It was in the middle of the night when Darwyn woke up. His eyes wandered around and landed on the sleeping face of Liliana.

She has her hand rested on her face while breathing softly. Darwyn approached her and rearranged her blanket that doesn't cover her shoulder.

Liliana murmured something before shifting her position to the other side.

“Hmm...” With a low grumble, he turned his back and head towards the window. The blue hue touched the big figure of Darwyn.

It was dark and cold outside, he couldn't see any lit fire, the only light was the stars and the moon.

Tomorrow, they will leave early, and head to the bandit nest. The village chief said that they were heading in the abandoned fortress in the east.

He had killed people before, the first time he took a person's life was still fresh from his mind.

He felt sorrow and grief and guilt. But what about her? He thought as he glanced at the slumbering wizard girl.

No. He shook his head. Liliana clearly stated that she wanted to come, her resolve shouldn't be ignored just because he wanted to protect her.

The night was still young and Darwyn goes back resting on the floor.

He has to make sure that he has enough sleep to face the bandits tomorrow.

***

The sun hasn't risen yet, but the village was well and awake, including the two adventurers within them. A strong wind passed through the grassy field, whispering as it touched the villagers with coldness.

“C-c-c-cold!” Liliana cried. She rubbed her hands against her shoulder while shivering. Her jaw rattled as she glanced Darwyn, who still shows indifference even with the low temperature.

“Hhmm, it's cold.” He said. You don't look like it. She wanted to retort but the coldness sapped her will. “Drink this to ward of the cold.” He said as he handed her a pouch, containing some weird solution.

“No thanks...” Liliana said while making a tired expression.

the villager called out to them. “Are you really sure about this?”

“Yes.” He said mechanically. His voice bears authority, allowing no objections.

“Haaah... Then just push yourself alright? We tried to fight them once and it didn't end well...” He made a hurtful expression, then quickly changed it.

“Be careful out there, alright?”

“Hmm, we don't plan on dying at least.”

“Hahahaha! That's an adventurer for you!” He said laughing.

The horses let out a small grunt as the two approached them. The supplies they got were mostly hard bread, dried meat, and cheese. Water can be taken out from the rain and boiling it.

They are heading to the east, where the abandoned fortress was located. Liliana climbed the carriage while uttering “Hup!” cutely.

When Darwyn did it, the carriage tilted to his direction. “Whoa!” Liliana was caught by the movement as she rolled over inside.

“Geez, how heavy are you?” She teased him, smirking as she watched him tending the leash of the horses.

“I don't know.” He said, not even looking at her. They left the village as the sun finally show itself. The dazzling sunlight colored the sky violet, stars could still be seen but they were not as bright as they used to be.

Giving a good whip to the horses, they left the village.

Clack clack clack.

It's calm before the storm. She thought. We're going against human this time...

She trembled at the thought she will kill something other than a monster. Liliana crawled on her knees, then rested on Darwyn's wide back.

The anxiety in her heart faded, slowly. “Aren't you scared Darwyn?” Her voice carried a tint of loneliness.

“...I'm not.”

She could feel the armor vibrating through his voice alone. “I see...” She said.

She looked down and find her index finger twirling, making an imaginary circle across the wood.

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“I am scared you know?”

“You don't have to fight this one.”

She chuckled dryly, then closed her eyes. “I already made a decision. And we're a party remember?”

“I see...” He said. He wanted to give her any comforting word, but he couldn't find one.

“Fufufu, you don't have to comfort me, you know?” Perhaps sensing Darwyn's intention, Liliana teased him.

“I'm just scared. But knowing that you will protect me, I can feel at ease somehow.” Finally, her joyous tone returned.

Darwyn did not say anything back and just nodded. The sweet scent of Liliana wafted through his nose, her weight on his back.

“I see.” Soon, the two will stake their lives, but for now, they will spend it leisurely.

***

“AAAAHHH!” A hoarse screech rang through the towering fortress. It was the voice of a woman, begging and pleading for her life.

Chains clung to her wrist, wearing nothing but tattered clothes. Her body was scarred, small cuts and wounds enveloped her body.

A man with leather armor pulled his pants back as he spits to the woman. “This one's no good boss” He complained.

“Aye, even slave merchant wouldn't take that whore.” Then the two burst in laughter. The woman sweeps in silence as she could do nothing. Tears fell down from her cheek.

Her village was raided, plundered. The men were killed while the women were raped. She was the only survivor, friends and family died before her eyes.

The anger and sorrow will never be quenched even when eternity passes by.

“Hhmm? Boss, look at that!” One of the bandits turned his eyes outside the window. A big paladin wearing plate armor and a beautiful young wizard.

“Hohoho! Look at that! Luck is on our side boys!” Their boss said, making an evil expression. When they are about to get tired of their slave, a new one would come and present themselves.

That armor was too big, but it could fetch a high price, and as for the wizard, well, there was no need to say it.

He licked his tongue in delight as he instructed his men to attack the two. They were roughly twenty, and their target was two, what could possibly go wrong.

The bandits shouted in glee as they go downstairs. They resembled children, excited for a meal their mother cooked.

“Finally something to do!”

“I guess stretching bones would be gone once in a while!”

Running outside the fortress, the bandits quickly surrounded the two adventurers.

“Well well! Look what we ha—”

“Aversia, preserver of law. Have mercy on the souls of the innocents, lend us the shield of righteousness. Protection.”

Calling out to his goddess, he cast a Protection on the wizard.

