"Ralvionmall... ?"

Why did the sense of familiarity suddenly clicked? It feels like I've heard of that place before...

"Have you heard of that place?"

"... Not really."

As someone who lives within this isolated island. It is normal for children to be taught by their own clan's culture and knowledges, and even restrict them from the influence of the other clans except from clans who chose to be on their side. 

I don't know if that's overprotection or foolishness...

Marshall looked at Myra intently.

"What?"

It might be better for her to know of that place already, since this place is pretty dangerous even for her now. Taking her with me can be advantageous and disadvantageous, since I don't know if I can trust this person yet. After all, she must've been raised by that village and had been in their influence ever since.

But... Considering all that... And her aid... She even gave me that delicious rabbit meat...

"Want me to tell you about Ralvionmall Empire?"

"! ... Yes."

I don't know anymore... As of now, the only person I could only talk like this at this time... 

Is none other than her...

"Then, I'll tell you about it..."

There are many kingdoms that exists outside of this island,  and one of them is the Ralvionmall Empire it is a country where it was founded by the past 5 high ranking clans where many individuals had gained favor to live normally as its citizens. And this Ralvionmall Empire is formed within the deep relationships of the 5 clans and gave each their agreement to form a nation for clanless people and other clans to grow on their abilities and gave each of their clan their benefits in exchange for each other's benefits and services.

And with the growing ideas and given opportunities as time passed, and with the relationships of the clans, many had come to an agreement and established upon a rule made by such clans to form a place for any clan individuals to be treated without the application of their own clan's rules and agreeing with the term for even no clan members to be treated as anybody and live their life within the capital and by Ralvionmall Empire's rules and regulations.

Of course, not many had also agreed within the rule before, and the competition of being a powerful clan still stands within their minds, eventually leading to a huge conflict in each sides with many different sides of opinions of each other of.

 "And you can guess what happens next..."

It eventually became world war of clans that portayed for years.

As for how the war was stopped, I heard it was done by a sacrifice of one of the 5 clans who delivered a contract made by the 5 clans to have the contract be known by every clan. And for that to happen, the clan tried their best and used their abilities to gain attention and have every eyes of clans turn on them and finally made them agreed by their circumstances and surrendered.

However, it eventually led to having their abilities destroy themselves.

"And that rule I mentioned earlier applies within every capital of any other countries for agreeing on a contract and made it stop the war."

"..."

How come I wasn't known of this before? And how come no one even mentioned about it, except for the war?

"Do you believe me?"

"... Ah"

"Of course... You're doubtful about it."

Myra remained puzzled.

"It's written all over your face."

"! ... Stop reading my face!"

"Ha... Can I really do that?"

"You can, if you stop staring at me."

"Yeah, yeah, like I'll do that while I'm talking to you."

I've been sensing it since earlier... This girl...

Myra made an annoyed face as she couldn't deny such common sense.

Has a BOSSY vibe.

Marshall showed a little curved smirk as he raises his other eyebrow.

"What's with that look?"

"Looking at you trying to read my face." - he said mockingly as he smirked more.

Myra were inflamed and threw a box from her bag at Marshall, and hits him in the head.

"OW!"

Myra turned around annoyingly and laid down, while Marshall rubs his head.

"Hey."

"What?!"
"You want to come with me tomorrow on the way to Ralvionmall?"

" ... I said I don't trust you, didn't I?"

"So I am, did you not believe what I told you about the capital?"

"..."

Myra pondered as she remained in her laid down position.

It felt like such thing, seems nice to be true. As it wasn't mentioned by my master... But, he doesn't seem to have any reason to lie with someone like me, and even if he does... I can still protect myself.

But the thing that really weighs... Wasn't really that...

"It is the same between us, I don't know you, you don't know me. What do you think shall we do?" - said by Marshall with a serious expression.

Myra lifted herself and faced Marshall saying, " ... Fine, I'll be honest, I don't truly believe of such place. But I have nowhere to go... And... I have nothing on my end now."

Myra looked at Marshall with a serious expression.

"Same with me... I also have nothing on my end. I am clanless now."

Marshall replied with his unfazed gaze towards Myra.

"Alright, that's it then."

Both of them released the tension of their exchanges and sighed.

"Although I have nothing, I do know some things."

"Oh?"

Thinking about it, I don't really know anything as I don't even remember who I was, before I came into my master's cabin. I only know, what my master and what the other villagers had taught me.

"I may not be much of help when it comes to outside of the island..."

Myra pondered for awhile.

"Then... Let me Be Your Lead." - Marshall suddenly replied.

After that night, we took turns in resting as we both protected each other and watched the ship and check if it were ever be departing. 

The dawn came, and I noticed some people getting ready with some containers on their ship.

Is it time already?

"Marshall... Marshall!"

I shook the sleeping Marshall hurriedly and managed to made him open his eyes a little.

"What... ?"

"Look!"

Myra pointed downwards and Marshall soon quickly looked below the cliff and saw the ship getting filled up with barrels and big storage boxes

"We gotta get there hurry, and take the chance."

The both of us took our move towards the ship and stopped with some of the people.

"Huh? Who are you kids?"

