Decision.

After a horseback race with Itsuki, we reached a hill. We stopped to rest, and we both collapsed onto the ground, completely exhausted.

“Are we going to talk now?” he asked, his voice breathless. Then he let out a small laugh. “Hey, by the way, good idea.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah. It gives us some time to sort things out.”

“Whatever you say...”

It had been about an hour since our fight. I wanted to leave. To run away. He told me he wanted to make things right. I felt the same way, so I asked him, what if we run away together? Not literally.

We took Majestuoso and the other horse and raced to clear our heads. The wind rushed against our faces as we rode, and for a few minutes, I was able to stop thinking about everything that had happened.

“Guikyume?”

“Sorry. I’m thinking...”

I looked up at the sunset. The sky was painted in warm colors as the sun slowly descended behind the mountains. A gentle breeze swept across the hill, stirring the grass around us.

I often think that being alive is beautiful, but... how am I supposed to live without them? My father, my mother. The people who once stood by my side.

I lowered my gaze. I think... I’m an idiot...

“It’s okay,” Itsuki said, settling onto the ground and crossing his legs. “I’m sorry for saying those things. You were right. I don’t know what it’s like to suffer through what you did.”

He paused for a moment and looked at me seriously.

“But I never meant to hurt you, Guikyume. I want to help you, but you... you won’t let me. I said those things to make you react, and it worked.”

He laughed softly, though his expression remained serious.

“I’m sorry... I shouldn’t have told them about the letter without warning you first. Your turn.”

He lay back down and fell silent.

“...You’re right. I’m not honest enough with you, and I feel like an idiot for treating you that way, but...”

Itsuki turned his head slightly toward me.

“What happened back there?”

“...In our village...”

My heart began to pound.

“When the Walkers appeared... when that black-armored knight appeared and gave me the letter, I went straight to the village... I wanted to help. First my father. Then my mother.”

I swallowed hard.

“I watched her turn into a Walker, you know? I thought she was still in there... that she was still my mother. But she tried to hurt me...”

My hands tightened.

“When she fell on top of me, probably trying to finish me off, I reacted on instinct... I don’t know. My dagger ended up in her chest...”

For a few seconds, neither of us said anything.

The wind moved gently across the hill, but I could barely hear it. Everything else seemed to have faded away.

All I could remember was that moment.

“You’re not to blame for what happened. I understand now... You kept going, and that matters.” Itsuki lowered his gaze. “I’m sorry I don’t have the right words...”

“You don’t need the right words.”

He remained silent for a moment before nodding.

“I understand... What are we going to do?”

I looked toward the horizon. I had finally said what I had kept buried inside me for so long... uncertain and afraid.

“First, we go back to the village and find out when we have to leave. Investigate the letter, keep moving... continue.”

“Perfect... Shall we?”

Itsuki held out his hand.

“Let’s go.”

I took it and stood up. A little while later, we climbed onto our horses again.

I felt calmer. I could breathe more easily.

I hadn’t forgotten anything. I hadn’t left what happened behind, either. But for the first time in a long time, I felt like I could take another step forward.

Continue, I understand.

“Guikyume, wait. Isn’t that the village guard?”

I looked up.

“Hmm... yeah. What happened?”

A voice came from the other hill.

“Hey, you two! Come back here!”

Itsuki gently pulled on the reins and headed toward the guard.

“What’s wrong?!” he shouted.

“The Cavalry! Why the hell did you leave?!”

Itsuki remained silent for a few seconds, as if trying to understand the situation.

“Huh? We just went for a ride!” he replied, shrugging slightly.

“Damn it! The leader thought you had run away!”

I sighed and looked at the guard, who still seemed to be trying to catch his breath.

“...Could you two stop yelling at each other?” I said.

Itsuki stared at him for a moment.

“Oh, right. Let’s go there!”

“Very well!” he replied.

VILLAGE LEADER

◇ ◇ ◇

An hour had passed. I remained at the top of the walls, waiting for those bastards. The uneasiness was still there, especially since Guikyume and Itsuki had run away. Either way, we had to be prepared for anything.

“My leader, several adventurers are on the move.”

“Adventurers?” I narrowed my eyes as I carefully observed the area outside the village. “What are they doing here?”

