The Laughing Swordsman

The middle-aged woman gave a questioning look towards Apollo.

Willow smiled apologetically.

"Sorry about my... son. He means no harm, I promise."

The middle-aged woman frowned. It slowly deepened until eventually...

She rolled her eyes.

"Bah, children will be children."

The woman laughed.

"I can't say anything because mine would do the same!"

Willow let out a sigh of relief in her mind, while amicably chuckling on the outside.

"Oh please, I'm sure they are far less unruly than my children."

The middle-aged woman flashed a smile.

"Hah. You'd be surprised."

She shook her head.

"Anyways, my name is Abigail. What about you and all your children?"

Apollo raised his bokken in the air.

"My name is Apollo!"

Layla enthusiastically hopped up and down.

"I am Layla!"

She was a little too excited and began introducing the others as well.

"She is Willow and he is Hex!"

Layla pointed with her fingers to indicate who she was talking about.

As for Willow, her lip twitched. She wanted to go by a different name so that she could blend in better. As for everyone else's name, she was fine with Apollo and Layla. However, she really didn't want Hex's name to stay the same.

Abigail nodded and waved with her wrinkly hand.

"Ah, hello Willow and her children."

Abigail furrowed her brows before turning to Willow.

"Em... may I ask why you named one of your children Hex? Is it not a little foreboding to have your child take after a curse? Carelessly naming your children can give them bad luck, you know!"

Willow's eyelid twitched. She didn't prepare herself for this situation.

Willow let out a soft sigh.

"It's a long story. His name isn't actually Hex, but because of a misunderstanding during his birth, my other children believe that is his name."

Abigail became concerned.

"Oh dear, what happened?"

Willow shook her head.

"Sorry... I don't want to talk about it as of now."

Willow was able to weave a lie in a matter of seconds, as though it was nothing new to her.

Abigail nodded.

"Ah, my apologies. Let us change the topic."

She chuckled before pointing towards the massive hole in the wall.

"You came here to witness the aftermath of the grand fight, right?"

Willow blinked a few times.

"What do you mean?"

Abigail smiled smugly.

"Hah. Don't be so surprised by the fact I figured you out so easily. After hearing of the news, everyone must be curious enough to check it out."

Willow nodded with an awkward smile.

"Haha, and here I thought I was being discreet!"

She really wanted to ask Abigail what the 'news' was, however, she knew that it would be horribly suspicious to say that now.

However, one person didn't share her worries.

"Eh, what news?"

Layla spoke up, making Willow's heart sink.

Abigail raised an eyebrow.

"You actually didn't hear about the news? How will you grow up to be a proper maid if you can't even do that!"

Layla tilted her head to the side.

"Eh? My name isn't maid, it's Layla!"

Willow laughed awkwardly, hurriedly covering up for Layla's actions.

"My daughter is against being a maid. This is despite the fact I've told her many times that this is the best path for her."

Abigail shook her head and sighed.

"I have a daughter like that as well. If only they understood what it meant to live life in a palace!"

Willow smiled bitterly.

"Indeed..."

Layla looked back and forth between Willow and Abigail. She was blinking a lot, trying to comprehend whatever secret understanding these two had.

Abigail raised a finger before putting it next to Layla's face.

"I will tell you the news, but you must listen carefully, young lady! Your mother is trying very hard for you!"

Layla only blinked a few times, still finding great difficulty in understanding the situation.

Abigail sighed.

"A massive army had come to attack us during the night! However, the guards of Obrad Empire valiantly defended against their great might. Some heroes fell, but they were able to vanquish the enemy, protecting our lands!"

She pointed towards the massive hole in the empire's walls with a proud smile.

"See that? The massive rupture in our wall is due to the aftereffects of one hero's attack!"

Layla followed Abigail's finger before gasping in awe.

"Wow! That sounds so cool!"

It seemed Layla had already forgotten she was the one responsible for the crack in the wall.

As for Willow, she furrowed her brows.

...How did that make sense?

She wasn't unfamiliar with an empire spreading false news, but she was wondering why they decided on such a strange lie.

An empire painting themselves in a positive light was nothing new, but they usually weren't so reckless as to declare a loss as a complete victory. They would distort the events of a loss, but would also warn the people.

This could come in the form of asking them to report any suspicious individuals or hiding in their houses so they could deal with an intruder without too many casualties.

...So what was this supposed to mean?

Apollo rubbed his chin with his thumb and forefinger.

"It was a hero that did that?"

Abigail laughed.

"Why of course! Who else but a hero could perform such a magnificent strike?"

Apollo gaspsed.

"Wow!"

He turned to Layla.

"You're a hero!'

Layla pressed her hands together with a shocked face.

"I'm a hero?"

Abigail laughed.

"It's great to have dreams, but we must stay rooted in reality. Focus on growing up to become good farmers and maids."

Apollo and Layla turned to Abigail, shooting her a confused look. The misunderstandings continued to arise.

Willow hurriedly cleared her throat. She could feel the situation would spiral out of control at any moment.

"Anyways, we should be going. We have things to attend to, after all."

Abigail nodded.

"Of course, farewell."

Willow briskly walked on ahead.

"Come on now!"

Apollo and Layla looked at each other before hurrying after Willow.

It was time for them to explore the empire.