By the time we got past the wooden gate of the Village, we continued our way in.
I'm still peeking from the front of the carriage since I wanted to see what the inside looked like, Kitty is also below me but she's not that close to my body since she's still shy..
Inside the Village, I see houses or just buildings. Some have 2nd floors and some are just ground floors.
I also noticed some kind of food places, I saw a glimpse of 3 tables inside of a specific building through the window.
Although, I'm not sure if it's really a food place.
The Villagers also noticed the carriage, and since Steven, their chief, is the one that's riding the horse and carrying the carriage. The Villagers greeted Steven with welcome back, while Steven just waved his hand and thanked them.
"Chief!, how was your vacation?", a Villager asked.
"It was okay, we were able to relax like you guys wanted.", Steven replied.
'Like you guys wanted'?, does that mean that the Villagers wanted them to relax?
Perhaps Steven worked hard everyday and the Villagers realized that he needed rest, so that's why it concluded to him and his family to go out for a vacation.
We continued our way, while Steven greeted and thanked the Villagers for welcoming them with warmth and smiles.
While I was just peeking at the open cloth at the front of the carriage, I guess my position is enough because they weren't able to see me..
After a couple of minutes, we finally arrived at our destination. And that destination, is Steven's house which is located at the upper left side of the Village, if you look at it from a bird's eye view perspective.
We all got off from the carriage, although I hesitated to get out because I don't want to get noticed.
Steven told me that it's fine for me to come out since I'm already a Guest of this Village. Even though the Villagers have yet to know that..
After I got off from the carriage, I looked at my surroundings and saw some Villagers looking at our way. And as I continued to scan my surroundings, I noticed a big house with some kind of symbol at the top.
"Hey, Steven?", I asked Steven in a signal to come to me.
"What is it, Kiara?", he replied.
"What's that big house with a fire symbol at the top?"
"Ahh, that.. That's our Town Hall."
"Town Hall?"
"A Town Hall is basically the center or the main house of the entire Village, that's also where we held our meetings or discuss some short but important stuff."
"I see.."
They're really amazing huh..
They have a wall that's protecting them, Guards to protect and save them, and also the Town Hall..
But I wonder, if someone gets injured or hurt, who's the doctor?
"If someone gets hurt or like.. get injured? Who's the doctor?", I asked Steven.
"Oh, the doctor? That's Mike's job..", Steven replied.
"Eh?"
Mike's the doctor? How? I didn't expect that answer..
"That pause.. You're surprised that he's the doctor aren't you?", he teased me.
"Y-Yeah.. I am surprised by what you just told me.."
"Well, Mike may not look like it.. But he's a smart guy, he helps people who are sick or even hurt because of a graze."
"Ahh.."
I'm speechless, I didn't know Mike is like that..
"Oh, by the way. Mike is also my personal assistant, although he often calls me chief. But, I'm okay with that.", he explained.
Ehh??!! He's even an assistant?! And also, the chief's personal assistant??!
That surprised me even more!
"The face that you're making, you're even more surprised than earlier haha!", he laughed as he said that.
"Of course, I'll be surprised! I didn't expect that much from him.."
"Eehh.. Are you falling for him now?", he teased.
"I-I am not!", I replied with embarrassment on my tone.
He might be a nice and hard working guy..
But.. I'm not that easy.. I guess..
As Steven was about to tease me even more, Claire called him out to help Mike on carrying the bags.
And of course, he excused himself from me.
Mike looked at our way, and I immediately looked away to hide my embarrassment..
I continued to look at my surroundings while pretending to not notice Mike, even though we did meet eye to eye..
But I must say, I'm still amazed by this Village. I also noticed a building with a smithing table, perhaps a Black Smith hut?
Maybe for the Guards weapons? I think so..
I looked at the back again to check the others, but it seems like they've all went inside.
I thought to myself that I should go inside too, but as I stepped. I also stopped.
That's because, the glares of the Villagers got stronger than earlier, it's also strange how their glares can scare me this much..
It's like.. They're about.. To devour me..
I couldn't take a step forward, I couldn't move, I'm shaking but not because of the cold..
What is this feeling? Is this nervousness like before? Or is this something else?
Help.. Someone.. I can't move..
I closed my eyes, and tried to take a step forward so that I can pretend not to feel their glares..
And as I was about to move my leg up, a voice whispered in my right ear..
"Are you okay?"
I opened my eyes, and saw Mike who's already at my right side with a serious look on his face..
"U-Um.. Yeah.. I'm.. Okay..", I said with a stuttering voice.
"Okay, leave the rest to me..", he said as he stepped forward to where the Villagers are.
"Eh?"
He put both of his hands inside his pockets, and loudly asked..
"Can all of you that's here right now step forward? I have an announcement to make.."
The Villagers, some hesitated and some didn't, slowly stopped forward towards Mike..
"I suggest all of you to go home, and prepare yourselves.", he said.
The Villagers started to murmur but Mike stayed composed.
"We're about to have an Introductory Event this evening, so I suggest all of you to go home and prepare yourselves for this sudden upcoming event.", he explained.
Introductory Event? What's that?
Like an introduction?
A Villager stepped up and asked.
"When will the event begin?"
"This evening at 8:00 PM, you still have at least 10 hours to work and prepare.", Mike explained.
Some Villagers are still murmuring, but Mike still stayed composed.
"I repeat, please return to what you were doing. And by evening, we'll have an event. Thank you for listening.", he said as he took his hands out from his pockets and bowed to the Villagers.
As soon as Mike finished making his speech, the Villagers slowly returned to their homes and some returned to what they were doing earlier.
Mike then stood back up and came back to where I'm standing.
"Are you okay now?", Mike asked.
"Yeah.. Thank you, Mike..", I replied.
"You're welcome, how about we go inside for now? Steven has something to say to you.."
"O-Okay.."
We then took our leave and got inside Steven's house, and as I entered they're still busy packing things up.
"Hey Mike! Welcome back!", Steven welcomed Mike back.
"Steven, Kiara's here, you have something to say to her right?", Mike said.
"Yeah, but before that.. That was quite brave there Mr. Hero, since when did you become so strong?", Steven teased Mike.
Suddenly, I noticed that Mike started to get red again like before at the shelter.
Mike covered half of his face using his left hand and whispered something Steven.
I couldn't hear what they were talking about, so I looked like a little girl who's curious about their adult talk..
After their whispering, Steven continued to tease Mike but Mike quickly approached to where the bags are and helped Claire.
Kitty is also helping them! How cuteee!
Steven, then approached me.
"Well, like I told you earlier right? Mike helps people, although I haven't seen him do something like that before..", he said.
"Really? I thought he's experienced on those kinds of stuff..", I asked.
"Nah, I'm the one who's most likely to tell the announcements, earlier he looked at your situation and noticed that you were nervous. He also noticed that the Villagers are staring at you. And by the time I noticed, I was about to go out and help you but he insisted, talk about being a hero for the girl.", he explained while also teasing Mike without Mike knowing.
"Maybe he's just that kind?", I asked.
"Who knows? By the way, Kiara, you better prepare yourself and change your attire."
"Eh? What for?"
"Didn't you hear what Mike said earlier? There's an Introductory Event, you know."
"Yeah, but.. What does that have to do with m—"
As I was about to ask something so obvious, I immediately realized what that event is for..
"Yep, you're going to introduce yourself to all of the Villagers at once this evening.", he said while smiling.
"EHHH??!!!!"