"Bran thought about it. 'Can a man still be brave if he's afraid?'
'That is the only time a man can be brave,' his father told him."
― George R.R. Martin
Chapter 37: The Fallen Village
we stood in front of the entrance of the village staring at the ruined houses.
we couldn't see any signs of people. Some houses are close and some are wrecked.
i glanced towards lilith and saw her staring sadly at the village and started walking towards it and i followed her.
i examined the stained on the ground and yawn,
just by staring at it i already figure out what cause the stains. even though i don't have any luminol to confirm it, i am already certain what causes these stains.
Blood. Freshly dried bloodstains are a glossy reddish-brown because of the influence of sunlight, the color eventually disappears and the stain turns gray.
"where are the people?, hello?!" Lilith loudly asks, i notice a something moving in the corner of my eyes, and saw something i didn't expect we will see sooner.
i immediately grab lilith to hide behind a destroyed house. she stared at me confused but i just silently shush her.
i peek at the corner where i saw the movement and saw a being shorter-than-human stature, it has a long and hooked nose, bat-like ears, and malevolent demeanor. my eyes narrowed as i watch the creature hunched over and pick up something.
A human. the goblin is picking up a human.
my hand loosen on covering my sister's hand and i glance at her when she copied my action and tried her best not to gasp.
suddenly i heard a breathy growl behind us, i immediately turned my head and saw another Goblin, before it called growl loudly i unsheathe my sword and didn't think twice to beheaded it.
i flick my sword to remove the blood that got into it and grab my sister to hide in the near house.
i notice lilith trying to talk but i placed my index finger on my mouth a gesture to silence her causing her to nod in response.
i stop in front of the house and tried to open it, but it was locked,
i pulled my sister again and rushes to another house while still trying to avoid the goblins, yeah i could finish them off instantly but i don't want to bring my sister in danger.
we need to make a plan, i need to make a plan.
i opened another door and it was locked, i tried to search for another one but notice that something's moving on my left side and another in the corner, as wel as not far way back from here.
i click my tongue mentally and controlled raise my sword and tried to form a shadow and when i the shadow started to form i immediately controlled it and ushered it to unlock the door.
yeah i should have done this earlier but my sword will reflect the sunlight and it might show our location it will be risky.
when the door finally opened i immediately opened it and gently pushing my sister to go inside, when i notice that the breathy growls were increasing.
before i could fully close the door i saw how the goblins started appearing near this house. i silently close the door and lock it.
"ezu" i felt a tug and i stared at the owner but froze when i notice that we were not the only one in here.
"who?" the man black hair that starting to turn into white a sigh of him growing old,
Twin kids were hiding behind him and a woman were staring at us with surprised but i could see a tiny bit of relief on her.
i tilted my head and once again let my sister do the talking.
i know it didn't end well the last time i let her but i'm too tired to do it.
"it's nice to meet you we are new in the guild and we decided to accept this Quest, i am lilith and this is my sister Suzue"
i lightly bow and they did as well/
"i am Henry this is my wife Penny and our twins Kim and Kris" the twins waved at us slightly, i stared at them and stared back at me.
it seems like we unconsciously turn our staring into a contest because the next thing we know is when they blink i smirk smugly causing them to pout.
i felt a a punch in my stomach causing me to hiss in pain and the twins to smile smugly.
Henry and penny chuckles and offered us to sit down which we gratefully accepted.
our voices were silent and our steps were cautious.
"I thought there aren't people in this village anymore" lilith said in a relief causing the man to smile and nod.
"we thought we wouldn't survive too if not because of the adventurers who live in this village we wouldn't survive, unfortunately they are not as lucky as us, the goblins were too many and they were too strong, they couldn't ..." he paused and sigh.
"i'm sorry" lilith said sadly and the man wave his hand to dismiss her apology.
"it's fine, it's not your fault, you two should have not accepted this request, it's too dangerous for a newbies and you guys are girls too"
ah here it is, the underestimation. however, he's not a warrior i guess i'll just let him be.
"no it's fine we can help you, my sister is a knight she's the best and the strongest in the dukedom" not really, i still can't beat my father and the knight Major.
i cross my legs and just let my sister boast my ego.
"she's the most favored in the Avaleon's order when it comes to swordsmanship" bot really, i never showed my skills to any of the knights.
i never thought that one day my sister would use me t lie.
"Eh? really? that's amazing" the man smiled brightly causing lilith to giggle.
"Do you want to help me on making the food dear?" Penny asks my sister who immediately agreed
and followed her, silence finally engulf the whole room.
"was it true?" Henry asked, interrupting the comfortable silence.
i blankly stared at him and grin lazily.
"of course not" he smiled at me in understanding
"i'm only the heir of the duke"
"..."