As I head towards Yanma, William greets her, looking a little sleepy. 

Yanma reacts in a very normal way. Did she already know that William was here? 

"Hey Yanma" I say as I walk over.  

"Good morning, Light."

"Uh..." I'm a little confused. "Did you know William was here?" 

"Of course." She says. "He arrived yesterday, and I let him in. At that time, I think you were asleep." So this really happened... 

"I think you'd be against that idea." I say. 

William is just standing and eating in silence, looking at both of us as we talk. 

"He's already capable of defending himself." Yanma says with a small smile as he looks at William. It even seems like she admires him. 

"After all, you trained him, so you should know more about this than I do." I answer. 

Yanma takes a slightly dented metal mug and puts the tea that was in a teapot on the table. 

That must be iced tea; I don't really like it... 

"Before I forget," Yanma stops drinking and looks at me with an angry look. "You can't die at all!" Why does it feel like she's scolding me!? 

"It's not like I meant to!" 

"For the love of the gods, don't die at all." She puts her hands together, as if she were praying. 

"What is wrong?" I ask. "Why are you so worried now?" 

"It's because dad said he'd kill her if one of us dies." William finally says something. 

Now that makes sense. 

"I will stay with William at the south gate, while you will be alone at the north gate." I didn't know that yet. "All I can do is pray for your safety." She says now in a calmer tone. 

"Since you've started the subject of strategies, what have you and Rodic planned?" I ask. 

"Talked to me?" Rodic appears to have appeared from the shadows, but in reality, he was behind Yanma, reaching for a piece of bread. 

"Since when were you there?" Yanma asks. 

"I've arrived now." 

Even though it was 9 a.m., Rodic didn't take off his mask... 

Rodic looks at William as he is chewing his food with a completely neutral face. 

They both stare at each other for a few seconds. It amazes me to see that William didn't look away. 

But it seems that they are not intimidating each other, but just looking at each other, without thinking about anything. 

"Why are you wearing a mask?" William is always the expert at asking the questions everyone wants, but no one has the courage! 

"..." Rodic continues looking at my brother. "Places like this are always filthy; I take care of my health, unlike people like Yanma." Rodic aimed at William and hit Yanma! 

"Are you saying I'm not clean!?" Yanma says indignantly. 

Rodic slowly moves his eyes to Yanma, without turning his head from where William is. 

"I'm telling you that that rum breath of yours could make me sick." 

"How do you dare!?" Yanma puts the mug on the table and approaches Rodic. 

"Let me ask, how many times do you shower a day?" He asks. 

"Normally, I shower once a day." William says. 

"Once a day too!" Yanma speaks. 

"Usually once or twice if I smell like a dead rat." I answer. 

"Hunf." Rodic expresses. "The only one who has decent hygiene is Light." Apparently, Rodic is a pretty hypochondriac guy... 

"And when you go on trips or adventures, how do you shower!?" Yanma exclaims in inquiry. 

"I look for a lake or a pond." 

"Did you know that lakes and ponds also contain bacteria and germs!?" She continues. 

"Of course I know. Because of that, I take the water and heat it to kill any kind of disease." 

Yanma is crestfallen; she lost to hygiene personified, apparently. 

"By the way, where did another child come from?" He asks. 

"This is William, Light's brother." Yanma introduces him. "He is also my apprentice." She speaks with pride. 

"Well, if you trained him, then he shouldn't be a burden." 

"I'll do my best!" William says. 

Rodic nods to William and leaves the room with his mug. 

"Who's that?" William asks almost immediately when Rodic leaves. 

"That's the gold badge adventurer, Rodic Redlar." Yanma says. 

William changes his expression to one of surprise. 

"I hadn't even noticed..." William says in amazement. 

"Most adventurers are people like any other. The easiest way to tell if an adventurer is strong is by their badge." 

William just stops and thinks. 

"I think it's true." 

What do you mean "I think"? 

"By the way, when will the battle begin?" I ask Yanma. 

"We estimate that perhaps the war will begin at approximately six o'clock at night." We still have time to prepare. 

It won't be a long war because Zakov's army had many casualties. This desperate attack on Legorio is literally the most desperate measure he has taken. 

Zakov even sent his right-hand man, Marco; this must mean that things are not good. 

"And the Supreme Mage, when will she arrive?" William asks. 

"By my calculations, she should be here around six-forty at night." So we have to hold off the enemy for forty minutes or more... 

The hours began to pass, and each minute seemed to happen faster than normal. 

For lunch, we had bread and porridge. It may seem like porridge is food that only children eat, but it is a very nutritious meal. 

The knights then had their last meal before battle. 

During the hours, William trained with his dagger, while I just tried to sharpen my mana control. 

And then, six o'clock arrived. 

Because it was summer, the sky was still bright, but in a few minutes, the sky will quickly turn to darkness. 

At the time of preparation, giant ladders were placed on the wall, and the archers climbed up there, and now they are on top of the wall, just waiting for the target to appear. 

Yanma is at the south gate together with William; I am still at the west gate, the gate where Rodic is and where the enemy army will arrive. 

The moment the trumpets blow, I will go to the other gate!