"We're almost there."
Mari blurted out as she glanced up ahead.
After winding through a narrow and twisting canyon for several loops, Arkhan finally arrived at the nameless village with Mari.
Actually, from several kilometers away, he began to feel a large amount of brainwave signals. He just didn't expect her village to be hidden in such a remote place.
The village's inhabitants were not much, with only about a hundred people. There were stone defenses piled around the village, and guards with bows patrolled the village's towers daily.
However, he doubted how effective these things would be if Camelot's knights truly found this village.
"Stop!"
A tall man with tanned skin stood at the village gate, blocking Arkhan and Mari.
"Uncle Moran!" Mari walked up and greeted the man.
"It's Mari, huh..."
Seeing Mari, the man's serious face softened slightly, but as he turned to Arkhan, a hint of wariness appeared in his eyes.
"But who's this guy?"
"He is a refugee I met while gathering herbs, so I brought him here." Mari replied as instructed by Arkhan earlier.
Watching their conversation, Arkhan stood silently aside.
To avoid misunderstanding among the villagers, he had already changed into a slightly worn outfit and disguised his appearance to look like an ordinary refugee.
"Refugee?"
The man known as Moran glanced at Arkhan, his brows furrowing slightly. The chaotic situation outside made bringing a stranger to the village too risky.
If it weren't for Mari being so young and the only healer in the village, he would have cursed this stranger already.
'Better send this guy away...'
After thinking like that, Moran was about to speak when another thought popped into his mind.
'Wait, everyone here is a refugee, surviving isn't easy... Since we've encountered each other, might as well lend a hand...'
With that sudden thought, Moran's heart softened a bit before sighing.
"Take him to see the village chief. Let him know beforehand that our manpower is tight right now, we can't afford idlers."
"Got it." Mari nodded before entering the village.
Upon seeing this, Arkhan smiled and followed Mari into the village.
Watching their retreating figures, two guards on the tower whispered to each other.
"Has this old man lost his mind? When did he become so easygoing?"
"Yeah, remember back when he was the village blacksmith, he would swing his hammer at anyone who dared to cross him for three whole blocks."
The other guard nodded sympathetically.
Suddenly, a deep voice came from below.
"You two, feeling idle? Have a good time gossiping? You'll stand an extra hour later!"
Hearing Moran's scolding, the faces of the two guards turned pale in an instant.
===
"Good afternoon, Uncle Kalman! I've found a new herb this time. Taking it three times a day should help ease your headache."
"Granny Rosen, are you feeling better? That's great to hear. If it comes back, make sure to come see me right away."
"Oh, Grandpa Rasyid! Last time I went to see you, you weren't around. I've found a solution to your insomnia. I'll bring the medicine to you later."
As soon as Mari entered the village, she shed her earlier fragile appearance and replaced it with a bright smile, bouncing around and warmly greeting every villager.
Seeing this little girl, the villagers' tired faces softened slightly, smiling back at her.
"Mari, I just baked some black bread. Come join me."
"Thanks, Granny Rosen, but I have to go see the village chief. I'll come by later." Mari nodded humbly before leading Arkhan toward the other side of the village.
The old woman looked at the still-warm black bread in her hand, then glanced at Mari's departing figure before sighing softly.
"What a good child... but what a shame..."
After observing every villager, Arkhan smiled and turned his head to Mari.
"Looks like everyone really likes you, Mari."
"Maybe because I'm still young..." Mari smiled shyly.
Hearing her modest answer, Arkhan shook his head.
It was clear to anyone with a brain that it was this girl's warmth and proactive help that had uplifted the weary spirits of the villagers, prompting them to be so friendly to her.
If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed that this was the same girl who had been crying on the ground just moments ago.
"Everyone here has lost something important..." Mari murmured softly, glancing around. "That's why, I want to help lift their spirits, even if it's just a little..."
Upon hearing that, Arkhan instantly fell silent.
A child who should be carefree was burdened with responsibilities far beyond her age. It was touching, undoubtedly, but mostly, it was heartbreaking.
"You're a good kid..." Arkhan gently ruffled her hair and paused for a moment before adding. "...and also a good healer."
Mari only flashed a shy smile, staying silent.
Several minutes later, she led him to the village chief who was busy tending the newly cultivated fields.
According to her, the village chief was already in his sixties, but Arkhan, looking at the old man's graying hair and hunched back, felt he could easily pass for seventy or eighty.
"Oh? A guest brought by Mari?"
The village chief set down his hoe and straightened his back with a few taps. His rugged face quickly softened into a kind smile.
"Well, I certainly have no objections. Welcome to our village, young man."
"Thank you." Arkhan nodded slightly and glanced around at the freshly turned soil, curious. "Did you dig all of these... by yourself?"
"Yeah, don't judge me by my old bones. Back when I was farming in my village, I was quite the hand at it, y'know." The village chief said with a chuckle.
"But... you're a village chief..." Arkhan hesitated for a moment.The village chief waved his hand dismissively.
"Things are different now. Does it really matter whether I'm the village chief or not? Being able to reclaim more land means more crops, which means feeding more people. That's much more important than being a village chief."
"Sorry for my presumptuousness." Arkhan nodded, pondering how he could help this old man improve his health. He would never hesitate to extend his kindness to someone so deserving of respect.
"Hmm... I happen to be a bit thirsty. Mari, could you please bring me some water from that stone over there?" The village chief asked with a gentle smile.
"Sure thing, Grandpa." Mari nodded obediently and turned to leave.
Once she was out of earshot, the village chief turned to Arkhan with a knowing smile.
"So, young man... you're actually not a refugee, are you?"