Kaiser felt a firm hand clamp down on his shoulder—a gesture that seemed friendly at first, but he knew better. It was Alfred's way of keeping him in place, a reminder that he was under watch. Among the three of them, Kaiser, being the only male, naturally appeared the most threatening to the crowd. Alfred was being cautious, careful to handle the situation under the expectant gaze of the villagers, ensuring their safety while subtly reminding Kaiser to comply.
Kaiser didn't plan to resist, though. He'd done everything he could to keep Ariella's true appearance hidden. Yet, fate seemed to have twisted the events in a way that left him no choice but to face the consequences. Sometimes, no matter how much you wanted to control the situation, the world had its own plans.
"I'm sorry about this. Just stay put for now and cooperate with us to prove your companions' innocence. I hope you understand, Kaiser." Alfred said, his voice low but firm.
Kaiser gave a simple nod, his expression laid-back but slightly dejected. He wasn't truly worried. Ariella was anything but a monster, though he was more concerned about what her beauty might do to the hearts of these people. It's not every day that mere mortals are graced with the presence of a goddess. Having spent most time with her, Kai knew it well. Actually, his own selfishness, wanting to keep her all to himself was part of his reasons for hiding Ariella's visage.
He never liked sharing, even if it's just a glimpse. Unfortunately, the situation forced him.
'Damned whatever caused the abduction last night.'
Rick, the irritatingly bumptious hunter, couldn't hold his tongue any longer. His loud, grating voice echoed through the room.
"Just get on with it already!" he barked, arrogantly holding his sword in front of him, as if ready to confront whatever beast he imagined hiding beneath that cover, yet still positioned safely behind Alfred.
'Damned that bastard too!'
Alfred took a deep breath, his eyes locked on Ariella, who was seated quietly with her cloak drawn around her. She wore a ugly mask that hid her features, making her look mysterious and somewhat ominous. He paused for a moment, studying her with a wary gaze, his hand gripping the hilt of his dagger.
"If you would. Please, remove your mask."
He said, in a tone that was as gentle as he could manage, though his voice remained steady and serious.
All eyes turned toward Ariella, the air heavy with tension. The villagers and hunters alike stared at her, their hearts pounding with a mix of fear and anticipation. People even peeked through the windows to get a glimpse of what they feared could be a monster. Maber and Miss Lina stood by, their faces showing helplessness, as if they were silently praying for a miracle. The village chief maintained a stern, unreadable expression, while Ethan could only clasp his hands, hoping for a peaceful resolution.
Alfred's grip on Kaiser's shoulder tightened, his body tense and ready to react to any threat that might emerge. His other hand gripped his dagger so firmly that his knuckles whitened. Rick was already in position, his sword pointed directly at Ariella, poised to strike at the slightest sign of danger.
Ariella hesitated under the intensity of their stares, shifting uncomfortably. She turned her gaze toward Kaiser, seeking guidance. But when she met his eyes, all she found was a calm, indifferent silence—a silent nod of approval for what she needed to do.
Kai's expression changed ever so slightly when Ariella sighed softly, a gesture that reminded him of himself.
'I'm sure she learned that from me,' he thought, a small smile almost forming on his lips.
Ariella then stood up slowly, her movements graceful yet deliberate. She reached up and undid her cloak, allowing it to fall away.
"I told you she's a monst—" Rick started to shout, but his words choked in his throat.
The moment the fabric fell, it revealed Ariella in all her glory. Her skin was fair and flawless, smooth as porcelain. Her silver hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, shimmering with an ethereal glow. Her figure was perfectly proportioned, draped in a pure white dress that seemed untouched by any stain or blemish, radiating a beauty beyond anything they had ever seen.
And then, with a slow, deliberate motion, Ariella reached up and removed her mask. The air seemed to still as the villagers and hunters caught sight of her inhumanly beautiful face, with features so perfect they seemed almost unreal. Her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of gray, looked back at them with a playful yet innocent gaze, holding an almost childlike curiosity.
