[Montmartre Residence, Monoceros Keep, Foranea 5:30 AM, 2nd of Before Witching, Year 426]

The morning sunrise slowly kept appearing when the general practitioner opened his eyes and sat up while stretching. He was too silent when he noticed his pregnant wife who was still sleeping and tired from yesterday's medical mission. Amnon sincerely smiled and kissed her smooth pinkish cheeks. He was still in his military green Foranean Army shirt and a pair of navy blue pajamas. He wore his glasses into his face and headed to the bathroom to urinate and wash himself. Then, he started his morning routine of reading the Ouranist scriptures and praying to the Heavenly Hosts.

While praying, he heard a sudden threshold from downstairs like a sound of clanking and striking metal. Amnon wore his blue bathrobe, stood up, and left the bedroom. He headed downstairs and followed the noise, leading him to the hardware and storage room. The blonde mustached doctor noticed his adopted Chergarian brother was busily examining and tinkering the projectile weapons that he had brought from Odyssea Academy's contractor guild. Amnon entered the room and stood behind the ginger haired bearded man who was holding a wrench.

" Perfekt, das würde funktionieren, sobald es getestet ist! (Perfect, this would work once it's tested!) " he happily said to himself and turned around when he was surprised to see his younger adoptive brother standing and observing behind him. " Amnon, guten Morgen! I mean...Bonjour! "

" Bonjour, Ivo! Vous êtes en train de vous occuper de la réparation de mes armes! Qu'est-ce qui vous amène à vous réveiller trop tôt ce matin? (Bonjour, Ivo! You are currently becoming occupied in fixing my guns! What brings you to wake up too early this morning?) " Amnon slightly laughed and asked.

Ivo made a sweatbead and wryly chuckled as he fully understood the question and replied the doctor in Franken, " Je viens de me réveiller vers quatre heures du matin en ressentant un mal de ventre. Je suis allé à la salle de bain et j'ai retiré ces résidus d'Umbral dans les toilettes et j'ai tiré la chasse d'eau. (I have just woken up around four in the morning as I felt a stomachache. I went to the bathroom and withdrawing those Umbral residue into the toilet and flushed it.) "

Amnon smirked and nodded, controlling his laughter, " Ah, it's the adverse reaction of the combiner drug! You were experiencing diarrhea, I presume? For how many times have you been in and out of the bathroom? "

" Ja, let's say four to five times! " Ivo nervously chuckled, becoming embarrassed. " Then afterwards, I felt warm, not feverish warm. I'm absolutely feeling much better than ever. Then, I never returned to sleep. Instead, I have started to examining your weapons and repairing the broken ones. "

" You mean those prototypes? You still have energy despite of
less hours of sleep, mon frère! "

" Ja wohl! " the ginger haired Chergarian nodded in agreement and smiled genuinely. " I'm just doing this to repay you from what you have done to me last night. I wish I could have done this beforehand. Well, nevermind. I am thinking if the Blue Knight needed more firepower aside his electric spells. There are some mechanical parts that need to be reused, recycled, and thrown away. "

" Yes, please. I was supposed to sell them into the weaponry collector or a junk shop in exchange of money for baby expenses, household, and utilities. "

Ivo laughed and remarked, " Amnon, you're an ex-military like me and now, a licensed medical doctor! You still can provide for your family as yourself and protect them as the Blue Knight! You can still receive income from your profession. Why bother if you sell them if you need objects of defense and offense! You can still use them like you have done back in the contractor guild party! "

Amnon slightly chuckled and deeply thought of his adopted older brother's response. He was indeed right. He could still gain income from his services rendered.

" You're right, Ivo, " he nodded. " I still have enough funds of my final pay from Odyssea and my defunct clinic and receive my salary from my work. I guess I must have been worried and overthinking to juggle a lot of things in the household. "

" See? You got your life on-going. Me, I'm just back to square one on how to manage and restart my life, " Ivo sighed and replied. " I guess I should find a job as a janitor or a maintenance man elsewhere. "

" Or you can work as a blacksmith apprentice at Arthas Thornwood's weaponry shop in the Dread Wolves Tribe village. He repairs weapons, armors, and metal furniture, creates other metal work, and sells them in Monoceros Keep and some towns in Foranea. He renders his services elsewhere. "

" Ja, good idea, " Ivo agreed. " This is a great start. Danke! "

" I'm giving you a heads-up about my previous patient. He likes to challenge everyone in a duel just like what he did to me yesterday after his check-up, " Amnon reminded as his older brother snickered.

" So, he's quite hard to deal with? "

" You'll just see that for yourself when you meet him. "

" Right, " Ivo nodded and felt his stomach grumbling, sighing to his embarassment and holding the wrench. " Sorry. "

" No worries, mon frère, " Amnon nonchalantly spoke. " Your gastric juices are loudly ranting in your stomach and intestines. You need to something to eat after your Umbral detox treatment. "

" Ja. I'm too ashamed to ask for food. "

" Vous n'êtes pas un étranger dans cette maison. Tu peux faire tout ce que tu veux tant que tu vis ici, Ivo. (You're no stranger in this household. You can do anything you want as long as you live here, Ivo.) "

" Oui, j'ai compris. Je fais toujours partie de cette famille depuis. (Yes, I understood. I am always part of this family ever since.) " the Franken-speaking Chergarian man smiled at his physician brother, sighed in relief, and changed his topic. " Speaking of which, I need you to test these weapons, but I am aware you have a pregnant wife and an elderly mother to consider. "

" I'll do that some other time, thanks. Safety always comes first. "

" Ja, I agree, " Ivo nodded and continued. " It seems you have an interesting experience back in the Odyssea Academy's contractor guild work. "

" Both good and bad, " Amnon recalled and headed to the kitchen, preparing two cups of coffee and slicing of two pieces of baguette. " Before I returned home in Foranea, I tested the new set of prototypes from Pierre and shot the ceiling. Then, a skaven servant just appeared from there. "

" Really?! " the Chergarian man snickered. " It turned out to be an accident, ja? "

" That will be one of my most embarrassing experiences to add! I can imagine you wanted to take revenge on him! "

" I know! "

" And what was your unforgettable moment back there? "

" Everything was unforgettable, Ivo, " Amnon said and
waited for the drink to be boiled. " There are many to mention as it will be taking hours for you to listen. "

" I can see that, " Ivo answered while examining and loading some bullets to the newly repaired Akrovian Mosin-Nagant Rifle, Aldernian pistol, and the Blunderbuss from the Vilbian Isles. " Checking and fixing your weapons here, I can imagine you have been to different places across Altirus. Then, you met friends and other people along the way. "

" Da, fighting so many Umbral and Eldritch idiots aside from dealing with emergency cases and taking medical documents from outpatients had occupied me for the past nine months. "

" Right, right, such a busybody as you were, " he chuckled. " You still talk trash just like the old days! "

" Well, yeah, " Amnon sighed. " I wished I could have brought you to Odyssea Academy back then. "

" I know, things were totally different for me. I'm not a mage like you, " Ivo seriously said. " Well, I guess you're right. The Dread Wolves Tribe can only accept me regardless of my background. I'll try my best to work at Arthas's workshop. "

" Ivo, you can still work and earn money to study engineering at University of Foranea. For a Chergarian like you, you can express fluently and comprehend in three languages, " the doctor encouraged his adoptive older brother. " My wife and I applied for scholarships to army veterans for medicine proper. We grabbed the opportunity as Dr. Lestrade suggested us. The university actually has been accepting any foreign students. "

The ginger haired Chergarian man widened his eyes in shock and slowly smiled at his adoptive brother's remarks. Upon hearing it, he slowly gained hope after the darkness he had been. Regardless of age, he was willing to regain and fulfill his dream that he has been longing for.

