestured Isamu to come inside as they begin their talk in the living room with him sitting down and allowing the cat-folk as well to do the same as a respected guest. "Back from Malic's fateful errand, I see. I hope the mission was not any trouble for you. Otherwise, I would bring you back into training and whip you more into shape, hahaha."

"So, you know, huh, sir," Isamu answered with a look of curiosity as he accepted the orc's kind gesture of sitting.

"Only the general overview of your mission affirming a simple bandit elimination as told to me by Malic," Krothu said smirking with his arms crossed.

"Well, I can't say that the mission is simple exactly, sir." Isamu chuckled in response to the adjective used to describe the quest. "We encountered something quite unexpected during our endeavours."

"Oh? Do tell." Krothu replied, now a.s.suming a look of intrigue about this. "I wonder how mere bandits were able to give you and your little band a hard time?"

"Not the bandits, sir." Isamu shook his head in disagreement. "Alchemy and magic were involved in the operation."

"I see." Krothu's expression instantly s.h.i.+fted into a grimace as he heard the two grim factors in the cat-folk's statement. "Continue."

Isamu nodded as he started to fill in his Master regarding the whole thing that he and his companions have experienced inside the cave, without leaving out any single one of the gruesome details that were involved.

After being enlightened about the whole matter, Krothu rubbed his chin with a stern look, speaking out his point of view about the issue that his protege found himself in.

"So, an alchemist conducting some experimentations of who knows what to our fellow guild warriors." Krothu scowled with his sharp teeth-baring for the cat-folk to see.

Isamu could definitely see the now angered expression of his Master's beastly face. Krothu, despite all that, managed to maintain his composure in the end as succ.u.mbing to his rage is of no use now at this very moment.

The orc controlled his poise with a deep breath as he said. "I honestly hope that you gave the bandits a fitting death that they deserved."

"Yes, sir," Isamu said in full agreement, feeling the same sentiment as his Master. "We spared not a single one of them and made sure every one of their blood was drawn by my own blade and my two companions' magic."

"Good, at least justice was served to a considerable extent today. If that son of a b.i.t.c.h is from Flocaster, then we should be sending someone to investigate there." Krothu shared his view about the matter with a scowl.

Deciding that it's no use to be enraged even further, the orc changed the topic immediately. "Anyways, you must be wondering as to why I required you to report to me after your business with the guild."

Isamu merely nodded in response.

"I believe I haven't imparted you with something that officially marked the completion of your training regime under me." The orc spoke up with a smile. He then took out a crimson red scarf from his Inventory and handed it to the cat-folk. "This scarf has served me well ever since I was a youth starting out his journey at the valleys of Wolfhead."

As Isamu received the item, the System notified him of its stats and item description for him to perceive.

u003cBattle Scarf of the Warlordu003e

(Legendary Accessory)

[Levels Up with the User]

Lvl Requirement: 20

Attribute Requirement: 49 Strength, 30 Endurance

Enchantments: +13 Strength, +10 Willpower, +6 Speech, u003cChampionu003e skills are 10% more effective.

Item Description:

A scarf owned by the u003cChampionu003e Krothu. The prominent clothing has experienced many battles throughout the years, used ever since the beginning of Krothu's various exploits throughout Silverhart.

"I… I'm honoured Sir Krothu." Isamu was beyond shocked upon being granted such a powerful item just like that. "Forgive me for sounding doubtful, but to part me with an item of legendary status… it's absolutely unreal."

"I'd prefer someone who I can trust use it for the greater good rather than the item lingering wastefully inside my Inventory until the time has come for me to meet the Divines, haha." Krothu chuckled heartily in a cordial manner. "Besides, I haven't seen any action in a while, and at this old age, I believe I'm quite content with the life I currently have of being a Baron and managing my own land and people."

Krothu took some time to paused for a moment as he held a serene smile. "I've seen enough bloodshed during the past, and I believe it's time that I finally put those days behind. I know it's strange for a battle-loving Orc to speak such things, but by Wynather's grace, I found my calling here in the farmlands as I made my peace. Of course, I would still offer my contributions to the guild every now and then. It's time for youngsters such as yourself to take the mantle in making this land a better place for the people."

Isamu nodded as he was still flabbergasted by this current situation that he is in.

In a short while, the cat-folk regained his composure as he now stood proudly in an upright manner and gave a sincere bow of the head to his orc Master.

"Thank you, sir. I'll wield the scarf proudly and won't let you down." Isamu said with utmost sincerity on his every word. After that, he did just as he stated and donned the scarf in its legendary splendour, feeling the item's beneficial enchantments in an instant.

Krothu nodded approvingly at seeing his protege donning his scarf, a feeling of nostalgia invading him as he reminisced his glory days as a young, fierce warrior whose name echoed around the corners of the land.

"And with that, you are free to pursue your path of goodness as you see fit." Krothu imparted his wisdom while tapping the cat-folk's shoulder like how a father-figure does. "And my final advice to you, never give in to pride and arrogance as it'll cost you everything, especially the ones you hold dear."

"Yes, sir," Isamu said with complete confidence and enthusiasm as he gave the orc a salute of utmost appreciation.

After everything is said and done, Isamu's meeting with Krothu has finally concluded, with the latter receiving a legendary item that will aid him and his companions in the future battles and trials that they are going to face.

***

Departing from Krothu's Manor, Isamu's next course of action is to look for a certain young maiden that he intends to woo and pursuit in the name of love.

While on his ventures, wondering throughout the familiar farmlands of Chadena that he grew to love, the cat-folk encountered an old man that he knew all too well during his farming days. The man is currently overseeing the farm work as he meticulously eyed every farmer around the vicinity from a distance at where he's at.

