Alaric and Zanuba had resumed their journey after their previous adventure filled with laughter, magic, and adorable rabbits. The morning was bright, the fresh air flowed around them, and the shade of the trees provided coolness along their path. Alaric, usually cheerful and silly, walked with a relaxed pace, enjoying the natural beauty spread out before them. However, Zanuba's expression remained somewhat gloomy, though she had started interacting with Alaric more after the rabbit incident.
"Zanuba, you look like someone who's lost all their belongings," Alaric said in a playful tone, trying to lighten the mood. "Don't worry, if you keep frowning too long, the wind might blow your face southward."
Zanuba just stared at him blankly, but at least this time she didn't completely ignore his comment. "I'm just thinking... about everything that's happened. The world feels too big for a small girl like me."
Alaric smiled, even though Zanuba didn't see it. "Of course, but you've got me. The world might be big, but I'm far older than this world. I could guide us through it with my eyes closed."
Zanuba glanced at him briefly, finally showing a slight smile. She knew that even though Alaric's words were wrapped in humor, there was truth behind them.
They continued walking until they reached a small village that looked peaceful from afar. However, as they got closer, the atmosphere was far from peaceful. The villagers seemed anxious, gathering in the village square with expressions of fear and anger. Some held sticks and farming tools, as if preparing to face an impending threat.
"This village looks... lively," Alaric commented cheerfully. "Come on, Zanuba! Let's see what's going on. Who knows, maybe there's a carrot-throwing festival or something even more exciting."
Zanuba, now accustomed to Alaric's laid-back attitude, just shook her head. "I doubt there's a festival in the midst of such fear."
They approached the village center, and one of the villagers—an old man with a white beard and a face full of wrinkles—immediately confronted them. "Hey, you two! What are you doing here?" His voice was hoarse, full of suspicion.
"Us? Oh, just passing through. I heard there were flying carrots here," Alaric replied jokingly.
The old man frowned, not understanding Alaric's humor. "There's no time for jokes! Our village is in danger. Those damn bandits will come tonight to take whatever we have left!"
"Bandits? Again?" Alaric let out a deep sigh. "It seems bandits really love small places like this. Well, don't worry, I—"
Before Alaric could continue, a middle-aged woman who seemed to be the village leader arrived and interrupted, "We don't need help from strangers, especially not from a wizard! We know what happens when a wizard comes to our village."
"Wizard?" Alaric feigned surprise, placing his hand on his chest. "Me? A wicked wizard? Lady, look at me, I'm more like a traveling merchant selling silly hats than an evil wizard."
However, the villagers remained cautious, and whispers of suspicion about Alaric started spreading through the crowd.
Zanuba looked at Alaric with some concern. "What will we do now? They don't trust you."
Alaric shrugged casually. "Ah, something like this is no big deal. Trust me, Zanuba, everyone loves a good show."
Seeing the tension rising, Alaric decided to act. With an elegant hand gesture, he summoned a small stone golem from the ground. The golem appeared in the middle of the village square, looking large and sturdy, though its expression was as confused as usual.
The villagers instantly fell silent, some backing away in fear. "A wizard!" a young man from the crowd shouted, while others stared at the golem in terror.
Alaric only smiled broadly. "Relax, relax. This golem is no threat. In fact, it's better at baking cakes than fighting."
He clapped his hands, and the golem began moving with stiff motions. At first, it tried to lift a large rock beside it, but instead of looking impressive, the golem tripped and rolled forward, crushing a small fence on the roadside. The villagers, initially terrified, now seemed confused, while Alaric laughed heartily.
"Oh, look! My golem isn't just dumb; it's also an expert at breaking fences! Do you have more fences that need breaking?"
Zanuba covered her mouth, trying to suppress a laugh. Even though she knew Alaric was powerful, seeing the golem act foolishly always amused her.
But amid the silliness, Alaric's laughter was cut short when the sound of approaching hooves was heard. From a distance, a group of bandits on horseback appeared, eyeing the village with malicious intent. The bandit leader, a large man in shabby armor, shouted, "Hand over all your valuables, or we'll burn this village to the ground!"
The villagers panicked, and the woman who had previously mistrusted Alaric quickly shouted, "Wizard, if you want to help, now's the time! But if you betray us, we'll destroy you too!"
Alaric raised an eyebrow with a playful expression. "Oh, now I'm needed? Very well, but don't expect a normal fight from me."
With a dramatic wave of his hand, he commanded the golem to face the bandits. The golem, still staggering after breaking the fence, began running toward the bandits in an awkward manner, as if dancing on a slippery ice rink.
"Look at that, Zanuba," Alaric said with a small laugh. "That's the most elegant golem ever."
Zanuba just shook her head but couldn't hide a small smile.
The golem rushed toward the bandits with surprising speed and, in one swift motion, slammed the ground hard, creating a small tremor. The bandits were thrown off their horses, stunned by the creature's power. However, instead of continuing the attack, the golem suddenly stopped, staring blankly at the bandits as if it had forgotten what it was supposed to do.
"Ah, it seems it lost its instructions," Alaric said casually, waving his hand again. "Golem, pick them up gently. Don't make them angry."
The golem bent down, then slowly picked up two bandits in an odd manner, like a father carrying his children. The bandits looked confused, unsure whether to fight or laugh.
The villagers stared in disbelief, unsure how to react to seeing the bandits defeated in such... an unconventional way.
Finally, the remaining bandit leader shouted angrily, "You think this is a joke?! You think we'll give up because of that dumb golem?!"
Alaric sighed and turned to Zanuba. "See, Zanuba, now's the time for me to look more serious." He turned back to the bandit leader, waving his hand once more. "Alright, friend. If you don't appreciate slapstick comedy, maybe you'll appreciate something more... challenging."
With a swift gesture, he summoned several magical swords, shimmering in the air. The bandits were instantly stunned, and even their stubborn leader began to retreat.
"Leave now," Alaric said in a rare, serious tone, "or I might have to start trying for real."
Without hesitation, the bandit leader turned his horse and fled, followed by the rest of his terrified crew.
After the bandits left, the villagers cheered, finally feeling relieved after days of fear. They rushed to Alaric and Zanuba, thanking them enthusiastically.
"We misjudged you," the woman who had mistrusted Alaric earlier said. "Thank you for saving us."
Alaric, with a broad smile, shrugged. "No problem. I'm just a silly wizard with a golem that can't even walk straight. No need for too much praise."
Zanuba, still smiling slightly, approached Alaric and whispered, "You enjoy this, don't you?"
Alaric winked. "Of course! Life's meant to be enjoyed, isn't it?"
With the situation calming down, Alaric and Zanuba decided to rest in the village for a while, and who knows, maybe their next adventure would involve even more little rabbits and awkward golems.