" Ivo?! " Amnon called him out as the coffee was ready to be poured and blended. " You seem to be so silent. "

" Nein, it was nothing, Amnon! " Ivo laughed and brushed off his silence. " I will grab the opportunity and enroll very soon while working as a mechanic and a blacksmith. Besides, it's not too late if I start studying at 38. "

" That's good to know, mon frère. Sooner or later, you can revive your dream. "

" I know. I forgot to mention, I'm still having a hard time understanding Luski! "

" Oh, yeah! You need an interpreter for that! " Amnon laughed and held a tray of two cups of coffee and slices of bread on the plate. " Bon appetit! "

" Vielen Dank! Merci Beaucoup! " Ivo smiled as he was pleased in receiving his share of coffee and his slices of bread. " How about your wife? "

" I will just come back for her as I have prepared something for her breakfast in bed. I'll be right back. "

" Sure, I will be eating breakfast here. "

Amnon nodded and stepped away for a while returning to the kitchen. Ivo began to eat his share and deeply thought of his new life which he was looking forward.

" This is it. I guess this recovery from my own darkness is just a beginning of my life's new chapter, " he pondered and ate his slice of bread. " I still need to work harder and clear my reputation after all those war crimes that I witnessed and forced to get involved. I wonder what's in store for me? "

The general practitioner had just returned from upstairs and held his cup of coffee and took a bite from his slice of baguette. Ivo held finished his slice and drank his coffee.

" So, how was Glenda? " he asked.

" She also just woke up when I stepped out of the bedroom and enjoyed the smell of coffee, " Amnon answered. " She has started eating. "

" How long is she pregnant to your child? "

" Approaching her 40th week and labor due date, very soon! "

" Wunderbar! I can imagine your true anticipation of having a baby! " Ivo happily exclaimed. " I congratulate you as a new father and Glenda as a new mother! "

" Merci beaucoup, mon frére! " Amnon joyfully remarked. " You will be an uncle too! "

" That's another thing to look forward, too. By the way, is that a boy or a girl? What is the baby's name? "

" It's a girl. Her name is Esmeralda Joanna Montmartre. She was named after my adopted daughter and fellow guild member, Esmeralda La Farceuse. You can call the little girl, Emie to avoid confusion. "

" I can imagine such grace and elegance to your biological daughter from a namesake and inspiration of another adopted family member, " the Chergarian man commented. " I can't wait to meet either of the two Esmeraldas. "

" The other one, Leanan Sidhe, Esme was a former assassin hired by a politician from Ithis. Like you, she had a complicated past and trained to kill anyone who was against the mayor, but she had a radical view in changing her country at a very young age. Now, she's done fighting and living a peaceful life in the Arcane Stretch with her loved one. "

" I see. I truly understand what she's coming from. I have been in the same page as hers, " Ivo empathically nodded. " And Little Emie? "

" Glenda and I called her the 'miracle girl', " Amnon explained and recalled. " Back from my Odyssea Academy employment, I received a letter from my wife and got excited for the good news of having a child after waiting for more than a decade and extensively studying in medical school. We have been praying so hard to conceive a child. My former superior, Major Smolder Ryliea told us we would never have a chance of having a baby after that excessive internal bleeding to the abdominal area affecting the cervix, ovaries, and the uterus. "

Ivo sadly sighed and bowed his head in shame, " I'm so sorry, Amnon. I wished I could have done something right to you both. I watched Glenda getting shot and dying back in Robania. You instantly carried her away into safety. "

" Ivo, you're forced to see and do horrible things, back then. We have forgiven you. Glenda is fully recovered and working as a pediatrician. Now look at her, she will give birth to Emie very soon. You will cherish our daughter, your niece and watch her growing up. "

" How is that possible?! A childless couple like you two can gain a baby?! "

" Glenda had undergone surgery after the war and then estrogen therapy during the med school years upto our graduation and licensure exam. She studied and created her own treatments as I helped her doing some research and formulating them. I encouraged her to have a check up with her gynecologist before our intercourse. "

" It took years for the both of you to conceive. Truly, it is the right timing to bring a biological daughter into existence. I understand how you two have been longing so much even such wars have hindered us to have a peaceful life we dreamed of, " Ivo empathised and calmly realised. " Now, here I am hearing your stories and shared mine from last night. You saved my life and I repaired your weapons in return. When I heard your statement, " You cannot save someone including yourself. " It's true. But honestly, it's very stupid if you fully believe or act upon it. Amnon, I saw how you courageously saved your wife and your troops, even you were injured. Both of you left the army for a new cause as doctors and parents. You are true Foranea's servants. Despite your challenges and hardships, you gained a miracle. You're not even aware of it. Me, I was an outcast, a wasted and dying man, but you have brought me back to life and given me hope to start over. I want to return the way I was before without the Chergarian Army and the Order. I want to attain that same miracle you have. "

" Merci, mon frére. Miracles do happen everyday, but they come in different things. Just keep on praying to Lady Photis and Her Heavenly Hosts and continue doing good things to help people and serve the Heavens, " Amnon genuinely smiled and held his cup of coffee. " Que Madame Photis et ses hôtes vous bénissent, ingénieur Ivo Matthias Fischer. (May Lady Photis and Her Hosts bless you, Engineer Ivo Matthias Fischer.) "

" Ja, I will. Danke, Amnon. "

" I'm thinking if we can invite you to attend the Start-Day service at the Ouranist Church of Saint Isaiah later on. Just like the old days, " the doctor mused. " Would you like to come with us? "

" But do you have patients in the hospital? "

" I'm actually on a day-off every Start-Days and work every six days a week, unless the mangement asks me to do some emergency cases just like in the Bonaparte-Kastronov incident. "

" A Doctor on Call, " Ivo surmised. " I see. "

" Oui, you still need a haircut and get yourself shaved. Pierre and I will buy you new clothes later. You're wearing Papa's clothes for now. "

" Are you sure about that, Amnon? You might spend too much for this. I'll pay you once I get a job very soon. Look, I'm a bit ashamed that..."

