Guardian: Derek Walker 9
After parting ways with Drobin, Rita headed straight to Grandma Junaid's house. She tidied up the bouquet she was carrying and stepped inside.
"Oh, Rita. Come on in. I heard you were tending to the wounded—hard work, that. But look at you, your face is all hollowed out after just half a day."
"No, Grandma. The real ones who suffered are the men who fought the orcs."
"Is that why you're here? For him?"
"Yes. I wanted to pay my proper respects."
"Of course. You brought such pretty flowers. Wildflowers are one of the few things our village can boast about. He's probably resting in his room."
Rita approached Walker's room as directed by Grandma Junaid. She took a deep breath in front of the firmly shut door, then lightly knocked. Reciting the lines she'd rehearsed in her head, she spoke.
"I'm Rita Enne. Are you in there, by any chance?"
"I am. Come in."
Walker's voice came from inside. That dry, emotionless tone sent a chill down Rita's spine for some reason.
But Rita drew in a small breath and cautiously opened the door. It was a graceful motion, uncharacteristic of a country girl. The politeness ingrained in her movements was soft and quiet, like the gentle flutter of a beautiful butterfly's wings.
Lifting her head to look inside, she saw a modest private room. A table and chair, a small bed, and a compact wardrobe. It reflected Grandma Junaid's tastes perfectly as the homeowner.
It was simple, but clean enough for any traveler—no shortages here. Even though it was a room not normally used, thanks to Grandma Junaid's diligent cleaning, there wasn't a speck of dust. Perfect for housing the village's benefactor.
Derek Walker sat on the bed. Beside him stood his maid, Luna, in a prim posture. For some reason, her face seemed slightly flushed. And there was a faint, musky scent in the air.
"Please, come in."
Luna spoke in a small but clear voice. Rita swallowed hard and slowly stepped inside. Her gaze was fixed on Luna.
The man called her a maid, but Rita knew full well that this stunning beauty had sliced through a horde of muscled orcs like paper—the hero of the reversal. As Drobin had said, her status was closer to bodyguard knight than maid. In truth, she was the one protecting the village, not Walker. So Rita had to make a good impression on the maid too.
"Hello. I'm Rita Enne."
Rita placed the bouquet on the table. She clasped her hands at her navel and bowed neatly at the waist.
A noble's etiquette would involve lifting the hem of her skirt and curtsying, but that didn't suit a commoner like her. The polite bow she offered was enough to bring a pleased smile to Walker's face.
"Derek Walker. I run a small trading company called Walker Traders."
"Thank you for gracing our humble village. And thank you sincerely for protecting us from the orcs. It's a modest gift, but I brought it for you, Mr. Walker."
Rita handed the bouquet to Walker. He gave it a cursory glance. To him, the girl holding it was far more beautiful than the flowers.
"A fragrant bouquet. Put it in that vase over there."
"Then, rest well."
Rita bowed again and left the room. In that brief moment, Walker thoroughly scanned her up and down. She was a beauty right up his alley.
"Urgh! Drobin, that bastard…!"
Village chief Gibs had been half-forced into seclusion in his own home. Drobin had taken all the embezzled money, leaving him penniless and unable to flee. Wandering penniless would just mean starving to death.
Of course, he couldn't stay in the village forever either. Drobin had threatened to expose his crimes to everyone once things settled. If his embezzlement of village funds came out, his life was over. The villagers would probably beat him to death.
Comparing the ledgers would reveal the embezzlement in no time. Falsifying or destroying them wouldn't help—checking with the blacksmith where he bought the weapons would end it. Once exposed, it was only a matter of time before the trail led back to him.
No! There's still a chance. Gibs, you've lived this long for a reason! That punk didn't finish me off right away. This is my golden opportunity!
He steeled his resolve, eyes gleaming. No one was doomed for sure. Even in desperation, a path to survival existed—you just had to find it.