A man with a big beard and fat body scanned the both of them of their looks.

'Seems like lads who may be lost or something...'

"I'm Marshall, can we have the favor of taking the ride on the way where you're going?"

"... Hmm... That's not my decision kid, just go back to your clan."

"We are clanless people, mister."

The man widened his eyes.

I stepped forward.

"Even though we may look too young to be aware of what we are saying-"

Marshall stepped forward and stopped Myra as he waved his hand in front of her.

"I'll take compensation for the ride, please let us."

Marshall took out a grey pouch with a brown rope tied up around it, which seems to contain some money.

'Clanless, huh?'

As they pondered over their conversations, one of the people from the ship came down to check out what is going on. 

"What is going on here, Mar?"

A woman with light brown hair and grey eyes, appeared before them who looked like she's at her 40's who gives off a mature vibe.

"Oh, My lady! It's just... These kids are asking to take a ride with us."

"I see..."

The woman approached them as she paused and said, "Continue with your work, I'll take this."

"Now... Are you the kids he mentioned?"

"!"

"!"

"Yes, we are clanless."

" ... Where are you headed?"
"..."

"Right, my name is Matilda, I'm one of the mercenary groups from the southern capital. We are a ship headed back to the south port, and I repeat, where'll you be headed?"

"We plan to head out unto the eastern-north." - replied by Marshall.

Matilda looked at them as she contemplated.

"Fine, but we'll only drop the both of you by the south port. Our boat cannot proceed any further at that point, are we clear?"

Marshall let out a little smile as Myra heaved a sigh of relief.

"We are clear."

"One thing."

"?"

"As a mercenary, I am now both of your employee and I expect the usual fine for this."

"I'm fine by that."

Myra got a little taken aback with what happened, as she watched Marshall take care of it. 

And just as Marshall had also talked about mercenaries. 

How cool.

"Hm?"

Marshall smirked and said, "Amazing, isn't it?"

Myra got flustered, "Shut up! But, ehem."

She cleared her throat and continued, "Well done."

"You're quite honest, aren't you?
"... It's better than lying for nothing."

Marshal chuckled as he said, "Thank you for the compliment, but It's really nothing. It's the same casual talk and deals with mercenaries. Once you arrive at the capital, I think there'll be more that will surprise you that is normal for the people out there."

"You're talking like you did get there."

"Well, I did visited there once."

Just as they became assured of their travel, Matilda firstly discussed about the matter with their people and let them get in and take the ship for a ride.

"You have money on you?"

"I saved up a little."

I guess I'll be in need to earn more money after we arrived at the south.

As we took on course through the ship, and finally takes off.

One of the ship's people now gives us a tour around the ship, since Miss Matilda also said we'll be traveling for 3 days at most.

Myra looked around her surroundings as they walked around and sees some people still working. Lunch time is getting near, and some is on their way in preparing meals, the people there looked like soldiers suited in a white cloth and have their necks covered in a large scarf in different sets of colors.

Myra contemplated for awhile, she scanned her area and said, "Uhm... Is there by chance I can work for 3 days here?"

"?! Myra?"

Marshall were surprised with what Myra suddenly suggested.

"Hm... There are positions that can be filled temporarily, but let me ask you."

"?"

By the way, this person's name is Charles.

"How old are the both of you?"

"I'm 13."

"And... ?"

Marshall's face were hesitant as he said, "I'm 15."

"I see... I'm sorry but we don't accept kids here."

"!?"

"Can't you think twice about it? I may be 13 but I can clean!"

'Why is she suddenly out for work now? Didn't she said, she doesn't trust anyone?'

Marshall tried to get her attention but shrugged him and continued, "Please let me! I'll do what I can!"

"You did requested to get a ride within the ship, and now you want us to give you a job?"

Charles looked at her intently and said, "The work here isn't playtime, you still want it?"

"Yes, please!" - said so with eyes looking with determination.

"Fine, but only for 3 days."

"!"

Thank goodness! In this way I can save up at least a little as I arrive by the south.

After awhile, the tour had ended and Charles said, "Wait here, I'll inform Lady Matilda about it and I'll tell you the news later."

Charles had already gone to Matilda to inform of Myra's request.

Marshall confronts Myra with a confused and puzzled expression.

"What are you thinking, Myra?! Didn't you say, you won't trust anyone?"

"I did, and I still am, but seeing you deal with a mercenary gave me the idea."

"What? I don't get it."

"Just as you said, we'll be arriving at the south, somewhere where it'll be my first time."

"..."

Marshall became deep in thought trying to figure out Myra's intentions.

"You're right. However, I told you didn't I? I'll lead you."

"Yeah, I did agreed unto that. And yes, I think you were able to do it earlier."

"Huh... ?"

Marshall looked as if, he's asking for an answer as Myra said, "Figure it out yourself."

"HUH??!!"

'I'M CLUELESS! How am I supposed to figure that out?!'

Look at that expression he's making now... 

"Well, I plan to take that job now. See ya later."

"..."

Myra soon left Marshall as he shrinks small and Myra gets farther away from him.

"That little!!"

Although he did threw that little trantum, Myra didn't heard that.

To be continued...