Unknown village…

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Aunder's eyes widened at the event that unfolded before him . For the first time, he felt something other than a need to fight, bed, and drink . There was one major rule that every person of honor followed on his homeworld . Never involve children . They could watch from afar—there were no stopping esper-brats from doing so—but partic.i.p.ation in fights was off limits . The only violence they were exposed to was training . Destroying the next generation meant the end of a race .

So when Aunder saw the villagers tie a girl that looked the age of ten tied to the stake for public execution, he hopped out of his chair .

"Witch! Witch! Burn! Witch!" the mayor cheered . His hundred supporters repeated him, raising fists into the air . The little girl had a dead stare as if she'd given up hope .

Aunder strode onto the stone stage, soliciting confused stares and glares from the audience .

"So this is how the world treats its young accused," he said, slicing through the ropes with a single chakrinduced touch . The kid blinked at him . "Unless you want to die, I suggest pointing your spears elsewhere . "

"Guards, kill this man and secure the witch," the mayor ordered .

With the girl on his back, Aunder simply ignored them as he walked away . The sound of boots grew louder . He chuckled then handed the child off to Olivia .

"Are you sure you don't want us to deal with them?" Momo asked .

"This will take only a few seconds," Su Yang said .

"No, I don't want them dead," Aunder said then chuckled . "I need them to live in fear . And there are other children around here . I'm not claiming responsibility for that blood . "

Julius's eyes widened, but he was wise enough to stay quiet . The purple-eyed glowing gaze on him could mean death .

Aunder aimed a finger at the approaching village guard, though this attack was meant for the entire angry mob . There were a few pretty ladies amongst them, which disappointed him .

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((Aunder triggered Ma.s.s sleep!))

((Aunder triggered Worst nightmare . ))

The mayor, his foolish guards, and his even more foolish angry mob dropped like flies . Some even began to scream in their sleep .

"Ooh, I perhaps overdid that one," he said then chuckled . He turned back to the others . "You have a point . Maybe I should sit back and give you a shot at proving your worth . But you must be honorable . If your opponent is pathetic, then it is your call to let him die pathetically or live in shame . He may even return a better fight . "

He walked over to the kid .

"Young one, you may choose to follow me or return to your family . "

The girl leapt out of Momo's grasp and dove into Aunder . He blinked . "Alright enough of that, I'm only touchy-feely with pretty ladies . You are young enough to be my kid sister or something . " He tried to pull the girl away, but she had a… surprisingly super-strong grip . "Hey let go ya runt . "

The girl surprised Aunder again, agilely hopping onto his back .

"I will follow you," she said softly .

Aunder sighed .

"Don't get used to that spot . "

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"Spot!" she cheered then pulled off Aunder's hood . She ruffled his dark hair . "Thank you for saving me…uhm… . "

"You little runt," he said then sighed . "Call me Aunder, child . "

"Aunder-child!" the little girl cheered .

"Aunder!" he snapped, causing all of his companions to roar with laughter . They've never seen the Viper blush or look so comedic .

"She's so adorable," Momo said .

"I second that," Su Yang said .

"Same here," Olivia said .

Julius, who kept a slight distance from them, felt surprised that he was able to laugh . The tension melted, but he remained on edge . He stared at Momo again . The white-haired woman lacked in the breast department but made it up with a well-toned body . She wore the most provocative clothing of the three . She rarely spoke to Aunder but chatted with Julius a lot . Flirted . The man considered making a move but decided not to risk it . What if she belonged to the Viper?

Aunder shook his head .

"What's your name, child?"

"Princess Dire," she said smugly . "Bow to me, subject . " She giggled . "Those mean people took me from my aunt last year . The castle probably forgot me . "

Aunder froze . This little runt was THE Princess Dire . Wow . He still didn't want to be stuck babysitting her .

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"Well, you're in luck, kid . We're going to take you home," Aunder said .

"I don't wanna go home," Dire whined .

Aunder shrugged . So much for not babysitting .

"Are you sure, runt? I'm not going to waste my time on a trip there unless you're absolutely sure . "

"I'm not liked," she said . "Destruction this, dangerous that . Everyone's so mean . "

"And so, you chose," Aunder said then addressed his party . "Let us get going . We've got a lot of work to be done tomorrow . Momo, your duty will be to protect the runt with your life . "

Momo bowed .

"As you wish," she said in a voice that hid buried anger .

Lot City, Satovia…

After the movie, which was a romance that normally would've made Clyde cringe for days, he took his date to a high-end restaurant . He was f.u.c.king rich . The young man still secretly marveled at his own house .

After the meal, he and Harumi held hands while taking a walk . People were out and about, conversing and telling jokes, jogging, pus.h.i.+ng strollers . There were even some Sato Academy students headed home after staying late . Clyde listened to a conversation or two during the short period of silence that slipped between the duo .

"Can you believe he pulled it off?" a girl said . "The insane triple spin flip, on bike . That air . "

"I know right? This is why I follow all of Ridout's shows," the young man that walked beside her said . "Jacob's been number one for like twelve years now . n.o.body can match the guy!"

"h.e.l.l, no they can't . Which is why I've got all of my bikes signed by him," the girl said smugly . "I'm the best fan . "

"Pssh, he signed my s.h.i.+rts," the young man said . "And my shoes . My phone too . Of course, when he left, his stupid bodyguard kicked me off the premises . That girl's strong as s.h.i.+t . "

The two shared a laugh . "Nice guy though . I heard d.a.m.n near every sports producer in the nation's trying to get him to sign with them . "

Clyde chuckled, turning back to Harumi . They stopped center bridge as the sun set . He pulled the pink-haired young woman close and kissed her . She seemed to melt . Then words poured from her mouth .

"I love you," she said . "I don't care what Alice, or the others think—I love you . There's…also something I've kept from you . From everyone, really . The only one who knows is Alice's mother . "

Clyde nodded .

"I'm not a nosy guy, most of the time," he said then gave her an easy smile . "You have reasons, right?"

"No, I should tell you—must tell you . You've risked it with us, despite this Mortem, I'll tell you . "

A click grabbed the attention of the duo . A smiling man pointed a gun at them .

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