In the evening, after a fierce battle that lasted all day in the village, Doris invited Rudi and Micah to tidy up the scattered corpses everywhere. They tried to gather them one by one and would stack them to be used as fertilizer, just like what happened to the bandits before.
In the middle of their work, they chatted.
"I didn't expect this to actually work!" Doris sighed and began to walk to the next corpse.
"Well, this happened because we have one crazy person here," Rudi said, pointing toward Micah who was still dragging a corpse. He put on a foolish expression.
"What do you mean by calling me crazy?" Micah came over and left his work.
That immediately made Doris, who was working, angry. "Hey! Keep working! Don't stop!" He scolded and glared at Micah. Doris's trust in that crazy person was already high enough, but his craziness became an obstacle for Doris to respect him.
"Fine, boss~" Micah complained as he started dragging the corpse again.
"By the way..." Doris tried to lighten the mood again. "... I've looked to your levels after this battle. The result is, your levels are still at level one and your status is still lowly peasant, luckily your criminal data isn't directly written in your status."
"Really (eyes widened)?! Why do we seem unaffected by this world?" Rudi started to think.
"And strangely, we can still use the magic in this world," Micah meant the Souls Weapon. If they weren't bound by the rules of this world, Souls Weapon shouldn't work for them either.
"In the end, it remains a mystery (sigh)..." (Doris)
"What about your level?" Rudi asked back.
"My level?"
"Aren't you near the battle? All the exp we got should have gone to you, right? Just like when we wiped out the bandits yesterday."
*Doris immediately used Sense Status and looked at his own status.
His body sweated and His gaze narrowed, "I hate to say it, but my level is indeed too high for a village head now. Fortunately, I didn't get a criminal status for participating in the marshal's murder plan."
"What's your level?"
"85... 3 more levels, and my level will be the same as the marshal's."
That's a very high level. If the king saw his level now, Doris would clearly be immediately given a high position in his kingdom. As long as he wasn't tarnished by the three youths' behavior and status, he would easily get the job or position he wanted.
"Oh, I remember! Doris, thanks for agreeing to be our actor!"
Rudi started discussing the plan before the marshal arrived.
"No problem, initially I didn't think you guys would succeed either. So I'd rather sell you to them. So, the ones who should be grateful are us (holding his chest gently)."
"This reckless plan that I made. I just thought that the balcony in one of the houses here would be a good place for Lidya to take cover, while the roofs of the houses would be a good stand for Micah to continue avoiding." (Rudi)
"Because of your craziness, I thought you were stressed about not being able to go home," Micah replied sarcastically (this time he was still working).
"Shouldn't their positions be reversed? I think Lidya would be better on the rooftop because she can create a barrier for herself while Micah cannot. Micah is more suitable behind the balcony because of his vulnerability to magic."
"It's just a matter of habit, if I reverse their positions, maybe they'll be better in defense, but when it comes to attacking, they'll be in trouble. Micah is someone who prefers to move in combat, while Lidya is someone who prefers to stay in one place. Clearly, the feeling of itching due to restricted movement will arise in their minds if that position really happens. In the end, Micah will become temperamental and come down to face them all, while Lidya has to protect him. That way, Lidya will become easy prey because she focuses on protecting Micah and rarely moves to dodge."
"Ah, I understand now. Basically, Micah becomes a burden again in the end." Doris mocked.
"I didn't hear that!" Micah shouted loudly while dragging the corpse behind them.
This time the boy really tried to tolerate the insult to himself.
"It's more about 'understanding your friend's behavior'..." (Rudi)
"Hey, ah (panting)... I still haven't seen one thing..." Micah tried hard to keep up with them. "... I want to see how the skills you get from leveling up work?"
"Skills? Oh, that?" Doris was surprised to the point of widening his eyes.
"Like this~!"
He closed his eyes and focused on himself. There was little work left, so taking a short break wouldn't matter.
Slowly a white light began to appear on Doris's chest. The light grew brighter and larger. The dazzling light didn't disturb Doris, who was focused on himself.
When the light was at its brightest and largest point, the color of the light suddenly changed to red and...
*Poof!
The light disappeared.
Afterward, Doris opened his eyes and looked towards the two young men. He smiled proudly at himself.
