Tiamata

"We've arrived..."

Gazing at the imposing wall from a distance, they halted their horses briefly to admire its grandeur.

Though not as towering as the walls of Jinen City, Tiamata's fortifications still commanded respect, standing taller with it's 30 meter wall than most.

"Let's move on," Saber declared, nudging his horse forward.

Agreeing with a nod, Solis fell into step behind him.

It had only been a week since they departed from Jinen City, yet Solis already felt a pang of longing for their companions. She wasn't accustomed to being apart for so long, even for a few days.

When it comes to doing missions at the black market, they were always together.

Finally reaching the city gates, Reaper couldn't help but comment on the bustling crowd waiting to enter.

Saber remained focused ahead, paying no mind to the observation.

Their turn soon came.

"Identification."

A knight clad in full armor stepped forward, his presence authoritative yet poised for action if needed.

"Here," Saber replied confidently, presenting his ID with a smirk.

The knight inspected it briefly before announcing, "You may proceed..."

Locking eyes with Saber, he added, "Romeo Premia Del Feur..."

...

..

.

"What's with the new name...? It sounds ridiculous," Reaper remarked, stifling a laugh with her hand.

"Hey, Romeo is a perfectly fine name!" Saber defended himself.

"Sure, even the knight from earlier seems to agree with you," Reaper teased, causing Saber to blush furiously.

"Oh shut up," Saber muttered in embarrassment.

After a moment, they made their way to a nearby tavern to secure a room for the night.

As they arrived at the tavern, Saber led the way, stepping inside with Solis and Reaper close behind. The interior was warm and inviting, filled with the chatter of patrons and the comforting aroma of food and drink.

Approaching the counter, Saber caught the attention of the tavern owner, a stout man with a friendly demeanor.

"Good evening," Saber greeted him with a nod. "We're in need of lodging for the night."

The tavern owner smiled warmly. "Welcome! We have a few rooms available. How many will you be needing?"

"Two... No, I mean three," Saber replied, gesturing to his companions.

"Right away," the tavern owner said, reaching for a set of keys hanging on the wall behind him. "That'll be three silver coins for each room, including meals."

Saber nodded, handing over the necessary coins. "Thank you."

The tavern owner handed Saber the keys with a grateful nod. "Enjoy your stay, travelers. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask."

With the keys in hand, Saber turned to Solis and Reaper. "Let's go get settled in our rooms."

Soon, Saber entered his room, closing the door behind him with a soft click. The space was modest but comfortable, with a large bed and a small table by the window.

Taking a moment to himself, Saber loosened the ties of his hair, letting his now obsidian black-colored hair fall freely around his shoulders. He then reached for a small case he placed earlier on the table, carefully retrieving a pair of blue contact lenses he created back at the mansion.

With practiced ease, he inserted the lenses into his eyes, the vibrant blue color transforming his gaze. It was a simple disguise, but one that helped him blend in and avoid drawing unwanted attention.

As he finished adjusting his appearance, Saber took a deep breath, feeling a sense of anticipation for tomorrow ahead.

"That should do it."

He looked at his reflection and saw his new appearance.

As Saber emerged from his room, adjusting his attire to ensure everything was in place, he noticed Solis stepping out from the room next door. Her presence drew his attention, and he couldn't help but pause to observe her for a moment.

Solis looked refreshed, her demeanor bright and lively despite the long day of travel. She caught sight of him and offered a warm smile.

Curiosity sparked within him, prompting Saber to inquire, "Solis, are you heading somewhere?"

Solis turned to face him, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "Oh, Contractor... No, I was just going to explore the city a bit. Is that fine?"

Saber nodded in agreement. "Sure, I'm planning on doing that, too. I could really use a change of scenery."

Upon hearing what he said, she couldn't but ask, "Is that so... Then, shall we go together?"

"Is that fine?" Saber acted a surprised before adding, "If you say so, then let's go outside toget

As Saber and Solis strolled through the bustling streets of Tiamata, taking in the sights and sounds of the city, Solis couldn't resist teasing her companion.

"So, Contractor," she began with a playful glint in her eyes, "doesn't this feel like we're on a date or something?"

Saber chuckled, his expression softening with amusement. "I suppose it does have that vibe, doesn't it? But let's just call it a friendly outing."

Solis grinned, nudging him lightly with her elbow. "Sure, sure. Just a friendly outing then. But you have to admit, it's nice to explore a new city with a good friend~"

"Indeed, it is," Saber agreed, his gaze scanning the lively streets around them. Solis laughed beside him, a warm sound that echoed through the evening air.

As they continued their leisurely stroll, Solis couldn't help but feel a sense of ease and comfort in Saber's presence.

It was until—

"....?"

As they wandered through the winding alleyways, they stumbled upon a secluded corner.

"I hear something..."

As Saber said this, she pulled Solis to his side and hid behind a wall.

"Ahh.... th-they're kissing..." Solis couldn't help but utter in a whisper after seeing a woman getting pinned in a wall while his boyfriend kissed her.

Saber couldn't help but glance at Solis, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Did I ever mention how your lips taste sweet," he teased, nudging her gently.

Solis felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment, her mind involuntarily drifting back to their own first kiss.

"Sh-shut up," she stammered, her voice betraying her embarrassment as she averted her gaze, hoping to hide the blush creeping across her cheeks.

***

As Saber and Solis continued their stroll through the alleyways of Tiamata, Reaper emerged from her own room, her sharp gaze scanning the corridor in search of her companions.

Spotting Solis' room, she made her way towards it, assuming she would be there as well.

However, as she reached the door and glanced inside, she noticed it was empty.

"Where could she be around this hour?"

Frowning slightly, Reaper wondered where Solis could have gone off to.

Curiosity piqued, Reaper decided to leave. She descended the stairs and went outside the city for a quick searching.

After a few moments of searching, Reaper finally caught sight of Solis at a corner table in a cafe, engaged in conversation with Saber. Relief washed over her as she approached them.

"Solis, there you are," Reaper greeted her, a hint of concern in her voice. "I was starting to wonder where you'd disappeared to."

Solis glanced up, a smile lighting up her face at the sight of Reaper. "Oh, I just needed some fresh air. Sorry for worrying you."

Reaper waved off her apology with a reassuring smile. "No need to apologize. Just wanted to make sure you were alright."

Her attention went to Saber, her gaze turning into a cold glare.

"And why is he with you?"