" Non! Ivo, you don't need to pay me, please! It's for free, " he chuckled and assured. " I do this for your well-being. Don't be ashamed, you're a part of the family. Papa would do the same thing to you if he were still living. "

" Oui, je vous rémércie, Amnon, " the future Chergarian engineer nodded no furiously and understood. " Your family has been so generous to me ever since. I promise I can make up to you and Glenda as well as the others. "

" This is your new chapter of your journey. Keep on journeying and discovering yourself. This starts from here. "

Ivo sincerely smiled and held his cup of coffee. His thoughts were now clear for his whole recovery and journey into a new life into his dreams to be revived. The lifelong dream as an engineer was like a warm brewed Foranean coffee which he had to passionately smell and ingest it.

This time, he finished his cup of brown coffee and returned to examine one of Amnon's weapons. The strange looking metallic staff had caught his attention. Ivo scratched his hairy chin and curiously stared at it.

Amnon noticed his older brother and asked, " You have never seen that one before? "

" Ja, it looks so unique. I have never seen anything like it! " he remarked and whistled in awe. Then, he queried, " Where on Iliad did you get that? "

" It's the Queen's Hypsotome which I acquired back in the Vilbian Isles after fighting a monstrous parasite queen. I met a Chergarian mechanic and a weapon trader named Richtofen who happened to be a former Luftwaffe, " Amnon recalled. " He flew planes a long time ago and migrated to that place after the war. "

" I think I have heard of his stories before, " Ivo replied. " I can imagine he saw your weapons that you have brought before. "

" Yeah. Would you like to see a demonstration? "

" Ja. "

" Here we go, " the general practitioner held the weapon using his left hand.

Ivo intently eyed at the weapon which was a crude piece, given the materials it was made of. But aside from all of that, there was a surgical preciseness to this weapon that trumped everything else that the doctor had wielded. There was the Queen's barbed whip-like tongue and mandibles in battle allowed him. It already had gotten a fair grasp at how durable and effective this weapon could be.

" Comment intrigant! Have you used this before?! " Ivo asked in shock.

" Once, but I got used to guns moving forward, " Amnon replied and held the Queen's Hypsotome.

" Perhaps, the Blue Knight should use that. "

" He has the Voltaic Blade and some guns you have repaired for him. I hope he'll be used to this one. It's really very effective and durable in that battle I had. "

The doctor held it, gripped the stock and pulled it down, away from the head. He saw the second grip emerge and the trigger, but also the mandibles close shut. Then, he released out a... grey ball with a poor drawn face on it. He tossed it in the air and pulled the trigger, the proboscis of the weapon opening up and launching the barbed whip forward. The whip impaled the ball and dragged it in. Just as the barbed whip fully retreated into the weapon, the proboscis shut and impaled the ball, afterwards the mandibles clapped in and held it in place. Amnon sighed and returned the weapon to its base. Ivo was still in awe in seeing how it worked.

" Bemerkenswert! C'est vraiment merveilleux! " the gruff Chergarian man exclaimed like a child in two languages. " This is such an intricate piece. It can make some very remarkable motions from these forms! Why not let the Blue Knight use it for his crime fighting schemes! "

" He can use it as a back-up weapon, " the general practitioner agreed.

Suddenly, the two men paused their conversation and heard some footsteps from upstairs. Amnon already knew it was Glenda coming.

" I'll be right back, Ivo. She needs my help in bringing down the utensils," he reminded and placed the Queen's Hypsotome on the vacant table.

" Ja, please assist her. I will bring and wash the dishes, later."

Amnon nodded 'thanks' to him and left the storage and hardware room. He saw his pregnant wife bringing her dishes down and aided to take the dishes from her.

" Thanks, Cheesecake, " she slightly smiled.

" Sorry, Babe. The conversation with Ivo had extended so much time. "

" No, it's fine! " Glenda softly chuckled. " I'm glad you have brightened up from the day you have returned home and the other day you lost the clinic. I like you seeing that way. "

" I did?! "

" Yeah, it seemed like you have recovered from those things. You just simply look forward for Emie's birthday and some new great things to happen. "

Amnon blushed at his wife. Indeed, Glenda and Ivo were both right. He was gradually gaining his recovery. Then, he gently smooched his wife's soft smooth pinkish cheeks while holding her used dishes. Then, the physician spouses noticed Ivo going to the kitchen and holding the other dishes and utensils.

" Bonjour, Glenda! " the ginger haired Chergarian man happily greeted the pregnant pediatrician.

" Bonjour, Ivo! How was the treatment to you? " the blonde Elandric-Foranean doctor asked.

" Ja, I can say, ' It's very super effective! ' " Ivo happily exclaimed and made a thumbs-up.

" Oh, glad to hear that! I guess my husband enjoyed your time talking to him. "

" Definitely, I'm getting inspired to bring my real life back. Thanks to the both of you. "

" Of course, keep it up, " Glenda nodded and looked at her spouse, suggesting him. " Amnon, I think you and Pierre can have your boys' day out this afternoon. Bring Ivo and give him a make-over. "

" That's what I am planning to do after the Start-Day service. I assumed you, Ma, her caregivers, and Marie will be staying for now. "

" I need more rest until Emie comes out. I know Ivo will enjoy your company. "

" Understandable, Babe. "

" Amnon, just leave the dishes at the sink. I'll wash them. I think you and Glenda need to prepare for the Start-Day service, " Ivo reminded.

" Merci, Ivo. "

[SIX HOURS LATER]

After attending the morning service from church, Ivo busied himself in the kitchen and volunteered himself cooking lunch for everyone. Without any notice, there was a dark haired and a bronze skinned Beirunese-Wulahaenese woman was wearing a dark blue dress. She recognized the ginger-haired Chergarian man working in the kitchen and smiled at him.

Ivo slowly turned around and intently eyed at her, recognising and smiling at her, " Nirvana, is that you? "

" Of course! " Nirvana Felsong chuckled softly at her old friend.

" How did you get here?! " they asked surprisingly in unison.

" Fine, you first..." Ivo relented.

" I escaped Sheeva's wrath and ended up wounded. The Montmartres found me at their doorstep and healed me. How about you? "

" Same here, I was also in the same fate as you were. It was just last night. "

" That means, they saved us! "

" Ja, definitely, " Ivo nodded and carefully placed the cooked chicken stew with tomato sauce into the bowl.

" Ivo-senpai, mind if I could help? " Nirvana asked.

" Sure, just take out the dishes, glasses, and utensils. We need to set the table before everyone comes. "

" Certainly, you knew the entire house from floor to roof, " she joked.

" I used to be a houseboy and a foreign student two decades ago. I met Amnon's father and took me here to work and study in this country. I was treated not as their househelp, but a part of the family, " Ivo recalled.

