Bil and the kids weren't the only ones leaving the bathhouse. Nearly a dozen people were running out of the public baths half-naked, panicking all the way.
"Please, be calm!" The bath receptionist tried their best to control the chaos. "Get changed and head to the town square!"
Walking past the crowd and turning toward their room, Bil paid no attention to the surrounding shouts. But Jash and Nelphy couldn't help being curious. Nelphy asked, "Town square? Do we–"
"The mayor will likely make an appearance there," answered Bil, unlocking their room door. "But we won't be going there. We're leaving town, now."
"Leaving so soon?"
Not looking back toward the voice, Bil nudged the kids forward. "Grab your bags. Now. And yes, we're leaving while we're still able."
Amma sighed, walking a little faster to meet up with her newest guests. "Bil, I have something to ask you–"
"No."
"Bil, I haven't even asked–"
"The answer is no." Repeating himself, Bil was unwavering, "We're leaving now, before the town gates are closed and barricaded."
"You… You definitely know war…" Amma groaned, pressing her fingers into her forehead in frustration. "Please, Bil, just hear us out."
"What's wrong?" Nelphy asked, coming closer to pass Bil his backpack.
Jash rushed to the door, wide-eyed and eager to hear more. "What's wrong? Do you need Bil's help?!"
"Jash–"
"Yes, we do."
A new, lower voice from around the corner interrupted Bil. Then, a fully armored man stepped forward and stood beside Amma.
"This is what you meant by us?" Bil questioned.
Nodding, Amma replied, "Bil, I've seen your strength with my own eyes. As a town councilman, it was my duty to make your presence known and even consider helping your family settle here in town. That being said–"
"Then I'll make myself clear," stated Bil. "I assume you're the captain of the guard?"
"Correct."
"Good, then I won't need to repeat this. We never had any intention of settling down. And I never had any intention of helping the town if a crisis happened. All I've done is protect them," clarified Bil, motioning toward the children. "We're not from here, and we have no allegiance to this town. Since the town is now in danger, what reason do I have to stay where these two are threatened?"
Without hesitation, Amma responded, "Because they want to stay here. What child wants to roam forever? Right, Jash, don't you want to see Bil–"
"Don't drag them into this." Finally turning to face Amma and the captain, Bil glared from under his head wrap.
But the captain was unaffected. He knelt and noticed the confidence in the boy's eyes. "You know he's strong?"
"Yeah, Bil's super strong!" Jash shouted with pride.
"Then stay and help us. With him, we can–"
"Tell me right now what the threat is."
Cut off, the captain looked up to Bil, who continued, "Tell me the threat. I'll make my own assessments."
"..." The captain took a deep breath and stood up.
"You don't know the threat?... No.. You know the threat. That's why you won't tell me," reasoned Bil. "It's a threat you can't guarantee victory against, so–"
"That's not true," retorted the captain. "There's no guarantee of anything."
Bil smirked. "So you do know? Then tell me. Coward."
"A coward is a fool who runs. Don't go claiming to be a warrior if you're only washed up and crippled!" the captain blurted, startling even Amma.
But Bil was unfazed.
The captain continued, "Prove to me you're a warrior! Prove that you too were a proud soldier under the conqueror's banner! If you are, then stand with us and defend what we've always fought for!!"
"... Are you finished?"
"Huh?" Jarred by the comment, the captain squinted. "What are you talking about?"
"Are you finished?" repeated Bil. "Jash, when have I ever claimed to be a warrior?"
The boy stammered, "U-uh, Bil–"
"Answer me, Jash. Tell them. When have I ever claimed to be a warrior?"
"... N-never…"
The captain was taken aback and Amma sighed, now filled with regret.
"Never have I claimed to be a warrior," Bil stated. "And Nelphy, what was the promise I made to your mother?"
"... To protect us," the girl answered, somewhat unwillingly.
"And now I ask you two," Bil continued while lifting his staff toward the adults before him, "how can I protect these children while on a battlefield?"
"By participating, you'll be helping them–"
"And who will guard them?" Bil cut the captain off again. "Are you personally going to guard them, captain? Even so, why would I trust you to do so when you're already terrified of the enemy you refuse to inform me of?
"... If there's nothing more for you to say, then we'll be off."
Walking between Amma and the captain, Bil led the children into the hallway.
But Amma dropped to the floor and lightly touched Nelphy's hand, "Please… Without you, the angels–"
"SHUT UP!!!"
The shout reverberated in the hallway. Jash and Nelphy froze. The captain stammered and looked at Bil's back. Amma trembled, a faint, unknown sense of fear set it.
"You dare guarantee their safety when angels are attacking!?!" Bil's booming voice was unforgiving. "What's next, is there a god leading the way?!?"
"Tha…"
Pausing, Bil turned back toward the captain. Even with the head wrap, the captain felt like Bil was staring right through him. Bil slowly sauntered toward the begging duo, focusing on the captain. His footsteps were heavy and numbing to the frightened heart. "What were you about to say?"
"Noth–"
"What were you about to say?!" shouted Bil, getting closer and closer until Bil's nose had almost poked out the captain's eye. "SAY IT!"
"There is a god…" Amma answered instead, but Bil didn't look away from the captain. "The god is leading a campaign.. The village on the other side of the mountain was wiped out and a few survivors came to warn us. But now an army of angels is coming, along with their god."
"You… You.." Bil's body trembled as everyone suddenly felt an unknown pressure overtake them. "You…..
"You've wasted my time!" One hand on his staff and the other suddenly around the captain's neck, Bil took in a deep breath. "You dare argue that an old soldier like me can make a difference against a god?! And that you'll guard these two from a god!?!"
Trying his best to speak, the captain stammered, "A-as captain, I must request your aid–"
"Say another excuse and I'll show less mercy than the gods!!"