Nathaniel pushed out of Ajax’s arms and ran to the dresser drawer, he searched the drawers and pulled out several articles of clothing and ran to the inside door. Ajax was quite confused at how fast Nathaniel had searched and found what he wanted, as if looking and knowing it was what he wanted almost instantly. He shrugged his shoulders when Nathaniel went into the separate room and removed his red trousers and changed it into the ones that Angil used to wear and placed his red one on the bed.

Nathaniel emerged from the other room after a few minutes, wearing; a button down silk royal blue long sleeve tunic with gold like embroidery, a pair of white jean like dress pants, white dress shows and a green earring in his left ear that shimmered like his hair. The outfit took Ajax’s breath away and made him say wow without thinking or realizing. Nathaniel was surprised when he heard Ajax say wow and he started to play with his hair out of embarrassment.

Nathaniel stepped over and threw the clothes he took off on the bed and removed the contents of the pockets and transferred them into his new pants. The two of them left the inn and Nathaniel led the way to the restaurant that he had in mind. Ajax noticed that they were retracing their steps back to the city gates and then turned onto the street that had the restaurants.

As the sun began to set, the city became bathe in lights that were spread out inside the various street lamps, building lamps and even above their heads small balls of light floated. It was a rather stunning sight to behold as they flickered in one by one. The restaurant that they eventually arrived at had an outdoor patio, bathed in floating lights, with tables and chairs arranged under cloth covering.

From the atmosphere that the restaurant gave off, Ajax assumed that it seemed to be a rather fancy place, it made him feel extremely underdressed for such a place. Nathaniel glanced over and dragged him to the entrance by his hand, but he noticed that the closer they got, the more they attracted the attention of the people already dining outside, some even going to the extent of pausing their meals just to stare.

Ajax scratched his forearm as they got to the entrance but then they were stopped by a waiter holding a menu. The waiter had a smile on his face as while looking at Nathaniel but when he looked at upon him, he saw the smile warp for just a moment.

“Good night sir, how may I help you?” the waiter asked with a bright smile.

“Well, we would like a table please.” Nathaniel replied, “Preferably one outside if possible.”

“I see but um…sentient monsters that aren’t collared or have visible control seals aren’t allowed in the restaurant.” the waiter said as his face slowly tried to make it seem as though saying that brought him disappointment, “It’s our policy for keeping our patrons safe.”

“Oh I see.” Nathaniel said and looked to the ground, he felt stupid for not seeing this coming, Ajax noticed his disappointment and scuffed.

“Well since I am sentient, that means I am clearly as intelligent as any of you humans.” Ajax scuffed and crossed his arms, “So I don’t see why you’d stop us from dining here when I’m smart enough to not cause trouble or harm anyone.”

“That is even more reason why our policy is that your kind is res….” the waiter said before being cut off by Ajax suddenly flapping his wings.

“He clearly didn’t know about this policy, and I am just here to ensure that I can guard my master during his meal.” Ajax said with an intimidating and taunting smirk, “You wouldn’t want anything to happen to my master right, since he is a human just like you.”

The waiter faltered under Ajax’s intimidation and gulped while taking a step back, his hesitation to answer clearly visible as he took passing glances at the people watching from the patio. They watched as the waiter quickly ran inside and came back out with a serious looking man in a suite. The man looked between them and wrinkled his lips while stroking his mustache.

“My employee has informed me that you wish to bring this unrestrained monster inside our fine establishment.” the man said to Nathaniel, “Even after being told our policy.”

“Well I never once heard of this and this isn’t my first time eating here.” Nathaniel replied and shifted a little in discomfort around the man.

“I see then may I ask the name of the boy that so pretentiously wishes to bring a monster body guard that isn’t on leash like the savage mongrel he is.” the man said in a smug tone.

“Well, I’m Nathaniel.” Nathaniel quietly uttered.

“I can’t hear you!” the man exclaimed and leaned his ear towards Nathaniel with a smirk.

“Excuse you, listen here you pompous prick.” Ajax said and stomped towards the man and stood in front of Nathaniel, “He doesn’t need to waste his time or money at some shitty place that is run by such a high class wanna be sh…”

“Ajax that’s enough!” Nathaniel exclaimed, catching them both off guard, “For your information sir, I am a member of the Izureko family and I will not stand for your insulting tone towards me or my bodyguard.”