" Glad you have found a home here in Foranea, " Nirvana replied and sadly sighed. " Me, I was separated by war from my family in Beirun and got myself working for Sheeva's Umbral Cult and did horrible things like we did. Now, we're all back from scratch. "

" Have you ever thought of finding your sister, Hope? "

" I wished to, but my family would despise me if they find out I was a part of the Umbral Cult. "

" I knew how that felt when I came here last night, " Ivo admitted. " Like you, I was tremendously beaten and almost dying. The Montmartres considered me as a family member ever since. I thought Amnon would hate me in his burning passion, but it happened to be the opposite. "

" I clearly remembered you were from the Chergarian Army. "

" Ja, that past had haunted me and I had decided to let go and live the life what I want to be. "

" Sometimes, the past can be part of us, but we learned from it and became stronger and better people than we were, " Nirvana sincerely smiled.

" With that, will you be able to see your family in Beirun? " Ivo followed-up another question.

" Honestly, I missed them, " she sighed and took out the plates from the drawer. " If I have a chance to reunite them, then why not, but I have someone I met here in Foranea who was deeply concerned. "

" Who is that lucky man of yours, fraulein?!" the ginger haired Chergarian man cocked his eyebrows and smirked teasingly at his female friend, like an older brother casually bullying his younger sister.

" Ivo-senpai, tomette! " Nirvana blushed in red, thought of her special man, and heatedly exclaimed denying. " I might break the dishes here! "

" Nein! No worries, Nirvana! I won't judge nor tell who! Your secret's with me! " Ivo laughed and assured.

" Chigau yo, senpai! "

The bearded Chergarian man loudly laughed while preparing the mashed potatoes in the bowl. Nirvana was still blushing and thinking of Pierre when she heavily sighed. Suddenly, the two friends who left the Umbral Cult turned their attention to the two men who were discussing seriously in the living room. Ivo and Nirvana paused their kitchen work and curiously eavesdropped and listened to Amnon and Shemlock.

" Ivo-senpai, did you hear that? " she asked in a whisper.

" Ja, I think I heard about Esera's most wanted criminal was being investigated and hunted by the police throughout Altirus, " he answered lowly.

" Do you think he comes from Sheeva's cult or Ordrè de Damokles? "

" Nein, that I really don't know. I may have read of this guy in the newspapers here."

" What was his name? "

" Riki Vonku aka 'The Shark'. He was the most wanted thief and business saboteur from his country. No one knows about his real motives, so far. "

" Do you think he will come here, join the Umbral Cult, and hunt the former members down? " Nirvana asked with a concern.

" Maybe or maybe not, " Ivo replied. " The police will catch 'The Shark' for sure. Perhaps, the Blue Knight will also look after him. "

The two listened carefully at the conversation which Shemlock showed the newspaper to the doctor. Amnon intently read the pages and said, " Esera is still part of Lusivakian Commonwealth. How come they never actioned against their criminals on their end? "

" Vonku has a dangerous reputation of impersonating an Akrovian businessman or any allied official. Then, he backstabs and sabotages them. "

" Committing murder? "

" A spy, thief, business saboteur, and murderer, " the Aldernian detective answered. " Let's assume he escapes out of prison and looks out for a safe haven or should I say another place for crime sprees. "

" Do you think an Umbral phooka can come here? "

" Anything's possible, Amnon. Just anticipate for his terrors to be done. "

" Now, I'm going to be so suspicious with my patients and my fellow medical staff, " Amnon sighed and sternly spoke, holding the newspaper. " I don't want that clinic incident to happen again. "

" More like the Blue Knight of yours needs to intervene, " Shemlock replied. " There are many criminals connected to the Umbral Cult even their underground faction, Ordrè de Damokles. "

" Damocles the Umbral who tricked me? "

" They're more like Umbral Cult worshipping the Prince of Wrath. Some members have political ties with the Chergarian Empire. I know you don't want to hear them further, but I suspect one of them is connected to your father's murderers. "

The doctor sadly bowed his head and asked, " Where did you get this information? "

" From your patient, Nirvana Felsong. She submitted a long list of Umbral Sphere Cult members including the Ordrè de Damokles, " Shemlock seriously replied and looked at the bronze-skinned lady and the gruff ginger-haired man. Amnon understood and recalled that day when Nirvana wrote the paperwork with lists of names.

The Aldernian detective sternly glared at the bearded Chergarian man and crossed his arms. Ivo wryly grinned and chuckled at him, hiding his sudden apprehension to the sleuth. Amnon stared at his best friend and crossed his arms. Nirvana heavily sighed and saw the tensions among the three men.

" A Chergarian army deserter who served the war against Robania and witnessed so much war crimes done by his fellow troops, " he grimly deduced. " He had been to therapy several times for a cure of a critical mental illness. Joined the Ordrè de Damokles, a recruiter promised him a decent job. Unfortunately, he ended up as a spy and failed to do his work. A head prostitute of the Moulin Noir had ordered her henchmen to kill him. He ended up dying and begging for help. "

" Shemlock, please! " Amnon heatedly halted in defense of Ivo. " Just stop! "

" Why are you being so generous and kind to the wretched people, Doctor Montmartre? You have hated the Chergarians ever since you left the Army. "

" Ivo has regretted everything! Can't you just stop harshly playing tricks on him from your 'mind palace'?! " the Akrovian-Foranean general practitioner growled. " I have known and grown up with him for more than two decades. He's not just my childhood friend, but he's my older brother adopted by my parents! He's a prodigal family member for Heaven's sakes! "

" Amnon, everything he has said is true. I don't even know how he can strongly deduce me that way, " Ivo humbly admitted and turned to Shemlock. " Herr Homes, I have heard so much about you as Alderny's greatest detective-mage. You have solved crimes in your nation and in Foranea. I still have my respect to you, but my friend Nirvana and I are willing to help you in your investigation. My younger brother, Amnon has helped me so much from last night. I can still prove that I am a worthy ally and friend. I am not like my fellow countrymen who were power hungry and ruthless. They all wanted to expand the empire and heightened their influence after the events of the Divine War and the current Crenate Empire. "

Shemlock remained silent and looked at Amnon and Nirvana as they both nodded at him. Then, he turned to Ivo and asked, " Is this true? "

" Ja, " the ginger-haired Chergarian man sincerely spoke and introduced himself. " My name is Ivo Matthias Augustin-Fischer. I have just started my convalescence and real journey to new life. Now, Herr Homes, lunch will be served soon. Your mind palace won't function without any nourishment. " Then, he smiled plainly and returned to the kitchen with Nirvana.

Amnon intently grinned and snickered at his best friend as Shemlock became too dumbfounded at the Chergarian's snarky remark.

" What is so funny, Amnon?! "

" You! " the doctor instantly pointed out and joked. " I believe you were born a prophet of doom ever since I met you in Odyssea Academy! I have no second opinion for this one! "

" Shut up..."

" Shemlock Homes, Alderny's greatest doomsdayer! I applaud of your achievements for putting anyone into their miseries! "

" Shut up, Amnon, Shut up! "

Ivo and Nirvana overheard of Amnon's humorous retorts at his best friend from Odyssea Academy. They both laughed at them.

