Nix followed the three as they walked out of the Main Hall. She'd almost walked out without her helmet on before Vela begged her to put it back on in a worried manner.
Much to her surprise, the prisoners had not been taken into a building for the interrogation. Instead, the 27 prisoners were lined up down the street and beaten by those that were grieved or wanted revenge for their loved ones. Her HUD told her that only 9 of the prisoners were alive by now, the Bear-Kin surviving with shaky breath and a missing arm and leg. The remaining appendages had their ends cut off in a barbaric manner as well, making sure he couldn't cast any spells or fight back against the remaining 48 villagers that were alive.
Speaking of the villagers, she realized that there were only 5 children left. 3 Beast-kin, 1 Goblin and finally a small Elf child that looked strikingly like the Chief as a girl. The Beast-kin were separated into their families save for 1, who was the most covered in blood compared to the other children.
"Even the children fight in this world I see." Nix commented nonchalantly, nodding to the orphan that had bowed to her with tears leaking down her blood covered, furred face. The child reminded her of a Fox, the same Fox-kin she'd found killed at the entrance with weapons in hand.
"It's not normal outside of this forest, much less near the cities. I assume children fought in your world as well?" Vern asked her with a bit of pity in his tone, not daring to look at her.
"More than fought. During the Third War, the orphans rose up in a desecrated city, forming their own army and slaughtering nearly three thousand soldiers."
"Wait, really?"
"No, it was close to a thousand. But they fought off the other two long enough for my army to arrive and rescue them. They were eventually wiped out during the Fourth War, having been on the front lines when it started so suddenly."
"Wait a second, how many-" Vela was about to ask before the Chief cut her off by raising his hand to her and shaking her head. By now, the others had surrounded them with looks of curiosity and fear.
"Everyone, this is Nix. We've'd confirmed that she is not of this world. I know how you feel in having a Dru'Ven around, but she has not only saved us, but helped us capture these people before you could get revenge on them." The Chief spoke to everyone as he turned his head to each individual. He stood tall with his hands held behind his back, looking like a dignified noble compared to how normal he dressed.
The people around them eventually caved in and threw out either shallow apologies or grieving thank you's. After a while, the Chief turned to the Stone-Folk that came to fetch them and nodded to him. "Stoll, your report."
"Yes Chief, these people are scouts from the Empire. They came here to find camp for their army to flank the Alliance army before the large battle that is to take place four months from now." Stoll stopped as he walked over to the Bear-Kin, gesturing to him and glaring at Nix. "This one's their Captain. The second in command and lead scout were both killed by this one when she'd first arrived."
Nix couldn't help but raise her brow at how militaristic everyone was. Even the villagers had an aura of a regular soldier as they stood and listened to the report. Of course, she could understand Stoll's meaning when he reminded the people of her kills. She wasn't unaware on how suspicious it all looked to her, but she simply shrugged it off and folded her arms over her chest.
"Did you information about the whereabouts of their reinforcements?" The Chief asked to shake off the suspicion thrown at Nix.
Stoll clicked his tongue at how Nix was being treated before finally replying. "They have one unit about a days march out. Apparently they were supposed to clean up anything they destroyed along the way to make a route."
"So we have about half a day before they arrive then. Everyone, prepare your things, we will leave at sundown." The Chief ordered with the wave of his hand. The situation was rather dire for them now. They've barely managed to hold this wave of soldiers down as it was. Though before everyone could react, Nix suddenly cleared her throat and grabbed her rifle from her back.
"Which direction?" She asked as she checked her equipment through her hud. To others, she simply stared Stoll down through her helmet.
Stoll was first surprised by this question, but quickly snorted and raised his brow with a smirk. "Why? You gonna take on an army by yourself?"
"Won't be the first time. Plus, not like you guys have any other option. You've got wounded and children among you. I doubt you'll get ten miles before you're found and slaughtered." Nix retorted before looking at the Chief. "You have anything for blood loss?"
The Chief raised his brow as he looked Nix over. To him, Nix was either insane or was way to overconfident. After a few seconds, he sighed softly and reached into his leather pouch latched onto his back. He then pulled out a vial containing a deep red liquid and offered it to her.
"Don't waste it, our alchemist died during this raid, so we don't have many to spare. Stoll, the direction." He didn't want to send Nix to her death after saving them, but he had no other option as the village Chief. Many were still skeptical about her, and he knew Nix was right about getting caught, though he didn't understand what these 'miles' were.
Stoll smirked and pointed in the direction of the village gate with his thumb as he stared Nix down once more. "They're apparently to the east from here, where they made camp. This unit was supposed to set camp around here while the others brought the other supplies."
"These supplies could be useful, think the main army will follow up if these guys don't report?" Nix asked as she grabbed the vial and opened it. Stalling for a few seconds to let her HUD diagnose the ingredients, she tapped her helm to let the glass over lift. Some gasped as her face was revealed once again, though she ignored them and tilted the vial back to swallow the deep liquid. It tasted terrible to say the least, but it was manageable.
"Unlikely, there's a good chance they will think the unit was wiped out by Dark Beasts if they don't report in." The Chief responded after eyeing everyone to settle down. As he did, the villagers quickly looked away and grimaced, looking like they were being tormented.
"Alright, you guys stay here and set up defenses. I'll take Vela with me." Nix said as she flexed her body a bit and brought the glass cover back down. Not only did she already feel much better, but her HUD told her that not only had her blood loss been cured, but her Ae-er, Mana had been restored as well.
"Wait, me?" Vela asked as she looked at Nix with a quizzical look. Now that Nix got a good look at her, the Oracian stood almost a full head above her.
"Yes, you'll need to run back and warn these people if I fall on the field. At most, I'll be able to wipe most of them out, giving you guys a better chance at defending themselves."
"Are you sure you can beat them? This is only a forward unit. Who knows how many of them there are." The Chief interrupted Vela before she could retort.
"My guess is there are about 200 more soldiers over there if these guys were meant to set up a new camp. And judging by how he was a Captain and not a Commander, he must be pretty low in the ranks." Nix shrugged as she grabbed Vela by her arm and dragged the still-skeptical girl along towards the gate. "I'll send her back if either it looks dicey, I can't win, or when I wipe them out."
The Oracian threw out several questions and complaints back to the Chief as she was dragged along past the crowd and to the gate. The villagers and soldiers looked to the Chief for guidance after the two had left, making him sigh and shake his head.
"Everyone, kill the prisoners and prepare yourself for combat." The Chief ordered everyone, somehow feeling a bit of hope upon seeing Nix leave with the Oracian that grew more fearful as they walked.