Party member

"But why?" asked Levi.

"I thought you guys hit it off, I got it wrong?" asked Thunder, concerned.

Levi looked at Lydia again. She tried to avoid eye contact, gazing down while playing with her sleeves.

"That's not it, just that it's sudden," replied Levi.

Thunder extended his arm toward Lydia and started patting her head.

"Lydia is the most suited for this job. She's extremely resourceful and above all I trust her with my life."

Levi would've been convinced more easily if it wasn't for Lydia giving Thunder a death stare, as he slowly stopped patting her head, awkwardly smiling.

She tried arranging her hair properly again since Thunder had done a number on them.

"I'll protect you with my life," she directed at him.

She was looking at Levi with no smile or any emotions showing. She was serious, and the way she looked at him made Levi trust her a little more.

"Also, you're only F tier, while Lydia is D tier. She'll be able to help you out and you'll eventually progress together," said Thunder.

"What tier are you?" asked Levi.

"I'm S tier."

Levi's eyebrows arched.

"Huh? That means you might actually the strongest?" said Levi in disbelief.

Levi squinted as he looked at Thunder, trying to figure out how someone as silly as him could be one of the strongest.

Thunder only gave him his best and largest smile, while Levi studied his face.

"No, he's not," sighed Lydia.

Thunder's smile faded.

"I'm the fastest, at least...-" started Thunder.

"-No he's not," cut Lydia again.

Thunder simply crossed his arms and looked outside the window, pouting.

"S tier isn't the best, there's SS and SSS above it."

"Are they that strong?" asked Levi.

"The difference between S and SSS is the same as F with S. But it's a bit more complex than this. As an example, Thunder matches Grant at 75%, maybe more on a good day."

"YOU REALLY THINK SO?" Gleefully asked Thunder, turning around straight away.

"Never mind, 50 to 60%, actually," replied Lydia still looking at Levi.

Levi couldn't help but laugh as Thunder turned his head toward the window again.

"Grant didn't strike me as someone that strong," said Levi.

This time, Thunder was the one laughing.

"Sure doesn't look like it, but whatever you're imagining in your head, he's three times stronger."

"But he couldn't stop you, in the throne room," replied Levi, puzzled.

"Well, I might not be the fastest, but in Sungrove I am. Combat is extremely different depending on what you're fighting. When it comes to other people, speed usually wins. Yet, would I face Grant who's only one tier up I would probably lose. My only option would be to run away... Well, actu-"

Thunder stopped talking abruptly. 

He tilted his head backward, immobile for a few seconds, looking up.

Levi's ears started ringing, as a loud booming sound echoed in the carriage.

Thunder who was right next to him was gone, the door on his side of the carriage wide open.

Levi held his ears, yelling in pain. 

Lydia promptly scooted over to face Levi directly. 

She bowed forward, extending both hands on both sides of his head. After nodding to herself, she grabbed a bag under her seat, grabbing a bottle that wasn't labeled.

After applying some of the unction inside it on her fingers, she thoroughly applied it to Levi's ears.

Levi simply stood still, trying to bear with the pain while she applied it.

After she was done, it only took a few minutes before the ringing weakened.

"I can hear you now," said Levi.

"I'll make sure he never does that again."

While Levi thought she was joking, her serious expression that bordered on anger made him realize she wasn't.

She put the bottle back into the bag, which she kept on her side.

"How come you had this ready?"

"Ah, figured we should be prepared for any situations. This bag stays in the carriage anyways, I have most essentials on me."

"Huh?" questioned Levi.

Lydia was wearing a maid outfit. She had long black sleeves with an intricate V-neck, which ended in a slightly puffy skirt that reached the knees. Under that, semi-transparent black stockings and short heels with cute ribbons were all she had.

While most of it was black, some white material overlapped the skirt and the chest, giving it an eye-catching contrast.

"Are you using magic instead of a bag? Unless there's some hidden pockets?" Asked Levi.

"Oh, no."

Without warning, she grabbed her skirt, lifting it all the way above her thighs, completely unbothered.

"What are you-" started Levi as he raised his hands to his eyes, looking between fingers.

But, while his mouth stayed open, he slowly lowered his hands.

"Hey... how..." started Levi with a surprised tone.

"Huh?"

Lydia's stockings stopped at her knees. On her thighs were two belts on each side, both holding a variety of items.

Most notably, she had knives.

Too many knives, thought Levi.

Besides the knives he could also see some potions, lock-picking tools... Grenades?!

"haha," awkwardly laughed Levi, "isn't this... a bit too much?.. and dangerous?"

"I sometimes throw the knives, better have too much than not enough," smiled Lydia.

"And what about this?" said Levi as he picked up a small hammer from her belt.

"Sometimes you need a sturdy tool, and it can also be used as a weapon," proudly said Lydia while smiling.

Levi raised his eyebrows again, awkwardly smiling while he tried putting the hammer back on her thigh-belt but poorly managing to.

The window behind Lydia suddenly opened. 

"INCOMING," yelled the driver.

Levi confusedly looked around, while a small whistling sound rapidly increased. 

Lydia jumped forward, tightly holding Levi in her arms.

An explosion resounded as the carriage was thrust sideways. 

Levi held Lydia back as they rolled with the carriage. 

They held each other tighter at every impact until it finally stopped moving.

Levi groaned as his head and back hurt, still in shock.

While Lydia was on top of him, unconscious.

He shook her shoulders, "Lydia? Hey, Lydia?!!"

"I'm sorry, father," muttered Lydia, with her eyes still closed.

Levi gently held her against him, as he put his head back on the ground, barely holding on to consciousness.

Steps. 

They weren't loud, barely audible.

They were getting closer, and fast.