" I didn't know Doctor Montmartre can talk trash to his detective friend! " Nirvana commented.

" Surely, that was his true gift when we were younger! " Ivo grinned and wore his mittens, holding a bowl of chicken stew. " Amnon, Pierre, and I have caused so much humorous riots both in school and at home! Marie was tremendously annoyed at our antics! "

" You could have been a stand-up comedian," she laughed and held a tray of wine glasses. Then, she changed her topic and tone into a serious one. " That reminds me of my bestfriend, Rosemary Valentine. "

" What about her? "

" I met her back in the Umbral Cult. She was like my older sister to me. She trained me to cast out spells from Umbral magic that costed my life, " she sighed. " Ivo-senpai, I know you have met her. "

" Ja, it was nine years ago when Neforie recruited me, " he recalled. " The lady known as Strife has placed me an Umbral Branding inside me. Do you think my younger brother can cure her? "

" Honestly, I don't know, " she exhaled and walked out of the kitchen to the dining room, holding the tray of wine glasses and placing them on table. Then, she looked at Ivo and said, " There are many people like us who get themselves suffering from a curse we don't ask for. If someone could stand up and defend us from our oppressors, we can be free from them. "

" I definitely agree, " Ivo nodded and remembered of the Blue Knight, being careful not to disclose his true identity." There's one hero I know of who can deal with them. I am sure he's going to spare some of our people who got entangled by them. "

" Have you known this man? "

" You mean the Blue Knight? Ja, I just met him last evening after Amnon healed me from my wounds. My brother had let me meet him in person and asked him to find those criminals lingering around, " he replied making an excuse and holding the bowl of chicken stew. " He's too stoic and mysterious. "

" I see, " she nodded and returned to the kitchen, picking up the plates and holding the plates. " I wish I could meet him for myself. "

" He arrives when a crime scene happens. I remembered seeing him when he fought a group of Ravenclaws on the streets. I wondered of who he is behind the helmet. "

" Do you know who? "

" Well...." Ivo placed the bowl on the table and uneasily paused, preventing himself not to blurt out the armored man's true identity.

Nirvana curiously tilted her head and awaited for her older friend's response. Suddenly, they got diverted when the other members of the Montmartre family had converged downstairs. Marie and Pierre smelled the meal when they saw Ivo and Nirvana preparing the dining room table for lunch. Then, Karola, Glenda, and the two caregivers sensed such gorgeous scent of savory smell of two dishes served on the table.

" Oh my goodness, this is magnificent! " Marie happily exclaimed.

" Wait, Chergarian dishes?! Seriously?! " Pierre raised his voice in shock and turned to his older brother. " Sparky, what on Iliad is this?! Do you happen to have a Chergarian patient who got confined in our house last night?! You should have..."

" Pierre, you'll be surprised who has returned! " Amnon exclaimed and stood beside his wife.

The Foranean Army captain intently stared at the bearded man with long ginger locks set with a ponytail. Ivo grinned and recognised his other younger brother.

" Pierre? "

" Ivo, is that you?! " Pierre asked the Chergarian man.

" Ja, Do you still remember your antics with your older brother? " Ivo subtly asked, pointing at Amnon. " I was there and seeing you putting an Elandric pink balloon on the chair where Amnon was seated. Then, we were laughing at him when he sat on it. You made him 'fart' on his seat! "

Pierre understood and slowly snickered, gradually bursting out to his laughter. Marie and the others understood what they meant. Amnon facepalmed to his embarrassment and muttered, " Strike three, Pierre! Strike one, Ivo! "

" Oh, Le Whoopie Cushion! That was the first time I killed him to his embarrassment! " the Foranean Army captain loudly shrieked. " That was so indeed classic! "

" I know! " Marie joined the laughter. " I was there too with Ivo! We laughed at Big Bro! "

" Marie, you were there too? " Amnon asked.

" Oui! I was aware when you sat on it! "

" Not even, you! "

Glenda laughed and smiled at her husband, " Cheesecake, that's fine. At least, Ivo has brought laughter in this household! "

" I know..." Amnon heavily sighed and got cringed upon hearing Pierre and Ivo's shared memories of him getting embarrassed to death.

Karola looked curiously at Ivo and asked, " Ivoshka? Have you returned home, Da? "

Ivo ceased his humorous stories with Pierre and Marie when he turned to the elderly Akrovian woman who was recovering from Alzheimer's disease. He remained silent and deeply thought in what to say.

" Frau Karola, it's good to see you again, " he wholeheartedly spoke and bowed in respect, kissing the elderly woman's right hand. " I'm home. Thanks to your son and daughter-in-law. They welcomed me last night. "

Karola tightly hugged the former houseboy like a prodigal son who returned home, wept for joy, and said, " Dobro pozhalovat' domoy, moy oranzhevyy mal'chik! Pochemu by tebe vmesto etogo ne nazyvat' menya 'mama' ?!Ty teper' odin iz nas! "

" What does she say? " Ivo asked, feeling lost in translation for hearing another Luski statement.

" Welcome home, my orange boy! Why don't you call me 'mama' instead?! You're one of us, now! " Marie translated her elderly mother's words.

" Really, is that okay with her? "

" Da! " Karola gleefully answered and nodded.

" Well, you're also a Montmartre, regardless of differences, " Pierre shrugged and grinned. " I have no objections there. "

" Danke, Mama Karola! " Ivo hugged her back.

" Ivoshka the Orange Boy is my other good boy aside from Amnon and Pierre, " the elderly Akrovian lady commented and kissed his forehead. " We always love you, Da? "

" I agree! I love you too, Mama Karola! "

" Come all of you, " Karola happily ordered her adult sons, daughter, and daughter-in-law. " Why don't you join us? "

Amnon, Glenda, Pierre, and Marie nodded at her when they joined and made a group hug including Ivo and Karola. The elderly Akrovian woman wept for joy. Monika and Ilyana shared glances and felt relieved for her. Nirvana turned to Shemlock who remained very skeptical of Ivo's presence in the household.

" You seemed doubting of the prodigal son's return, Mr. Homes, " she mused.

" Why is he here even he had a bad history? " he sternly asked.

" I helped you in your lists of the Umbral Cultists and the Order members. Just like you considered me as an informant, why not him? Besides, Ivo and I have come from the same wretched group. Obviously, the Montmartres have known him for a long time. He's no stranger to them. We're all restarting from scratch. That doesn't mean, you'll harshly judge him? It's a rude thing to do, you know? "

Shemlock remained silent and turned to the family, sighing and looking at them. Then, he relented, " Let's see if how he goes from here. I hope he keeps his words. "

[THREE HOURS LATER: Streets of Monoceros Keep]

Going around the city, the Montmartre brothers took their older adoptive sibling shopping for new clothes and some pairs of shoes. Ivo was wearing dark purple shirt and a pair of dark pants and leather shoes. This time, he got himself at the barber shop where the long haired dwarven barber shaved and cut the customer's hair. Ivo looked how long his locks of hair had fallen and felt lighter than before.

