Chapter 31: Evacuation

Vaissien, Rayha, and Belle were running fast when an object fell from the sky. No, it was another muscular man cladded with the black robe and a plain black mask.

"Who are you? Get out of the way!"

"No…"

Vaissien wanted to traverse the way, but the man refused in a stiff voice. The flat "no" was enough to mean that they wouldn't be able to cross to the other side without a fight. While he was in deep thought, the man appeared in front of him and threw a quick punch. He easily dodged it.

"You, too, stand back. I'm gonna take care of this one." He instructed the two to take shelter from a distance.

"D-Do your best."

"B-Be careful, okay?"

The two thought that, as of now, Vaissien was the only one who could face a tough guy like this one. So, they accepted it without a trace of complaint.

When the space was cleared of potential nuisances, the two exchanged fist strikes and kicks. Neither of them were talking, only the sound of bumping fists could be heard clearly. The man almost had all the advantages. He was bigger, faster, and more powerful. However, Vaissien could also keep up with him well because of his styles and evading techniques learned from Feldor's training. Later, as the exchanges became more heated, Vaissien was able to land a huge blow on the man's solar plexus.

"I commend you, kid. You're good in Martial Arts. As a reward, I will kill you—"

Nonetheless, before he could charge at Vaissien in full force, he suddenly halted. He was touching something on his ear, as if there was an attached radio ready for long-distance contact.

(Is that a magic item? A communicating devise? He's probably contacting someone right now.)

"It seems like the mission has already been accomplished. I bid you my farewell." The man swiftly ran back, heading toward the east.

Vaissien didn't pursue further. He knew exactly that the man wasn't fighting seriously. If the fight were to drag on, he knew that he would never stand a chance. Those moves and techniques were on the level of the village chief. He still could not fight against him and expect to win. At least not for now.

(That man is too strong. He wasn't serious with me. Was he buying time for another goal? No. If buying time is the purpose, he should be against brother or Chief Feldor, as they are the scariest in here. So what's their purpose doing this, really?)

"Are you fine?" Rayha ran back at him.

"Thank goodness, you weren't hurt." Belle followed suit.

"Yeah. Anyway, let's hurry and go to the evacuation site. It's on the old storehouse."

The three continued to run as fast the two fragile young ladies could. On their way, they heard some loud cries nearby.

"Vaissien, where's it from?" Rayha asked, she tried to find where the source of the scream was.

"It's from somewhere in that direction." He pointed at the half-burned house. The lower part of it was not yet completely consumed, since it was made of bricks. "You two should wait here, I'm going see what's going on inside. Watch your backs, okay?"

"Vaissien, be careful. Don't let your guard down, as well." Rayha admonished.

"Okay."

Vaissien kicked the burned wooden door. The insides of the house were no longer recognizable. He looked around to find the source of that noise earlier, and when his vision reached the floor, he saw a woman lying and a weeping child hugging her. He rushed to them.

"Are you okay?" He asked the child, and then checked the pulse of the woman lying.

"M-M-Mama is hurt, she protected me from a falling truss. Papa, help, help." The young girl wept as she asked for help.

"It's okay now. Your dad isn't here right now. But don't worry, your mom is just unconscious. Let's get out of here." He lifted the unconscious woman and carried the child on his back.

When they were already outside, Rayha and Belle administered the first aid to the woman.

"Okay, she's fine now. I think the mother's name is Fina. And that child is Alice. Let's bring her to the evacuation site."

"Big Sis Belle, thanks. Okay, let's continue."

"Can you still walk, Alice?" Rayha asked the kid.

"Uhm…"

"No. She got some burns too. So, it's wise to carry her as well." Belle examined the child's wounds as well.

They hurriedly headed to the evacuation center. When they arrived there, a few rows of bed could be seen. Some of those lying in the beds were wailing in pain, while others were unconscious. A few villagers, who weren't severely wounded, were just sitting on the sides of this huge plaza-like quarter.

"Vaissien, thanks. Kindly put her here. These are Alice and Fina. Two more left." Chief Feldor, who was holding a scroll, was the one who received them.

As they saw that the majority of the villagers were safe, they limply sat on the wooden bench positioned near the entrance. Before long, a conversation can be heard from there.

"Chief, who did you send in rescuing the two people left?" Waldo, who was helping in distributing some boxes of herbal medicines, asked.

"I sent Ferm, Alberto, and Mado. They should be fine." The Chief calmly replied. However, a few moments later, Mado and Alfredo came back out of breath bringing bad news.

"Chief, Chief, they weren't there. Ferm still continued to search, but it seemed like they're nowhere to be found." Alfredo was out of breath from running.

"Yeah, we examined all the nooks of their house. They weren't there." Mado added.

"What? Is there a chance you went to the wrong house?"

"No. I know both of them. So I know their house." Alberto answered in a worried look.

"Yeah. Alfredo knows where all beautiful ladies in the village live. So he cannot be mistaken."

"I-I-Idiot! It's not the time for jokes right now, " Alfredo slugged Mado.

The main reason why the two of them volunteered was to owe the two girls a debt of gratitude. At least, that would lower the possibility of being rejected once he made a confession. But…

"Where could have they gone to? Or were they taken away? No way! Maribelle, please be okay." Alfredo haphazardly asked. "No way… Katherine, please be safe, too."

Alfredo and Mado were about to cry when a couple set of footsteps from two people slightly reverberated into the quarter. Some villagers immediately turned around to look. And when all the those near the entrance saw it, they became relieved and surprised. The first set was from a beautiful pink-haired young lady. Her skin was naturally silky and white, even in nighttime. Her pink hair was orderly tied, which complemented on her yukata-like apparel for sleep. Like Belle, many villagers knew her very much--especially the boys. He just turned 17 lately.

