"Huh?" Jack and Stella struggled to gather their thoughts while staring at his stupid grin. Was he joking? Is this the right time? Jack failed at processing the words in an orderly manner. Did he ask us to save the world? "Huh?" Jack repeated.

Stella wasn't too bothered by the absurd question due to being at a loss for who this even was. Did he not notice the fight? What is that thing on his face? "Excuse me Sir, now might not be the best time. I think you might want to get out of here."

She pointed to the captain walking forward slowly. Her heart dropped staring at the enemy's eyebrows that were now touching each other. The scars on his hands flowed like waves over the veins bulging from a squeezed fist. He shouted something, but Stella couldn't focus on anything besides getting this crazy moustache out of here. How many more people was she going to get hurt?

"Yeah, it did seem you like guys were busy. Let me handle this and we can talk about it later, okay?" It had to be too late. There was a mountain behind him with clenched hand poised and ready for release.

"Ace!" Jack reached out to try and push him out of the way. Before Jack's hand could contact the red top, there was nothing there. The loaded fist was now relaxed but the captain's face sure wasn't. Ace stood directly on the side of Rodriguez while twiddling his thumbs. No green light showing his path. No sign he was even crouched before them seconds ago. He was just there, looking up, patiently waiting for the slow unbelieving head of the captain to turn and meet his eyes.

"I know this looks bad, and I understand you have to do what you have to do, but let's work out a deal. I mean kids will be kids am I right?" Ace said, scoffing in Jack's direction.

Rodriguez stood tall above Ace, who was not too much taller than them. The captain relaxed his shoulders, but never unclenching his fist. He paused a moment as if to make sure his voice can counter his heart rate. "You have my attention, what do you propose is suitable compensation for treachery against the empire?" Stella noticed his demeanour was completely different. That unwavering confidence was broken by Ace's magic trick.

"Oh, nothing can probably excuse them for their irresponsible actions. They should be tied up and beaten and then imprisoned in the open for everyone to see. Preferably this evening before everyone forgets, buttttt—" Ace said while gently guiding the captain away from them with a slow walk. Stella and Jack sat in the same position, not sure if they are getting help or watching their saviour plan their execution, and worse yet, he was doing all this without taking time to breathe. "They are just kids and let's face it, that would never look good. Look, I have been here as long as you have been here, and it's easy to see, you're one hell of a soldier, and it always leads me to wonder how you got stuck out on our side. Let us change that, stop worrying about these small jobs. Let me help you reach where the action is." Ace smiles and pulls out a ring from his pocket.

Stella gasped. "Is that Caelstin? I have never seen one in person before," she said, trying to confirm with Jack. It didn't seem to impress him as much. He was more interested in what the general was thinking.

"A divine gem huh. That is your proposal?" Rodriguez said flatly, but Jack's heart skipped a beat.

"Yes Sir, a divine gem indeed. This one in particular is loaded with a class one wind movement spell. Did you not notice how fast I ended up beside you? Come on, you know just having this puts you on the fast track to higher ranks, and even if you aren't after that, give this to the right people and I am sure that you never have to fill out a ledger again in your life. You can rest in the countryside and bully kids that your men provoked forever." Rodriguez pulled his head back slightly. His brows met again but it had no effect on the big grin that took shelter under the moustache. "Come on now, show some mercy, look good and accept the present of a lifetime."

"You are really willing to trade this for them.?" Rodriguez enquired, intensely focused on the ring.

"No sir, I am willing to trade this for you. Sorry I don't think I made sense there. I thought it would sound a bit more dramatic, but yes just let them go and it's all yours." Ace scratched his head, a little red that his rescue attempted wasn't as cool as he clearly imagined it to be. The captain laughed out loud and held out his hand.

"You got yourself a deal Ace. This isn't immunity so tread carefully, but I like how you think. Thank you for this. I will be seeing you around, hopefully it won't involve them anymore." Rodriguez signalled his men to turn back. The soldiers' reactions were mixed with relief and the complete disappointment of Boras. Jack leaned back and stuck his tongue out at frowning soldier being escorted by his companions.

