172 103. Joe and Alisa.

Juan and Lily currently arrived at North-frontier City. Juan had agreed with Lily's request as he too wanted to investigate the cause of this war.

Lily was eating the unique food from the food stalls at North-frontier city, "Wow, the food here is wonderful, isn't it Juan? It's good that you left the army, now we can travel as much as we want."

Juan too was quite surprised and spoke, "Yes, I am more impressed by the roads and those bicycles here as I am quite used to the roads of Imperial city as well. The culture here seems quite different. People here seem to respect each other quite a lot even though some are slaves. I never expected to see such a scene in the Aelius kingdom ever before."

Lily remembered something about the slaves and spoke, "Well, I heard that Lord John had decided to free all the slaves in his domain in 2 years. A lot of nobles were pissed after learning this fact as it seemed that he was directly confronting other nobles. I guess this respect for people comes from the Lord himself and hence the people. No wonder the people here respect their Lord more than the king."

Juan nodded as he understood that the people here genuinely looked happy whether it was a rich man or someone like a farmer.

Juan spoke as he spotted the administrative headquarters, "Well, lets go to the library or Administrative Headquarters. I want to meet some officials who know about the reason why this war started. I hope I can meet someone important or someone with a bit of authority."

Lily pouted as she saw Juan's attitude and spoke, "We have just arrived in this city and you want to work already? why don't we tour this city first and later head to do official business? You see that Clock tower?"

Juan asked confusingly, "Yeah, it's a beautiful and grand structure, what about it?"

Juan was quite surprised after hearing the use of Clock from Lily.

Juan exclaimed, "I never thought, it was such a useful thing. It seems this Count wasn't as bad as it was depicted in the Laguna city. I heard about the funeral which he conducted for his soldiers."

Lily spoke after remembering new suits in the shop she had spotted earlier, "Come lets first try those new clothes which have just recently started selling. I am sure that these new suits would look very refined on you. I heard those new suits were worn by Count John in the previous banquet when he made his personal tailor-make this customized clothing for him. I also heard that Miss Josephine and Eva too wore those new types of clothing on the suggestion of Count. Now it has become quite a fashion trend to wear those clothes in Banquets."

Juan didn't want to go shopping as he tried to dissuade Lily, "However, wouldn't it take a lot of time for them make those clothes for us. I think they would be quite expensive as well."

Lily furrowed her brows and had a readymade answer, "No need to worry, recently there was a shop opened by Miss Josephine and Eva for these types of new articles of clothing. Lets head there. As for money, we don't need to worry."

She thought, 'It was good that I read that new magazine from White and Black publishers about the new fashion in the upper circles or else I would have never gotten a chance to see and wear those clothes.'

Juan slapped his forehead as he prepared to loosen his wallet, he thought, 'Such a hassle. Well, it's not bad considering the tense period we were going through. For the first time, I am missing that clingy guy.'

Juan sighed and headed with Lily. "Okay, we will conduct official business later, this city is quite relaxing compared to other cities. I guess we may as well tour this city."

Juan's colleague Bridge was laughing at Jaun as he saw them and Juan's dilemma.

Bridge thought as he saw them, "I guess I shouldn't interrupt their precious time alone. Lighter wallet suits him anyway."

****

Laguna City, night time,

Henry was currently in an abandoned alleyway in Laguna city as he prepared to ambush Sebastian after days of preparation.

Henry thought as he saw Sebastian entering the alleyway, 'It was good that I noticed his patterns of always drinking and going from this passageway.'

As soon as Sebastian reached the middle of the alleyway. Henry made his move and reached behind Sebastian using Wind magic without getting noticed.

"Move and you die."

Sebastian was surprised as exclaimed, "What do you want?"

Henry didn't waste any time as he pushed a sleeping pill inside Sebastian's mouth and caught in a gunny sack.

Henry spoke as with cold eyes as he tied Sebastian in the Gunny sack, "Now this would be easy."

Wasting no time Henry moved out with the gunny sack which seemed a grain sack without getting noticed.

Henry moved out and traveled to a desolate house in the outskirts of Laguana city, "Now lets go to the interrogation mode."

Both of them entered the desolate house after confirming that no one else was in the vicinity.

***

Tim was now fully adapted to life in Aurora City as he just recently finished the infrastructures required for producing the Ballista projectiles, armors and gun ammunition for Bolt type Rifles and other types of guns.

Tim spoke as he looked at the bolt-type guns with great interest while Ross observed him, "These guns are quite novel. I never knew that a bolt can be used in such a manner."

Ross did not agree and spoke as he only looked for efficiency, "I am more surprised by these sniper rifles. The bullets can travel 2+kms, accurately. I think these will be the game-changers in the upcoming battles. I wonder why we are producing so many different types of guns instead of these efficient rifles."

