Kai leaned against the balcony wooden railing, the sun warming his skin as his eyes scanned the bustling village below. He had been lost in thought, but the sudden rise in noise snapped him back to reality. A commotion had erupted near the village square, drawing the attention of nearly every villager that gathered to meet a group of rough-looking individuals emerging from the forest edge made their way into the settlement.
Apparently, it's invaders against villagers!
"What kind of luck is this, we just got here and now these happens?!" Kaiser was about to warm the girls to prepare to leave. But the lack of tension stopped him.
The villagers aren't grabbing weapons or creating a defensive formation, the woman's and kids aren't hiding either. Instead, they inched closer to the arriving strangers.
Perhaps his being paranoid?
Frowning, he observed them again. His inherited senses from Zara's beastial capabilities aid his sight view further, allowing him to see the commotion clearly despite the distance if he focused.
Calmed and collective, Kaiser concentrated ahead to see what will happen first before reacting.
The individuals emerge from the woods shadows, revealing themselves in sunlight. They're muscular men and some women with rugged, weathered faces and eyes sharp like wolves. Their clothing was practical—leather armor patched up from battles, and thick, fur-lined cloaks that fluttered as they walked. Each of them had an air of danger, exuding strength from every movement, and they carried with them large, heavy carcasses of beasts slung over their shoulders. Multiple small animals were there, too, bundled in strings. However, the most eye catching carcass they brought was a green reptilian snake with numerous short limbs and two more odd looking creatures lying on a carpet that was being dragged by a dozen men's.
Villagers stared at them with awe, parting to give way to the arriving hunters. The largest among them, a man with brown skin and arms as thick as tree trunks lead the group. Soon, heaved a creature onto the ground with a thud. It was an animal Kai had never seen before—something resembling a wild boar, but twice the size, with jagged tusks that jutted from its snout like lethal spears. The beast's fur was matted with dirt and blood, its sheer size enough to make the villagers gasp in awe.
Around him, his companions followed suit, tossing down their kills: massive deer-like animals, large hares, and strange, scaled creatures that shimmered slightly in the sunlight. The square quickly filled with the stench of blood and sweat, but none of the villagers seemed to mind. In fact, they rushed forward to greet the hunters, faces lighting up with warmth and admiration. Chanting praises to the returning warriors.
"Ah, the hunters have returned!" one of the villagers called out, excitement in his voice. "Look at the size of that beast! We'll be feasting for days!"
"Isn't that the stumper, I've never seen one before!"
The village chief, an elderly man with a long, white beard, hobbled over with a broad smile plastered across his face. "You've outdone yourselves again! We were beginning to worry, but it looks like the hunt was a great success!"
He exclaimed, clasping the arm of the lead hunter in a firm grip.
The hunter gave a gruff nod, his expression stoic but not unfriendly.
"The Beasts are tougher this time and we took longer than expected. But we managed. There'll be more than enough meat to last through the migration and for a festival." He rumbled, his deep voice cutting through the chatter.
The Chief laughed, knowing he intentionally prolonged their expedition to hunt more because it would be their last time in this area.
He was about to say more compliments, when a lively voice sounded.
"Who are you worrying about for old hag, us? That's silly, we encountered many in our way, all of them ended up dying too quickly though. Heck, I even killed that big green worm on my own! Tell them guys."
Laughed a young man proudly. He was younger than the others, barely a man, perhaps in his early twenties.
Yet his presence demanded attention. His hair was sleek and well-kept, and his clothes, though functional, had a slight touch of refinement that set him apart from the grizzled veterans around him. He carried no carcass—there was no need. His smug demeanor made it clear that he thought himself above such tasks.
Multiple young ladies at the same age as him cheered in admiration upon seeing him. Lifting his pride more as he smirked.
The crowd around them murmured in relief and joy, a few of the children cheering as they marveled at the sheer size of the animals.
Kai's eyes narrowed as he watched the scene unfold. It's evident that those guys are not ordinary villagers. They were hunters, their bodies hardened by years of battling the wilds. The ease with which they carried such dangerous prey, the scars crisscrossing their exposed arms, the way they moved like predators—it all spoke of experience, danger, and survival. These were people who thrived in the harshest conditions of the dangerous path they took. And the villagers treated them like heroes. Kaiser knew how terrifying the woods in Green Land. Creatures more dangerous than bears and lions dwells there, acting as predators instead of prey's in the face of humanity. People who survived in that occupation deserve everyone's respect.
With their arrival, the atmosphere in the village shifted, buzzing with newfound energy. Some of the ordinary villagers immediately began preparing to skin and butcher the animals, while others brought out barrels of ale, offering drinks to the returning hunters. Laughter and cheers filled the air, the tension from the earlier quiet giving way to celebration.
'Those things look tasty.' Seeing the dead creatures full of meat he never tasted before made him crave for their new flavors. But the sight of a familiar creature downed his mood and respect for the hunters.
'Hey, isn't that my kill?'
The green snake in their haul was his, its ripped stomach was proof. Kaiser died to kill that thing, got swallowed, dive into its stomach acid and ravaged its internals. The process is arduous, putting him in agony and was probably the most gruesome experience he even had. Unfortunately, due to the difficulty and unnecessary needs to take the snake, he was forced to leave it dead.
Still, that's his game nonetheless and they took it!
'This is so unfair...'
