The town of Belfrost, close enough to central Kaien that it was prosperous, yet still far enough that it could be considered an idyllic countryside that embodied all the 'goodness' of the commonfolk of Kaien, was the home to another Grand Master, one who was a much more reclusive presence than Savaniel was to the residents of Isriel. Occupying three acres of land that was filled only with pleasant, colorful flowers and ingenious waterworks, the mansion of Grand Master Lazaros Glenn was one filled with beauty and beauties. A garden of leisure and pleasure, one that seemed to financially support the town of Belfrost simply due to how many part-time gardeners the man hired the first month of every season to renovate his orchards. It was, in Savaniel's critical eyes, a waste of money, but who was he to judge? Belfrost was a safer place that Isriel, and the people were hard workers. They deserved being able to not worry about the war too much, even though the young Grand Master was still slightly uneasy at the fact that they didn't have a standing militia.

Urging his stallion through the well kept, grassy fields of Lazaros's land, he took in a deep breath of the pleasant air, mixed with the scent of fresh flowers and misty rain, before disembarking and tying his steed to one of the nearby apple trees. He was tempted to pick one of those bright red fruits from the tree for a moment, before restraining his appetite for a travel snack and turning back to face the impressive mansion. Five floors high, it was like a castle, just made with elegantly carved wood and brightly painted colors. The doors were massive, yet impractical for any type of actual home security, tall oak doors with crystal glass windows in them. It wasn't like a Grand Master would require home security though. Knocking on the door, Savaniel waited for three counts before a young maid with pretty eyes answered, smiling sweetly.

[b]“Good day, Sir Knight,”[/b] she said, with a bow, [b]“The master of the house is occupied at the moment. Do you have a message you wish to deliver, or would you like to wait inside?”[/b]

Occupied, was it? Savaniel sighed, ever so slightly. [b]“Just tell him that Grand Master Savaniel Volduriaz requests his audience.”

“Of course, Grand Master. Please, step inside.”[/b]

With that, she removed his cloak for him, hung it on a rack reserved for guests, and then bowed once more, before walking off. Her movements were more like that of a dancer than a servant, an elegant glide over the polished wooden floor. He stood there for another ten counts, before a loud, powerful voice rang through the entirety of the mansion.

[b]“Oh, Savaniel's here? Bring him right up, Infernia! Can't keep my junior waiting!”[/b]

When the maid with the pretty eyes, Infernia, came back, her face was just a shade more flushed, before saying with the same smile, [b]“Shall I lead you to his chambers then, Master Savaniel?”

“...Of course.”[/b] Yes...Lazaros was totally occupied at the moment.

After ascending a few delicately grooved staircases and passing by a few beautifully painted depictions of nature, he finally arrived at the private chambers of the man in question. There were many charms hidden on the patterns of that door, functioning both as a deterrent to unwanted visitors and a soundproofing barrier so that conversations could be said in private.

Of course, all those preparations were pointless when Infernia went on and opened the door.

Another sigh escaped Savaniel's lips as he looked into the room, noting with some amusement that Infernia was blushing heavier now, averting her eyes. Clearly, the maid did not want to see his facial reactions in response to the scene in front of him.

Lazaros was a muscular knight, many scars covering his body, with his most prominent one being the jagged scar right beside his right eye, still an angry red compared to the rest of his complexion. His wiry black hair, greying at some points, was wilder that day, tousled as if he had just woken up. Of course, through all this, the most obvious point was that he was essentially naked, with only a towel over his body in a useless show of slight modesty. The second most obvious point was the dark-haired maid kneeling before him.

[b]“Is this really necessary,”[/b] Savaniel questioned, his palm over his face as he massaged his eyes.

Lazaros simply laughed heartily, waving Infernia off. [b]“Savaniel, my friend, surely you understand that for someone who has known only the battlefield, this is the only way to heal their bruising body.”

“How about settling down and being a family man, Lazaros? I'm sure your parents would appreciate that.”

“My, Savaniel, are you irritated today? It's a ceasefire and I'm surrounded by so many pretty ladies. It's natural to do what I'm doing, but it seems like you're still but a boy.”[/b]

Savaniel twitched at that comment, before shrugging. [b]“I'm a Grand Master first, Lazaros.”

“But still, if I recall, that blonde maid of yours was quite a beauty. You're not aware that maids had a duty to please their masters as well?”[/b] A shadow of a smile appeared on the experienced man's face.

Yeah, this conversation was going into the older man's forte, and Savaniel realized he hadn't even gotten to the meat of the issue. [b]“I'll assume that you won't be partaking in the monster hunt then?”

“And of course you would, which would mean...”

“Yes, the Coffin of Cerebrum. I'd like to ask for your permission to use it, Grand Master Lazaros.” With that, he bowed, his hand over his heart in a show of formality to the senior Grand Master.

[i]“Master Glenn, so lively~ <3”[/i][/b]

It was only the proclamation of the maid that warned Savaniel of the unexpected assault. In an instant, a rip in space appeared as a shield fell out of his inventories, blocking the deadly projectile right before it splattered onto him. Truly, the vigor and range of Lazaros was not to be underestimated. As the shield fell to the ground with a clang, Savaniel's gaze had now become cold, glaring at the scarred knight. 

Lazaros, on the other hand, was trying best to hide his laughter. “Oh god,” he said, lots of fake coughs interrupting his speech, [b]“I'm so very sorry for that dishonor, Savaniel! It seems that Aezrael here has yet to learn how to swallow properly. My sincerest apologies, and of course I'll let you use the Coffin! I presume you'd like to be present in the Grand Church?”

“...yes.”

“Well then, Aezreal, you're dismissed for now. Shall we get started, Savaniel?”[/b]

[i]We should have gotten started WAY before this, you old bastard.[/i]
~
Exactly two minutes after that odd exchange, a young man materialized in the center of the Grand Church, fully naked, even though he had no genitals. Savaniel looked down for a moment, shot a murderous glare at the empty air behind him, and after another minute, his clothes materialized as well, complete with his cloak.

He had an expression of 'do not comment at all' on his face as he walked up to the man who seemed to be doing all the recruiting, before saying, [b]“Greetings. I am Savaniel Volduriaz, Grand Master of the Priestess's Guard, here to partake in the slaying of the monster currently residing in the battlefields. To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking to?”[/b]