Negative relationship.

In front of the Montclair Barony, stationed soldiers of the Neuk Barony.

Coming in strong with sixteen men, with weapons and dressed in a blue military attire. In the middle of the forces, was the general, Stifen hunts. He was the only seated on a horse back.

Rashin and his soldiers had already come to attend to their unwelcomed guests.

The once commander, Eren Baldwin, stood beside the Baron, his blade strapped to the side of his belt.

Since Alaric punished him after losing the bet, he had become a better man in the barony, completely devoting himself to the land.

Though the soldiers all respected Ava, they still looked up to Eric, following his steps and trying to learn from him.

"Good dey to the people of the Montclair family. I have come to deliver a message from my master, Nuek Avblee."

Stifen began.

The look on Rashin's face grew even more pale. He couldn't help but wonder why Neuk had decided to send his knights again.

The last time Neuk did, more then five women were abducted from his barony. It was truly tragic, as no one could oppose him.

"In his words, I replay, 'Rashin, my dear friend, I'm sure you are panicking about what to do. You lack both the resources and instrument to maintain the mining ground. In a matter of days, the inevitable will occur, and your barony will be mine for the taking. But I am not so rude, and so I sent my knights to present this to you...'"

Stifen read from the paper he was holding. Kika and her daughter had joined during this moment.

"Give me the rights to your farmland and three beautiful women in the barony, and I will withdraw my request to own your land. Oh, and by the way, if you refuse, I will leave forcefully with any woman of my chosen. Your beautiful daughter."

"What?"

Rashin's eyes widened in fear. His wife and daughter, mirrored the same expression.

"And now that I have relayed the message to you, Lord of the Montclair Barony, I ask that you give me your reply." Stifen said, his cold gaze now fixed om the family.

Erica couldn't help but grip the grown of her mother as a means of comfort. It was pretty obvious her father was now placed in a tight spot.

On one hand, there was the people he ruled over, and his land. On the other, was his beloved daughter.

Rashin was anything but ready to make such a decision. The look on his face was prove of it.

Eren, saw this and Instantly knew his master wasn't going to make a decision.

His hand moved towards the hilt of his blade, ready to attack if anyone dared to touch Erica.

"I take this as you reject my masters decision...?"

Rashin was silent and confused.

"Very well, in accordance with my orders... I will now forcefully take the young lady with me."

Those words slipped into Kika's ears as she watched Neuk's soldier approached her.

"Nooooo!!!" She screamed , hugging her daughter as if trying to shield her from the world.

The soldier was getting closer, and both women were scared.

Eren couldn't make a move until given orders.

Rashin couldn't move from where he was... Does he attack? Does he agree to their terms? What exactly does a weak man do when faced with overwhelming power?

He lowered his head... "Alaric..." he whispered.

And from nowhere...

—Baam!

The soldier walking towards Erica was struck by a power lightning.

His body went falling to the ground, skin ripped and burnt to a crisps.

Everyone was shocked, their gaze all shifting towards the direction of the lightning.

And there they saw them..

Alaric, Ava and Arthur, walking towards the scene like a force of calmness.

"My lord, wasn't that a bit too much?" Ava asked as she walked beside her master.

"Nah, I told Arthur to aim for the balls. Besides, now I'm forced to socialize, such a waste of my time." Alaric replied, his hand on giant Arthur's fur.

"Alaric!" Erica called, a look of relief washing over her face as she saw her brother.

She ran, leaving her mother's side and immediately going to hide behind him.

Even Rashin and his wife were relieved, almost like the threw their entire worries on their son.

"Hey now, you don't have to hide behind me... sigh, what are you so afraid of?" Rashin sighed, ignoring his sister who was now hugging him from behind.

Turning his gaze to Stefen, his system character display popped up-

[Name: Stifen

Occupation : Neuk army general.

Special skill: Blade mastery.

Relationship: -57%.]

'Pfft! Didn't think relationship status could ever enter minus.'

Alaric thought to himself with a disgusted expression.

"And you are?" Asked Stifen as he turned his gaze to Alaric.

"Oh me? Pardon my rudeness, I should have introduced myself before having my beast kill one of your soldiers. How rude of me..."

Stefin glared in response to what the young lord said, finding it a bit disrespectful as it felt he was simply joking around.

"Let me introduce myself, the name is Alaric, Alaric Montclair, the first son of Rashin Montclair. How do you do?" Alaric voiced with a slight bow of his head and a smile on his face, masking his devious thoughts.

"You're the son known to be the joke of the barony? Seems I was foolish to expect much from you." Stefin responded.

"I care so very much about what you think of me. Please don't think so little of me, rumors can be misleading." Alaric gripped his chest dramatically.

"I can see you live up to your title. It doesn't matter. You've killed a soldier of the Neuk army. You will be brought in for questions."

"Last I checked, the law doesn't support what you just said. Especially if it was for self defense." Alaric said with a low voice, "But you don't care about the law, now do you?"

"No I do not. Seize the boy." Stefin ordered his men.

Fear hitched on the Montclair family.

Well, all expect two people.

The diamond knight and her sinister master.