Damon glanced at Ignis. She wore dark teal-colored clothes closer to green and a skirt with a white fabric underneath. A leather quiver hung behind her back while carrying the bow in hand.
"What a cute ribbon," Damon blurted out his thoughts. He kept staring at Ignis's red ribbon, which was entirely out of her color scheme.
"Huh?" Ignis whispered with a deep, pink blush on her cheeks. She had heard several compliments, but it was the first time for her beloved ribbon.
"They say I should change its color," Ignis giggled.
"I think it's lovely," Damon grinned and gave Ignis a thumbs-up.
"Thank you," Ignis replied, and her mood changed. She began humming while dragging Damon with her.
"Why are you out here when there's danger lurking?" Damon asked curiously. Aside from that, he wanted to gather intel about the people in that Nation.
"Well, I have my own reasons, but don't worry. I can keep you safe while doing my job," Ignis beamed. She stared at Damon's little feet and stopped. "Let me carry you," she added.
"Ah! No need," Damon shook his head and stepped back. He was fine, only a bit tired from running.
Ignis sighed. She was worried about Damon since, in her eyes, he was still a child who should have been taken care of by adults.
"You're slowing us down with those tiny steps. We should hurry," Ignis argued and lifted Damon through his waist.
Damon was shocked and tilted his body away, but Ignis gripped him tight.
"I said I'm fine!" Damon shouted and pushed Ignis away, but it was no avail.
"Stop being so stubborn," Ignis rolled her eyes and pulled Damon's body closer to her while holding his long sword.
Damon pursed his lips and let Ignis carry him; even though it hurt his man's pride, he liked the physical touch. It was his first time getting closer to a girl, and he felt delighted.
"What's your job, Ignis?" Damon whispered, creating a conversation.
"Well, you will know later. It's quite simple," Ignis replied and giggled. When they turned the corner, another group of primitive-looking goblins was on standby in an area.
"Stay here. I will kill them," Ignis whispered before putting Damon on the ground. She didn't wait for Damon to reply and lunged toward the goblins.
"She's brave," Damon whispered while peeking from the tree.
Ignis drew an arrow, and the tip burst into flames. She launched it toward the goblins, which burnt their skin but fought back.
"Nasty goblins!" Ignis roared and started shotting the goblins at their heads, killing them at a single hit.
'This is my time to escape,' Damon thought before stepping back. He planned to return to the Dragon's location, but a single goblin angrily approached him when he turned around.
Damon held his sword tight. He was still weak, but he didn't want to become a burden to Ignis.
"Maybe I should use this as practice," Damon whispered. He breathed deeply and charged toward the goblin holding a wooden club.
"DIE!" Damon screamed, wielding his sword toward the enemy and aiming at its neck.
"URAH!" The goblin rushed toward Damon, but before it could hit him. The club the goblin was carrying was smashed in half by his sword.
Damon's eyes widened upon seeing how sharp his sword was. He didn't stop and swung it on the opposite side, slicing the goblin's chest.
"AH! Ack! Sha-kit," the goblins muttered while bleeding profusely.
Damon looked at the side and walked away. He was still unused at the sight of death.
"You did great at such a young age! You surprise me!" Ignis complimented with a clap. Behind her was a massive fire of burning Pookas and their camp.
"Aren't you conscious of killing monsters multiple times?" Damon asked after seeing how calm Ignis was.
"Hah! I get used to it. After all, it's part of my job. These monsters have been getting close to the city, and it's my task to clear their camp," Ignis proudly explained.
"I see," Damon nodded in understanding. He sighed since he had lost his chance to escape.
Damon and Ignis continued their journey toward the city and killed any Pookas they saw along the way. It was similar to a mass murder and made Damon sick in his stomach.
"Isn't they supposed to be deeper into the forest or caves? Why are they out in the open?" Damon asked after he had puked for the second time.
"It's true, but these monsters began moving when the presence of the Dragon of the Wind vanished. The Dragon served as a protector to the people of Acedia. It's been years, and each day gets worse!" Ignis exclaimed while shaking her head in displeasure.
Upon remembering it might have been the Obsidian Order's fault, Damon pursed his lips. He felt terrible for the people living in Acedia.
"Then, let's go to the city immediately," Damon stated and grabbed Ignis's hand. He knew he couldn't escape Ignis's grasp in the wilderness. So he planned to get into the city earlier and leave.
"Okay!" Ignis chirped in delight. She lifted and carried Damon in her arms before sprinting as fast as she could to enter the city of Acedia.
Damon noticed a circle above his head that appeared and vanished in five seconds.
"My Rank," Damon muttered and opened the home icon showing his status. He saw he was at rank 4 after attaining exp from the goblins.
Ignis glanced at Damon with a frowned brow but shrugged it off. After a couple minutes, they arrived at the city's gate. She placed Damon on the ground, and they walked to the entrance.
The knights saluted them in a specific formation and let them enter the gate. They glanced curiously at Damon and his appearance, but knowing Ignis, they didn't question it.
"Welcome to the city of Acedia. A Nation of Wind and Freedom!" Ignis exclaimed. She gestured toward the city she loved the most with open arms.