Tim thought a bit and spoke, "However, these sniper rifles will only be used by special forces and ghosts. In the theaters, they will only be used in extraordinary circumstances. If we reveal them, there would big consequences and we may be targeted from all the sides with full force, you know. As for different types of guns. I guess master and Lord want to see the different effects and their uses on different battlefields. I heard from other men that Mr. Jake came with his disciples and other special forces to train and tame those Aurora Horses."

Ross spoke with a sad tone after he remembered about the success rate, "I guess revealing these Snipers rifles would truly be a calamity, No wonder, they are only kept for emergency situations. As for Jake and his team coming for Aurora Horses Yes, these horses will be one of our trump cards as they can swim underwater as well. However, Only Judd and Swann are able to tame the horses until now. I guess it is related to the familiarity of the rider with horses."

Tim knew about this asked another question as he recently spotted more of those horses in the stable as he frequently visited the horses, "Did you guys caught more horses?"

Ross took a look at one of the new armors produced currently, "Yeah, the new trick by Swann is coming quite useful in capturing those horses. While it is also becoming easier to control these horses via Zilch Berries. I guess we will reward that Kid. However, do these armors really work?"

Tim asked confusingly, "Do you have any doubts?"

Ross checked the light-weight armor with some doubt, "You see they are quite light, unlike the other armors I have seen."

Tim remembered and understood his doubts after looking at his face, "Ohh, you were worried about the weight, I thought the same thing first. But its all good. We have made all the required tests about the toughness of this armor. All of our armors are lightweight and this anti-penetration armor will be the best suitable for naval sailors as they can freely fight sea battles. You don't have to worry. I can guarantee you that much. Well, lets head to the shipyard and start refurbishing the new ships bought by Admiral Blake."

Ross remembered about the shipyard, "Yeah, I guess only the work of Shipyard is left. There is one more surprise for you this time."

Tim, "What is it?"

Ross gave the instruction manual of Boosters and spoke, "It is about the magic tools that can increase the speed of ships. It was recently researched by Mr. Will and his team. The first batch of Magic tools has arrived already. I hope you can fit them on Blake's Main ship first thing. Here, take this instruction manual. It was personally made by your master for you. You need to train other guys to fit those tools on the ships."

Tim immediately snatched the manual and started reading it without any worry.

Ross looked at the Port which started looking like a town after a month of work.

Ross thought, "I guess it will transform into a city soon enough after more people arrive. Anyway, I should focus on farming on this Island for now."

****

Joe read the letter which mentioned that he was selected for special training on Aurora Island.

Joe was currently going to meet with Alisa as he was about to depart for Aurora Island. Before leaving he had decided to show his feelings to her and propose.

Marsh sighed as he looked at the nervous Joe who wanted to confess to Alisa.

He thought, 'This Idiot still doesn't know that she already knows about his feelings and is only waiting for his proposal. Does he really think She doesn't know why he doesn't visit Hope usually, Always an Idiot.'

Alisa wondered as she looked at Joe who was looking at her from a distance, 'Aah... how much time would this idiot take to confess. Usually, he is quite macho in the streets when catching criminals. He becomes a rat when he meets me.'

She was a demon with horns and red hair. She was wearing the usual maid clothes in the hotel.

Joe decided to approach and spoke, "Hi Alisa, how are you doing today?"

Alisa sighed and answered like she always did, "Nothing, just the usual business. What brings you here today? Are you here again for a new recipe of mine?"

She smiled as he knew that her food never tasted good.

Joe thought, 'No, not your food.'

Joe strengthened his heart finally spoke, "I will be leaving North-frontier town in a few days. So I wanted to meet you one last time before departing."

Alisa understood the meaning behind these words As Joe decided to meet her before departing,

Alisa was quite tense and surprised as she heard him.

Joe continued with a determined gaze, "I love you, Alisa, Will you marry me after the war is over?"

Alisa was flustered as she didn't expect him to propose to her before leaving.

However, Alisa still answered him with a teasing tone, "Why wait for the ending of this war?"

Surprised by her reaction, He subconsciously spoke, "I didn't want you to be a widow. But, I don't

want you to be of someone else aswell."

Hearing him, Alisa smacked his forehead as she kissed him, "Idiot."

Joe was surprised by her sudden attack as he embraced her and didn't let go as if fearing to lose her forever.

Both of them embraced each other as the people in the hotel were quite surprised after looking at the couple.

One of the old maids sighed and spoke after looking at the couple, "Finally."

One of the guests spoke, "Do you know about them?" He was quite surprised after watching a Demon and a human in such a situation.

The Maid smiled and spoke, "Yeah, just two lovers finally expressing their feelings to each other."

The Maid coughed as both Alisa and Joe came to their senses after hearing her and left embarrassingly.

Marsh was surprised and left both of them, 'Damn, even that Idiot has a girlfriend now. Am I being left behind? Am I too conservative? Maybe I should also arrange for Alisa to go to Aurora Island. Nah, let him suffer for being lovey-dovey in front of me.'