Guardian: Derek Walker 14
Bianca helped treat the wounded in the village hall. More than thirty people had been injured in the first orc raid, and over half of them were seriously hurt. With medical supplies running short, caring for them was an incredibly tough job.
From early morning, she changed bandages and cleaned the hall. Places with patients always had to be kept hygienic. It could have been a hassle, but Bianca carried out her duties silently and diligently.
"Bianca. Good morning."
"Oh. Hey, big bro Hargen."
A red-haired young man approached her, waving. It was Hargen, the village brother she'd been close to since childhood.
He wasn't someone she'd made future promises with like Rita and Drobin, but Bianca had already marked him as her pick deep down.
Hargen wasn't as well-liked as Drobin, but he was incredibly manly.
Born to an ordinary farming family, he had a bold personality and fearless ambitions. Sometimes those ambitions made him seem overly greedy, but either way, his challenging and proactive nature set him apart from Drobin.
Drobin was meticulous and detail-oriented, while Hargen was lively and aggressive. That side of him meshed well with Bianca. Just like how Drobin and Rita clicked personality-wise.
"Luckily, no sign of orcs today."
"That's a relief."
Hargen was also helping tend to the wounded in the village hall. As he worked, he tossed a question her way.
"By the way, you said the one who gave me the potion was Mr. Walker? Haven't seen his face yet. I'd like to thank him properly."
"Mr. Walker was badly hurt, so he's recovering at Grandma Junayd's place. My sister's nursing him."
"Ah, I see? Was it from the orcs, by any chance?"
"Oh, no. It's a misunderstanding... It's complicated to explain. Anyway, with that beautiful lady knight protecting the village, even if orcs come, it'll be fine."
Bianca quickly changed the subject. She referred to Luna as the beautiful lady knight.
In her eyes, Luna was more knight than maid. There couldn't be a maid with that monstrous combat prowess anywhere on the continent.
"Ah, you mean Lady Luna? I saw her once too—she's really beautiful."
As Hargen talked about Luna, Bianca's heart fluttered uneasily. It was a strange feeling, one she'd never had before.
"And I hear she sliced orcs to bits in one stroke? Even without seeing her fight, with that beauty and insane sword skills! Makes me wanna go down and train under her."
Bianca was the village's top beauty, excluding Rita—who already had her fiancé Drobin, so no real rival there.
Subconsciously, she'd thought no one else matched Hargen but her. With zero sense of threat, jealousy had never been an issue.
But Luna's arrival stirred a crisis in Bianca. And hearing the guy she liked gush about Luna right in front of her? Of course her heart grew heavy.
Still, Bianca didn't show it. Luna was the village's savior. Bashing her for personal feelings would be shameful.
"Yeah? She's amazing and so strong. I wish I could be like that too."
Bianca swallowed her feelings and agreed with Hargen.
"Haha. But in looks, I bet you hold your own against her?"
His compliment lifted her mood instantly. A woman's heart sways like a reed in the wind.
"Anyway, I should go say thanks to Mr. Walker. If not for his potion, I'd be a goner. Grandma Junayd's place, right?"
"Yes. Go ahead."
"Cool. Keep up the good work."
Hargen turned and left the hall. Bianca continued tending to the patients.
It had been a while since Hargen last visited Grandma Junayd's house. As a kid, he'd played around here a lot, but farming kept him too busy these days.
Upon arriving, he knocked. Soon, Grandma Junayd's kind voice answered.
"It's Hargen. Here to see Mr. Walker and give my thanks."
"Oh, Hargen. Come in. How's your body? Heard you were hurt bad."
"As you can see."
Guided by Grandma Junayd, he stood before Walker's room. A light knock brought a clear voice from inside—familiar and welcoming.
"Who is it?"
"Ah, Rita. It's me, Hargen. Here to say thanks. Is Mr. Walker in?"
"Yes. You came at the right time."
Rita opened the door. He could see Walker right away.