The room fell into absolute silence. The air felt thick, as if the very breath had been taken from every onlooker. All around them, mouths hung open, eyes widened, and for a heartbeat, no one seemed capable of movement or speech. Even the females were awed, as if looking at their dreams which only belonged to Ariella's godly figure.
In that moment, Ariella was no longer just a mysterious figure hiding behind a mask. She was a vision of grace and beauty, something otherworldly that none of them could have ever expected to encounter. Perhaps the most beautiful creature they ever seen, sharing Kaiser's opinion.
The fear and suspicion that had filled the room moments before were replaced by sheer awe, as if they were standing in the presence of a divine being.
In that silence, Cia stood too. Understanding the villagers doubts, she knew her identity also required a clearing to completely prove their innocence in the matter.
With the hood down and any obscuring mantle, her slim body donning an archer's attire was vividly seen. Cia never cared for her appearance due to her lack of sight to appreciate any visible display. If anything, she made sure to maintain a slender build for better strength and flexibility that made her everyday life easier despite the absence of vision. Her captivating body coupled with her natural beauty - pale blonde hair and dimmed, yet somewhat sharp eyes had a rare allure that begged for love, cared for her vulnerable self and served her their entire life. Cia's appearance can be described above average.
Kaiser couldn't help but let a small, smug grin slip onto his face as he watched the villagers stare at Ariella in awe. They looked envious, almost resentful, as if wondering how someone like him ended up with such extraordinary possession, ahem, I mean companions. Even though he couldn't deny the hint of pride swelling in his chest.
'Well, the cat's out of the bag. I just hop—' His thoughts were cut off abruptly as he felt a sudden, crushing pressure on his left shoulder.
Kaiser turned his head up slowly to see Alfred, the imposing hunter, standing over him. Though the man's face was calm, there was a bitter undertone in his eyes. The grip on Kaiser's shoulder tightened further, making his bones ache. His smug expression quickly faltered, replaced by a look of realization.
"Uh..." Kaiser muttered, his bravado slipping as he hesitated, the pain in his shoulder growing more intense.
Just then, the awkward tension was broken by a loud thud. All eyes turned to see Brick, who had somehow fallen to his knees before Ariella. His demeanor had shifted completely from arrogant to utterly captivated, as if he were in the presence of a divine being. Without any hint of shame, he blurted out, "Please, marry me!" thrusting out his hand in a desperate proposal.
Ariella instinctively took a step back, her expression a mix of surprise and discomfort, which only seemed to make her look even more endearing to the crowd. The villagers' hearts melted at her innocent reaction. Brick, however, inched closer, completely ignoring her discomfort. As if remembering something Kaiser had once told her, Ariella hesitated, then raised her hand and...
Slap!
The sharp sound echoed through the room, followed by stunned silence. Brick's head snapped to the side, and his cheeks reddened—not from love, but from the sting of the slap that Ariella delivered with surprising precision.
"Pfft!" Kaiser struggled to contain his laughter, his shoulders shaking. 'Well... I did tell her to scare the heck out of them. I guess slapping the heck out of that idiot also works. Good job, my goddess. You're growing up too fast.'
The room erupted into laughter at Brick's humiliation. Maber couldn't help but join in with a teasing grin. "I take back what I said earlier! In fact, I saw that brat Kaiser sneaking out last night! He's the real monster!"
Another voice from the crowd chimed in with mock outrage, "Yeah! Kill that gluttonous kid! Is one goddess not enough for ya?!"
"Tsk! Where's the justice in this? He deserves a thousand deaths! We have a confirmed criminal here. Two are absolutely cheating, kid! I forgivable!" someone else jeered, shaking their head with a playful smirk.
Even Alfred, who had been holding Kaiser firmly in place, now looked down at him with a heavy, judgmental gaze.
"I guess we have a confirmed suspect," he said dryly, though there was a hint of amusement in his eyes that he couldn't completely hide.
Kaiser's previous grin cracked like a broken mirror.
He cursed. '...Crap'
And that's how Kai earned the grudges of every male villager in town.