After leaving Elf Home, Harrot had Lucius contact The Bald Man and tell him to return with Marcus. Without The Bald Man's help, the Half-Orcs' matter really could not be resolved. Harrot himself hurried to Marcus's castle.
Marcus was still far to the east. Someone had already ridden at full speed to inform him about the major incident in the City of Fire, but it would take at least a week for Marcus to make the round trip and return.
Harrot went to Marcus's castle to make some preparations in advance. After all, a riot involving over ten thousand people had broken out in the City of Fire, the main city of Marcus's territory. Many buildings had been destroyed, and hundreds of guards had been killed or wounded.
When Marcus learned of this, he would probably be furious enough to burst into flames—literally!
How could Harrot dare persuade an enraged Marcus alone? He needed a trump-card helper.
"Brother Harrot, why did you only come to see me now? I heard you won another championship in the arena competition! You're amazing!"
A red-haired, big-eyed girl chatted excitedly with Harrot. Her mother, Gudrey Elvin, watched them with a smile, while several stern-faced Knights stood behind the lady of the castle.
"I ran into some trouble yesterday. I was going to come find you as soon as I got back. I brought you a gift. Look!" Harrot took out a necklace and handed it to the girl.
"It's so beautiful! Even prettier than the one Father gave me!" The girl excitedly examined Harrot's gift.
"Do you like it, Annie?" Harrot asked with a pained smile.
The magical necklace had been made with a high-grade ruby The Bald Man had given him as its core, and mithril—the most precious associated mineral produced by the