That said, the snake carcass would only decay if the hunters didn't found it. So, perhaps this is for the better. However, that wouldn't undo his stained respect for the hunters. Especially to that arrogant guy.
Slightly grounding his teeth, Kaiser glared at the arrogant bastard that claim his kill. Making him wonder if killing that guy would be any different from slaying bandits.
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone gently knocked on the door, distracting his sight seeing. Cia paused her story telling, letting Kaiser face whoever is on the door without disturbing.
"Who is it?" He asked evenly as he walked to the door.
There was hesitant silence, then a polite voice of a young male said.
"Hello, I'm sorry for the intrusion. Mom sent me to bring water to your room."
Kaiser cautiously unlock the door, slightly opening it to confirm who's on the other side. A youth, probably sixteen or seventeen years old smile at him, who's peeking furtively with his dark eyes.
"Hi there, I'm the son of the inkepper, Ethan, it's nice to meet you mister Kaiser. Uh... if you're uncomfortable, should I just leave it here?" He humbly raised an eyebrow, gesturing to put the bucket of water down.
Ethan had brown hair, inherited from his father Maber and a polite attitude probably taught by his caring mother.
'Bad habits sure die hard.'
Not fully opening the door was a bad tendency he developed on Earth. He lost his parents at a young age, so paying bills is difficult, so did dealing with collectors. Eventually, he grew accustomed to checking knockers identity before interacting with them. His introverted nature played a part. Still, it's kind of rude of him to treat people like this, Ethan's awkward reaction suggests so.
'I'll think about it.'
Although, this tendency is inappropriate. it's also an act of wariness.
Partially opening the door, only enough to not reveal the girls inside, Kaiser apologies.
"Sorry about that, I had a bad experience with doors you see. So I tend to be cautious."
Ethan chuckled, handing him the wooden bucket of clean water.
"Like what? I can't imagine how scary a door can be."
'An extrovert? Or a socializer?'
Either way, he didn't dislike such communicative people as long as they didn't cross the line. Rather, he holds a slight admiration for them, because of how quick they are on pulling a topic to start a conversation with a stranger. Just like what Ethan did just now. Honestly, Kaiser can't do that with someone he barely knew.
Receiving the bucket, he responded based on his memory.
"Well, someone might slash your hand the moment you open the door. Something like that."
Intrigued, Ethan pressed on.
"You're right, but why would anyone do such a horrible thing to a kind opener?"
Indeed, why did Kaiser do such a horrible thing to someone who's kind enough to open the door for him?
'...'
He coughed on nothing. "Who knows, maybe to save a princess. Anyway, I have to go now."
The door closed.
Ethan was dumbfounded for a moment, then chuckled. Finding Kaiser's awkward replies odd but funny. Instead of being upset, he said on the other side as he left.
"Bye mister Kaiser, hope we chat again next time."
"I hope not." Kai mumbled, halfheartedly. A part of him felt guilty for slamming the door shut to the polite young man. However, if he didn't do that. Ariella who's curiosity can't be contained and was about to peek her head to see who's his talking to would be seen! Then, rumors of her flawless face might spread.
Pinching the goddess cheeks, Kaiser can't help but scold Ariella.
"For god's sake, Ariel. Why do you have to be so stupidly beautiful?"
Considering she's a goddess - a Divine being, superior to all - it's understandable. In fact, Kai can't even bring himself to seriously pick her, afraid to make her cry.
She raises both hands at chest height, acting adorable and sweet to show her innocence. As if saying, "I don't know either"
"That's new... where the heck did you learn that?"
She pointed at Cia with a proud smile.
"She taught you, eh. Good then, at least now we know you're not completely dumb." Said Kai, grinning. Making that smile of her crumbled, replaced by a dark glare at the verge of crying. Or was she pouting?
"Pfft!"
Kaiser suddenly laughed, seeing the reaction he wanted. Teasing the goddess had never been this fun, really. Though, its more like bullying an adorable child rather than teasing.
After a few moments, Ariella was still pouting, hurt by her beloved guardian words. Demanding an apology or anything to earn her forgiveness.
"Okay, fine. My bad, I shouldn't have said that." He scratched the back of his head, a bit embarrassed knowing Cia was listening, her amused smile suggest so. However, a simple apology wasn't enough to satiate her displeasure. Sighing, Kaiser gently patted Ariella's head to ease her dejection. "I'm sorry, it won't happen again."
Then, his hands stopped. Followed by his words, sounding a bit commanding.
"However... That is only if you won't behave carelessly again. I'm doing these for your own good, so be obedient. Okay?"
Ariella, realizing her impulsive action earlier had slightly angered Kaiser. Slowly nodded in response, her own dejection banished knowing she too, was wrong. He briefed them earlier to not make any moves that would reveal themselves without cloaks due to potential consequences, but her curiosity took over her judgement.
He was at fault, too. Considering Ariella's immature condition, was he expecting too much of her? Nevertheless, the matter is resolved.
Relieved, Kaiser can finally look down. Frowning at the given item by Ethan.
Now... what is he supposed to do with the bucket of clear water in a room? It's container doesn't look that clean and drinking water was served downstairs. Then, was it for cleaning? There's nothing but floor and walls to clean here, though...
Actually, there's something here that required daily cleansing. Glancing at Cia and Ariella, his face darkened.
"...Shit"
Kaiser suddenly missed Earth's modernization.