The gentle forest wind whispered through the tall trees, creating a soothing melody that seemed to serenade Gideon as he made his way toward Lucy. The touch of the sun's golden rays bathed Gideon's seemingly delicate, white-furred body, casting a radiant glow upon him. He halted just a meter away from Lucy, her vigilant eyes never leaving him, observing his every move with unwavering attention.
A tender smile graced Gideon's face as he addressed her, his voice imbued with a warmth that matched the sun's embrace. "Are you alright, young lady?" he inquired, his words carefully chosen to convey his concern.
"Who are you?" Lucy's voice was soft, her curiosity tinged with caution.
Gideon, ever the polite creature, inclined his head gracefully. "Ah, forgive me, I neglected to properly introduce myself," he said, his humility evident in his demeanor. "My name is Gideon Brangwen, a humble hedgehog at your service. And you, my dear?"
Lucy began to lower her guard, and a flicker of trust appeared in her eyes. "Luciana Feria. But you may call me Lucy," she responded.
"Lucy Feria? That's a rather unique name," Gideon commented, a soft chuckle escaping him. "I mean no offense, of course." He continued to approach Lucy, his keen eyes noticing the trail of blood staining her tunic dress, leading to the back of her knees. "You are injured. Did that hyenakin do this to you?"
Lucy nodded affirmatively, though her certainty seemed tinged with the possibility that someone had planted this belief in her mind.
"You're bleeding. May I see your wound?" Gideon asked gently.
Lucy lifted the lower part of her tunic dress to reveal her injuries. Gideon, in turn, examined the wounds with a deepening concern etched across his features.
"You can't possibly run with such an injury. What kind of cruel person would harm a defenseless girl? It's utterly reprehensible," Gideon remarked, his disdain palpable. Observing Lucy's anxious expression, her guard still partially raised, he decided to change his approach, much like one would adjust the settings of a delicate instrument. "I couldn't help but notice that the lower part of your tunic dress remains unscathed. Did you hold it to run faster?" he asked, a teasing tone and a warm smile now gracing his lips.
A faint smile played on Lucy's face as she replied, "I had no other choice; it was the only way to move swiftly." She then sat down, inviting Gideon to come closer.
"I must say, that was a clever move on your part," Gideon commented as he finally drew near. "Let me heal your wounds. Rest assured, it won't cause you any pain." Gideon's gentle touch activated his innate ability, *Nature's Blessing*, which began the process of mending Lucy's wounds.
Lucy observed Gideon in silence, her gaze locked onto his small, inky-black eyes. Despite the darkness of his eyes, she saw nothing but kindness and sincerity in them—eyes that radiated empathy and compassion, eyes that belonged to someone truly trustworthy.
"All done. Your wounds have healed. Can you find your way back to where you live?" Gideon announced as he stepped back from Lucy. "Be cautious while wandering, especially since individuals like the one lying over there are still on the prowl," he cautioned, his tone shifting to one of farewell.
After a few hesitant moments, Lucy gathered her courage and called out, "Gideon." When he initially didn't respond, she stood abruptly and chased after him. "Gideon, please wait," she pleaded.
Gideon came to a halt, his curiosity evident as he regarded Lucy with inquisitive eyes.
"The hyenakins attacked my village," Lucy began, her voice quivering, tears streaming down her cheeks. "We are greatly outnumbered and outmatched. We need help. If I don't find help…" Her voice caught in her throat as though the words were too painful to speak. "My friends…my older brother…they'll be lost forever."
"Are you suggesting that..." Gideon began, his voice gentle and compassionate.
"I understand it's a tremendous request to make of a complete stranger who just saved my life, but please, I implore you, help me save my people," Lucy beseeched, her eyes filled with hope and desperation.
Gideon turned towards Lucy, his eyes seemingly contemplating. The subtle doubt in Gideon's gaze sent a shiver down Lucy's spine. In this dire situation, Gideon represented her last hope. While she understood that his refusal would be justifiable, desperation clung to her, fostering the faint hope that he might agree.
"How many combatants does your village have?" Gideon inquired abruptly.
Though taken aback by the sudden question, Lucy swiftly provided an answer. "We have 23, but I can't be certain how many of them are still alive."
"Indeed, we must take that into consideration," Gideon mused, his head bobbing thoughtfully. "Who stands as the most formidable member of your village?" He inquired once more.
Lucy's voice carried a glimmer of hope as she replied, "My elder brother, Leo. He's not only the strongest warrior but also our village leader."
"I see," Gideon responded with a nod. "Although I can engage in combat during the day, I doubt my capabilities suffice to save an entire village from a large army of armed warriors," he admitted, his gaze fixed on Lucy. "We shall await nightfall," he continued, beginning to walk toward the deeper recesses of the forest.
"Wait for the night?" Lucy questioned, puzzled.
"Yes," Gideon affirmed without looking back. "Based on the information we gleaned from the hyenakin pursuing you, it appears that those who assaulted your village are enslavers. There's a slight chance they will kill your combatants. Combatants can fetch a high price when sold. Killing them would be wasteful—unless these combatants prove too troublesome for the enslavers to handle, choosing death over capture."
Lucy hesitated, then spoke while nervously scratching the back of her head. "Well, the thing is... My big brother and the other combatants... They are inclined to fight until the bitter end."
Gideon's eyebrows furrowed as he fixed his gaze on her. "So, the combatants from your village, including your brother, are..."
"A bunch of muscleheads," Lucy admitted, her gaze cast downward. "I'm deeply sorry for the trouble."
Gideon let out a sigh. "I understand. Let us hope that the assailants are formidable enough to capture your people without resorting to bloodshed. I can't believe I'm saying this," he muttered as he walked away. "Follow me, young lady."
Without hesitation, Lucy followed Gideon, her eyes brimming with hope. She believed that the hero who would save their village had finally arrived.
Unbeknownst to Lucy, the naive lioness, Gideon had resolved to aid her the moment he witnessed the hyenakins attacking the village. He had chosen to play the part of the hero, coming to the aid of the weak to win their trust, which would ultimately serve his hidden agenda. Lucy's escape and personal plea for help had merely been a fortuitous bonus, making his scheme significantly more straightforward.
It was all an intricate charade. In this game, everyone was nothing more than disposable pawns in Gideon's calculating eyes.