Her Graceful War Song

Spring Pavilion was full that day.

The restaurant wasn't very big to begin with, and it usually had some customers. The black-clad men that lady brought had taken up all the remaining seats.

Carissa, Violet, and Travis had to sit at a small table the owner had set up at the last minute, separate from the others.noveldrama

The man's voice, soft and apologetic, reached Carissa's ear. It was warm and pleasant.

"These are my brothers-in-arms. We've been traveling since last night and haven't had a bite to eat. If it troubles you, I can have them wait outside and just pass them some bread each when we're done."

Violet paused, surprised, but quickly shook her head. "No need for that. Please, let them stay. They can sit where they like and order what they wish."

The man smiled kindly. "You are kind-hearted, miss. In that case, we'll order freely, and we'll take extra."

"Alright... That's fine," Violet replied, casting a glance at the sea of black. The men were dressed in a way that suggested some sort of organization, with embroidered characters on their sleeves, though they were so wrinkled and dirty that she couldn't make out the words.

After a moment of squinting, she thought she recognized words like "Shadow Guard" or "Lightning Guard" among the stains.

Despite their rough appearance, the men weren't rude. After confirming they had their places, they all stood up and thanked their host for the meal.

Some had graying hair, but their tanned faces didn't make them look all that old. There were a few, however, whose appearances were downright unsettling- strange, twisted faces that made them look like something out of a ghost story. Carissa, Violet, and Travis exchanged a glance, feeling as though they had been roped into this meal without much choice. They had hoped to converse during the meal, to learn more about the strangers' identities and intentions. After all, there were 20 or more of them here, each one clearly skilled in martial arts. It would have been wise to inquire further, as there were risks in not knowing who they

were.

Little did they know, as soon as the food was served, the group ate like a storm sweeping through the land-silent and swift. Not a single word was spoken, not even by the woman with them. It was as if they hadn't eaten in days.

The only time anyone spoke was when one of the men in black stabbed the last piece of meat with his fork, looked at another reaching for it, and said firmly, "Mine."

Other than that, not a single word was uttered.

There was one other instance: Travis had offered them wine, and the man had replied, "No wine while working."

Then, without another word, he returned to his meal.

Their meal was eaten swiftly, and with remarkable precision. It seemed as though they all finished at once, setting their cutlery down in unison.

Carissa had been thinking that they must be a well-trained group, but it became clear that the speed of their meal wasn't due to discipline-it was because the dishes had been emptied entirely. Not a scrap of meat or garnish remained the plates were truly wiped clean.

Carissa glanced at her plate. It seemed...she had barely eaten more than five bites?

The man approached them and bowed in thanks. "We are grateful for your kindness. The meal will not be forgotten. Farewell, and until we meet again."

The group rose in unison, nodding respectfully. "Farewell."

Carissa stood to return the gesture, but by the time she did, they had already left the restaurant.

"Wait!" Carissa called after them.

It was probably better if she hadn't said anything. The moment she called out, they picked up their pace, walking even faster.

Travis looked at her, bewildered. "What's the rush? Do they think we're asking them to pay the bill?"

Violet was equally puzzled and muttered, "They must have something urgent. It's not as if they'd need to run off over a meal, right? Besides, we already told them we'd be treating them."

Carissa stepped out of Spring Pavilion and found the street empty. They had truly vanished quickly—so quickly, in fact, that following them would have been impossible.

But with so many of them and all of them dressed in black, it couldn't be too hard

to find out where they had gone. A quick inquiry at the inns should reveal something.

After settling the bill, they returned to Stormwatch Keep.

Upon hearing about the group of black-clad men who seemed skilled in martial

arts, Dominic grew immediately wary.

Since the end of the war, trade had

picked up, and travelers were more frequent. But with the influx of people, every entrance and exit to

the city had to be monitored. If.

group of 20 or more had arrived, security would have been more difigent.

Yet, there had been no report about them.

Wallace sent people to check the major inns, but they found nothing.

Recalling how difficult it seemed for the group to eat, Carissa suspected they hadn't stayed at an inn. Instead, it might be more useful to check the nearby villages, the mountain shrines, or perhaps the temples and similar places.