" Voila, monsieur! " Azazel Barbier happily exclaimed. " Youlooklikeabrandnewman! "

" Pardon moi, monsieur? " the Franken speaking Chergarian man asked.

" Isaidyoulooklikeabrandnewman!"

" Quel?! "

" Gah, nevermind...You look like a brand new man! " he sighed and spoke.

" Danke, I mean Thanks! "

" IhaveneverencounteredaChergariancustomerlivinghere! " Azazel loudly laughed.

" Pardon moi, monsieur?! " Ivo cocked his eyebrows and became baffled at the dwarven barber. " Je ne te comprends toujours pas. Tu parles trop vite. (I still don't understand you. You speak too fast.)"

"Ah,vousparlezmalangue! Heureuxdevousentendredecette façon! (Ah,youspeakmylanguage!Gladtohearyouinthatway!) "

Ivo raised again his left eyerbrow and frowned, becoming too baffled from the barber's response. He nervously chuckled and responded, " Oui, le franken est mon autre langue à part le chergarian et le néo-yddrassi. (Yes, Franken is my other language aside from Chergarian and Neo-Yddrassi.) "

" ProfitezdevotretempsàForanea!(EnjoyyourtimeinForanea!) "

The clean shaven Chergarian man with short ginger locks helplessly grinned, paid Azazel 150 Creds, and gave a tip of 20 Creds. The dwarven smiled at him upon receiving his payment.

" Mercibeaucoupmonsieur! "

" Je t'en prie! (You're welcome!) " Ivo smiled back and had his barbershop coat removed, standing up from his seat and wearing his dark blazer jacket. He eyed at his reflection on the long mirror and felt pleased to see his new looks. Ivo seemed to be five years younger in appearance than his actual age.

" Wunderbar! I'm getting more handsome and younger than what I look earlier, " he cheerfully thought and sighed in relief. " I should establish myself before meeting any lady who comes to my life. "

Just then, he stepped out of the barber shop and saw his two younger adoptive brothers talking to a long silvery-white haired man with pointed ears. Ivo curiously tilted his head and waited for them to finish their conversation.

" Will you look at this Chergarian guy here?! He looks like a handsome Foranean gentleman who can date a couple of lovely women in Monoceros Keep! " Pierre joked and laughed.

" Nein, not really, Pierre! " Ivo shyly grinned and chuckled. " I just really like my new look, but I will find one very soon! "

" You surely need one, Ivo! "

" You must be Ivo Matthias Fischer, " the elven man with silvery locks politely said.

" Ja wohl, " he nodded and curiously asked. " How did you know my name? "

" I took a seat inside the car when your fellow gentlemen invited me. Amnon and Pierre had told stories about you while you were having a haircut and shave. My apologies, I'm Christopher Knightfall. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ivo, " the ranger elf cordially smiled and offered him a handshake.

" It's nice to meet you, mein Freund, " the Chergarian man smiled back and responded with the same gesture.

Upon their handshake, Christopher felt something from Ivo and intently looked at his emerald eyes, turning to Amnon and Pierre's. He reminded him of someone from the past and somewhere in Robania. Ivo intriguingly stared at the elven man.

" Christopher, are you alright? " Ivo asked.

" Your irises are very similar to Amnon and Pierre's aside from the one who I know some centuries ago, " Christopher commented and deduced. " I can sense you have inherited her personality and spirit. You have an untapped magic from her that can cause the earth to tremble and shake. That ability can build shelters and destroy enemies. "

" Who? What do you mean? "

" My human friend Arielle Montmartre, Robania's geomancer and Eliah's twin sister. "

Ivo remained silent and doubtfully looked at the blonde physician, " Amnon, is this true? Don't tell me he's joking? "

Amnon shrugged and replied nonchalantly, " I'm afraid, he's not. There's a lot of things to learn about our ancestry. Maybe, you can discover that once you get into the Dread Wolves Tribe Village. "

" Ja, I guess so. "

" Speaking of the village, " the doctor changed his topic. " Arthas is looking for another person who will also work for him aside from his son and a lady elven blacksmith. You might be interested in meeting him one of these days as a mechanic, welder, or another blacksmith. "

" Are you sure? "

" Yes, Ivo, " Christopher smiled. " Amnon has told me of your weaponry repairs this morning. Of course, you'll see your mentor and master at your new work very soon. What can you say? "

The ginger haired Chergarian man became dumbfounded which he couldn't believe in what he was hearing right now. He was deeply thinking and understanding about getting a job early this morning. Slowly realising it, he genuinely smiled.

" Eh, Ivo?! " Pierre called his adoptive older brother. " Are you okay? Did the fox get your tongue? "

" Nein, nein! " Ivo laughed nervously and casually answered. " I am just thinking about it right now. "

" So, what do you think? " Amnon asked.

" I'm really interested to take the new job! " he determinedly exclaimed.

" The Great Heavens have fulfilled your prayers, Ivo! " Christopher joyfully exclaimed and gently patted the Chergarian man's back. " You will start talking to Arthas and working with him tomorrow! "

" Danke mein Freund! (Thank you, my friend!) "

" By the way, I have to take my cousin Sophia on a stroll around the streets. She needs some time with me or perhaps she can join us. You would like to meet her. "

" Ah, the evening shift nurse! " Amnon snapped his fingers and looked at his older adopted brother. " Mon frére, I think it's your call to meet her! "

Ivo became speechless and cocked his eyebrows upon hearing Christopher and Amnon mentioning about the nurse who would come along. He was blushing hard in red when Pierre noticed him.

" Ivo, are you okay? " the Foranean Army captain called him again. " Are you becoming too silent upon hearing an elven woman? "

" Nein! It's just the after effect of that shaving cream! " the ginger haired Chergarian man nervously chuckled.

" Shaving cream?! " Pierre doubtfully replied and crossed his arms.

" Ja! "

Pierre, Amnon, and Christopher grimly stared at Ivo as he nervously chuckled and then heavily sighed, " Fine, I admit. I want to meet your cousin. "

" Do you think we can let her come with us? " Pierre asked the elven man.

" Of course, " Christopher nodded. " It might be better if we let Sophia and Ivo meet each other. "

" Perhaps, at a restaurant, " Amnon suggested and turned to Ivo. " Are you ready to meet with someone? "

" I guess it won't hurt trying, ja? "

" You'll get to know my cousin, Ivo, " Christopher interjected. " I'm sure you will like to meet her. "

" Sure. "

[Cafe Des Artistes, Monoceros Keep: 3:42 PM]

A purple haired woman dressed in black sat on the chair and hid her face from the menu folder. Her dark sunglasses covered her lovely and intriguing icy blue irises. She turned her attention to the three men who entered inside the restaurant.

