A discussion with Duke Alba

The two invisible forces clashed. The highly contrasting auras suffocated those in between, even though it did no harm to anyone. The man from the mansion had already made his way to the guards and was already speaking with Eshtar.

"Who was the ignorant bastard that dared to sully my daughter's purity!?" The Duke saw his guards that he had ordered to be bodyguards for his daughter, and immediately changed directions.

As he approached, Bacon's father was still trying to clear up the situation with the guard. When he saw the general of the Hidden Spear unit, he grinned. Waving a gloved hand, the general's magical flaming armor flared once more, sending fumes of smoke spiraling into the sky. The flames gave a feeble outburst before it flickered out.

The bucket that Lord Sausage used to pour the frigid water over the Duke clattered to the ground. His rage left him and in a stupor as he stood there, shocked that anybody would dare to drench him in water.

Turning around, he was about to explode into a rage when he noticed the culprit.

"G-general..?"

Bacon's father went up to the stout man and gave him a bear hug. His small stature seemed dwarfed compared to the large man, "It's been a while now! You've become a general yourself, no need to be so formal! Let's go inside to talk?"

Patting his back, Lord Sausage gestured for the captain Alba into the mansion. Bacon followed silently behind, wondering how his father had conjured a bucket out of nowhere.

The scenery was quite peaceful. They walked on the cobbled path towards the eastern garden. Ferns and shrubbery populated the sides of the pathway, the scent of the rosewood trees and the chirping of the cicadas filled the silence. The estate was quite massive; they eventually came upon the pavilion that was at the center of the lake, surrounded by lilies and aquatic grasses. There was the sound of water coming from a formation of rocks, a small stream gushing out and creating a small waterfall.

"How's your brigade? Not getting bullied I presume?" he joked as they crossed the dock.

The lord had been the superior of Duke Alba before he retired as he had injured his leg. At that time the Duke was much more inexperienced, a young man of twenty years as he had just enlisted, being assigned to the platoon that Sausage lead. Through the countless fights, they had been promoted alongside one another, eventually becoming the White Tigers Battalion.

"No, of course not! How would they dare to bully me."

A servant arrived with a tray of tea and some fruits. Setting it down, she bowed before leaving.

Taking a sip, Lord Sausage said, "Haha, how have you been? Have you still not married yet? I've told you that raising a child should be a woman's work."

He tried to change the subject, "I've been well general!"

He shook his head lightly as he glanced at Bacon, "I assume this is your son! Aren't you raising him by yourself as well? Well, I don't mind having him as a son-in-law as long as he isn't too old. I'm sure he would be a great fit with my daughter. After all, a man's got responsibilities!"

The sudden proposal left Bacon baffled, he was only fourteen! The tea he had been gargling in his mouth spewed out, directly onto the Duke. His father didn't seem so shocked, Alba had been always a straightforward person. He followed orders to the letter and but would always come up with absurd strategies that he would suggest last second.

Wiping the tea off his face, Duke Alba calmly said, "Young man, do you have a problem with this? You already did it with my daughter, you must answer for your actions!"

"Well, well, I can't deny that my son isn't at a marriageable age, but the truth of the matter is, nobody wants him. Are you sure your daughter would be okay with this?"

Bacon clutched his chest, his father's too truthful response had hit his heart. He rolled and fell out of his seat...and tried to roll away.

"Don't try to escape, young man, or else!"

Bacon continued to roll.

"You won't get the fish that you wanted for dinner tonight if you leave."

Bacon immediately stopped. Sweat dripped down his back as he carefully pulled himself up. Being the glutton that he was, he would not give up anything for his fish! He ran and groveled at his father's feet.

"Please! Anything but the fish!" His face was nearly flat against the ground.

The armored man roared in laughter, "Very well, I shall be taking my leave. I will return another day to discuss the battles at the border."

He emptied his cup and smirked as he stood up, "That is quite a cruel punishment, Lord has not changed much after all. Back then, the ones that failed their tasks would be starved, usually to death. You're lucky it's only a fish, my son-in-law."

Bacon looked in dismay at the departing figure. Those last words ringing in his ears. The marriage was surely set in stone and not be something that he could change!

He cringed, 'No! I don't want to be held down by a wife! Especially a mean one! I want to travel the world and experience all of the delicacies that the lands had to offer! I have to deploy my secret technique!'

He turned to his father and equipped his puppy eyes appearance, something that he rarely used nowadays. Sadly, he found that his father had already begun limping away.

His fat face sagged even more as his best technique failed. He truly resembled a bulldog at the moment. Groaning, he started to roll himself back to his room as he was simply too lazy to stand and walk.

Being fat child he was, he soon became tired and gave up halfway. The loud snores penetrated the calming sounds and peacefulness of the otherwise serene garden. It eventually attracted the attention of the servants that were nearby. Five young men eventually heaved their young master back to his room.