A change

After half an hour, Jasper returned with a five-year-old child. The child looked quite weak, with bright orange hair and shining orange eyes, covered in mud but with fair skin peeking through.

"Young master, as you ordered, I found this kid in an abandoned broken house. I even confirmed with the kid about having a big sister," Jasper reported.

"Thank you for your hard work, Sir Jasper," Lucius acknowledged.

"But young master, this kid doesn't seem like a boy to me; even the voice is more like a girl's," Jasper expressed his doubt.

"We will know more once we get back to the mansion," Lucius assured him.

"Mother, you and sister ride inside the wagon and take this kid with you too. I will be right behind with the knight," Lucius instructed Elina.

As instructed, Elina entered the wagon with Athen, Leona, and the little kid, while the girl already inside slept.

"Lucius, don't take too much time and remember to wash your hands after you deal with the bugs," Elina reminded him before the wagon departed.

"Sir Knight and Sir Jasper, would you mind accompanying me for a while?" Lucius asked both knights.

"Young master, call me by my name too; it's Martin," the knight said.

"Okay, Sir Martin and Sir Jasper, let's go and clean some bugs," Lucius said, leading the way.

"After meeting with the goddess that day, I promised myself I would never try to kill anyone. I sought different ways of winning battles without resorting to killing, reading every military strategy and hunting book, but I didn't find the right answer. Then I asked Mother Noir, and she gave me the answer I sought," Lucius reflected to himself.

"Lucius, remember, it's noble not to kill every enemy, but there will be times when you have to. If you don't, they will kill you and countless others. There are always those who seek to harm the innocent. All you have to do is kill the bad guys; you'll never be blamed for eliminating a threat. But never point your sword at the innocent," Noir's words echoed in Lucius's mind.

"I know you've been watching us for quite some time; you followed me the whole day. Just come out; it will make things easier for both of us," Lucius addressed the hidden observer.

Twenty men and three women emerged from a nearby building, appearing as thugs, each armed with a knife.

"Just two knights and a kid. You think you can take on all twenty-three of us?" the bearded thug challenged.

"So, you must be their leader. Sir Jasper, Sir Martin, watch the path so nobody can escape," Lucius ordered.

"But young master, it's dangerous for you to fight them alone," Jasper protested.

"Don't worry, Sir Jasper. I've been training for years. I finally have the chance to test the results. Please stand back," Lucius reassured him.

"As you wish, young master," the knight acquiesced.

"Kid, you have quite the attitude. I'll make sure to teach you a lesson," the thug leader threatened.

"Try it if you can," Lucius challenged.

The thugs charged toward Lucius, while Lucius swiftly conjured a bow made of wind and an arrow made of cold water infused with lightning, launching it at the ground. The resulting shockwave knocked the thugs unconscious.

"Well, it only took one shot. They're quite weak for thugs. Sir Knight, arrest them. Father will decide their punishment," Lucius instructed.

With the thugs bound, Lucius and the knights continued to the mansion.

"Sir Jasper and Sir Martin, you take these thugs to the prison," Lucius directed upon arrival.

As Lucius entered the mansion, he was greeted by the head maid.

"Where are the kids that came with Mother?" Lucius inquired.

"They've had their baths and are waiting in your room. Lady Elina told them to wait for you," the head maid replied.

"Have they eaten yet?" Lucius asked.

"We offered them food, but they refused, saying they'd eat after meeting you," the head maid explained.

"Tell the chef to prepare something light and tasty for them and about the five-year-old kid, is it a boy or a girl?" Lucius requested.

"I will arrange the food, young master. And that child is a girl. She insisted she's a boy and refused to take a bath, but we couldn't leave her to bathe alone," the head maid sighed.

After speaking with the head maid, Lucius headed to his room, where both girls were waiting.

"Thank you, young master, for saving us," the older girl expressed her gratitude.

"Don't mention it. Since you don't have names, I want to give you both names so I can address you properly," Lucius said.

"First, you, the older one. Your name will be Amy from now on, and you, kid, your name will be Kaira," Lucius announced.

Tears welled up in the girls' eyes upon hearing their names. "Thank you, young master. We will cherish the names you've given us," Amy said gratefully.