“Izureko, wait…your hair and those eyes.” the man stuttered and took a step back, he shook his head and clenched his fist, “No I don’t believe that, don’t think you can dye your hair and make such a claim boy.”

“Decipher creation and give me power, Nobless Phanta.” Nathaniel said, the back of his arm started to glow and the light drew a royal looking crest on it.

“No way, the spell only nobility can use and that crest.” the man said and stared at the crest on Nathaniel’s hand, then he put on a quick smile and rubbed his hands together, “My deepest apologizes sir, please forgive my imprudence, we would gladly, no, it would be our pleasure to host you and your bodyguard.”

“After all that happened before you knew my lineage, I might seek my patronage elsewhere.” Nathaniel replied as the glowing mark disappeared.

“No, no, please mister Izureko, as an apology for my employee’s behavior, your meal will be on the house.” the man frantically said.

“That is fine, we can pay for our meal like anyone else, though I will forgive this insult from you, I am well aware that your employee was just doing his job so don’t try and duck the blame.” Nathaniel said and stepped pass the man, “Come on Ajax.”

Ajax stood there in complete surprise at the sudden shift in Nathaniel’s demeanor, it was as if he had become a completely different person than who he normally was. He shook off the astonishment and walked pass the man and glimpsed the silent anger that was clearly being hidden, most likely over having to let him in. The same waiter from before took them to a table for two on the patio and placed two menus on it and then left.

Ajax pulled out the chair for Nathaniel, he wanted to not only keep up their act but also wanted to at least seem gentleman like, and when Nathaniel sat down he pushed it back in. He then took his own seat across from Nathaniel and they both started to read the menus. However, his eyes constantly shifted onto Nathaniel at every second letter he read, it was eating at him how much he wanted to ask about what just happened until he couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“Okay, what the hell just happened?!” Ajax quietly shouted.

“Well I couldn’t stand for his degrading attitude any longer, I don’t like acting like that much less using my family name in such a snobbish manner.” Nathaniel replied, “I also didn’t like how he talked about you, that is what pushed me over my limit.”

“The way the guy changed his tone after hearing your last name and now you say you don’t like using your family name.” he said, “Nathaniel, what are you?”

“Well you see, my family, the Izureko family, is currently one of the high noble families of the empire.” Nathaniel replied and looked away from him, “That is why I had that mark, its only given to members of the noble rank, I hate this mark.”

“You’re a noble!” he exclaimed, the shock made his knee kick the table attracting the attention of those around them, and he embarrassingly eased into the chair, “Wait, why do you hate it?”

“Shhh, yes I am but I don’t like using the family name, to benefits or have people suck up to me like you say with that guy.” Nathaniel softly replied, he sniffled and looked as if he was going to cry, “I actually ran away from home because I couldn’t stand the snobby environment anymore but that was a secondary reason, I couldn’t stand their treatment over that thing, so that’s primarily why.”

“I think I respect you a little more now.” he said, “I am sure most people here would ride that rich coattail for all its worth.”

“Don’t get me wrong, not all the nobles act like snobs, but my family was very prideful with the title.” Nathaniel said, “I didn’t like watching how they used their power, especially against monsters, can we just order now please.”

Ajax nodded and they buried their faces into their respective menus, it was only after did Ajax realize that, despite him being able to read and understand the language for some odd reason, he didn’t have any clue what anything was. He felt too embarrassed to ask Nathaniel for help, especially after his tangent before, but he didn’t know what to do.

He was so lost in thought that he didn’t hear Nathaniel’s attempts to get his attention. It was only when his knee was kicked did he snap out of his daze and looked up to see Nathaniel and a waitress, with a notepad, staring at him.

“Um…can I take…your order?” the waitress said, her voice trembling as well as her body.

“First time serving a monster like myself?” Ajax asked, “If so, I don’t bite.”

“And don’t be intimidated from before, I promise that isn’t really me.” Nathaniel said with a smile.

“Alright sir, I mean sirs, what would you like to have?” she asked.