" Sacrè Bleue, Ivo is still alive! He's supposed to be dead last night! " she grumblingly thought. " Madame Grilda asked the lizard to execute him into pieces! How come he's with Docteur Montmartre and his brother! Why?! I'd better check on them! "

The three men found a vacant spot where they could wait for Christopher and his cousin. Ivo looked nervous and took breaths as it would be his first time dating. He was holding a bunch of pink roses which Amnon and Pierre had helped him purchase

" Relax, Ivo, " Pierre reminded. " I know this is your first time seeing a lady. "

" I know, " he nodded. " It's just I have never done this before. What if she...."

" She'll understand and like you, " Amnon assured and saw the two elven people coming. " Oh, here they are. "

Ivo turned his attention to them especially the elven woman with dark blue hair and streaks of white set on a ponytail. She was wearing a simple black dress and a pair of high heeled sandals. She wore simple, yet, an attractive smile. The Chergarian man blushed hard in seeing this lovely elven nurse and gulped. He was too silent and smiling at her.

" Greetings, " the long silver haired elf calmly spoke. " Amnon, I believe you have worked with her yesterday. "

" Ah, oui, " the blonde moustached doctor nodded.

" Bonjour, it's good to see you again, Docteur Montmartre, " the elven lady cordially smiled at him.

" Likewise. Bonjour, Sophia. My apologies and sincerest condolences from last night. "

" Merci beaucoup, docteur. "

" Sophia, this is our long-time family friend and now adopted older brother, Ivo Fischer, " Amnon introduced and turned to the Chergarian man. " Ivo, this is Sophia Graveheart-Aurand, a nurse in Monoceros Keep General Hospital and younger cousin of the Late Kintor Graveheart. "

" Ravi de vous rencontrer. (It's nice to meet you.) " Sophia smiled and also blushed in seeing him.

" Enchanté de vous rencontrer aussi, mademoiselle. (It's nice to meet you too, miss.) " Ivo instantly broke his silence in Franken and shook hands with her.

Sophia softly chuckled and responded in Neo-Yddrassi, " You seem to be very formal, Ivo! I'm glad to hear a Chergarian like you can fluently speak our language! Just call me Sophia, instead! "

" Ja, danke...I mean oui, merci! I'll keep it in mind! Oh, I forgot to introduce my other brother, " Ivo looked at Pierre and introduced Sophia to him. " Sophia, this is Pierre Montmartre. Pierre, this is Sophia Aurand. "

" Merci beaucoup, Ivo, " the Foranean Army captain smiled to him and greeted Sophia. " Ravi de vous rencontrer, mademoiselle. (It's nice to meet you, miss.) "

" Enchanté de vous rencontrer aussi, monsieur. (It's nice to meet you too, sir.) " the elven nurse replied sweetly.

" It's just we're here to let our adoptive older brother meeting you and getting to know you very well. "

" I guess I want to meet your relative further, if it's fine? "

Ivo blushed harder than ever upon hearing the Foranean elven nurse and looked at his younger brothers. Amnon and Pierre both nodded and gave him a thumbs-up. Christopher grinned and chuckled, looking at the two future couple.

" Of course, we will let you be, " the silvery-white haired elven man responded.

" Merci beaucoup, " Sophia nodded and smiled at her other cousin.

Christopher and the Montmartre brothers had walked away and left the newly met couple when they took their seats from distance and observed them. Ivo took the elven woman a seat and gave her the bouquet of roses. Sophia smiled sincerely at him.

" I have never expected you to give this to me, thank you, " she said.

" You're welcome, " he replied and took another seat. " Perhaps, we should take our order for snacks. "

" Good idea, " Sophia nodded and took out the menu folder.

Ivo grabbed another folder and had a hard time to choose from the dishes and drinks. The dark haired elven nurse noticed his undecisiveness.

" You have a hard time there, Ivo? " she asked with concern.

" Ja, " Ivo nervously chuckled. " I can't choose which is which since we are just eating aftenoon snacks. "

" How about my favourite, Voul-la-vent, " Sophia suggested.

" I do enjoy that minced chicken, mushroom, and some special sauce. Good idea. "

" C'est magnifique! Then, we can drink tea afterwards! "

Moments later, the two took their order of the scrumptuous afternoon dish and a cup of warm citrus tea. At first, they were shy of meeting each other. This time, they found their common ground to enjoy: Foranean food and sharing their stories.

" So, Amnon told me you were a cousin of his beloved friend back in Odyssea Academy's contractor guild? " Ivo asked curiously.

" Oui, I was once with him in the Dread Wolves Tribe when the we visited Foranea. My parents and his parents were wanderers. They travelled across Altirus in search for a new safe haven for us, Elves. Robania was our first choice to live permanently, " Sophia answered.

" Wunderbar, it's such interesting to hear stories as a nomadic community and travelling elsewhere. "

" How about you, Ivo? What makes you stay in Foranea? "

" Well, I was born out of poverty and never had a good childhood in Chergaria, " Ivo recalled. " My father became missing after the wars. My mother was very ill and had passed away when I was twelve years old. I didn't want to live in peasantry and sulking for such losses. I ran away from home and made my way to Foranea. I met Amnon's late father and begged him to work as his young house servant. Instead, he let me study and work at the same time. I met his son, the future doctor and mage, and his younger siblings. They treated me as one of their family members. "

" I see. You found your new family. "

" How about you, Sophia? "

" My parents got to Foranea around the Period of Crossed Steel. They decided to venture out of the nomadic lifestyle and worked as merchants in Monoceros Keep, but we managed to visit the tribe in our free time and holidays. Honestly, I wanted to be a healing mage just like my grandmother and Docteur Odette Durand and her group. It was very rare in the tribe to have a healer. Most of us are hunters, warriors, farmers, merchants, and blacksmiths. I almost got admitted to Odyssea Academy, but my parents forbade it. Instead, I studied and graduated as a licensed nurse, working for Docteur Durand and the other medical staff at Monoceros Keep General Hospital. "

Ivo nodded and asked, " Have you ever dreamed of becoming a doctor just like Amnon and Glenda? "

" I have. I learned from my experiences with the other resident and attending physicians, " Sophia nodded. " Docteurs Montmartre found me more capable than being a nurse. Also knowing them as fellow mages, I got inspired to use my ability not as an offense or defense, but to heal anyone. I'm planning to take my medicine proper studies. I am also a hydromancer, by the way. "

" Makes sense, water is a great medium for healing. Me, I don't know if I can find a special ability to harness. Your older cousin told me that he found me somewhat related to another person in the past. He described her as a powerful geomancer from the lost country where my fellow countrymen had horrendously invaded, " Ivo sadly sighed.

