Mattheos Rosenberg

Once she got close again, the enemy could finally have a close-up and saw how her eye rings were shining bright like amber flames. But the bunny boy didn't have any more time to spare as he pointed the gun right at her temple, without any space in between.

Surely he couldn't miss or she couldn't deflect this shot with the gun's barrel outright kissing the side of her head. Layla merely smiled as she lifted her legs and kicked her opponent's abdomen while treating it like a stepping stone to do a single handstand on his shoulder.

The bunny barely had any time to react as he was pushed onto the ground as Layla landed on the dirt floor of the forest. The blow to the abdomen was unpredictably strong for the Loplin and he could swear that something had ruptured.

How the hell could a young, small-sized, Dragoon pack so much of a heavy punch?!

As the bunny tried to get up, he froze as he could feel the gentle kiss of Layla's blade curved up at his neck, threatening to behead him.

"State your name, rank, and intention," spat Layla as she laid a fierce gaze on the helpless Loplin.

"Mattheos, Alpha-ranked to the Loplin Kingdom's guard, here to find help…"

"Why would you come to another race for help? I don't buy it," replied Layla as she jerked the scythe.

"Not fair! I answered you, you should at least do the same!" yelled Matt, seemingly annoyed rather than scared for his life.

The bartender had no emotion as she pressed her blade further into the Loplin's neck.

"Okay… okay! Relax, lady! I'm not here to kill you!"

"Are you serious about that, after pointing a gun right at my head?"

"I still don't know how you were faster than me!"

"Because you are slow."

The two stood still, unmoving as Layla clearly could easily make him have wings and a halo with a single move.

"I'm Layliasfeld, a Tavern owner and bartender, and it's a duty of mine to get rid of anyone who isn't Dragoons from my Tavern and sight. Does that satisfy you?" replied Layla, with annoyance on her tongue.

Matt wanted to nod but remembered that a scythe was on his neck.

"Yes, but my intention will still remain the same. I'm still looking for help… Wait, you aren't a fighter from the Royal Guard?" asked Matt, raising a curious eyebrow.

"Tch… All of you Royal Guard people are the same…" said Layla, before forcing her weapon to vanish.

Matt sensed the lady before him was mad but her killing aura had diminished so he too kept his weapon.

"You've mistaken me for my brother. He is one of the Royal Guard's Operative Members but he hasn't returned home for a long while. I don't blame you for mistaking him for me since we are twins…"

"The male version of me is much more useful so you should find him instead," said Layla, facing away from Matt.

The bunny's ears twitched before he sighed and stretched his arms.

"I don't have any intention to look for the Royal Guard's help… I just need a good pair of hands to help out my village. In fact, I'd like to stay away from 'em."

"Huh? Then why would you target my Tavern?" questioned Layla, quickly turning around.

"I wasn't, I was tryna to get some booze and yours had them lights on," said the bunny man as he turned to meet the Dragoon's ruby red orbs.

"Besides, you should sell yourself that low… I was at your mercy merely Ticks ago, you've got fighting qualities of your own. And you managed to do so while in a cloth black dress with an apron," stated the Loplin as he placed a hand on Layla's shoulder.

The Dragoon was quick to push away the hand and turned her back against him.

"What do you need help with?" asked Layla, while looking at the rising sun.

"Maybe it would be better to talk in your quarters?" suggested Matt, as his ears twitched upon the sound of village folk casting their nets into the nearby lake.

"It's only been barely a Chime and you're already trying to make me take you home? How cheeky can you be?" questioned Layla with a smug look.

The Loplin could feel flames… Or was it called blushing as he loudly protested against the Dragoon's words? To which Layla started laughing at how defensive the bunny got.

"I'm just messin' with ya… Is the matter that private or serious?" quizzed Layla.

"One word; Tiamat."

The Dragoon felt her blood run cold… The same forbidden word that the two males at the bar were talking about. Layla slowly looked at Matt before grabbing his arm and then his collar to her height.