He raised his index finger and opened his mouth, "Judgment!"
Instantly, the clouds turned black and thunder rumbled above the dark village. Lightning in the clouds could be seen several times, making the atmosphere in the village grim.
Shortly after, a lightning bolt descended and struck the pile of corpses. Making them instantly burn and explode. Thick smoke covered the entire pile of corpses, turning all the skin into ashes. Shortly after, everything turned to charred remains. All the corpses became roasted meat that would soon be destroyed.
"Truly terrifying magic..." Rudi stared at the pile of corpses in awe and horror simultaneously. "... Why can't we have it, huh?"
"(Holding chin) I don't know what prevents you from having it, probably to prevent you from becoming something more terrifying than this."
Using that skill seemed to drain a lot of energy. Doris, who had looked strong while dragging the corpses, was now tired and seemed to have difficulty controlling his breath. That skill couldn't be used continuously.
"Huh?" Micah was offended. He knew that Doris considered them monsters, and if they had the same power as him. Then, who knows what they would be called. The main cause of his anger was because this time not only he was insulted, but his two friends were also affected.
"Micah, please..." Rudi raised his hand to shoulder height. He knew Micah was about to do something foolish, and he had to stop him before it happened. "... So what do you think, who are we actually? Is there an object or place that can return us?"
"Sorry (putting on a disappointed face), I don't know about that... Try wandering around this world. Maybe you'll find it."
"Are there no places you consider sacred?"
"If sacred..." Doris immediately looked to the side. He looked towards Sherry and Lidya who were collecting scraps of iron from the soldiers. "... There is one, but..." He seemed difficult to say.
"But what? Is it dangerous? Do you think because it's dangerous, so we should stay in this world?! Oh~, thanks!" Micah came towards them both with their arms raised.
The corpse he brought earlier was the last one. With that, the three of them had no more work.
"Okay! Okay! I'll tell you! But don't expect it to meet your expectations!"
"Go on!" said Rudi calmly.
"In every capital, there is a sacred building. The place stores a lot of energy from all the people in the country and also serves as the town hall of their country. If there is a ritual or festival in their country, then they will use that sacred place as its location."
"I'm a little unsure about this (holding chin)..." Rudi was a little hesitant.
"Let's do it!" But unlike Rudi, Micah immediately agreed. "That way we'll go home!"
"Micah (*hitting the crazy guy's back)! It's still a small possibility!"
"Do you think I'm a brainless animal? I know that!"
"Then why?!"
"We're on an adventure to take down the Duke, aren't we?! So what's wrong with us also finding out the truth about the sacred building they use as a town hall?!"
Doris was suddenly shocked to hear Micah's explanation. "Are you still really going to continue that?!"
"Of course, we've killed the grand marshal. There's no turning back for us." (Rudi)
"You actually don't need to do that. I can lie about Akbar's troops attacking the village."
That reason could be believed with evidence that Doris, Sherry, and Floria were not registered as criminals. In addition, the commoner status of the three youths would also prove their innocence.
"No need, we really want to do it. Save that excuse for the three of you."
"Just the three of you?" Doris felt something was off with that statement. He felt something was wrong.
"Yes, we should do this alone."
Doris's eyes widened instantly, his mouth had been tightly closed, now wide open. His hands which were stiff from work suddenly trembled.
"Alone? That's insane!"
"It's okay, village chief," Micah answered that question. "This is our problem. You've provided enough help for us. Next... We'll move on our own. But don't worry, you can still contact us, as long as you make sure you'll be safe."
"In that case (looking down with a sad face)... What can I do? Make sure you're safe (pointing towards both of them)! I want you to come when our first child is born!"
"Child? Oh, okay (smiling)..."
No need to explain, both of them already knew what he meant.
"In that case, you better not try anything crazy again (patting Doris's arm)!" Micah replied with a relaxed tone accompanied by happiness. This was the first time Micah said something sweet to Doris. "Don't make your wife suffer right away. Please (hugging), stay alive!"
"You too, stay alive!"
*Releasing the hug.
"If so, prepare your equipment! Tomorrow you must leave immediately, right?"
"Hmm (nodding in unison)!"
With that, the three men shook hands and did a high-five to Doris. This high five would serve as evidence that they would keep each of their promises.