Supposedly drinking her tea, Sophia curiously tilted her head and looked concerned at the Chergarian man, " Pardon moi? "

" I got influenced and enlisted in the Chergarian Army when I reached twenty-two. I returned to my homeland and spent doing restless military exercises and other defense missions. I hoped to study at a university as an engineer for Army scholars, but I was assigned to do an assault invasion in Robania, " he gloomily admitted. " I saw your two supervising physicians at the forests. Amnon became injured and restlessly continued rescuing the dying Robanian and Foranean troops. Then, Glenda was tremendously shot. I didn't know what to do afterwards as I secretly deserted my troops and headed back to Foranea. I never wanted to be involved with them anymore. It didn't end my story of troubles. For nine years, I was forced to be a member of the Umbral Sphere Cult's extremist faction: Ordrè de Damocles. I started as a mechanic, but I was trained to be an assassin and a spy. I had done and seen so much horrible things, Sophia. Now, I'm making up for those losses and regaining my life by meeting the Foranean doctor last night. "

The dark haired elven woman remained silent and listened to the gentleman's recollections. She was in loss of words and deeply thinking in what to say. Instead of rejecting the date and feeling dismayed at him, Sophia genuinely smiled at him and held his right hand. Ivo was in shock, never realising a nurse like her could empathise him and his darkness.

" Sophia? Why are you holding my hand? " he asked apprehensively and blushed the hardest upon looking her.

" Late Cousin Kintor once told me,' You can't run away from your darkness, but you have to learn from them and gain a new life afterwards. The scars of your past are part of your life before attaining into the light. ' " Sophia quoted and acknowledged. " Ivo, I appreciate your honesty and learn what you have been through. I don't judge you from what you were. I'm glad Docteur Montmartre found you as you sought refuge into his household. Rest assured, you are now in better hands than before."

" Danke, Sophia, " Ivo nodded and smiled back at her. " I didn't realise there were good people like you, your cousins, and Amnon's family who understood me. "

" The obvious sign of your recovery is giving this bunch of pink roses to me and our first date! Pink roses are also one of my favourite things! "

" Really?! I have just picked them when Amnon and Pierre helped me, " Ivo chuckled. " Eventhough our relatives have set this up, I really enjoy our time together! "

" Oui, pareil ici! Je t'ai trouvé très intéressant quand Christopher m'a parlé de toi! (Yeah, same here! I found you very interesting when Christopher told me about you!) " Sophia heartily laughed and replied.

" Interessant wunderbar! Vous les elfes êtes si spéciaux d'une certaine manière, mais nous partageons le même humour que nous, les humains! (Interestingly wonderful! You elves are so special someways, but we share the same humor as we humans do!) " Ivo commented in both languages and laughed." Ich fange an, dich sehr zu mögen! (I am starting to like you a lot!) "

" Ivo, Je suis désolé, je ne comprends pas Chergarian. (Ivo, I'm sorry, I don't understand, Chergarian.) "

" Oh, mon mal! Je suis désolé, Sophia! Franchement, je commence à beaucoup t'apprécier! (Oh, my bad! I'm sorry, Sophia! Honestly, I am starting to like you a lot!) " he awkwardly laughed.

Amnon, Pierre, and Christopher watched from a distance and exchanged glances when they understood the dating couple were starting to develop a relationship. They intently smiled and contined observing them. On the other hand, the purple haired woman became bored at hearing such budding conversation and placed her hand on her chin, exasperatedly sighing.

Sophia also blushed the hardest and remained silent. She laughed softly, " You are so funny, Ivo! I really like you too for your sense of humour and such honesty! Thank you, you have made me laugh even in my time of mourning. "

" Mourning? Why? What's the matter? " Ivo asked with concern. " Is there something wrong? "

She sighed and changed her tone into a serious one, " Just like you, you have experienced so much grief and sadness on your end. Last night after the medical mission, I was talking to Docteur Montmartre. Cousin Kintor used to work with him back in their days of the Odyssea Academy's Contractor Guild. I received letters from him and mentioned about those places they had been. Almost two months ago, I never received his letters and busied myself in the hospital. I tried asking Fiona and my other tribemates and finding out what happened to him. They had no clue of what happened to him. Yet, I continued working for the patients. Only to find out, Docteur Montmartre had a word with me last night. Kintor just passed away in Hurokka and mutilated by a murderous one in the castle. "

Ivo was speechless and seeing the elven nurse weeping. He picked up his green handkerchief from his blazer jacket's inner pocket and handed it to her. Sophia wiped her tears on her face.

" My sincerest condolences, Sophia, " he solemnly spoke. " I may not know him personally, but your other cousin was a great man. He just died out of vain in fighting those evil entities. I can imagine such tremendous grief you have despite you have busied yourself in the hospital duties. Those good memories with him can still be cherished and remembered. You can still honor him in your own way. If he were still living with us, he would have been so proud of what you have become and will be. Kintor wanted you to continue what he had imparted to you. "

Ivo held the elven woman's hand, comforting her. Sophia sincerely looked at him.

" You're a nurse and also a warrior. You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated, " he genuinely smiled at her.

" Those same words. Kintor used to say that to me when he and his wife visited me here in my nursing school days, " she remarked when her eyes got startled.

" Quite a coincidence, ja oder nein? "

" I think so, Oui. Thank you for such comforting words, Ivo. "

" Je t'en prie, Sophia. (You're welcome, Sophia.) " the ginger-haired Chergarian man warmly smiled at her and replied in Franken, holding her left hand.

Still listening and observing, Christopher intently smiled at the two when Amnon and Pierre turned to him.

" Will you look at those two? I can sense such budding relationship between a former Chergarian Army soldier and a nurse, " the silvery-haired elven man grinned.

" That's so was so quick! " Pierre exclaimed in shock. " How come Ivo gets a girl that instantly?! "

" Pierre, you have just met Nirvana a few weeks ago, " Amnon reminded his younger brother and teased. " You're still contemplating to express your feelings to her. Is it you're inhibiting your testosterone, serotonin, dopamine, phenylethylamine, norephinephrine, oxytocin, and adrenaline levels when you're in love! Look at Ivo, he's not so ashamed to express himself to Sophia?! It's because his hormones increasingly drive him to do it! "

" Sparky, will you stop preaching me in medical terms?! "

" Why don't you communicate with your cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, and thalamus first when you see and talk to Nirvana?! "

" Those anatomical terms! " Pierre exclaimed angrily and blushed. " Arrèt, Sparky! "

" I'm just diagnosing and giving a medical opinion to your entire brain and hormones when you encounter her! "

" Oh, come on! "

Hearing the humorous retorts of the Montmartre brothers, Christopher snickered and said, " I may not understand such medical science from you, Amnon, but I can sense humans and elves may share the kindered feeling among their mates! Kintor would have approved this new relationship if he were still with us. "

" Certainly, we are, Christopher. I agree, " the doctor nodded, looking at the dating couple. " Ivo and Sophia deserve to get know and learn from each other until they enter a serious relationship. "

(Christopher Knightfall and Nirvana Felsong belong to Knightfall077)

(Ivo Fischer belongs to BjornGamR27)

(Riki Vonku and Azazel Barbier belons to valorithsaga)