Chapter LXXVIII - Armir (part 2)

The village has gone through… quite a lot of problems, and they haven't been able to request any help from the kingdom. The reason for this is because they are located quite far on the north almost at the border of the kingdom's territory. 

Since they are quite a poor village, they hesitated at first whether or not they should ask for help, since paying knights can be quite expensive. They hold back the monsters for so long, until they realize that it is impossible to deal with them.

Until the messenger, Belland, came and told them there is an option to get the kingdom to cover the fees. However, it only works in an emergency. 

Twelve adults have died fighting the monsters, nobody will disagree whether or not this is an emergency.

"Then, I shall get prepared. I will meet you back once the sun is about to go down."

Armir said as he lifted his butt and left the house. Armir wasn't quite far away from the house when a voice called for him from the door.

"Armir!"

It was the chief. He followed Armir outside, and Armir turned around before bowing at the chief.

"Sorry I was late. I was at the farm, helping the others."

"Forget that. Listen, if the kingdom doesn't want to help us, don't worry about it. We can always ditch the village and-"

"How can you say that, chief!?"

Everyone else stared at them. Everyone knows that Armir was always a hot blooded one, but for him to explode at the chief…

"Listen, Armir. I know that it's not what we all wanted, but-"

"That's right. That's not what anyone wants. If the kingdom doesn't want to help us, then we will fight. We will not run."

"Armir, what is important is the people, not the village."

Armir nearly bit his tongue in rage, but what the chief is trying to say is true. This situation had gone way too horrible to be tolerated. Twelve adults had died from the attacks in just a span of one week… including Armir's father. 

And they have yet to kill a single one.

These beasts, they are too powerful for mere villagers to handle. They either get help from the kingdom to fight the beasts, or they run.

That's their only option.

"Okay... I understand."

The chief smiled when the young man nodded. He placed his palms on the young man's shoulders while smiling brightly.

"You are the future of this village. Don't fail us."

"I got it, chief. Don't worry, I will come back quickly."

Armir turned around and left the chief to head home.

"Brother Armir!"

Armir's brother, Aldre, is waiting on the door. Aside from him, there are also six other children. Some older than Aldre, some younger. They are Aldre's friends from the much younger generation than Armir.

"We demand you to take us with you-"

"No."

"Whaaattt???"

The children thought this might be a good chance for them to go to the kingdom and sightseeing, but something tells Armir that bringing kids to the capital will only invite trouble.

"Why not??"

"Because I need you here."

Armir moved forward and kneeled down. He placed both of his hands on Aldre's shoulders.

"Aldre, listen. While I'm gone, the village will be down one person. You have to do whatever it takes to help them, okay? But, that doesn't mean going forward and fighting the monsters on your own. You know what I meant, right?"

"I… But I wanted to help you…"

"You are helping me by helping the others. Because the truth is, I don't want to leave this village. But for your sake, and everyone's sake, we need to get help from the capital as soon as possible. You must help the others… in my stead. Please."

Aldre cried a little bit. They both just lost their fathers not too long ago, and they only had each other. Aldre gives up and moves to hug his older brother.

"You better bring some strong people…"

"I'll bring the strongest in the kingdom."

Aldre let go of the hug and left the house. His friends encouraged Armir to do his best, and Armir told them the same.

When Armir entered his house, he closed the door and sat down, leaning at the door. Tears fell down from his eyes as he tried really hard not to be loud.

After losing his father who is the village's strongest muscle, the village's progress with defenses against the monsters has been declining. Armir has been busting his ass helping on creating the defenses for the village to drive away the monsters, but so far only a quarter of his plans worked.

When the messenger comes, hope finally arrives. Armir will be sent to the capital as the representative chief of the village, mostly because he is the future husband of the chief's daughter. 

Bearing the responsibility of the whole village, he must find help for the village as quickly as possible. But with Armir gone, the village will have some problems, since Armir has an important role in their strength. That is where the current chief will be the one taking his place.

After all, both the chief and Armir's father were knights. They just got old and retired in this far away village.

Once the sun went down, Armir left the house with a bag behind his shoulder. The people are already waiting for him at the exit of the village to bid farewell.

"Armir! Good luck!"

"Armir! Find someone strong!"

"Good luck brother Armir!!"

"Armir! Becareful!"

The villagers loved and respected Armir, and Armir loved them just as much. They are his family, and what will he do for family?

Armir finally arrived on the carriage owned by the messenger, Belland. Belland turned his gaze at Armir, who was already seated on his carriage.

"Ready, young future chief?"

"Let's go."

"Haiyah!!"

The carriage started moving as the villagers waved their hands. Armir poked his head out from the carriage's window and waved his hands to the villagers. His gaze fell on the forest far behind the village, where the monsters are coming from. 

Far beyond the forest, is a really tall mountain, partially clouded in mist.

That place… is where the monsters are coming from.