CHAPTER 47: What is it that you want then?

It took us nearly three days to catch up with the villagers. It couldn't be helped. The wounded just weren't able to move faster than this without worsening their condition.

We didn't have any food with us, so I had to continuously hunt the nearby animals. And to make matters worse. Two of the wounded died because their wounds got infected.

Finally, we reached the group. Mothers and children ran to their loved ones. Tears of joy were shed upon the return of those that risked their lives to save them. The ones who had battled the monsters had become incredibly close now that they had looked in the face of death and survived. They told heroic tales of how they had slain many beasts.

But not everyone was overcome with joy. Some grieved because of those who did not return. They had hoped that, even though it was unrealistic, everyone would come back.

I, however had to tell the broken humans that it was fine for them to meet tier friends and family. With that, they happily joined the celebratory campfires, drank alcohol and sang along with the songs about the old times.

Thus, the day we joined the escaped villagers was a day filled with mixed emotions.

Elisa had healed the ones who were the most wounded and even befriended the elf. Who as it turns out, was called Nathan. But she hadn't seen his face, so she didn't know that he was an elf. The reason he did this was simple. It would cause him a lot of unwanted attention if he were to reveal himself.

They spent the entire evening together after she was to tired to heal more people. It was a shame, because I had hoped that she could teach me how to use healing magic, so that I could help to. But she no longer had the energy for that.

The survivors went straight to sleep when they had told their tales and paid their respect to the dead. Those who escaped were a little sad about this, but they understood how tired the survivors must be.

It didn't take long for the others to go to bed after that. Although a few stood on guard in order to warn the others if a monster chose to attack.

I however didn't really trust their perception. So, I also stayed awake.

The guards shoot worried glances at me during the entire night. But I didn't think much of it. Especially because I was worrying about the broken humans.

I had t tell them that they were allowed to sleep before they went to bed. After that, they thanked me with all that they had.

But this level of loyalty wasn't healthy. I had hoped that they would go off with tier families and friends. Instead they kept following me everywhere I went. The only way that they would leave me alone was when I ordered them to. But I don't see how that is an improvement.

I glanced over at the caravans in which the villagers were sleeping. The sun would soon rise and wake everyone. The guards had changed their shifts a few times by now.

Jordan and the other guard didn't participate in the shifts this time since they had been wounded on the battlefield after killing multiple monsters. I gave a soft chuckle. ("At least they were good for something.")

The guards immediately turned their heads towards me. But I just ignored them.

Time seemed to pass a lot slower than usual when I was waiting for the humans to wake up. Nathan also hadn't slept. But I guess that like me, the elf didn't need as much sleep.

However, he didn't speak with me or the guards so they could their job properly. He also would remain close to the carriages. My guess was that because the villagers had decided to hang nearly all of the holy items inside the carriages, he felt safer there. because, the last time I fought with him, I could beat him without using any form of tricks or magic.

After wat seemed like an eternity, the first few people awoke. Soft whispers could be heard in the caravans as they talked with each other while trying not to wake those who still slept.

The first to leave the caravans was Alex. The others who knew me before the village incident were all still sleeping, and I guess that the villagers didn't want to be the first to go outside.

Alex walked in my direction. I was already looking away because a sound in the tall grass had couth my attention. It, however turned out to be a bunny that was happily searing for food.

Suddenly, I felt a piercing pain at the end of my tail. This made me nearly jump up. I looked behind me and saw Alex standing there.

"Hey. How is it going?"

"Well, you just stepped on my tail, and I am not quite happy with that. But for the rest. I think I'm doing fine."

Alex realised what he had just done and took a step back.

"Oh… I'm sorry."

I only gave a low grunt in response.

Alex sat down next to me.

"Wy do you actually want to go to the stone city?

I gave a sigh. "Didn't I already tell you that I lost something and hope to regain it there?"

"Yea, but wat do you want to do after that?"

"I… don't know. I haven't really thought about that jet."

"Well I know exactly wat I want!"

I glanced over at him and sow how he cheerfully smiled at the distance.

"What is it that you want then?"

His smile grew wider. "I want to have a garden filled with flowers. Everything from roses to daisies!"

"And why do you want that flower garden?"

He kept on staring into the distance. "To show it to the girl I like."

After that he kept on talking about that girl who was called Stella until the other people finally left the caravans.