Chapter 29: Formation of Bonds

"I will not ask anyone to fight and risk their lives if they don't have to. Although I must say, your village is not safe anymore. The Demon Lord's army is starting to move closer and closer to your forest. I hope you can convince them to evacuate—"

"But you've heard of our prowess in archery, have you not?!"

The female elf abruptly stood up and grabbed the clothes on her chest.

"Yes, of course. And I admit, it would be such a boon for our forces if we had your help. But—"

"But what? This may be your only opportunity to talk to our people and—"

"I don't want anymore lives to be wasted. The elves joining us would surely help, but that would also mean your lives will be in danger. And most probably, a lot will die. I'll just have to double or even triple my efforts so that I can help even one more life to be spared."

The Saint smiled at the female elf.

"Then please stay for a while. Even if you don't want to involve us, I cannot stand by and let the threat of the Demon Lord's army endanger my people. We have to stand and fight. I will talk to them."

"I see. Hopefully they would listen to one of their villagers—"

"Oh, I forgot to mention. I am the leader of the elven clan."

The female elf smiled back at the Saint.

---

After a few hours. the members of the elven clan gathered at the center of their village. There was a small platform erected in front of a giant tree. The female elf stood up in the middle of the platform and faced everyone who was there.

"I have gathered everyone here to inform you of the dangers that our looming outside of our very forest. The Demon Lord's army is upon us, creeping closer and closer, threatening our safety. I know that our clan has steadfast laws about interfering with the outside world, ones which my father, the previous clan leader, disobeyed."

The crowd started to murmur among themselves. The female elf continued after a short pause.

"He couldn't stand by and watch as fellow inhabitants of this wonderful world perished at the hands of this Demon Lord. He ventured outside our hallowed grounds to rise up in arms together with the humans and fight against the enemy of everyone. As we all know, he perished in battle, making me the new leader by virtue of the blood flowing in me. And now, by that same virtue, I ask as your leader that we stand up as one clan and fight! Not only for our sakes but also for everyone else's! Let us use our gifts for the betterment of the world we all love. We are not the only ones who deserve to live, but—"

"Are you asking us to throw away our lives so that we can save others?!"

Someone from the crowd shouted.

"Didn't your father already make that mistake? And you want us to do it again? Nothing good happens when we interfere with the outside world!"

An elder male elf standing in front of the crowd near the platform screamed at the female elf.

"You even brought an outsider into our village! What if she brings misfortune to all of us?!"

Others in the crowd increasingly voiced out their own concerns. The female elf couldn't answer back and was already hanging her head. The Saint, who was standing by beside the platform, climbed up the platform and stood in front of the female elf.

"Everyone! Please calm down. I… I was the person she saved. I am the one everyone calls the Saint."

The gasps from the crowd echoed.

"I am not standing up here to ask you to fight with us. Your clan leader is most certainly concerned about your safety. And the Demon Lord's army is getting closer and closer to your forest and village. Please, I ask that you evacuate—"

"Get out of here! We don't want anything to do with you humans!"

The uproar became intense. The Saint and the female elf looked at each other and they got off the platform. They walked away from the crowd and headed towards the forest.

"I am sorry I interrupted you. I guess I shouldn't have meddled… I just made it worse for you."

The Saint looked at the ground as they were walking.

"Do not let it bother you. As you've heard, I am just the clan leader due to my lineage. In experience and wisdom, I feel I am lacking compared to my father…"

"But your concern for them is genuine. And for other people like me, as well. I'm sure they at least know that."

The Saint touched the shoulder of the elven leader.

"Thank you… Even though we have only known each other for a short time, I feel really relieved to have had you by my side back there."

"That's what you call friendship!"

The Saint had a beaming smile on her face as she looked at the female elf.

"F-friendship…? I apologize. I am not familiar with that… I have been mostly isolated as I grew up due to my standing in the clan."

"Well, the moment you saved me, you were already my friend!"

"I see… I suppose you are my first friend, then."

The female elf smiled and had a tear in her eye.

---

The two of them went their separate ways. The elven clan leader went back towards her village, while the Saint headed towards the outskirts of the forest. The Saint walked for a while in silence, when suddenly she heard a loud explosion. The sound came from the direction of the village. The Saint rushed back towards that way.

When she arrived, the elven archers were firing at the orc monsters that invaded the village. The archers were positioned at the top of the trees and any other high ground. All the orcs were on the ground, hurling bombs at the elves. It took almost three to five arrows to fell one orc, which made the elves lose more archers than the enemy lose their forces.

When the Saint saw this, she immediately closed her eyes, clasped together her hands and shared her holy powers to all the elves who were fighting. The elves' single arrow could now kill one orc. They were now able to whittle down the orc's numbers much quicker. After a while, the elves were able to eliminate all the orcs. The Saint quickly attended to the wounded and used her holy powers to heal them.

"Y-you came back?"

The female elven leader rushed towards the Saint, who was now standing after healing one wounded archer.

"Of course. My friend needed me."

She smiled at the female elf. The elven leader then hugged the Saint.

"Thank you, my dear friend."

---

Angelie and Mimi were walking down the street after leaving school. They were headed to the supermarket near Mimi's house.

"I'm sorry you had to go grocery shopping with me, instead of us enjoying a leisurely afternoon elsewhere."

Mimi looked at Angelie as they walked around.

"Don't worry about it! As long as we're together, then we will surely have fun!"

Angelie smiled at her.

They entered the supermarket and grabbed a cart. They went around to pick up some vegetables, meat and other products.

"I don't mind helping you cook, but why couldn't your older sister help? She'll be the one who will be left with your younger brother, right?"

Angelie asked as she was inspecting the cabbage in her hands.

"Well, you see, my sister doesn't know how to cook. As well as my brother. So, before I go on our trip for three days, I have to make them food that will last them until the end of the week. And my mother is busy working for the three of us, so do not want to add any further burden on her…"

Mimi answered as she took two trays of eggs and put it inside their cart.

"I see… I guess you have it rough, then."

"How about you? You said you're living on you own now. Isn't it difficult?"

"Yeah, you could say that. I had a hard time moving the other day while carrying some boxes, but the Demon Lord—"

Angelie stopped herself from continuing what she was saying.

"Hmm? The Demon Lord what?"

"Oh, look! Discounted beef! Let's check it out. I'm sure you'll be able to do something with those!"

Angelie headed towards the beef sale and grabbed some packs to compare them.

"…"

Mimi looked at Angelie, but then she just quietly followed her towards the beef section.

---

After they paid for the groceries, Angelie and Mimi exited the supermarket and went straight to Mimi's house. Their house was located on the fifth floor of a five-floor apartment building. There were six doors on each floor. They used the elevator to get to the fifth floor, as they were carrying some grocery bags. Mimi's apartment was the third one from the left side. They then used Mimi's key to open the door and enter the apartment.

"I'm home."

Mimi entered the room and left her shoes at the entrance.

"Pardon the intrusion."

Angelie did the same.

"What took you so long? I'm already hungry!"

A girl with short, light blonde hair was standing in the entranceway.