(Nov 16)

After getting back to the village, the beastkins threw a massive party.

Agora had terrorized them for a long time so they were very happy to find out it was finally dead.

There was good food, alcohol, music and dancing.

Sven and I had a hard time enjoying ourselves after what happened, but we did participate.

We stayed for a bit, ate a bit, talked a bit, and then once the sun set, we immediately bailed and returned to our rooms to rest for the night.

Today, we left to head back to the city.

Elder Vindal was there early in the morning to send us off.

“Once again, I’d like to thank you for your help and apologize for the inconvenience that has happened. Have a safe trip back.”

Sven and I nodded, and then left the village.

We headed through the forest towards the path back to the city.

Before we could leave the forest though, I noticed someone nearby.

And out from the bushes, Connor emerged.

He wasn’t holding a weapon, and his arm was bandaged so it was clear he wasn’t here to fight or anything.

“Yo.”

Connor casually greeted us as if he didn’t try to kill us less than 24 hours ago.

“What do you want?” Sven asked suspicious.

Connor scratched his head with his uninjured arm before he lowered his head.

“Just going to get straight to the point, I’m sorry. And before you ask me, no, Vindal didn’t tell me to do this. I came here out of my own free will.”

Sven and I were obviously skeptical of Connor randomly apologizing out of no where.

“I know you guys don’t trust me after what happened, but I was doing what I thought was best for my village.”

Despite what happened, I don’t hate Connor. He did try to kill me but he had his reasons.

However, what I do hold against him though, is that instead of simply fighting me, he held Sven hostage.

If something had happened to Sven, I would’ve seriously killed him.

Because of this, I couldn’t help being a little cold towards him.

“Ok. And? You came here just to say that?”

I feel a little bad about being rude, but he did try to kill us after all so it’s fair.

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Despite my somewhat passive aggressive question, Connor still continued on.

“Well… honestly, I’m apologizing because of my pride. I tried to kill you despite you helping us. That alone fills me with shame. But not only that, I failed to kill you and resorted to holding your friend hostage. I don’t expect you to forgive me so easily, but I’d like to at least not be on bad terms.”

He reached out his arm towards me.

He seemed sincere, so I firmly grabbed his palm, and we shook hands.

“Hey, you’re a pretty cool dude. I’m really am sorry about what happened but I just want to say, you’re my favourite human I’ve met. I hope we never meet again,” Connor said with a grin.

“I feel the same way. I hope I never see you again.” I smiled back.

He’s a beastkin warrior, and I’m a human soldier. We live in two different worlds. But through battle and interactions, we understand each other.

It’s because of that, we both also knew that if we ever met again, it would likely be on the battlefield, and neither of us wanted to fight each again.

And so, I truly hope we never cross paths.

“Have a safe trip. And again, thanks and sorry.”

Sven and I nodded as we turned to leave.

I still have some conflicted mix feelings about Connor, we only met for a day or two, and yet so much has happened with him. But who the fuck cares. It’s not like I’m meeting him ever again.

And so we left the forest.

We continued on the path back to the city.

After hours of travelling, the sun was starting to sink so we decided to set up camp.

As we were cooking some meat for dinner, Sven and I spoke a bit.

“Hey Anthony.”

“Yeah?”

“If we ever get into a situation like yesterday, where I’m held hostage, I think you should just run. There’s no point in risking both of our lives.”

Sven seemed to be bothered by how easily he was captured.

This idiot probably thought he was a nuisance to me or something.

So I slapped him on back of his head.

“What kind of hostage can read minds and give me instructions via telepathy? If it were anyone else that was taken hostage, I’d have been in real trouble. But it was you, and things turned out well. I trust you. If you tell me to run away, I’ll do it. Not because it’s better for one of us to survive, but because I trust you to come up with a plan that will save us both.”

Sven chuckled.

“Yeah, you’re right. I am the strategist after all. I can handle myself. Unlike you, who’s so childish you need a chaperone like me to supervise you. Tsk tsk, can’t believe I’m babysitting a big dragon baby. Oh well, can’t risk having my precious underlings getting hurt after all.”

“Oi, ya lil punk! Call me your underling again, I dare ya!”

“Hahaha!”

We continued laughing and joking as we ate dinner.

I even chased him around for a bit before he got tired and gave up.

After we ate, we extinguished the fire and headed to bed.

Before entering our separate tents though, Sven turned to me one more time.

“Hey. I was serious about what I was saying earlier. Worry about yourself before you start worrying about others. I’m saying this not only as a commanding officer who’s in charge of you, but as your friend. Don’t forget you have a family waiting for you.”

I nodded.

Sometimes I forget how serious Sven can be despite his goofy behaviour.

I didn’t have a mother growing up, but if I did, I’d imagine her being a lot like Sven with how overprotective he can be.

Hm. Kind of reminds of me a bit of William.

(Nov 17)

Sven and I were a bit lazy, so we took our time on the way back home.

We were only travelling slightly faster than walking pace so by the time we reached the city; it was already past lunch.

“I’m going to go report what happened back to city, you head on home first.”

Sven waved me goodbye before we went our separate ways.

I was pretty tired myself and haven’t slept in my comfy bed in a few days, so I was pretty excited to get home.

But as I walked closer towards my house, I sensed something.

The Grinch’s magic.

It was very faint and subtle, but I could recognize that sinister magic from a mile away.

‘Oh no, did my wife accidentally turn into The Grinch again? Doesn’t she have her medications? Did they not work?’

I didn’t have time to think so I bolted through the streets hoping that nothing happened.

I rushed towards my house, swinging the door open and called for my wife.

What I saw next, was something I was not expecting.

My wife, who was half transformed into The Grinch with green fur poking from her cloths, was just casually sitting there…sipping tea, and sitting across from her was Alisha, also casually sitting there… sipping tea…

What in the fucking world was going on here?