As Ellie's returned to the Elven kingdom in the east by morning, August immediately told his men to bring him the gold from the treasury to finally pay Nein for his help.
The life in the duchy returned to it's original lively state. Some might be losing somebody but they're not alone now since everyone's know how it feels and begin to growing a strong bond among each other.
Meanwhile Nein just woke up from his sleep. He groans and gets up slowly, the blanket fall to his lap, revealing his toned and scarred body in the morning light. He get off the bed and wash his face before getting dressed and exit the inn after paying his lodging and breakfast.
"Where should I go now... let's visit the Duke first then." He mumbles before making his way toward the Duke manor.
The guard immediately recognize him even from afar and immediately standby.
"Sir Nein, are you here to collect your gold?" Ask one of the guard.
"I am. Is the Duke's available now?"
"Well... he's currently speaking with a guest now, but he already told us to tell you to wait." He explain politely.
Nein nods curtly, thinking about what should he do as he waits.
"Then can you take me to the library?. I'll wait there." He says casually to the guard.
"Yes, of course. My Lord already giving you permission for that. Please follow me." He begin to lead the way.
They both begin to walk along the hallway toward the library on the second floor. And on his way, August already finished with his talk and emerges from his office until he saw Nein approaching with the guard.
"Ah Nei-." His words got interrupted as someone immediately rushed toward Nein direction.
"Nein!!". A woman immediately lunges herself toward him with excitement.
She pass through his body and faceplanted to the floor as he immediately activate his smoke form. The air became awkward as he told the guard that there's no need for library now. As the guard leave, she suddenly rose up to her feet and walking toward Nein.
"You and your wierd magic, don't you miss me?. Because I do, I make all the way here only to see you." She says with flirting tone.
"Sorry for the sudden delay Nein, but Elias is one of my friends. She's the one who giving me your file." August join the conversation, he doesn't pry further with Nein weird ability taking Elias suggestions beforehand.
"It's fine, boss not really bothering me." He said that, but she's still trying to touch him.
A woman with missing left eye, short hair and wearing a suit with tactical equipment strapped on her body acting like a kid first time seeing a horse.
And after a few moments, Nein got his payment. Two hundred gold and a letter from the Duke. A form of assurance from the Duke if he returns to this duchy, when he showed the letter he'd get the bestest service just like the Duke himself.
"I appreciate it. Thank you" he says with a nod.
"Don't mention it, if it's not because of you, maybe I'll ended up losing more people. Once again, I thank you representing my people Nein winter." He says with his hand reaching out for a shake.
He smiles and accept the gesture to shake it firmly. "You're welcome."
"Now, are you done?." Elias prying suddenly, standing with arms crossed with defiant.
And with that, his job in Bellonia duchy comes with a success. He walks toward the front gate to exit the duchy and returned to Patio, a land of mercenary where most of them treating that place as home.
She comes to a stop once they exit the gate. She looks at him expectantly while rising her arms toward him. He just stare at it deadpan while looking around as if looking for something.
"Don't you came here with horse?." He says with lifted brow.
"Oh come on, just for once. Don't you know how I missed you?. Just let your boss spoiling herself okay?." She says defiantly, arms high in the air.
He sigh and bend down to let her ride his back. She smiles and wrap her arms around his shoulder as he rose up to his legs.
"Hold on tight boss. It'll be windy now." He make sure to adjust his smoke to support her weight behind him before bracing his legs.
"I'm holding tight." She says excitedly.
And suddenly, he leaps to the air before using {Chain of restriction} to latching in the air and begin to swings in high speed. Winds ripping through his coat along with her laughter behind him.
{Chain of restriction} is a form of smoke that represents black chain that prevent any action. It can bind anything it touches and make them unable to function naturally. The same ability he used to tied his enemies and to swings in the air.
It take the most two days with horse to reach Patio from Bellonia. But with Nein way of transportation, they managed to reach it in five hours. He land with a skids on the hard green ground near the town entrance.
He place her down slowly and saw her disheveled hair and windy faces.
"Yo Nein!. Going for a date again aren't you?." One of the mercenary approach them with a friendly smile.
"I'm just giving boss a ride." Nein answer as he dust his coat casually.
"Stop it and don't tease him too much. Give him some rest now Nada and told old man Ethan that I want him in my office." Elias said as she fixing her hair.
Nada nods immediately and wave before carrying the command while both Nein and Elias walking through the road while exchanging nods with other mercenary.
Despite the name, this place is a fully functional town with permit from the emperor, with Elias as the leader she rebuild a vast greenland into a settlement for those who lost everything. While she's not a great fighter herself, however she's an outstanding leader with that intelligence and confidence of her. Gaining respect from others and created this town named Patio.
"I'll be returning to my office now Nein. See ya." Elias wave as she begin to walk away.
He return the wave before walking along the road. Everyone here know the better to not prying into someone else life and is a perfect place for someone with secret like him. Keeping their relationship simply as a neighbor and partner create a harmony amongst them.
Nein goes around before he make his way home. A decent place with enough space for him to move freely without needing to lower his head. He went to take a bath and went to his bed after changing into a more comfortable clothes.
He's laying down, starring at the ceiling. Peoples still going out even at night, especially in the bar where most of mercenary spend their nights in. The distant sounds makes him sleepy and finally drifting off peacefully.