“I honestly don’t know. Should I give the signal?”

“No... Let’s wait.”

“As you command.”

My first thought was that the Cavalry had offered a reward for Guikyume and Itsuki. I spotted the adventurers on the hill ahead, among the trees. There were about five archers and two mages. Another twenty or so were advancing along the road. Warriors.

When we built the village, we never expected to come under attack. We only wanted to establish a base. However, I always knew that one day we would have to face a situation like this.

Even though I was quite worried... I won't give up. However...

“Hey!” one of the warriors at the front shouted, raising a hand. “A demihuman village! How fascinating!”

“What the hell do you want?” I asked, frowning.

“How about we talk? I’ll come alone!” he replied.

“Fine. Come. If I see anything suspicious, I won’t hesitate.”

“Don’t be afraid!” he shouted as he began to approach.

I heard a voice behind me.

“Floria...?”

I turned my head slightly.

“Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”

One of my guards stepped a little closer. He kept one hand near his weapon as he watched the group waiting outside the walls.

“Don’t hesitate to give the signal if necessary.”

“Understood.” I nodded calmly. “Good. I’ll go.”

I descended the stairs from the walls. My guards opened the gates, and the human began approaching. He walked with a calmness that irritated me, as though he had already decided that we posed no threat. The sound of his footsteps grew clearer as he closed the distance.

When he was close enough, I stopped and looked him up and down.

“Tell me, what is all this?” I asked.

“Surely you know that some... fugitives named Guikyume and Itsuki escaped custody, right?” he asked, tilting his head slightly.

“Hmm, yes. What does that have to do with all these people?”

“Of course...” He carefully adjusted his brown hair, a gesture I found repulsive. “Why did you help them?”

“Help them? Why would you imply that?”

“The Royal Cavalry offered us a reward of twenty gold coins. Incredible, right?” He smiled, spreading his arms slightly. “Hand them both over. Otherwise, the archers will start firing flaming arrows, and your beautiful little place will be destroyed. I don’t want to have any trouble with a beautiful demihuman like you.”

I watched him in silence for a few seconds. His smile, far from intimidating me, only irritated me further.

“Sorry, but I don’t speak the language of idiots. You’re leaving now.”

“Hey...! What the hell are you saying?” he exclaimed, pointing toward his companions. “Can’t you see all this equipment? Why the hell do you care so much about protecting criminals?! Hand them over!”

I let out a small sigh.

“Ah... They aren’t here.”

“...Really?”

“I told you the truth.”

The man fell silent for a few seconds. His eyes swept across the walls before shifting toward the hill. Finally, he slowly raised a hand.

“Fine... I have no choice.”

The adventurers on the hill began descending through the trees.

“They aren’t here?”

“They aren’t.”

“Now!” someone shouted from deep within the forest.

A series of dull whistles suddenly echoed through the air.

What the hell?

“Huh?!” he exclaimed, spinning around. “Now!”

He looked toward the rear, and his archers had fallen to the ground.

What’s happening?

“What?! Damn it... You were prepared for this, weren’t you?”

I looked at him calmly.

“The truth? A little. But no.”

“Gah!” He drew his sword in one swift motion. “Damn demihuman!”

BOOM!

A shield flew horizontally toward his face, forcing him backward.

“Guards, prepare yourselves!” I ordered.

“As you command!”

Guikyume suddenly appeared and charged straight toward the adventurer to confront him. The others began moving in, startled by his sudden appearance.

“Fire!” a voice shouted from deep within the forest.

Itsuki? I looked up, and there he was, standing high in a tree with his bow ready, his eyes fixed on the enemy.

Several arrows descended from the trees.

The adventurer looked from side to side, trying to locate the attackers. They were the scouts...

GUIKYUME

◇ ◇ ◇

It worked.

The man dragged his sword along the ground before delivering a sharp strike. I deflected his sword and followed with a rapid succession of cutting blows. The mages.

“Sorry, we’ll continue later,” I said.

“Huh? Get back here, you damn brat!”

I turned around and signaled to the main guard. He nodded.

“Now, up!” he ordered.

Are the bushes moving? They’re ours!

The scouts leaped out from the bushes and charged straight into the battle. I grabbed an iron shield and went after one of the mages. The man began moving his staff...