Walker was eating. Rita attended him at his side. A bit early for lunch, but his burly build explained the hearty appetite. Big guys like that live for mealtime.
Hm? Kinda smells fishy...?
A strong, volatile scent tickled his nose, drawing Hargen's attention. Rita's face looked flushed, like from heat, and her clothes were unusually disheveled—not like her at all.
Hargen sensed something off but brushed it aside. Not the priority now.
"Hello. I'm Hargen. Thanks to your potion, Mr. Walker, I survived. My deepest gratitude."
Walker barely reacted to the thanks. He had no real interest in Hargen. Using the potion wasn't to save him—it was to impress Rita and Bianca.
"Good you lived. Now go do your work."
His curt reply threw Hargen off.
Irritated at the meal interruption? Bad timing on his part, maybe.
Hargen, who'd planned to butter him up for future gains, decided to back off. Timing matters in flattery too.
Then the door opened fully. Hargen instinctively held his breath. The entrant was a stunning beauty—the captivating woman he'd glimpsed from afar.
"Master. No orc movement detected today."
"I see. Rest easy then."
"Understood."
She bowed to Walker and left. Hargen hurried after her.
The maid-clad beauty outshone even Rita and Bianca. Up close, her allure was undeniable.
Luna noticed Hargen following and glanced his way. He smiled awkwardly.
"Hello. Hargen here. Are you Lady Luna?"
"I am."
Her tone was icy. Hargen clocked her disinterest immediately.
But he wasn't one to back down. Challenge accepted.
"Thank you for saving our village. On behalf of everyone, my thanks."
"Yes."
Short and curt. She clearly wanted no more talk. Time to prove his mettle.
"I hear you have exceptional sword skills. Hard to find proper training in a backwater like this, but a beauty like you being a master? Astonishing. If it's not too rude..."
"It's rude enough. No more to say."
Luna shot him down and quickened her pace out of the house. Watching her go, Hargen smirked. She appealed even more than expected.
Real city beauty, huh? Gotta play in the big leagues.
The next day dawned. Unlike yesterday, a green wave surged from beyond the fields at dawn. A youth squad sentry on the watchtower blew the horn, rousing the village.
"They're coming! Orcs!"
Defenders assembled in seconds, readying their scant arrows. The orc horde was double the previous one—over two hundred by rough count.
"Crazy. The more we kill, the more come?"
"Bad news. That's record numbers. Blocking without losses? Tough."
The armed youths swallowed hard, resolve hardening. At least they had hope: Luna.
"Whoa. That's a lot."
"Indeed."
Luna arrived after the youth's report. Kelly was with her today.
"Perfect real-combat practice. Crit. Ready?"
"Those weaklings? No prep needed."
The Earth Spirit King spoke confidently. Eating orcs? Embarrassing. His bravado bolstered Kelly.
"Don't worry. I'll protect you."
"Thanks, Lady Luna."
Luna scooped Kelly up and hopped over the palisade.
"Eek!"
A cute yelp escaped Kelly as the wall vanished. Countless green-skinned monsters charged her way. Muscles tensed, breath quickened. Even knowing they were weak, the numbers were intimidating.
"Stay calm. Serenity's key for spirit connection."
Crit advised from the side.
"Your contract spirit's the Earth Spirit King. No reason to fear."
"Right!"
Kelly clenched her fists at Crit's encouragement. Luna drew her dual scimitars, eyes gleaming as the orcs charged.
"The two of 'em plan to handle it...?"
"Almost double last time. They good?"
"We just hiding like cowards?"
"But we'd die out there. Just get in the way."
The youths mocked their own weakness, watching the beauties from behind the palisade.
"Incoming."
Luna called lightly as the orc vanguard closed to ten meters.
"Hoo! Hoo! Here we go!"
Kelly breathed steadily, gripping her staff tight.
"Chwiik! Two beauties!"
"Careful! That sword bitch shredded our kin like meat! Chwiik!"
"Chwiik! Surround the bitches!"
The orcs' full assault began.