"According to the map, Zhou Village is just up ahead," Milli said, her eyes scanning the map in her hands.
Hearing this, the villagers trailing behind breathed a collective sigh of relief. Exhaustion and tension softened on their faces at the prospect of finally reaching a place of rest and safety. The long, grueling journey and the constant fear of danger had worn on them, and the thought of refuge in Zhou Village brought a glimmer of hope.
Zafir instinctively pulled his hood back up, concealing his face once more. Richard, as usual, wore an indifferent expression, his focus unwavering as he held Regina’s hand. It wasn’t a gesture of affection, but rather one of necessity—since their first meeting, Regina had clung to his hand for comfort. For her, it was a small but crucial anchor, offering a sense of security amidst the chaos.
As they approached Zhou Village, the weary eyes of the Jing Feng villagers lit up with renewed hope. Their steps quickened, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten as they hurried toward the promise of refuge.
Milli frowned as her gaze fell on the rows of sturdy barricades lining the village’s outskirts. The barriers, meticulously constructed from reinforced wood and stone, suggested careful planning and a community bracing for prolonged danger.
“Hmmm, was this village raided or something? There are so many barricades here,” Milli remarked, her tone laced with unease as she scanned the scene.
Richard’s sharp eyes assessed the surroundings, his hand tightening slightly around Regina’s. “Remain alert,” he instructed, his voice calm but firm, continuing to walk forward with steady purpose.
“Got it,” Zafir replied, his voice low but resolute. His sharp eyes darted across the surroundings, analyzing every shadow and crevice for signs of danger. At the same time, he lifted his nose slightly, trying to catch any trace of a monster’s scent lingering in the air. His senses were on high alert, his muscles tensed and ready to react at a moment’s notice.
Once they entered Zhou Village, the Jing Feng villagers turned to the group, bowing deeply in gratitude. “Thank you for everything,” one of them said, their voices trembling with relief and exhaustion. Without lingering, they quickly dispersed, their eyes scanning the village for signs of refuge. They headed toward the central area, presumably in search of the person in charge of receiving refugees, leaving the adventurers standing by the village gate.
Milli approached one of Zhou Village’s residents, a middle-aged man stacking firewood near a small shed. His face was worn with lines of fatigue, but his posture remained upright and alert.
“What happened here? Why are there so many barricades?” Milli asked, her tone calm but curious.
“Oh, these?” the man said, gesturing toward the barricades with a tired smile. “This village was attacked by a monster called Nian, and our Grand Commandant set these up to fend it off.” His voice carried a hint of pride. “I heard he even cleaved the Nian in half with a single strike!”
Milli raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “How old was your Grand Commandant again? Isn’t he an old man?”
The man chuckled, shaking his head. “Haha, he’s over 60 years old, if I remember correctly. I can understand your skepticism. Unless you’ve seen it with your own eyes, it’s hard to believe.”
Milli tilted her head, intrigued. “He must be quite the swordsman if he’s still that capable at his age.”
“There’s even news about how our Grand Commandant slew a dragon singlehandedly!” he added, his voice brimming with pride.
Milli’s eyes widened slightly. “A dragon? That’s... hard to believe.”
The man nodded enthusiastically. “I know, I know. It sounds like a wild tale, but everyone here swears by it. They say he fought it on the outskirts of the village not long ago, drove his blade straight through its heart.”
Richard, who had been silently observing the exchange, glanced at the sturdy barricades lining the village. His expression turned thoughtful. “If what you’re saying is true, your Grand Commandant’s skill might explain why this village has managed to hold its ground while others have fallen.”
The man beamed at Richard’s acknowledgment, his chest puffing with pride. “Exactly! Without him, this village would have been in ruins!”
“Wait, did you say other villages have fallen?!” The man’s face turned pale as he picked up on Richard’s words.
“Um, yeah… Not just Jing Feng Village,” Milli replied, her voice tinged with regret, “even Meng Jin Village has fallen. It’s completely in ruins.”
The man’s expression darkened. “I see… No wonder I haven’t seen any southerners arriving here lately.”
He let out a troubled sigh and straightened his posture. “I’ll need to report this to the authorities immediately. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.” With a hurried nod of gratitude, he turned and strode off, urgency evident in his steps.