“Firelight, flash of battle! Finish my enemy!”

He aimed at me. A large sphere began forming in front of his staff. Once it had taken shape, he launched the attack straight at me.

I raised the shield and countered the impact, deflecting the sphere back toward him.

BOOM!

I hope he’s okay.

For an instant, it felt as though time had stopped. I looked up.

A sphere flew over my head and crashed into the forest, triggering an explosion.

“Itsuki!”

A warrior charged at me with reckless fury. I spun around and went straight for him. I tore the shield from his hands, moved behind him, and kicked him.

I covered myself with the shield as a rain of arrows fell around us.

They’re still coming. I heard footsteps... I turned around. It was him. He pointed his sword at me.

“I challenge you to a duel!”

“Huh? Alright...” I looked around. “Stop your men.”

“Of course. Halt!”

The warriors took several steps back and simply focused on guarding themselves.

I signaled to Floria, but she frowned.

“Halt!” she ordered.

Itsuki emerged from the bushes with his bow aimed directly at the adventurer. His gaze was cold.

“Itsuki, stop...”

“No! You... Three of them are seriously injured. They’re just children!”

He pointed toward the wounded scouts.

“It’s a battle. Both sides have casualties. I’m sorry about what happened, but that’s how this works.”

“What are you implying?!” Itsuki took a step toward him.

Floria approached with her guards.

“Itsuki, stop!” I said.

“You’re going to forgive him?!”

“That’s not it...”

“I’ll finish him!”

“Itsuki, enough! That’s an order from your leader!”

“...” Itsuki slowly lowered his bow. “As you say, leader.”

The anger was still visible on his face, but he backed down. It wasn’t part of our strategy. I understood his reaction.

They protected us and accepted us into their guild. We have to protect them.

“Listen,” the adventurer said. “We’ll have a duel... But first, I want to make one thing clear. I don’t want to shed any more blood.”

The remaining scouts raised their bows again.

“Hold! I said hold!” the leader shouted.

“Leader, they...” one of the guards said.

“I know... Lower your bows.”

“As you command...”

The adventurer signaled for his companions to approach. If a duel was a more efficient way to prevent further bloodshed, I would accept it. However, it also worked in his favor. We outnumbered them.

“As I was saying,” he continued, “I don’t want to shed blood. Besides, you have more people than we do. I thought it through more carefully... I won’t do the Cavalry’s work for them. I was greedy, I admit it. A duel will settle this!”

He pointed toward Floria.

“You... You’re the leader, right?”

“That’s right,” she replied.

“I’ll make you a proposal, because I’m not running away either. If this young man defeats me, we’ll leave. If I win, the two of them will come with us. The duel ends when one of us puts a sword to the other’s neck. What do you say?”

“Who are you?” the leader asked.

“Hmm... I see you’ve noticed that I’m not an ordinary adventurer. I’m from Lyshåndn, in the north. A royal-class warrior. Heir to the Sword of Will.”

“I see... They’re your students, aren’t they?”

“That’s right. I don’t want their first real battle to happen like this.”

I thought about it more carefully. That’s true. When we were at the guild, I didn’t see any of them.

“The duel will be against me,” she said.

“Whatever you say! Sounds perfect to me!”

“My lady Floria...” one of the guards said.

«Floria. So that’s her name».

“I’ll be fine... I promise.”

“Leader Floria,” I said. “I refuse to keep relying on your help. Let me face him. More than gratitude, I owe you a debt. Please, let me do this.”

“Guikyume...”

“Let me defend what I consider important.”

Floria remained silent for a few seconds.

“...Alright. Don’t die.”

“Hmm. I won’t.”

“Perfect!” the adventurer shouted. “No one interfere! This will be a fair duel!”

He fully unsheathed his sword.

“By the tradition of Lyshåndn, in the north, the sword I inherited after defeating my master will be given to this young man if he manages to defeat me. That is our tradition.”

“Master, you can do it!” one of his students shouted.

I had read something about the God of Combat. However, I didn’t know exactly what it referred to. It must have been some kind of swordsmanship unique to Lyshåndn.

We formed a wide circle around the area. Surrounded by the shouts of both sides and Floria’s serious gaze, I prepared myself to defend this place.

I’ll do it.