The long hall on the first floor of the tavern was filled with a diverse crowd. At the table next to them, four men had set down their large backpacks beside the table, chatting as they shared a massive plate of fish stew, accompanied by drinks.
"How much did you make last time?"
"Ugh, just enough to scrape through this winter. How about you?"
"About the same! So… where are you headed this time?"
One of the men spoke, dipping a piece of bread into the broth of the fish stew.
"The ruins are a bust now. I'm thinking of heading further north from the ruins, or if that doesn't work out, maybe the southern ruins."
"No way, not the underground. Even hiring adventurers is risky, but for explorers like us to go in alone? That's just…"
The man made a slicing motion across his throat with his hand, grimacing.
Nearby, the lively chatter of soldiers rose above the din.
"Wonder if the baron paid his ransom and got out?"
"Don't worry about it! What's the point now…"
One soldier frowned, as if the topic soured his drink.
"The lives of nobles and ours aren't worth the same. That guy Gulick probably got himself a fat purse of gold coins in exchange."
"Well, thanks to him, things are easier now. No more hauling heated wash water to the tents every morning."
"And no more setting up those massive tents embroidered with the House Verde crest every evening."
"He's probably doing just fine! Stop worrying about nonsense and let's drink!"
Gravel shifted his gaze to a table further away. There, a group of burly men sat around a round table, their attention fixed on an elderly man with a long beard. The older man raised his mug high, his voice booming.
"Tomorrow, we head deeper into the forest! Eat hearty tonight!"
"Yes, my lord!"
"Understood!"
The man, who seemed to be their leader, had deep wrinkles etched into his face, but the arm hoisting his mug was muscular, honed by years of training. His sturdy build, barely contained by the leather armor he wore, belied his age. Though his eyes were sharp, his boisterous laughter echoed through the hall as he clinked mugs with his men, downing drink after drink. His armor was stained with dirt, and his hair and beard were dusted with grime, evidence of a long journey.
"Seems like we've got an unusually large crowd tonight." the elderly man remarked, his eyes slowly scanning the hall. His gaze lingered briefly on the table where Reave, Kein, and the soldiers sat before settling on the table where Diara was seated.
"Hmm… Soldiers of House Vanas and a mage in a blue robe…"
The man set down his mug and strode purposefully toward Diara's table, his steps long and confident. As he walked, he brushed his beard and around his nose, checking for stray bits of food or foam from his drink. Reaching the table where Diara, Gravel, and Iris sat, he spoke.
'It is Diara! What brings you to a backwater like Louwoul? And with soldiers of House Vanas, no less…"
At the sound of her name, Diara looked up, her eyes meeting the older man's.
"Count Tould? What are you doing here? No, first… it's good to see you, my lord."
Diara's eyes widened in surprise as she hurriedly stood, grasping the hand Count Tould extended and shaking it warmly.
"Hahaha! It's been a while, Diara. You were just a child when I saw you at the Hidden Moon Temple, and now look how much time has passed. So, where are you headed? And where are you coming from?"
"I was on my way from Aquiln to Ves-Dinas, carrying something for the Grand Duke of Vanas."
Diara explained to Count Tould.
"Hoh… For the Grand Duke, eh? So you must be headed to Valla Glas. Hahaha!"
Count Tould let out a hearty laugh, his voice ringing out. A distant memory surfaced in his mind. The first time he met Diara was back when his hair was still free of gray, a memory from long ago.
*****
Located slightly west of Ves-Dinas, the Hidden Moon Temple served as the stronghold of the Hidden Moon Knights. At its center stood the Spire of the Moon, carved from a fragment of the third moon that had fallen to the continent of Laviroon long ago. To the west of the spire were the knights' quarters, along with an armory, stables, and a forge—everything the knights needed to live and train at the temple. To the north rose the grand stone structure of the Moon Library, while the eastern plaza was always bustling with knights and trainees honing their skills.
After finishing their training in the practice yard, the temple's young trainees would wipe their sweat and head to the large dining hall in the southern building. It was there that Count Tould first met Diara.
He had come to the temple at the request of the Grand Duke of Vanas to assist with the training of the apprentice knights. On his first day, as he sat in the dining hall, heartily eating the temple's meal and enjoying three apples for dessert, he leaned back in his chair, one foot propped on another, munching contentedly. That's when a small girl with orange hair approached and spoke to him.
"Mister, are you a knight?"
"Hm? Well, I suppose I live by the name of a knight."
Count Tould swallowed a piece of apple and answered.
"Hmm. You don't look that strong… Can you show me how strong you are?"
The girl squinted at him, sizing up the count as he lounged in his chair.
"Ahem! I'll have you know I'm probably the strongest in the Esteta Kingdom. Haven't lost a fight yet!"