“As expected, news didn’t reach this place,” Richard said, his tone cold and calculating. “Someone must have deliberately blocked it. Typical for a nation crawling with corruption and infested with rats.”
Milli glanced at him, her brows furrowed in thought. “I’ve heard their Grand Commandant is strong, but if he really managed to slay a dragon singlehandedly, don’t you think Luo Yang might stand a chance against Shinal’s invasion? What do you think?”
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Richard’s expression didn’t waver. “Assuming it’s true, the dragon he defeated was likely one that had just barely reached adulthood. A fledgling compared to the might of the Dragon King. If that’s the case…” His voice dropped, and his gaze sharpened. “Nothing can save this kingdom.”
“I’m going to see if I can find any supplies. Let’s meet back here in an hour,” Richard said, his tone as steady as ever. He turned to Regina, his gaze softening slightly. “You should stay with Milli,” he added before taking a step to leave.
Before he could go, Regina reached out and grabbed his hand, her eyes wide and filled with a silent plea. Richard paused, his stoic expression flickering with a trace of hesitation.
Milli smirked, crossing her arms as she watched the scene. “Looks like ‘Loner’nen’ doesn’t suit you anymore, huh? Not with how she’s always clinging to you,” she teased, a playful glint in her eyes.
Richard sighed, his free hand rubbing his temple. “Very funny,” he muttered, but he didn’t pull his hand away.
“Let’s go together then,” Richard said, his tone resigned but calm, as he turned and began walking, Regina still holding onto his hand as she followed closely beside him.
Zafir glanced at Milli, uncertainty flickering in his expression. “What should we do?” he asked.
Milli tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Hmm… let’s go find some rations for our journey. We’ve run out, and we’ll need more for the road ahead,” she decided, her voice practical yet upbeat.
She gestured toward the market area in the opposite direction from where Richard and Regina were heading. “This way,” she said, striding off purposefully, with Zafir trailing behind her.
“We’re looking for a medicinal shop here. Some of the ingredients I need are sold there,” Richard explained, his tone even as he scanned the street ahead.
“Fueh? Does your wound still hurt?” Regina asked, concern lacing her voice.
“No,” Richard replied, shaking his head. “It’s not for my wound. I need them to make bullets.”
“Huh? You use medicine to make bullets?” Regina tilted her head, her curiosity piqued.
“Some ingredients for medicines can also be used for crafting weapons,” Richard said, his tone taking on a slight instructional edge. “Even medicine, in certain cases, can be turned into poison.”
“Ooouh!” Regina’s eyes sparkled with fascination as she leaned in, hanging on to every word of his impromptu lecture.
“I still have some elemental dust left that Milli obtained for me back in Acacia,” Richard said, his tone matter-of-fact. “That saves me some trouble since I’ll only need to gather the easier ingredients.”
“Ooouh!” Regina exclaimed, her excitement returning as she recalled the colorful powders and shimmering liquids she had seen in Richard’s workshop. Her mind wandered to the intricate process he had shown her, the alchemical blends that seemed both magical and scientific.
Then, she remembered something else—how Richard had casually mentioned that if he lost concentration or mixed something wrong, the bullets could explode during crafting. Her expression shifted, the initial excitement fading into a mix of fear and unease.
“Wait…” Regina’s voice trembled slightly. “You mean those things that could—could blow up if you’re not careful?”
Richard smirked, glancing down at her. “That’s why I’m careful.”
Her eyes widened. “That’s not reassuring at all!”
“There’s the shop. Let’s head in,” Richard said as he spotted the modest storefront, conveniently changing the subject. He gestured for Regina to follow, his pace steady and purposeful.
----------------------------------------
Meanwhile, over in the bustling market section of the village, Milli and Zafir weaved through the crowds, passing stalls adorned with fresh produce, dried meats, and various goods.
“Hmmm,” Milli mused, turning to Zafir with a playful smile. “Do you have a favorite food?”
“N-no, it’s fine,” Zafir stammered, his ears twitching slightly. “I’ll just eat anything you make.”
Milli raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin forming on her lips. “Hmmm, real mature, aren’t ya?” She leaned in slightly. “Even vegetables?”
