The Aftermath
The once hopeful fortress, now filled with gloom and uncertainty. Villagers move about in silence, their faces hollow with fear and doubt. The scars of the recent battle with the Shadow General are evident—collapsed walls, burned homes, and the fresh graves of those who didn't survive.
Inside the main hall, Aiden sits slumped at a table, his face pale and tired. His body is still weak from the curse, and every movement feels like a struggle. His health bar, stuck at 50%, is a constant reminder of his crushing defeat.
Aiden (frustratingly):
"FUUUUUCK!!… I failed them. They trusted me, and I couldn't protect them. How can I lead like this?"
The door creaks open, and an elderly man, Old Man Garret, a well-respected NPC in the village, steps inside. His face is wrinkled with concern and disappointment. Aiden lifts his head slowly, meeting Garret's piercing gaze.
The Old Man's Warning
Garret:
"Keeper… we need to talk."
Aiden straightens up slightly, sensing the gravity in Garret's tone. The old man walks closer, leaning heavily on his cane.
Aiden (nervously):
"What is it, Garret? Is something wrong?"
Garret (sighing):
"Everything is wrong, boy. Ever since that creature—the Shadow General—came through, the villagers… they're scared. More than scared, they're angry. They don't trust you anymore."
Aiden's heart sinks at the words. He already suspected as much, but hearing it out loud makes the reality more painful.
Aiden (softly):
"I'm doing everything I can in my power to protect them. I just wasn't strong enough…"
Garret (gruffly):
"That's the problem, lad. They believed in you, in your powers, in your leadership. They thought you were some kind of hero sent by the Heavens to save them, they thought you were the answer to all their desperate prayers. But you couldn't stop him. You couldn't save them from their nightmares."
Garret's voice wavers slightly, as if recalling the horrors himself.
"Families were torn apart. Loved ones lost. The villagers are living in fear, not just of another attack but of the promises you couldn't keep. They don't know if you'll protect them next time."
Aiden's fists clench on the table. He feels the weight of their suffering bearing down on him, but the curse weakens his resolve.
Aiden (grimly):
"I know I failed them. But I'll find a way to make things right."
Garret shakes his head slowly.
Garret:
"Talk is cheap, Keeper. They need action. But be warned—they may never trust you again. Not after what they've been through."
Aiden stares at the table, his mind swirling with guilt and frustration as Garret exits, leaving him alone with the weight of the village's doubt.
Rebuilding Trust
Later in the day, Aiden limps through the village, passing groups of villagers who eye him with suspicion and resentment. A few of them whisper as he walks by, others turn their backs or quickly shuffle away.
He stops by a group of workers struggling to lift a large beam to repair part of the wall.
Aiden (determined):
"Let me help."
One of the workers, a burly man named Marek, turns and glares at Aiden.
Marek (coldly):
"We don't need your help. We can handle it."
Aiden frowns, taken aback by the sharpness in Marek's voice.
Aiden:
"I just want to—"
Marek (interrupting):
"You want to what? Save us? Like you saved us from that Monster?"
Aiden's eyes widened at the venom in Marek's words. The other workers exchange uneasy glances, but none of them speak up. Marek steps closer, his eyes filled with anger.
Marek:
"People died because of you. We believed in you, and now… now we have nothing but graves to show for it."
Aiden opens his mouth to respond, but no words come out. He's paralyzed by the weight of Marek's accusations. The other villagers look away, unwilling to meet his gaze.
Feeling utterly defeated, Aiden turns and walks away, his head hanging low.
Lina's Faith
Aiden returns to his quarters, sitting by the window and staring out at the ruined fortress. His mind races, replaying Marek's harsh words and the fearful looks from the villagers. For the first time, he feels completely lost.
Suddenly, there's a knock on the door. It creaks open, and Lina steps in, her expression soft but concerned.
Lina (cheerfully):
"Hey Aiden, cheer up…. See what i have brought for you to eat..You need energy to heal and return to your old lively self "
Aiden does not answer to Lina and keeps looking outside the window.
Lina (quietly):
"You're blaming yourself again, aren't you?"
Aiden looks up at her, his eyes hollow with guilt.
Aiden (bitterly):
"Can you blame me? They hate me, Lina. I let them down. How can I rebuild a fortress when the people inside it can't even look at me?"
Lina walks over and kneels beside him, her presence a quiet comfort. She places a hand on his arm, squeezing gently.
Lina:
"It's not your fault, Aiden. You did everything you could. The Shadow General… he's beyond any of us."
Aiden shakes his head, his voice barely above a whisper.
Aiden:
"That's not enough. I promised them protection, and I couldn't deliver. How can I ask them to trust me again?" Aiden lost in his thoughts " Damn it! Why does she feel so human even as a NPC?She looks so cute worrying for me like that!! Argh! Should I just mention to her that I can't reach higher levels without making the fortress strong?"
Lina pauses, her eyes thoughtful. Then she speaks, her voice firm but gentle.
Lina:
"Trust takes time. They're scared right now, and it's easier to blame someone than face the truth. But deep down, I know they still want to believe in you. You just have to show them that you're not giving up."
Aiden looks at her, surprised by the conviction in her voice.
Aiden (softly):
"But what if I fail again? What if I can't protect them next time?"
Lina smiles faintly, her confidence unwavering.
Lina:
"Then we'll keep fighting. You don't have to do this alone, Aiden. I believe in you, even if no one else does. And I won't let you give up on yourself. This village has suffered a lot as the villagers are constantly nagged and harassed by those goblins and other bloodthirsty monsters, so it's normal for them to feel scared and sad. But you have been the only hope for these poor things."
Her words strike a chord in Aiden, and for the first time since his defeat, a flicker of hope sparks in his chest. He nods slowly, his resolve beginning to return.
Aiden (determined):
"You're right. I can't give up now. I'll find a way to make this right."
Struggling Forward
The next day, Aiden sets out to try again. He works alongside the villagers, helping with repairs and doing what he can to assist. But the distrust remains. Villagers still avoid his gaze, and many refuse to let him help.
At one point, while helping rebuild a home, a piece of wood slips from Aiden's grip due to his weakened state, and it crashes to the ground. The nearby villagers shake their heads in disapproval.
Villager 1 (muttering):
"Useless. Can't even lift a beam without messing up."
Villager 2:
"How is he supposed to protect us when he's this weak? Both empires don't even care about us and this so-called protector is also showing us down by giving fake hopes!"
The words sting, but Aiden keeps going, determined not to let their doubt break him. After hearing villagers a thought crosses his mind about getting information on the empires they just mentioned but resists himself as he first has to gain their trust.Despite his efforts, the distrust lingers, and by the end of the day, Aiden feels as though he's made no progress at all.
Lina's Reassurance
As the sun sets, Aiden sits by the edge of the fortress, staring out at the horizon. His body aches from the day's labor, and his mind is heavy with doubt. Lina finds him there, sitting beside him in silence for a moment before speaking.
Lina (softly):
"It'll take time, Aiden. They've been through a lot, but they'll come around eventually. Just keep going."
Aiden sighs, running a hand through his hair thinking what would happen if his level doesn't increase and lately no new quest were popping as if even the system has abandoned him .
Aiden (frustrated):
"I don't know if I can. Every time I try, I just make things worse. What if they never trust me again?"
Lina looks at him with a steady gaze.
Lina:
"You don't have to win them all over in one day. Just keep trying. One step at a time. I'll be here with you, no matter what."
Her words bring a small, weary smile to Aiden's face. For now, it's enough.
End of Episode 5