The elder's cold, fish-like eyes swept over the young people's fervent, expectant faces. Despite his icy gaze, his lips curved into a gentle smile.
"Oh, so it's our little miracle doctor!" he exclaimed with mock cheerfulness."No need to shield these useless brats. Tell me—who did it?"
Actually, the old village chief saw the first arrow as it was shot, and he couldn't believe his eyes, but he wasn't surprised at all. "Some people are late bloomers, but my female disciple is born with blosoms!" He remembered what the most respected person in the village had once told him.
"Respectable elder, the situation now isn't about whether we can surrender or not, but whether we die cowardly or die fighting!" The old village chief still had to fulfill his duties.
"Chief, we've always supported you in the village, right? To put it bluntly, without our support, you wouldn't be able to take a single step! I'm willing to give up all my property just to protect the lives of the villagers. You can't drag everyone to their deaths!"
The old chief, never skilled in debate, tightened his grip on his protective amulet."Elder, I thank you for your support. But do you truly believe these bandits' promises? Would you stake our lives on the mercy of butchers?"
The elder's smile cooled as his calculating gaze swept over the villagers. His mind raced. If the stronghold fell, he would lose everything—his life, his family, his wealth. But if he could bargain with the bandits, perhaps... Perhaps their promises could still be trusted.
He steeled himself, his eyes hardening."We must take the gamble!" His voice was resolute now, cutting through the air."Chief, your stubbornness will lead us all to ruin. I cannot allow it!"
The elder raised his hand, his personal guards advancing toward the young girl named Sora, whose presence had ignited the confrontation.
The villagers froze, torn between the old chief's call to fight and the elder's plea for survival.
As the guards approached Sora, the silence was broken by a lone figure stepping forward—a tall, wiry youth. His legs trembled, and sweat beaded on his forehead, but he stood firm, arms outstretched to shield her.
"Chief!" he cried, his hoarse voice trembling with both fear and fury."Sora saved us all! Without her, this village would've fallen long ago. If you let her die today, what future do we have?"
His voice wavered at first, but soon it rang clear, filled with conviction. Other youths stirred, emboldened by his defiance. One stepped forward, his jaw clenched."He's right! We owe her our lives. If you want her, you'll have to go through us first!"
Sora's eyes flickered across the familiar faces, her heart tightening. Though her expression remained resolute, her hand drifted instinctively toward the dagger at her waist."Step aside," she said firmly, her voice low but steady."This is my fight. I won't drag you into it."
"Enough!" the first youth shouted, his voice raw with emotion."Even if you risk your life, we won't back down!"
The tension was palpable, the villagers caught in the crossfire of loyalty and fear. Some clutched their weapons hesitantly, torn between their families' safety and the village's honor.
The old chief's hands trembled as he clutched his amulet tighter, its sharp edges cutting into his palm. Memories of his past—the blood, the sacrifices, the brothers who had fallen—rushed back. His general's words echoed in his mind:"The first to falter is always the first to fall."
But he was no longer that young officer, standing resolute in the face of death. He was an aging man, burdened by years of compromises. Could he still make the hard choices?
His gaze fell on the elder's cold, smirking face. He knew all too well the man's true nature, his selfishness and greed. But if he defied him now, would it doom them all?
"Enough." His voice, though quiet, cut through the rising chaos. He stepped forward and reached for a blade from the elder's guard."Give me the knife. I'll handle this."
The elder's smirk widened, triumph glinting in his eyes."Good. If you take care of it yourself, all the better."
The old chief gripped the blade tightly and began walking toward Sora. Cries of protest erupted from the youths shielding her.
"Chief! You can't do this! She saved us all!"
His steps faltered. For a moment, he saw the faces of his fallen comrades, their sacrifice etched into his memory. Slowly, his grip tightened on the blade as he raised it high—
And then, in one swift motion, the blade flashed through the air, striking the elder's neck. The elder's head toppled from his shoulders, his expression frozen in shock as his lifeless body crumpled.
Gasps filled the air as the chief's voice rang out, sharp and commanding."Make your choice!" he roared, his gaze sweeping over the elder's stunned guards."Will you stand with us or run like cowards?"
The guards hesitated, their hands trembling as they dropped their weapons and fled.
The old chief turned to the villagers, his voice steady and filled with authority."I don't care for grand speeches, but let me say this: Anyone who speaks of surrender before the battle is over is a traitor!"
"Traitors will be executed!"
"Executed! Executed! Executed!" The rallying cries of the youth echoed across the village, their vigor shaking even the bandits below.
Down in the bandit camp, Gold Boss frowned, his mood souring."Their morale is this high? Troublesome..."
He whispered something to his strategist, who soon returned to the stronghold gates with a proposition.
"Our boss wants peace," the strategist declared, his voice dripping with insincerity."We propose a contest—your best archer against ours, best two out of three. If you win, we leave. If you lose, you open your gates and hand over all your supplies."
Before the chief could respond, Sora stepped forward."I'll do it."
"No!" the chief barked."Even if you win, they'll never keep their word!"
"If it can save lives, it's worth the risk," Sora replied, her voice resolute.
"I'll go with her," another voice chimed in.
The chief turned, frowning."Who are you?"
"Mo Wen," the young man replied."Sora is our friend."
As the gates creaked open, Gold Boss smiled wickedly and muttered to his archer,"Win or lose, make sure their'hero' doesn't leave alive."