“T-that’s…” Zafir hesitated, his tail flicking nervously. “I will eat it!” he blurted, his voice more determined than convincing.
Milli burst into laughter. “Ahahaha, relax! I’m just teasing you.” She straightened up, her tone softening. “I know beastmen with carnivorous genes can’t digest much other than meat. No need to force yourself.”
Zafir sighed in relief, though he felt a bit embarrassed by her teasing. “Thanks… but I’ll try if I have to,” he muttered.
“Good spirit!” Milli chuckled, giving him a light pat on the back.
“There’s even a dried meat stall over there! Let’s check it out!” Milli exclaimed, pointing eagerly before grabbing Zafir’s arm and pulling him along.
As they approached the stall, the shopkeeper, a middle-aged man with a broad smile, greeted them warmly. “Welcome, customers! My dried meats are the best around here—guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds!”
Milli leaned in, her eyes scanning the variety of meats displayed on wooden racks. “Hmmm, what types of meat do you have?” she asked, her tone casual.
The shopkeeper gestured at his wares. “Rabbits, dogs, chickens, pigs—you name it, I’ve got it!”
Milli nodded thoughtfully. “I’ll have some rabbit meat then.”
But as the shopkeeper’s eyes landed on Zafir, his expression shifted. His welcoming demeanor turned cold, his lips twisting into a smirk. “Sorry, customer, I only sell dog meat now,” he said, his voice tinged with mockery.
Milli blinked, confused. “Didn’t you just say you had other meats?”
The shopkeeper crossed his arms, glancing pointedly at Zafir. “I’ve changed my mind. Dog meat’s all I’m selling today.”
Milli’s eyes narrowed as the meaning behind the man’s words sank in. She noticed the subtle glance at Zafir—his hood may have concealed much of his face, but his Cainean Beastman traits were still visible if one looked closely. The shopkeeper’s intent was clear: a deliberate attempt to mock Zafir.
Zafir’s ears twitched, his fists clenching slightly, but he kept his head down, refusing to engage.
Milli, however, wasn’t about to let it slide. She leaned forward, her expression stern. “You sure about that? Because it looks like you’re trying to pick a fight instead of selling your goods.”
The shopkeeper shrugged, unbothered. “I’m just running my business, miss. Take it or leave it.”
Milli took a deep breath, calming herself. “Fine. We’ll leave,” she said sharply, grabbing Zafir’s arm and leading him away. “Your loss, anyway.”
As they walked away, Zafir muttered softly, “You didn’t have to defend me…”
Milli stopped and turned to face him. “Of course I did! That jerk was out of line. I won’t let anyone treat you like that, Zafir. You’re part of our team.”
Zafir blinked, caught off guard by her words, and for a moment, his tense shoulders relaxed. “Thanks… Milli,” he said quietly, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
The pair moved from stall to stall, but it was the same story each time. Vendors refused to sell their goods, their sneers and dismissive glances making their disdain clear. Some outright mocked Zafir with muttered insults, while others blatantly ignored them altogether.
Zafir’s ears drooped, his head lowered as if to avoid drawing more attention. Milli, on the other hand, grew increasingly frustrated with each rejection, her patience wearing thin.
Finally, after yet another stall owner turned them away with a smirk, Milli had enough. She clenched her fists and stomped her foot. “Forget it!” she said, her voice sharp with anger. “We’ll just hunt or gather food as we go. These people aren’t worth our money or our time!”
Zafir hesitated, looking back at the stalls they had passed. “It’s fine, Milli. I’m used to it…” he said softly, though his voice betrayed a trace of hurt.
Milli spun around, her eyes blazing. “Used to it?! You shouldn’t have to be used to it! None of this is okay, Zafir. Just because they’re narrow-minded doesn’t mean you deserve this kind of treatment.”
Her words caught him off guard, and for a moment, he didn’t know how to respond. Finally, he nodded, his voice quiet but sincere. “Thanks, Milli.”
Milli softened at his response, giving him a reassuring smile. “Come on,” she said, her tone more gentle now. “We’ll make do just fine without them. Let’s get back to Richard and Regina.”
Zafir followed her, his spirits lifted just a little by her unwavering support.