Chapter 3 - Part 17 (Book 1 - Fantasy World)

Elis sat down on the chair, though her face hadn't wholly recovered -- still appearing a little pale.

Despite her appearance, Cindy and Mindy's abilities significantly helped Elis to relax and not allow the noise from outside the inn to mentally affect her.

Han watched as Elis' chest slowly rose and fell as her breathing normalized.

"Cindy, bring Elis the new outfit that was designed for her. I am sure Elis would enjoy seeing what we have created." Han ordered.

Cindy bowed to Han, taking a few steps back before disappearing into a portal.

Hearing about a dress, Elis' ears perked, and she looked at Han. There was a slight curve of her mouth due to the excitement of a new outfit, quickly removed as though she felt guilty about her excitement about such a frivolous thing during a crisis.

Seeing the woman try to not be eager for the outfit made Han smile.

"Are you sure this is the time, My Lord?" Elis hesitatingly asked.

Before answering the village woman, Han connected to Andrea, "How much time until the group reaches the village?"

Though Han wanted to take his time, he still wanted to meet the group before they reached the village. There wasn't an issue with the group entering and attacking the villagers. Han just wanted an open area to meet the group instead of inside an urban environment.

"Master, the group will be arriving relatively soon. They are making good time, clearly motivated to reach the village." Andrea informed him.

Han looked to Helania, Queen, and Brittany, "We will let Elis look at her dress while we head out and greet our guests." He grinned, "It would be rude to make them wait for us. We must be decent hosts."

Though he wanted to meet with Tom's family and let them know the situation, Han decided there wasn't enough time. Han told Brittany, "Have a maid inform Tom's family of the circumstances and for them to stay inside the inn."

"As you wish, Master," Brittany bowed.

Raising a hand to stop Brittany, "If the maid senses that the family is struggling to maintain themselves and appear stressed have more maids to attend to their needs. The father seems like a fairly solid individual, so I suspect that he will be fine. But the mother and daughter have already been through trauma earlier today." Han said as an afterthought.

As Han made his way to the door, Elis got up and turned towards Han. "My Lord, please be safe." She wished him.

Han waved a hand as he opened the door and stepped into the hallway.

As Cindy closed the door behind them, Han once again couldn't hear any sounds connected to the chaos outside. The lack of clues, only the eery atmosphere, made Han appreciate the builders of the inn.

Even inside Elis' room, the sound was manageable and easy to ignore if an individual wasn't focused on it.

Han and his creations made their way to the stairs toward the lobby area. Though the forces were quickly approaching the village, Andrea's voice didn't indicate that there was a need to move in haste.

As they moved through the inn, someone would've likely been confused and mistaken the four of them as nobles heading out to a ball. Each of the women was elegant in their outfits. Even with the amount of skin exposed, even a stranger could sense their commanding presence -- how they walked with a purpose and calm expressions. They clearly knew what they wanted and wouldn't allow anyone to stand in their way.

The closer his group got to the lobby, the more Han could hear crying and words of encouragement. There were footsteps quickly moving back and forth -- but not fast enough to indicate that it was people fleeing out of the inn.

Reaching the main area, Han looked to the side that led to various areas of the inn, such as the dining and meeting area.

Sitting on the couches and at the tables, people were huddled together in the groups they arrived with. There were even some families similar in appearance to Tom's family.

"I wonder if any of them are the merchants from the caravan that Tom was a part of before they betrayed him and his family," Han pondered. "I can see why Tom would prefer staying in his room instead of coming down with everyone else."

From his own experience, there were a few times when Han needed to sit in an area where people that had made life difficult for him and his family existed. This was especially the case during traditional events that needed to be attended, paying respect to the elders of the community. Typically, when Han had the option, he'd avoid such social events, but it wasn't always something that was avoidable.

There were many times Han had to bow his head to people he knew who thought less of him.

Han couldn't help but think about how a crisis wasn't the time to be around people who had a history of backstabbing and getting in others' way for their own selfish interests -- regardless of whether it was justified or not. It was fortunate that Tom had run into Han, who could ensure his family's safety. That was on top of the relaxing environment provided.

A few people, part of the inn's staff, glanced in the direction of Han and his creation. But such attention was short-lived as they rushed to perform their duties.

Han looked to see some families whispering and glancing in his direction once he stepped into the lobby area, away from the stairs.

"Look at how they scurry about," Queen grumbled.

"How can you expect people with no power to handle such a crisis? Remember that our Master told us not to underestimate these creatures." Helania chided Queen.

Queen's eyes darted to look at Han, quickly bowing her head, "I apologize, Master."

Han could understand Queen's sentiment on the matter. He knew that just outside the boundaries of the inn, people were frantically trying to snatch every resource that they felt would be useful as they fled from the approaching threat. If it wasn't for the fact that they viewed him as a noble, it would be questionable how his group would've faired.

Not finding it useful to stick around, Han casually made his way toward the entrance.

As he approached the counter in the lobby, the woman who had checked them in was still manning her post. Compared to the composed demeanor when she first interacted with him, there were signs of emotional fraying due to the impending doom.

The woman's long blonde hair didn't appear as organized as earlier, slightly messy. If Han had to guess, the woman likely ran her hands through her hair to calm herself down while no one was around. In addition to her hair, the woman's uniform was slightly disheveled in places, something Han imagined would be unacceptable if it weren't for the danger looming over the village.

Han had a brief, casual thought about how he fancied the wilder appearance. He glanced at her breasts, enjoying the view again. Though she was older, the woman still had a shape that would be desired. If he wasn't interested in the invading force, he would've likely invited the woman to his chamber after her shift had finished.

With that thought, he sighed at the missed opportunity.

The woman noticed Han and his group, and seeing where they were going, she reached a hand towards Han as she moved from behind the counter as though to stop them.

"My Lord! You need to leave this village! Lunar Empire soldiers are approaching! The village has been preparing to evacuate those who can!” The worker frantically said, the words spilling out from her mouth.

Han turned his head to look at the woman, appreciating her professionalism despite the danger. Such behavior, in addition to her mature body, made him interested in her. He dismissed the thought of inviting the woman with them. What he had planned was likely too much for the woman -- who was already at her wit's end trying to keep herself together.

"There is no need for you to be concerned for our safety. We merely wish to greet the soldiers and give them a gift." Han cryptically said to the worker.

"But..." The woman's mouth opened and closed, unsure of what to do with Han's words as she watched Han make his way out.

"Our Master is safe with us. We appreciate you showing such concern." Helania turned to the woman and slightly nodded her head in appreciation before moving to catch up with Han.

Upon leaving the inn, Andrea already had the carriage waiting for him. She stood off to the side where she sat and directed the dragon to greet her Master.

Andrea looked at Han and said, "Master, the soldiers should be reaching the village soon."

"That is good to hear. I prefer not to wait too long, so the timing is near perfect." Han smiled at the news. "I want you to drop us off in front of them, but not so close that they immediately start engaging us."

"Yes, Master," Andrea bowed before sitting back in the driver's seat.

Brittany had already opened the door -- waiting patiently for Han to enter.