The Villagers' Rebellion (4)

"Oh, so you have been training since you were four?" Alice asked—her eyes filled with awe and respect for Tain.

"Yes. But…it isn't as fun as you think. Getting injured…not reaching up to people's expectations…it makes me tired." Tain replied solemnly.

"Oh, sorry if I made you feel bad. It wasn't my intention." Alice reassured Tain as she caught a bittersweet look on his face.

"It's alright. I know you don't mean any harm." Tain said as he smiled.

During their conversation, Tain was pleasantly surprised by how mature she seemed for a six year old. But at the same time, she felt too mature. She may be energetic like that of a child—but the way she speaks and easily backs away from entering someone else's private matter bears an uncanny resemblance to that of an adult.

Tain could not help but to feel self-conscious of her presence. For all he knew, she could be plotting something beneath his nose. After everything he had experienced—gaining his trust is no longer a simple matter.

Before the both of them could continue with their chatter—a loud knock interrupted the both of them—followed up by a deep, manly voice requesting to enter Alice's room.

"...Come in!" Alice replied with irritation tinting her voice—annoyed to be intruded while speaking.

Upon receiving her approval, Andre and Elene promptly entered the room. Tain's eyes widened as he intently stared at Andre. Although he did manage to get a glance at Andre a few hours ago—this is the first time he's seeing him up close.

It was the first time Tain had met such a hairy man. Even in his past life—the only hairy man he knew was a video game character he had fully mastered along with the others. His eyes were glued on Andre's bushy beard—astonished by the sight.

"Tain." Elena called him as she walked over to him.

"It's impolite to stare at people." She spoke sternly as she pinched his left cheek.

Tain squealed in pain as he tried to make Elena loosen her grip.

"I-I get it so please stop!" He begged.

"As long as you don't repeat the mistake." Elena stopped pinching him as she looked at Andre. "I hope you are able to forgive his impertinent behaviour…if pinching him is still not enough, I shall inflict an even heavier punishment onto him."

"Don't worry. He's still a child. So, it makes perfect sense for him to be curious and all. Besides, it's not every day he can meet a hairy guy like me."

A sigh of relief escaped from Tain's lips—feeling grateful to have been forgiven by Andre.

"So, mind telling me your name?" Andre asked as he lowered himself until his eyes were at the same level as Tain's.

"It's Tain Aried Polarias…or Tain for short."

"That's a nice name. I'm Andre, a woodcutter and-" He pulled Alice close to himself. "This cutie's dad."

"D-Dad!" She screeched in a flustered tone.

"Hehe. Sorry about that. Anyways, why don't you introduce yourself to Miss Elena over there?" He gestured at Alice.

Taking a deep breath—Alice nodded as she approached Elena. Stretching her arm towards Elena—she introduced herself enthusiastically to Elena.

"I'm Alice! Nice to meet you!" She uttered with a huge grin splattered on her face.

Elena lowered herself to be at the same eye level as Alice—before proceeding to shake her hand while introducing herself to Alice as well.

"Nice to meet you as well, Alice. I'm Elena Befallen Tiars. However, you may simply refer to me as Elena, or Miss Elena. Whichever suits your taste. Am I clear?"

"Y-yes!" Alice murmured as she peered at Elena.

Alice felt nervous, shy, yet exhilarated at the same time to be in Elena's presence. Just a few minutes ago—Tain had told Alice just how truly reliable and powerful Elena is. From her swordsmanship—to her ability to manifest and perfect control over aura—and her caring yet stern nature despite being deemed as one of humanity's greatest warriors.

"Thank you for befriending Tain, Alice." A faint smile splattered on her face as she looked at Alice.

To see Tain interacting with strangers—as well as becoming their friend—left Elena in a jovial mood. Even though she was only a teacher—Elena regarded Tain as the little brother she never had. The same can be said for Dilet as well—but she viewed Dilet more as an old friend.

"No problem. He's someone very cute. Just a bit socially awkward."

Elena and Alice continued chatting for just a few more minutes—until Andre reminded Elena that it was already starting to get late, and that all of them should go to the village elder's house.

Nodding her head, the four of them begin making their way to their destination. The trip was eerily quiet—as if something beyond their comprehension will soon transpire.

'I sincerely wish…another tragedy wouldn't occur so soon.' Elena prayed deep in her heart.

…

"Are…Ha…you alright… Miss Lily?" Jacob ask amidst his panting.

Jacob miraculously managed to rescue Lily from the residents' grasp. However, he had already exhausted most of his stamina from running across the entire village while carrying a worn-out Lily on his back.

"I-I'm…s-sorry for…be-being such…a-a burden…" She mumbled with the last bit of strength she had.

"You aren't a burden. I promise you. You have done your job as a healer. So, let me repay my gratitude. Everything will be fine, so go to sleep." He reassured her.

The grim situation they were trapped within petrified her. Nearly every single native had been chasing them relentlessly for hours on end now. Yet his words simply washes away all of her worries.

Without any signs of hesitation, she finds herself gradually drifting to sleep—her exhaustion and anxiety dissipating as the world turns pitch black.

'Good…she's now asleep. But…how do I move forward? Can I even make it through this hellhole?' He wondered.

The current position he was in could only be described as 'impossible'. The villagers—man or woman, old or young—have been persistently pursuing the both of them without any signs of stopping anytime soon.

Jacob had already lost count how many villagers he had killed with his spear, how many people had been pierced by him during the entire ordeal. He is uncertain whether this nightmarish experience will end or not.

But one thing for certain—he will struggle until the bitter end. Even if the end is simply a wall that stops anyone from going further.

'No…none of these useless thoughts matter. If there isn't a path for the both of us, then I will carve one out of sheer will. You and I will not die yet, Lily!'

…