Dante walks with Nathalia while Marcus surveys the surroundings.
They proceed on their walk, and Nathalia engages in conversations with others along the way.
Dante pauses to admire the mansion's decorative artistry. Marcus resumes following Dante.
"Are you focused, Dante?" "I am. I am merely enjoying the opportunity to be in such an environment. It is quite delightful." Marcus maintains his customary smile.
They continue their walk, remaining attentive to Nathalia and their environment.
Nathalia guides herself toward the backyard garden. Dante and Marcus follow her.
Nathalia glances back to ensure they are both following. Marcus nods affirmatively. She smiles and proceeds.
'She exhibits purposeful comportment. Her confidence is genuinely impressive,' Dante reflects, observing her from behind.
Marcus notices and smirks. "Oh, Dante, it appears you cannot divert your gaze from any woman, can you?" he teases. Dante blushes deeply.
"I am not harboring those thoughts, Marcus. I do not possess such intentions!" Dante retorts.
Marcus chuckles. "My apologies for the presumption. It is just that your stare is so intense, it seems quite evident."
"I would not entertain such thoughts, especially during my initial assignment," Dante responds.
"Rest assured, Dante. I am merely enjoying myself," Marcus remarks. Dante glares at him before following Nathalia.
He catches up with her and continues walking. Soon, a woman with striking blonde hair and green eyes approaches Nathalia with a sardonic expression.
The woman, named Sally, smirks at Nathalia, who is now glaring at her. 'They do not seem amicable,' Dante observes.
"Oh, hello, Nathalia. It has been quite some time since we last saw each other. How is your father these days?" Sally inquires mockingly, aware of Nathalia's father's passing.
Nathalia's eyes darken, and her expression is infused with barely concealed anger.
After soothing her emotions, she responds, "Hello, Sally. It has indeed been a long time, hasn't it?"
Dante observes the interaction from a distance.
The two women discuss their successes in competing against each other to demonstrate their superiority.
Dante turns and moves away to another area. He finds Marcus seated, gazing out the window, his dark blue eyes shimmering in the moonlight.
Dante sits with him. "You seem deep in thought," Marcus looks over at Dante. "Possibly," Dante nods thoughunsatisfied with his response but does not press on.
They both look up at the moon deep in thought. "Hey Marcus," "Yes?" he says, still looking at the moon. "Am I doing this right?" Dante asks, referring to his new title as a sorcerer.
"Not yet, but for now, this is how your missions will be until we proceed to the Forest of Calamities." Dante sighs, worried that he may not be ready.
Marcus chuckles and stands up. "Don't worry, lad; you have me as your teacher, so you'll definitely be ready by then."
Dante looks up into Marcus's deep blue eyes, feeling more relieved about his situation.
"Thank you, Marcus. I needed that… I have been having doubts recently." "That's good; it means you're not blindly following."
Dante rises, but before he can speak another word, screams are heard followed by gunshots.
Marcus and Dante rush into the mansion's main hall where a hooded woman is holding Sally hostage at gunpoint.
'Damn it, did she get in? I can sense spirit energy on her,' Marcus thinks.
Marcus looks over the woman and notices an emblem on her left shoulder belonging to the Witch's Clan.
"Dante, go find Nathalia and ensure she is okay. Protect her at all costs," Marcus says seriously. Dante nods and runs to search for Nathalia.
"Unhand the woman at once," Marcus commands, drawing his revolver. "I will not say it again."
The hooded woman glares at Marcus, reluctant to release Sally. 'I can't use sorcery with this many witnesses; this witch is getting on my nerves,' Marcus thinks while raising his gun, aiming steadily.
He fires, hitting the witch's shoulder; she takes Sally and runs, using her as a shield. Marcus pursues.
Dante rushes through the halls and finds Nathalia hiding under a table. "Lady Nathalia, I am here." She looks up at Dante and sighs in relief.
"Oh, Dante, thank you for coming." "Of course, it is my duty. We must move to a safer location."
She nods and takes Dante's hand, leaving with him.
Marcus chases the witch to the garden and corners her in the center, surrounded by a field of flowers with a fence outside.
"Enough running. Unhand the woman and surrender," he commands. The witch looks back, trying to find a way to escape.
"You are trapped here; there is no use in running. But also," he smirks widely, "there is only one witness, so let's get serious here."
Marcus draws his deck of playing cards, charging them with spirit energy.
"Let's battle with sorcery, witch," Marcus declares. The witch clenches her teeth and glares at him.
"Fine, I will fight you, sorcerer," the witch responds. Both stare at each other as the air crackles with spirit energy.