"Elder Bren." Isamu smiled politely as he greeted the older farmer.

"Ah, lad." Bren returned the gesture with his own smile. "It's nice to see you here. For a second, I thought you wouldn't be here anymore since I heard that you are now finished with your training with Baron Krothu."

"Don't worry, I'll make sure to visit from time to time," Isamu a.s.sured the old man. "So, do you know where Sarah is?"

"She's at the barn tending to the animals," Bren said as he raised his eyebrow with intrigue. "Why do you ask?"

Seeing no more reason to hide his clear feelings for the girl, Isamu told him about his intentions. That, and Bren already knew something is going on between Isamu and Sarah, so it would be of no use to be so defensive regarding the matters of love affairs.

With a will of high resolve and determination, Isamu spoke up with his tone steadfast. "I intend to finally confess my love for her."

"Really?!!" Bren's face lit up with extreme vigour and excitement, very much in contrast to the appearance of his old warring age. "Well, it's about time lad!!! I'm sure the la.s.s will be thrilled upon hearing the news!!"

"Hehe, I hope so." Isamu scratched the back of his head nervously. "Well, I'm off to the barn now, thanks."

"Wait." A stern look swiftly graced forth on Bren's face as an idea struck within him and quickly halted the cat-folk of his intentions to turn around. "Before getting down to your confession, why don't you practice to me first. I may not look like it, but I too had my fair share of experience with the ladies during my youth, haha."

"Practice?" Isamu questioned the old man. "Well, I supposed I could use one to not embarra.s.s myself in the actual scenario."

"Good." Bren grinned in response as he tilted his head slightly a bit to the right and begun suspiciously gesturing hand signs at Isamu's back, much to the cat-folk's confusion.

'Wait, I sense someone familiar from behind.'

As Isamu was about to turn to his back to clarify his uncertainty, Bren instantly held Isamu's head with his hands and held him still to prevent what the cat-folk is about to do.

"First lesson of confessing to a maiden, never turn to your back at all cost!!" Bren instructed him as he slowly released his grasp from Isamu. "It's uh… disrespectful and cowardly at the same time to do such deeds and is deemed vulgar in the eyes of the lady. A lady prefers a man reverberating with an aura of confidence as he faces the soon to be the love of his life emanating with unyielding courage."

"Alright." Isamu was baffled as to why Bren is overreacting at this very moment. But seeing the logic behind the old man's advice, the cat-folk decided to play along.

'Seriously, that sweet flowery scent behind me is awfully familiar.'

"Now, I want you to begin your confession by stating why you love this girl and be truthful with your every word so that I can check it for myself. Trust me, many ladies are capable of seeing through the lies and venom pouring out from an insincere man's confession. Oh, and don't forget to say her name tenderly while doing so. As a matter of fact, think of it as I'm the very lady that you so desire at this very moment." Bren looked at Isamu directly with a grim expression.

"Very well." Isamu nodded as he hardened his resolve and begun speaking out his feelings from the heart. "Sarah, when we first met, you gave an impression of a fun-loving girl with a free spirit, s.h.i.+ning brightly like the beautiful suns.h.i.+ne. Your smile is a grandeur sight, bringing warmth and comfort into my heart, blissfully energizing me as I could not help but be captivated by it. Whenever I hear your laughter, it's like a wonderful melody of music that merrily made my heart flutter at every tone."

Isamu paused for a moment to think up more of what he is going to say.

"Keep going lad, you're doing great." Bren encouraged him with an approving smirk.

Isamu nodded as he continued. "And your angelic eyes, I can't help but be lost by its exalted brilliance, The more time that I spend with you, the more I realize this stirring feeling of the b.u.t.terflies inside me despite the bravado that I've been displaying to you. My heart yearns for you, I want nothing more than to be deserving of your affection. I love you, Sarah Ancret."

With the cat-folk's confession over, the old man's grin turned even wider. "What an extraordinary and genuine confession lad. I'm sure the beautiful young la.s.s behind you is erupting with joy at hearing such heartwarming confession."

"Behind huh." Isamu was stricken with nervousness as he heard a sound of something dropping coming from behind.

Turning to his back, the cat-folk's eyes widen with shock upon seeing Sarah with her mouth agape and her face thoroughly flushed and red as the ripe apples inside the basket that she has dropped below due the extreme astonishment of hearing the emotionally uplifting words coming straight from the cat-folk's chivalrous mouth.

"I, I … uh..." Sarah stuttered on her speech as she utterly failed to express her feelings with words while her mind turned completely blank from this unexpected turn of events.

'd.a.m.n it, it really is her from behind!!!' Isamu thought with the same amount of redness now present on his completely fl.u.s.tered look. 'This is really awkward. That d.a.m.n old man!!'

Of course, the feeling is mutual as she wanted nothing more than to return the cat-folk's feelings right here and now with a loving kiss.

Although her body functions seemed to have completely shut down from sheer embarra.s.sment as she could not handle the sudden revelation and fainted on the spot.

"Sarah!!" Isamu panicked and immediately went to her side down the ground to provide a.s.sistance as he supported her body.

Bren shook his head in amus.e.m.e.nt as he felt accomplished at the new-found relations.h.i.+p that he has provided to two young lovebirds.

"The G.o.ddess of Love, Era indeed smiled this very day as she nurtures her blessings of love to them both."

As Isamu was tending to Sarah's well-being, the System Notification greeted them with a new message.

PERMANENT BLESSING RECEIVED: u003cLover's Graceu003e