From what Lein could see, Galeila was worried about something. She always thought it was rare for her to act that way. What could frighten the strongest dragon lord? Nothing. But there were always exceptions. It was that she was scared for others.

With Rume by her side and in her hand within her’s, they just saw Galeila open the belly of a beast. It was disgusting, Lein would never do that unless she was forced to or had to. But that wasn’t important right now, what was odd was when Galeila uncovered something strange and grotesque. Lein never saw one like it before. At any rate, after seeing it, Galeila began to worry and become anxious.

“Lein, please clean my hand,” Galeila who just approached asked Lein with a smile, the worry on her face a moment ago was gone.

“Nasty, I’m surprised you could stick your hand in there with no hesitation.”

Lein winced as she cast her spell. Some sort of gale came forth from her hand and cleaned all of the blood on Galeila’s hand and clothes.

“What’s there to be surprised about? Didn’t you try to hunt a deer once when you were young?”

“Yes I did. But I was young, so I wasn’t all conscious about it. But now… I would prefer not.”

Galeila looked at her with furrowed brows.

“The life of luxury has gotten into you. You should try hunting once again.”

“Learning how to be a proper lady, preferences form. And I prefer not to if I could.”

“If you say so. But anyway, let’s get inside, quick.”

Galeila seemed to be acting calm. Perhaps it was so that the worry she was feeling won’t spread to the others. But something like that doesn’t bother Lein that much, so perhaps it was for Rume’s sake.

When they returned inside the village, there were some who were sharing to the residents that the threat had passed. Meanwhile, Galeila was receiving several stares from the villagers after hearing what happened.

“Hey Rume!” Kariya approached the little girl alongside the boy named Reto.

“Come hang out with us, dad said there’s nothing dangerous anymore.”

Rume thought about it for a moment before turning her head.

“... May I?”

Rume asked the two adults at her side. Galeila kneeled in front of her.

“Go. We’re departing at any moment, so have fun.”

Rume tilted her head slightly with a questioning gaze.

“Already…? How long until we leave?”

Rume seemed to want to hang around with her new friends more.

“We’ll call for you, okay?”

“... I understand.”

Rume surprisingly smiled as she nodded her head and went along with the other kids. Playing at the central square. After they left, Lein turned to Galeila.

“Departing?”

Galeila looked around at her surroundings. There were a few people around them. Perhaps what she wanted to talk about was not for the other’s ears.

“Let’s talk there.”

Galeila pointed at a secluded area. It was a bit distant from Rume, but still a location where they could clearly see her. Lein nodded her head in agreement and they headed towards it.

Galeila heaved a sigh before speaking to Lein.

“It’s getting dangerous here.”

Lein raised an eyebrow.

“You yourself saying it’s dangerous… it must be really then.”

“You saw what I uncovered.”

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“You have any idea what it is?”

“No.”

Lein was surprised for a moment. Galeila was akin to an incarnation of nature itself and its overseer, therefore, it was hard to believe instantly that she knew nothing about something like this. Lein surmised that it must have nothing to do with nature itself then.

“I see.”

Galeila turned to look at her eyes.

“I have a feeling this is something big and serious. We should leave… even if Rume is finally making new friends…”

“So we have to leave…”

Was it really alright to leave?

“You…” Galeila looked at her curiously. “Why do you look conflicted?”

Lein looked directly at her.

“It’s just… Then this village is in danger… Are we just going to leave it be?”

Now Galeila looked at her with surprise.

“Why are you hesitating?”

Lein pursed her lips. She knew it was dangerous. However, she was having conflicted feelings about leaving.

“What about the people?”

Lein wasn’t cold to others, only to those who deserved to be treated as such. That was why, these people who treated them warmly, Lein was having conflicting feelings about Galeila’s decision. She was having qualms about leaving them be.

“They can fight. They can take care of themselves.”

“Yes, but if you say it’s dangerous, then it may be too much for them to handle.”

“What are you saying, Lein? Did you not understand anything?”

Lein’s breath stuck on her throat, taken aback by Galeila’s sudden stern voice. It was entirely different than her usual soft tone.

“... Of course I understand.”

She understood all too well. Discovering something that Galeila herself doesn’t know, then this situation might turn dire.

“Then we should leave. We don’t want to get involved in this. Don’t let emotion cloud your judgement!”

Lein’s eyes faltered and averted away from Galeila’s severe gaze.

“I thought you have matured…”

Galeila muttered to herself. However, Lein was still able to hear it all clearly. She sounded disappointed at her. Lein understood why that was and she couldn’t feel more ashamed.

Galeila raised her how to survive this world. Taught her how this world works. She taught her what actions should be taken. After all, one mistake could potentially risk her life.

But still…

Lein couldn’t completely understand why she was hesitating after Galeila herself said it was dangerous. Her heart said otherwise to her mind. And her heart seemed to be causing the hesitation, or was it perhaps her mind? Which one was heavier?

“Kindness is repaid by kindness.”

Lein uttered then looked at Galeila.

“You said that to me. The villagers were kind to us, and gave us meals. Are we just going to leave them behind? They might all die.”

“I know the choice is heavy, but we have to. I may have taught you that, but there is a proper time and place for such, and this is not one of them”

“... What about the children?”

Now Galeila looked at her coldly, like a mother enraged at her stubborn child. Still, her anger was for Lein's sake. However, Galeila forced herself to regain composure with a deep breath.

“Fine then, if you’re going to let emotion blindly drive you, let me ask you this.”

Galeila gazed intently at the faltering Lein.

“Which one is more important to you? This village of people we barely know? Or Rume?”

“...”

Lein couldn’t respond.

“Don’t lie to your own heart, Lein.”

Lein looked down, unable to look Galeila in the eyes.

“Did you make any promise, I wonder?”

Galeila said to her, one last time.

“... I…”

Would she help the village and likely get caught in something incredibly dangerous? All just to save them? And in a situation that escaping might not be possible.

Or would she choose Rume? A little girl who had no place in such things. Who barely had anyone to be with in her home village. A little girl ostracized by her own people. A young girl who was always alone.

At the moment, she remembered her words. Her promise. She recalled her words to Esmon. She remembered what she said to Galeila before going here.

A village full of strangers? Or the little girl she brought here?

People who can fight? Or a child who couldn’t offer any fight at all?

“We have a chance to leave peacefully and save ourselves from getting involved in anything, this is why I want us to leave. So make your choice, Lein. And if you are even foolish enough to decide to stay here yourself, at least think about the little girl.”

Lein thought and thought.

What was her heart shouting the loudest? What was her mind screaming?

As she was trying to make her choice, a loud crashing sound erupted. Accompanying it were screams of people.

Galeila and Lein immediately turned to the gates where the source of the sound was.

“Another attack already?” Galeila muttered.

There a Rhiuse stood past the smashed gate. It roared violently, the guards immediately responded, but was unable to immediately fend it off. Then the beast rubbed its hooves on the ground, it was about to charge. Everything was happening so fast, and the beast only just wrecked the gates.

What made the situation worse was that it was aiming towards the village square. It charged forward faster than the last one, clouds of dust flying away in its heavy steps. Its trajectory would collide with a group of children. And one of them was where Lein’s eyes were fixed.

If she rushes and runs, she wouldn’t be able to reach them.

“Rume!”

Lein cried out in panic and fear.

The mage instantly cast her teleportation spell without a moment’s hesitation.