"Can you get another bucket of fertilizer for me, Raymond?" Rowena asked, her hands dusted with soil as she tended to a plant.
Raymond and his family were working in their portion of the farmlands, a once barren wasteland now teeming with life thanks to their relentless efforts.
The scent of fresh earth mingled with the crisp, early morning air as they moved between rows of crops. Some plants were root vegetables, their leaves stretching outwards, while others were climbing vines that twisted and turned, reaching for the sky. Each plant needed careful nurturing, the fertilizer they used a vital lifeline for the fragile greenery.
The farmlands, nestled within the village's expansive settlement of nearly 10,000 inhabitants, felt like a paradox. Despite its size, the community clung to the identity of a village, a choice rooted in history and tradition. Among the villagers were those who lived as servants, a thinly veiled guise for slavery. Raymond's family hovered just above this status, their worth only marginally greater than that of the village's slaves.
As Raymond hoisted the heavy bucket, his mind wandered. "Father, have you ever thought of leaving the village?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of longing. "I know you've been outside for those big hunts, but have you ever thought about leaving for good?"
The question hung in the air, laden with unspoken dreams and fears. Raymond's father paused, the lines of his face deepening as he considered the thought. "Leaving the village means leaving everything behind. It's dangerous out there, with monsters roaming everywhere. And even if we did make it, there's no guarantee of a better life."
"Is that the only reason?" Raymond pressed. "There's no rule against leaving, right?"
His father shook his head, wiping sweat from his brow. "No official rule, but the outside world is harsh. We've seen people leave and never come back. It's safer here, even if it's hard."
Raymond nodded, absorbing the information. He had inklings about the outside world from his memories, but his family's perspective added a new layer to his understanding. Despite the limitations of their village, he knew he needed to achieve greatness within its boundaries before considering any venture beyond.
Turning to his sister, Raymond's curiosity sparked again. "Rebecca, I don't think I've ever asked you this, but what do you want to do for a living in the future?"
Rebecca was taken aback by Raymond's question. She had been preoccupied in recent days, weighed down by the events that transpired between her and Fulgran, which left her blaming herself.
Noticing her distress, Raymond sighed and approached her, gently caressing her head. "You're still blaming yourself? We can endure this life. You are more important to us. I miss the old you," he remarked softly.
Rebecca fell silent, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. As she sniffed, the first tear escaped, slowly trailing down her cheek. Raymond, flustered, almost panicked as he tried to soothe her. "I'm sorry! Please don't cry!"
But it was too late. Rebecca's tears flowed freely, and Lilia, noticing the commotion, rushed over, her cuteness only amplifying the situation. "Bad big bro. You made big sister cry."
"Eh? I didn't! I was trying to ease her mind since she's been preoccupied these days," Raymond explained hurriedly.
Rebecca sobbed, wiping the tears from her cheeks, and forced a smile. "I'm sorry if I've been distant these past few days. I'm truly sorry."
Rowena interjected, her voice firm yet comforting. "Here you are again, Rebecca, always blaming yourself. Don't you believe us? We're not blaming you for anything. We're a family, so one's problem is a problem for all of us."
Raymond nodded in agreement. "That's right, sis. Don't be too hard on yourself. Your beauty will fade if you keep doing that."
Rebecca's voice wavered as she replied, "Even still... I was the reason our family has been suffering. You have to do everything because Mother can't buy anything at the market. Father is restricted from hunting and stuck here farming. Lilia is always teased, and you've been carrying many burdens because of what I did."
Raymond clenched his fist, each word Rebecca uttered tightening his resolve. From others' perspectives, she might be right, but Raymond knew better. This wasn't his sister's fault.
"Please, Rebecca, stop blaming yourself. We don't want you to follow that vermin Fulgran. Everything about you is much more important than anything else. Call me impractical, but I love you, sis."
Lilia looked at Raymond with wide, tear-filled eyes, and echoed his sentiments with a fervent determination. "I agree, big sis! Don't be too hard on yourself. We can do this!"
Rowena sighed, her voice laced with a motherly wisdom. "No parent would let their children suffer through something they despise. And if they do, they aren't worthy of being called parents."
Rudy, who had been silent throughout the emotional exchange, finally spoke, his voice steady and comforting. "Rebecca, didn't I tell you this would pass? Don't worry about it. For us, and for yourself. For the sake of the family."
Rowena smiled at Rudy's heartfelt words, and as the emotions peaked, Lilia initiated a group hug, her small arms wrapping around her family. "I love you guys. Please don't cry." Tears mirrored in her eyes, as well as in Rowena's and Raymond's.
"Tsk. Such crybabies. Come on!" Rudy muttered, but then pulled everyone into his embrace, his voice gruff with suppressed emotion.
"I am the foundation of our family. I will fix things, and eventually, we will survive this unfair treatment by the squad commander's family."
"Yes... We will survive this," Raymond stated confidently, wrapping his arms around his family, feeling the collective strength of their unity.
'We will...' he vowed internally, his resolve hardening.
'I've had enough of this. After the general lays his eyes on me, I will exact my retaliation on that bastard. Humiliating him won't be enough.' Raymond's thoughts churned with a fierce determination, his mind already plotting the steps ahead.