“I would like the sumatan fillet with the odan noodles and fried rice.” Nathaniel replied.

“And I will have…um…I’ll have this one.” Ajax replied and pointed to a random item.

“Alright sirs.” she said and wrote down their orders, “Anything to drink?”

“We’ll have sparkling rome.” Nathaniel replied, “I think that will be all, anything on your end Ajax?”

Ajax shook his head and the waitress nodded then quickly left them alone once more. The silence was something neither of them wanted to return to but neither knew how to break the ice since this was the first moment of calm they had since meeting.

“Sorry I had to kick you, you weren’t responding to your name.” Nathaniel said and blushed while tapping his fingers together.

“You seem very nervous for someone who invited me for a meal!” Ajax giggled, “Could you tell me a little more about this world’s countries.”

“There are five main nations, the three human ruled nations of; the Empire of Mestoria, the Holy Theogen Theocracy to the west and the Kingdom of Volvus to the north.” Nathaniel said, “Finally, the monster ruled nations of; the United Kingdom of Oxus to the east and the Monster Empire of Damlos which is south of Oxus.”

Nathaniel then went into explaining the relationship between all of them. He first explained that the Holy Theogen Theocracy is a religious state whose religion share similarities with the one of Mestoria, except they are more radical and the nation as a whole would prefer to see all monsters eradicated. He also pointed out that, unlike Mestoria, they weren’t ruled by a monarch, rather by a council of religious clerics and mages. In addition, he made a point to emphasize their excellent knowledge on magic and the proficiency of their mages.

Next was the United Kingdom of Oxus, a nation founded and ruled by monsters, he explained that despite being a nation of monsters, they are trying to form good relations with the major human kingdoms. Stressing that they seem to actively try and ignore the Theocracy, though small skirmishes do occur in an attempt by the Theocracy to provoke them into war. Their ruler is said to a monster and was the leader of the; monsters, humans and demi-humans that united the country without bloodshed. It is in Oxus that the highest free demi-human population of all the major kingdoms can be found due to slavery being outlawed. It’s a place where monsters, humans and demi-humans live and work side by side as equals and is the example that the current queen decided to use as a template for her reforms.

Oxus is bordered to the south by their fellow monster ruled kingdom, the Monster Empire of Damlos, whose ideology ironically aligns more with the Theocracy than their fellow monster kingdom. They believe in and desire to show the supremacy of monsters and prefer to wipe out all humans, and this constantly brings them into skirmishing conflict with the Theocracy. The only humans found in Damlos are slaves, it is a country where strength is valued above all. They have always tried to drag Oxus to side with them using scripted fake human attack. However, they have backed off recently since the forging of ties and agreements between Oxus, Volvus and Mestoria.

The final of the major country was the Kingdom of Volvus, the only nation which was similar to Mestoria, except their royal succession was based on patriarchy rather than matriarchy. Like Mestoria, they are under reformation and two have forged good terms with Oxus in order to get advice on how to peacefully present coexistence to their population. In addition, they have created an axis that smaller nations that oppose the ideologies of both Damlos and the Theocracy can follow. They have already outlawed the enslavement of sentient monsters and demi-humans and their king has even appointed a demi-human into his court of advisors.

“Mestoria acts as a middle point in most major diplomatic sessions between the major nations, but we are only the biggest despite being in the middle thanks to our professional military, it’s one of the best.” Nathaniel said and flexed his muscle, “There are many smaller human and monster nations that closely watch the balance between the five and usually follow the example of one.”

“If the five are so turbulent, what exactly separates them from each other why I didn’t hear of any recent wars?” Ajax said.

“Well in relation to Mestoria, the Zagaros mountains border us from Volvus along the northern border, to the south is ocean, the Liga river acts as the border to the east and separates us from Oxus but bridges are being built to link us better, the same river separates us from Damlos though the majority of the border is a small desert bisected by the river.” Nathaniel replied, “An open plain separate us from the Theocracy, it’s the only easy to cross point so it’s a pain when they do, just to try and harm monsters in our territory.”

“This is alot for my brain to process.” Ajax said, he crossed his arms and tilted his head.

“Well you asked, just never go to the Theocracy, they might try to kill you before you even cross the border.” Nathaniel giggled.