Gibs calmly assessed the situation. The only ones who knew his crimes were Drobin and that outsider named Walker.
"So, kill those two, and no one knows my sins."
Simplifying it cleared his mind. Identify the problem, then solve it. Here, the solution was straightforward.
"Right. Kill those two, and it's the perfect crime! Plus, I get my money back from that Walker bastard! But how to kill them…?"
That Walker had a formidable bodyguard. And Drobin was the village's top hunter and doctor. Gibs had been a hunter in his youth, but at over 60, overpowering vigorous young men wasn't easy.
Killing even one would be tough; he had to take out both.
"There has to be a way. Wait! Yes! Use Rita…"
A brilliant idea flashed through Gibs's mind. He clapped, admiring his own plan.
"Perfect! No man hates a beauty!"
The simplest way to deal with two tough targets: pit them against each other. What would make men fight to the death? A woman, naturally.
History was full of fools who died for beautiful wives. And Walker looked like a lustful pig, belly full of it. His maid was gorgeous too—clearly a womanizer.
Pitting the two men against each other using Rita as bait.
It was flawless in his eyes. Details needed work, but he'd grasped a lifeline from despair. Whether it was sturdy or rotten, only the gods knew.
That woman Rita was right up my alley. Before making a move, I gathered intel on her. Luckily, our host Grandma Junaid knew all the village gossip. She'd lived here her whole life, after all.
According to her, Rita was Drobin's fiancée—the young leader who'd guided us. Their lingering glances made sense now; I hadn't realized they were engaged.
Fiancée only, good. She's gotta be a virgin, right?
My virgin radar was blaring; Rita was definitely untouched. The gap between virgin and non-virgin was bigger than opened vs. sealed product.
I was glad her virginity was intact. Though I'd have taken her either way.
The next day dawned. As we sat down for breakfast, a blaring flute echoed from outside the village. Sharp and piercing—not a wake-up call. Probably a signal for enemy invasion. Orcs were the only enemies around here.
"Attack at breakfast?"
"Seems like it. Shall we go?"
Kelly set down her spoon mid-sip of onion soup. It wasn't that tasty anyway—no regrets interrupting.
We headed to the watchtower together. A youth squad member stood there, blowing the flute at the distant horde of green-skinned monsters charging in.
"Mr. Walker!"
Drobin approached in sleek leather gear, quiver on his back, rope and dagger at his waist—like a proper hunter. His family had been hunters for generations.
"More than yesterday. They must've gathered from nearby groups."
The orc horde rushing toward us numbered well over a hundred. At least two or three tribes allied. Numerous, but not overwhelming.
Orcs were orcs, no matter the numbers. They swung clubs in packs but lacked tactics. Watch for rare orc shamans, and they were no threat. Probably not even decent XP from massacring them.
Of course, to mana-less civilians, even dumb orcs charging fearlessly were tough. fearless as they were stupid, they didn't back down in close brawls.
In short, orcs embodied the weak prey on the strong, strong bully the weak—cowardly race.
"I'll handle it."
Luna drew her paired scimitars like yesterday and hopped out front. She vaulted the chest-high log fence effortlessly, crossing her blades with a metallic clang. Like a butcher testing her knives before carving meat. And before orcs, she was exactly that.
"Keeek! Female! That female!"
"I like! I fuck first! Keeek!"
"Keeek! First fuck wins!"
The orcs went wild at Luna's appearance. Already heated for battle, she pushed them over the edge. But Luna showed no fear. They weren't worth it.
"......"
Luna silently raised her scimitars vertically. I crossed my arms, settling in to watch her slaughter leisurely.
"She'll be okay alone?"
Drobin eyed her doubtfully. Not just him—the other youths around looked anxious at Luna outside the fence.
Everyone fretted, but none stepped up to join her. Cowards.
"Just watch."
I said flatly. Luna's current stats were these.
↳ All stats except Intellect slightly increase at night.
↳ Proficiently wields all weapons and draws out their hidden power.