Dusk was approaching, and on a small hillside to the north of Selva Village, a stone-built Windmill Mill stood quietly amidst the westering sun's afterglow.
The mill at the top lacked wind blades, revealing a large hole in the exposed spire roof, showing that the internal rotary mechanism had long been dismantled. Clearly, this vegetation-covered mill had been abandoned for many years.
Olivia used a key to unlock the mill's rusty iron lock, leading Leon and a few others as they pushed the door and entered, "This place was abandoned even before I was born, and villagers don't usually come here."
Since everything that could be dismantled inside had already been removed, the Windmill Mill was quite spacious, ample enough for three young men to rest comfortably.
Stepping onto the wooden spiral staircase against the wall, they climbed together to the third floor, where Olivia pushed open the wooden window facing south and turned back to the others, "If you find it too stuffy below, sleeping up here might be more breathable. Though the attic roof is broken, as long as it doesn't rain, it's quite comfortable with the breeze at night."
"How come that sounds like you're speaking from experience?" Leon looked at the corner, where some wooden boxes were stacked, which, if laid out flat, could even serve as makeshift beds.
Spotting Leon's gaze, Olivia also felt a bit nostalgic, "When I was little, I often came here to play with village friends. Sometimes, being naughty and not going home, I even secretly spent the night here alone, and ended up getting a good scolding from my father."
"Right!" The girl suddenly slapped her palm as if she remembered something.
She handed the key to Leon and then ran hurriedly down the stairs, lifting her skirt, "Wait for me, I'll be right back..."
"?" Seeing Olivia running down the stairs, Leon pocketed the door key, walked to the window, and watched her hurriedly jog back toward the village, finding it amusing from a distance.
This girl really was full of initiative, coming and going with the swiftness of a breeze.
Lifting his head, the cool breeze on his face, Leon felt quite relaxed looking around.
Standing on the hillside, the entirety of Selva Village lay before him.
Scattered houses, stretches of neat wheat fields, a babbling stream, and the distant mountains and forests that faded into the horizon.
The beautiful rural landscape resembled a serene pastoral painting.
Honestly, if it weren't for the old blacksmith's indirect hints to leave, this place wouldn't be bad to spend the rest of one's days.
However, in this medieval society resembling Earth's past, the village blacksmith was not just a worker; Mr. Brian Sr. probably had a significant status in the village. As a major local household, if he didn't welcome such outsiders, other villagers naturally would follow his lead, and Leon really didn't want any unnecessary conflicts.
Moreover,
He turned back to look at Lokhak dozing off on the wooden boxes.
Whether his friends or he himself, they all still had unfulfilled goals.
He had promised Miss Lola that, as thanks for several lifesaving favors, once the turmoil settled, he would set out on a journey back to Rolannar.
The thought of settling down would have to be postponed for a long time.
Leon shook his head; this body was only fifteen years old after all. How had he started contemplating retirement? It seemed the recent hardships really exhausted both body and mind.
"*sigh*"
Azeryan dusted off some dust from the wooden floor, sat down leaning against the wall, and stretched, "This place isn't bad, at least we won't have to keep watch for predatory animals at night."
Leon also sat down, leaning against the wall and yawning; his eyelids likewise began to droop.
"Let's rest here for a couple of days; afterward, shall we check out that town the old blacksmith mentioned?" Leon closed his eyes, his voice weary as he addressed his companion.
Waiting for a response for a while and receiving none, he reluctantly opened his eyes to look.
It turned out that during that short conversation, Azeryan had already fallen asleep, breathing evenly.
As for Lokhak, he had already slumped over on a makeshift platform made from the wooden boxes, emitting deep snores.
After a long period of high tension and fleeing for their lives, suddenly relaxing in a safe environment, the young men could no longer resist their fatigue.
```
...
In a hazy slumber, Leon suddenly heard someone calling his name.
He instinctively grasped the hilt of his sword.
Only when his mind had cleared did he recognize the voice as Olivia's.
"Leon? Are you all still up there?"
Rubbing his eyes, Leon got up and went to the top of the stairs to look down.
He saw the golden-haired girl with a big bundle of blankets and thin quilts in her arms, making her way back and forth.
"What's this?"
"I just happen to have quite a few old blankets at home that we're not using. If you don't mind, you can make do with them."
As Olivia spoke, she climbed up to the third floor, set down the blankets and quilt, and began to help spread them out.
Leon opened his mouth in surprise.
But in the end, he swallowed his formalities and simply said thank you.
Since she had already brought over the items, it would seem insincere if he declined.
Sincerely expressing his gratitude, Leon crouched down to help her smooth the corners of the blanket and cover it with the thin quilt.
Next to him, Lokhak and Azeryan also woke up, rubbing their eyes, and stared in confusion at the makeshift beds Leon and Olivia had prepared, still a bit dazed.
The girl stood up, dusted off her dress, and walked to the window, pointing to a two-story row house in the village: "My house is right there. If you encounter any difficulties in the next few days, feel free to come find me for help."
Leon sighed, "You've already helped so much, it would be embarrassing to bother you further."
Olivia's face lit up with a warm smile. "Don't be too formal. The stories say that meeting someone when you are away from home means you have found a friend. I also don't want you to leave only remembering the unpleasant experiences in Selva Village."
She turned and waved her hand. "Alright, it's getting late, I won't disturb your rest anymore. I'll head back now."
Leon quickly followed her down the stairs and escorted the girl out to the front of the mill.
Standing on the hillside, he watched her figure disappear into the village in the afterglow of the setting sun before he sincerely exclaimed,
"She really is a good person."
Then he recalled the band of second-rate thugs that had tried to rob them during the day.
He suddenly had great admiration for the sturdy old blacksmith.
He wondered how he managed to raise such an educated and kind-hearted daughter in this remote and impoverished setting.
After locking the door of the mill, he returned to the third floor of the Windmill Tower.
Seeing Leon return, Lokhak approached him with a strange expression and elbowed him hard.
"Hey, Leon, that girl was so enthusiastic about helping us. Could it be that she has taken a liking to you?"
Leon frowned slightly, somewhat amused and annoyed, and pushed his teasing companion away: "Stop talking nonsense. She's just warm-hearted by nature. Besides, what is there in my appearance that she could possibly admire?... If you said she liked Azeryan because of his pretty face, I might believe you a bit."
"Hey, hey, I haven't even spoken more than a few words with Miss Olivia, don't use me as your shield," Azeryan said with a laugh.
"Enough, stop gossiping about others behind their backs and hurry up to sleep!" Leon, tired of his companions' jokes, lifted the quilt and was the first to lie down on the blanket.
After so long, it wasn't the ground and sky as his covering anymore, and the touch of the woolen blanket on his back made him feel undeservedly comfortable.
```