Takuo was in the middle of speaking to Yuna when they heard a sudden rustle and a low growl coming from a nearby bush. He immediately tensed, his hand going to the sword strapped to his hip.

"Stay behind me," he muttered quietly to Yuna, his eyes fixed on the bush with suspicion.

There was another growl, louder this time, and the bushes rustled more violently, as if something large was moving towards them.

Takuo noticed the approaching men, their faces stern and grim in the flickering light of the torches clutched in their hands. They were dressed in ragged, peasant clothing, and each of them carried an assortment of makeshift weapons.

They looked like villagers, but their expressions were hard and angry. Takuo counted seven or eight of them, all of them looking dangerous and unpredictable.

The first villager, who seemed to be the leader of the group, stepped forward. He looked Takuo up and down, his eyes narrowing as he took in the samurai's attire.

"Who are you?" he demanded gruffly, his tone wary and suspicious.

Takuo's eyes flicked over the group, taking in their ragged appearances and the makeshift weapons clutched in their hands. He could tell that they were not a welcoming bunch, and he kept his guard up as he answered the villager's question.

"My name is Takuo," he said simply, his voice level and steady.

The leader of the villagers saw Yuna as she stood behind Takuo, and his eyes widened in recognition. "Wait a minute," he said, his voice softening slightly. "I recognize her. She's the daughter of the lord, isn't she?"

The other villagers around him also recognized Yuna, and they murmured amongst themselves as they looked at her. Their gazes were still suspicious, but there was a hint of concern in their eyes as they looked at the distraught young lady.

The leader turned to Takuo, his expression wary. "What are you doing with the lord's daughter? And where is her father?"

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Takuo could see the suspicion in the eyes of the leader and the other villagers, and he knew he needed to give them an explanation.

"I was tasked to evacuate her in her unconscious state from the castle," he said, his voice steady. "The castle was attacked by bandits. Her father didn't survive the attack."

The villagers gasps as Takuo spoke, their eyes widening in shock at the news of the lord's death. They exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of anger and sadness.

"Attacked?" the leader repeated, his voice low and angry. "By who?"

Takuo grimaced, his face falling as he remembered the brutal attack. "Bandits," he said, his voice grim. "They were ruthless and determined. They overwhelmed the castle guards and breached the castle walls."

Takuo's expression darkened as he spoke about the leader of the bandits.

"Their leader was a man called Kuro," he said. "He was ruthless and cunning, and he led the attack with a cold-blooded determination."

The villagers' anger grew as Takuo spoke about Kuro, and it was clear that they were all familiar with the bandit leader's dark reputation.

"Kuro," the leader spat, his voice filled with hate. "We've heard stories about him. He's a ruthless killer and a vicious pillager. He's caused trouble in these parts for years."

The leader looked at Takuo, his expression serious.

"I am the village head Satoshi," he said, finally introducing himself. "We may be a small village, but we've managed to stay safe and isolated from the rest of the kingdom. We've heard rumors of the bandit attacks, but they haven't reached us here yet."

As the village head, Satoshi, spoke, his voice was gruff and firm, his eyes fixed on Takuo with a serious expression.

"We've lived here in peace for many years. We may be isolated, but we're far enough away from the other towns and cities to remain safe from the bandits and their pillaging. We've heard news of the attacks, though. It sounds like Kuro and his men are more dangerous than ever before."

Satoshi looked at Takuo and Yuna, his expression softening a little as he spoke.

"You and the young lady should stay with us in the village," he said, his voice slightly gruff but with a hint of concern. "We owe a debt of gratitude to the lord, and sheltering his daughter is our responsibility."

"You'll be safe in the village," Satoshi continued. "We've managed to keep the bandits away for years, and they won't bother us here. Besides, you and the young lady look like you need to rest after what you've been through."

end of chapter-