Count Tould cleared his throat, covering his mouth briefly before flashing a broad grin at the girl.
"Really? You're not lying, are you? How can I get as strong as you? I have to get strong."
Her eyes widened, and she took a few steps closer, her voice eager as she questioned him.
"Hahaha! I'll stake my title as count on it. But may I ask why you're so determined to get strong?"
"I can't tell you the details. I have to become the greatest Hidden Moon Knight. So… please teach me how to fight with this weapon."
Her eyes blazed with determination as she gripped a small staff, its rounded tip glowing faintly blue, forming the shape of a blunt weapon.
"(Oh? Is that the weapon manifestation of the Hidden Moon Knights?) Impressive for someone so young. Alright, since you sought me out to become the best, I'll teach you. Learn from me."
Count Tould placed a hand on Diara's head, ruffling her hair gently as he spoke.
And so, Count Tould briefly recalled his first meeting with a young Diara.
*****
"And who are these folks?"
The count sat down, gesturing toward Gravel and Iris.
"They're adventurers, Gravel and Iris, who are escorting me to Ves-Dinas."
After Gravel and Iris exchanged greetings with Count Tould, the four of them sat together, continuing their conversation.
"But what brings you to Louwoul, my lord?" Diara asked.
"The red bears in the Sharabolas Forest are at their most dangerous this time of year. Look at this! Made from one I took down just recently."
Count Tould proudly showed Diara the red fur cloak he was wearing.
"You should start acting your age, my lord. For a count to be roaming around, hunting bears as a hobby…"
"Ahem! A hobby? This is for the safety of the people and to train the knights! And my age? Are you saying I'm old? And when you passed through Valla Glas on your way to Aquiln, why didn't you stop by to show your face?"
The warmth in Count Tould's voice betrayed his genuine delight at reuniting with Diara.
"You were probably off hunting bears or keeping the peace for the people, as always!"
Their playful banter continued for a while before Count Tould beckoned one of his men from a distant table to approach.
"You called, my lord?"
A man with a deep, resonant voice approached the table.
"Dilard, I'm heading back to Valla Glas tomorrow. You'll have to lead the bear hunt."
"Leave it to me, my lord. As planned, we'll stay in Louwoul a few more days to deal with the red bears, then return to Valla Glas."
"Good. It's rare to run into this Hidden Moon Knight, who's like a granddaughter to me but too busy to visit. I've got plenty to talk about with her on the road. I'll have some fine wine ready in Valla Glas."
"I look forward to it, my lord."
*****
The next day, Diara's carriage traveled along the path beside the Diure River, accompanied by her soldiers and Count Tould, who rode alongside on horseback.
"So, this Gulick fellow escaped, did he?"
"Yes. We had no choice. Some of the soldiers were injured, and we didn't have the strength to pursue him."
"Hmm… If I'd heard about this earlier, I'd have sent Dilard after that Gulick instead of the bears last night…"
Count Tould said, listening to Diara recount the attack.
"The blunt weapon techniques I taught you are unmatched… How slack have you been with your training? Tsk tsk. How about you stop hauling statues and come train in Valla Glas for a while?"
Count Tould clicked his tongue, glancing sidelong at Diara.
"It's not like that! And I'm not so weak that I need to learn from an elderly knight…"
"Grrr… Still as stubborn as ever, my cheeky little granddaughter."
Their conversation flowed warmly as Diara's carriage continued down the road.
*****
By the banks of the Diure River, where the sound of the wind mingled with the occasional splash of fish snapping at prey on the water's surface, Diara's caravan had set up camp for the night.
Fishbones from the previous night's meal lay scattered near the campfire, and the aroma of fresh fish roasting on skewers wafted through the air. The horses, exhausted from pulling the carriage all day, rested tethered at one end of the camp. Near the fire, soldiers slept, warmed by heated stones they clutched beneath their blankets.
The only ones awake were Gravel and Iris, who had volunteered to keep watch that night. Gravel sat against a rock warmed by the fire, cradling a cup of tea in both hands, watching the steam rise. From behind the wisps of steam, a figure clad in reddish fur approached.
"Care to take a walk and talk for a bit?"
Count Tould gestured to Gravel as he approached.
"Yes."
With a short reply, Gravel stood and followed the count.
They walked silently, moving away from the camp and deeper into the forest. Breaking the silence, Count Tould spoke.
"At my age, beating around the bush gets tiresome. Still, I'll try to be polite and not too blunt."
"Pardon? What do you mean…?"
Uncertain of the count's intent, Gravel stopped walking and met his gaze with a smile.
The eyes of Count Tould, so different from the jovial demeanor Gravel had seen over the past three days, studied him intently. There was no hostility, but no warmth either—just a focused gaze, observing every nuance of Gravel's reaction, from the smallest shift in expression to the direction of his eyes, missing nothing.