"Oh, it's Master Cimmerian and the two."

"Did something happen to Katherine?"

Cimmerian carried Katherine piggyback while walking side by side with Maribelle.

"No. She just fainted and hurt her left ankle when those assailants chased after her a while ago."

"Yeah. If not for C-Cimmerian, uhm…we would have been taken away by now. Thank you! " Maribelle's face was flushed as he looked at Cimmerian.

"Y-Yeah, he stopped those enemies in one sweep. Thank you, Cimmerian!" Katherine, also with a pink-red face, added.

Cimmerian put the also pink-haired Katherine down from her back. The boys of the same age as Cimmerian widened their eyes when they saw that she was only wearing—her thin shirt and pajama pants for bed. Her ample bust, which was unbefitting to her young age, was very much apparent due to her shirt's tightness. Her fellow village girls had often called her "the most blessed 15-year-old girl," and teased her all the time.

However, Cimmerian, no—Shiba Mitsuya, couldn't care less about it. He was mature enough not to be enticed by such a show.

"Wait, what are you doing, Big Sis?" Belle immediately covered Vaissien's eyes as the other boys were in pleasure.

"Shut up. You were watching, weren't you?" She didn't get her hands off until Maribelle gave Katherine a blanket for cover.

"Vaissien, you perv." Rayha said while watching Katherine and then her own chest to compare the two.

"No. No. No. I'm not." Vaissien insisted.

Cimmerian, on the other hand, didn't bother joining the idle chatter. He went directly where Chief Feldor was. Meanwhile, Grucius and Elder Grucia tended on the severely wounded villagers.

"Do you have any clue who were they?" Cimmerian asked the old man directly.

"No. But it's most likely that they are the same people responsible for the kidnapping incident in the surrounding villages." Feldor thought as he looked at the wounded with pity.

"Is that so? That's unfortunate we didn't get a lead. Anyway, it appears that no one died, no? Then that's good enough for now."

"You're right. It seems that those fiends had some other thing in their mind aside from murdering us all. So, let's just be thankful." Feldor sighed in relief.

"Oh, by the way, about the sword you entrusted to me… I'm sorry." He bowed at the Chief. "It broke into a fight when my enemy used magic."

"Is that so? Against magic? Of course, I may be a bit displeased that it's broken, but the good thing is that you're still alive and unharmed."

"Yeah. You're right. I feel the same. Don't worry, I'll try to earn some cash and have it repaired soon."

"Okay. If you want, I've known a blacksmith in Gamus who's a real master in the craft." Feldor closed the scroll he was holding and sat down in the chair nearby.

"By the way, if I may ask."

"What is it, Cimmerian?"

"Do you know, by any chance, a spell that'd make one's body explode?"

"No. However, one of my enemies a while ago did that. It's what we call 'Double Magic,' a type of magic activation that sets primarily two magic arts in succession. Once the body has already been transported, the bomb magic activates. In short, those whose body appeared to have exploded have actually escaped a second before the explosion.

"I get it now. You have my utmost thanks, Chief Feldor. Now, if you'll excuse me."

Cimmerian turned around and headed into where Belle, Rayha, and also the two remaining members—Elaine and Ferm--who had joined the earlier evacuations.

"Vaissien, how are the things going here?"

"It's fine. I overheard a moment ago, you broke your sword? Was the enemy that strong?"

"Yes. She was a magic artist, probably a higher level one."

"Are you injured somewhere? No. You seem fine. Anyway, brother, when are gonna have it fixed?"

"I don't know yet. But I'll surely be going to Gamus soon."

Cimmerian already knew the cost. It's written on the Merchant Guild Book. It'd depend on the quality of the sword being forged or repaired. At most, it needed 10 golds. Now, he just had to find some ways to find some money.

"If you ever want to go for monster extermination, let me go with you. Okay?" Vaissien whispered in him while putting the right arm around his shoulders.

"Oh, y-yes, no problem." He was embarrassed.

"Let us come too."

"Yeah, we can help a little."

"Ha, if you want to be protected, let me come with you. You two will be safe in my hands! Hahaha!"

"No. It's a family business. You better stay here and protect the villagers while we're gone. Those scums might come back, you know."

Rayha, Elaine, and Ferm heard it and also wanted to come with them. However, Vaissien shove them away perfectly.

"You two have grown a lot these past few months." Belle gazed at the two with palpable emotions. "Please, take care of yourselves."

"Yes."

"That's only natural, Big Sis."

"Also, what're we gonna to do with our house and everything? It was destroyed. We're completely broke and homeless now."

"Don't worry too much, Big Sis, we're gonna find a way to overcome this out."

"Vaissien, you're so confident. Anyway, don't worry too much. Let's look for other options."

Ever since they were young, Beatrice was the one managing the house. From the food, clothing, and many other things. Since she started working at the Baron's household, they became dependent to Belle instead. It was understandable enough that she'd be mostly affected of the disaster emotionally.

"Wait, brother. For the mean time, what sword are you gonna use?"

"Yeah. You're right. I've never thought about that yet."

"Cimmerian, I forgot to tell you. If you wanna borrow mine, I don't mind." Chief Feldor, who was sitting not so far away, joined the conversation.

"No. It's fine. I'll find a way to find another weapon."

"Is that so? Okay. Just tell me if you need me."

The crowd of evacuees organized themselves into teams and started the briefing. Its sole purpose was for the extermination of the fires. They continued to plan for everything the village had to do in the future. From the needed water, carriage, and other essential things to accomplish the daily tasks. Vaissien led the teams for the southern part, Cimmerian was on watch for possible attackers in the east, Waldo in the west, Chief Feldor on the east, and lastly, some young adult men in the north. By the time it reached 2 o'clock at dawn, by approximately 4 hours of action, the village was freed from the fire.