“Being a hero aren't we? It doesn't matter anyway, you can't escape!” The boss shouted.

Without saying anything, the paladin twisted his hips, then with a throwing motion, he let go of his shield. Spinning through the air, whistling along the way as it hit a bandit.

The unlucky bandit could not even let out a cry of agony, as it was dead in an instant.

“Haa... ATTACK! KILL THIS BASTARD!” That was it. They have done it. With them attack all at once, even that strong paladin would not able to do anything about it.

The bandits forced a circle and corner the paladin alone, they could deal with the wizard later.

The paladin, with one cleave, sliced three bandits at once.

“Acre... Acrus... Acid Arrow!” The wizard, holding a bottle of vinegar as her catalyst. When the content of battle emptied, a green arrow formed above her and rained on the bandits.

Destroying armor, melting flesh, dissolving bones. Two bandits ended up dead while several injured.

“Dammit!” They cannot attack the wizard if she was still covered in Protection. They need to take out the paladin fast... But the paladin has no intention of being stopped.

Brandishing his sword, he cut the head of that one bandit who tried to do a sneak attack on him. Then the arrows came, showering the paladin.

It was no use, his armor was too dense to be penetrated. The tactics that they usually used against villagers were useless.

“Retreat!” The boss commanded, to which his subordinates obeyed. Inside the fortress, they have a better geographical advantage.

The paladin soon followed, the wizard accompanying him. “Come and we will kill you!” The boss said. As expected, the two entered the fortress.

Disgusting smiles run across their face. Now, there is no escape!

Then the paladin turned his back, with his shield that he picked up earlier, he smashed the upper part of the stone entrance, causing it to crumble.

The only exit and entrance of the fortress were destroyed. With a cold low voice, the paladin muttered. “No one will escape.”

It was low and yet, it echoed repeatedly.

Darwyn inspected the interior of the building. It was dim and messy. Empty barrels that reeked of alcohol were everywhere.

The table with cards and dies placed was dirty. A normal bandit nest. We walked with sharp steps, Liliana hid behind him with her staff on her chest.

This time, it was very different. She just killed a human a while ago with her spell. I already made my resolve.

But still, it did not her feel any better. It was silent, she could feel her own breathing as she looked around.

Behind the wall, a bandit appeared, with a quick movement, it aimed at Dar—At her! “Kya!” She stumbled down while trying to evade the dagger.

But the blade did not even reach her, the bandit was grabbed at his neck, then lifted and strangled.

“ERHIKSHUOK!” The bandit's feet moved violently, his hands trying to break himself free.

Snap.

A clicking noise, then Darwyn let go of him. The neck of the bandit was bent to the side, his expression ridden with despair and anger.

She gasped, “D-Darwyn...? A-are you alright...?” then stared at him.

“Yes.” A short response. They proceeded quietly. The bandits appeared one by one, trying to attack the two of them, but all died in the same, painful way.

“Pl-please don't kill me—AHAAKHCK!” The injured bandit begged to Darwyn but was met with a shield bashing against him.

His head popped like a balloon, with his brain being the air that burst.

Liliana could no longer watch, as she closed her eyes and shiver every time she heard a cracking bone or a sound of sliced flesh.

Soon they reached the top, as they leave trails of blood. Liliana's face looked pale as she followed Darwyn.

Then, she saw the leader of the group, holding a naked woman as his hostage. His blade threatened the neck of the woman.

“C-come any closer and I will kill her!”

Oh! Oh no! She thought. The state of the woman could barely be called alive, the light from her eyes gone.

She could imagine what type of things that have been done to her.

“...ill..e...” The woman was saying something. “...ill..me... Kill me!”

“Bitch!”

The woman, with the last strength she has, managed to hold down the bandit.

“Phyr... Belditi...! Quick Bolt!” A fast spell was useful for this kind of situation. A weak bolt of lighting stunned the bandit momentarily.

“...” Not missing the chance, Darwyn rushed to the boss bandit, greeting him with a hard punch.

He rolled and bounced several times before coming to a stop, then he was picked by Darwyn, and threw him into the ceiling.

“Guh!” Before he could touch the ground, a piece of metal pierced through his stomach, then was finally allowed to lay on the ground.

“I-I will give—”

With a loud thud, Darwyn's metallic foot stepped into his face, breaking his bone and brain in the process.

“H-hey! Are you hurt!” Liliana run to the woman and hugged her. She's very, very cold.

“It's alright now... You're safe now...” She said as she hugged the woman tightly, transferring her warmth unto her. As Liliana caress her stiffened hair, the woman broke in tears.

“Uwaaa! Mama! Papa!” Liliana's word became the trigger for her to let it all out. The pain and suffering that she experienced were expressed through her wails.

Liliana feels like crying too but she stopped them.

“It's okay, no one will hurt you now...”She said, comforting the woman. Her skin was rough as her lips were brittle. With care, she helped the woman drink through her water pouch.

She gulped everything, then realized what she had done, she utters a heartfelt “Sorry...”

Liliana smiled gently, then said “It's alright. You didn't do anything wrong, there is no need for a sorry,” as she patted her head.

“Now what, Darwyn?”

“We will send the girl to the village.” He said. Then she remembered the face of that particular male villager. I guess it's okay to leave this girl to him.

After going back to the village, the girl was accepted without a problem. Then they left and never come back. Well, that was a shame, for they did not learn afterward that the woman and that villager got married after a couple of years.