Ace walked over with his hands behind his head and the proudest smile. Tenny got to the pair first, joining Jack on his shoulder. "Sheesh you really got tossed around." Tenny chuckled at his own choice of words. "You should have told me earlier that you were going to take on the military. I would have kicked some ass!"

"They would have used you to wipe their ass," Ace said finally arriving. "Thank goodness that worked out, we could have been in some serious trouble. Even if you did get away, it could have dragged your dad into this."

"I am so sorry. I dragged you all into this and you even gave up a divine gem to save us. I got ahead of myself. I am so sorry for the trouble I have caused," Stella blurted out while bowing her head. How could they have done that? She was glad to be out of trouble, but would she always feel this guilty.

"You were only defending yourself, and I mean I jumped into that crowd myself. I think I was looking for adventure," Jack said, scratching his head and holding on with an awkward smile.

"Well, that is perfect because I was passing in town looking for this guy with the proposal of an adventure. Would it be okay for you guys to hear me out now?"

Stella felt a bit of relief. She knew their words were true, but she also knew it was her fault. "It is the least I can do." She gave a soft smile. Jack nodded his head in agreement.

"Thank you very much! We can discuss it over a meal, but first we should return the cart." He shifted his gaze. "It is about time I face Mr. Sidra anyway."

***

The four of them arrive at the workshop. Jack dashed on forward to apologise for being late and to explain that he needs the rest of the day off, to possibly save the world. During their exchange inside, Stella and Ace patiently waited for their conversation to end. Ace's gaze could never find a point to rest. Stella noticed the quietness between him and Tenny as well.

"I am sorry to pry, but is everything okay? Do you and Jack's dad not get along?" she asked, breaking the silence.

"I'm sorry, I zoned out. Umm, how to say this, but sometime ago I caused everyone in the village a great deal of pain. People died, lives were changed, and I even cost Jack's father his legs. I haven't really faced anyone since then." Stella didn't know Ace at all, but the tone in his voice made her feel uneasy. It was so different from a couple of minutes ago when he was talking down to a captain of a military unit.

Jack burst out the door and said he has gotten the day off. They can go now if they want, but Ace asks them to spare him a minute as he walks in by himself. He inched forward, focusing his gaze milliseconds at a time on Mr. Sidra. Jack's father was a fairly muscular man with thinning hair and thick brown moustache that was neatly trimmed. He wore glasses and sat on his wheelchair while bearing a smile as Ace approached him. Before the words could escape his mouth, Ace fell to his knees and bowed down.

"I have no excuse for not coming sooner to apologise, but I am truly sorry for all the pain I have caused you and everyone in this village." The cold ground pressed against Ace's forehead. Every muscle in his body tensed, like the words that were about to hit him would be physical.

"Sit up Mr. Ace. I am fine with you apologising, but then I have to thank you for all that you have done for this family." Ace's head swung to meet Mr. Sidra's eyes. His jaw fell slightly open. "I am not much of a talkative person. I had many things I wanted to explain to my son, but I never found the words, however the joy he would have after eating with you and Mr. Tennebrae, the excitement he shared when discussing books, just being someone he could talk to about anything has really kept a light shining in this house that reminded me of someone important."

"Mr. Sidra—" Ace began to say before having to swallow his emotions. "Thank you so much Sir. You are a great man. I can see where Jack gets his strong heart from."

"You have to thank his mother for that. She would have forgiven you outright. I am a little sterner. I will forgive you after I have eaten these meals my son so greedily brags about," Mr. Sidra said. A smile as warm as forgiveness.

Ace sat there with a stunned look on his face. A half smile peaking from the corner of his mouth, and eyes look like they witnessed a horror.

"Is that a problem?" Mr. Sidra asked.

"No...it's just...I can't believe I never sent any. I was completely running away from all of this. Was I really that scared?" Ace locked eyes with the blacksmith.

"It isn't an easy thing to do, but I believe it to be the right thing. Better late than never, I am glad you came to see me, Mr. Ace."

"Me too, and it would be my honour for you to try my cooking," Ace said while putting his hand to his chest. "Umm, Mr. Sidra, I hate to follow up an apology with anything more, but I have a proposal I would really like you to hear."