* * * Gunnar's POV

Its voice grew closer. "Come here if you dare!" I shouted.

Unexpectedly, a little girl appeared, running toward us with tears streaming down her face. She repeated softly and continuously, "Kaelan! Please help him!"

I immediately lowered my sword, my gaze fixed on the injured little girl's legs.

"Elara!" I called out.

Elara quickly understood what needed to be done. She began to heal the girl's wounds.

Instantly, the little girl stopped crying, her face filled with amazement. But she started crying again, saying, "Please, Kaelan! Kaelan is in danger!"

Elara asked, "Where is he?"

The little girl tried to point in the direction with trembling fingers, but her pointing kept changing, leaving us confused.

Elara then said, "Calm down for a moment; I will track him."

Elara took the little girl's hand. "Pálin, sý ei alēthḗs, deixe tḗn paroúsian sou phōtizómenos."

As the magic mantra was spoken, the shadow of the little girl's past memories unfolded before us as a trace to follow.

Elara immediately ran, following the trail. "Quick, Gunnar! The effect of this magic won't last long."

I carried the little girl, and I ran after Elara, following the shadow.

We had been running for nearly eight minutes, following the shadow relentlessly. Gradually, the trace's shadow became fainter, and shortly after, the trace's shadow disappeared.

We came to a halt. Elara looked busy, as if she were concentrating on something.

"Elara, can you still use the magic from earlier?" I asked.

"Quiet for a moment," Elara whispered.

Silence ensued for a few seconds, then Elara's voice broke the quiet. "We're very close now; I can hear it." Then she began to walk.

We started walking again, and the sound of someone laughing became clearer.

Finally, we arrived in an open space in the middle of the forest. The moonlight illuminated the gaps between the trees, revealing what was in front of us.

There were two conspicuous figures at the far end, each wielding their weapons, an axe and a shield. They seemed to be stomping on a dying young man.

The little girl I was carrying screamed, "Kaelan!"

The two marauders suddenly shifted their attention to us.

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I immediately put down the little girl, getting ready to fight. Before they fully realized our presence, I ran forward, swinging my sword.

The first attack was blocked by the marauder's shield. I kicked his shield, causing his defense to open wide, and then I slashed his stomach.

The other marauder swung his axe at me with a growl, his shout echoing around us. "Djöfull, ég mun drepa þig!" Northern language?

I managed to parry his attack, causing the axe to collide with the hilt of my sword. The force of his attack made my hand tremble. Then I took a few steps back to maintain distance.

Followed by Elara's magic attack, the force of her attack struck precisely, crushing the head of the marauder.

From the marauder language, it seemed they were from the northern region.

As I looked at the young man, his condition was dire. Almost every part of his body was severely wounded, his face battered and covered in blood, and he was just waiting for death to take him.

"He's still breathing," Elara said seriously.

Behind Elara, the little girl approached, hugging her tightly while crying. Sometimes, children could be so troublesome.

With tearful eyes, the little girl said, "Please heal him like you did to me earlier, please save Kaelan!"

Elara, of course, complied with the little girl's request. However, her efforts could only heal surface wounds, while the young man had internal injuries.

The young man suddenly muttered with a hoarse and almost inaudible voice. "Ah, mother, father... I can see your faces so clearly."

"I miss you both so much; there are so many things I wanted to tell you." He continued.

I took the initiative to draw my sword. "Step aside, Elara, he wants death. Let me give him a swift one."

The little girl was shocked by what I said and fell limp.

As I was about to strike, my movement was halted by the muttering of the young man. "If only I were given another chance. I would try..." Although his voice faded with the wind, his lip movements continued the message.

I changed my mind, so I sheathed my sword again.

"Go ahead, Elara," I said, stepping aside.

Elara responded, "But his lifespan will be shortened by about two or three decades; I doubt he really wants it."

"Whatever the consequences, do it. Besides, a man's life never lasts long in this world." Yes, they are born, they fight, they engage in wars, and eventually, they die. Only a few of them can find peace to the end of their lives, and this young man doesn't seem to be among them.

"Alright," Elara finally agreed.

Elara began to recite her magic mantra. "O antistratiōn thanatou, epistrepsate ta petomena psychēs, anazēsate."

A golden light enveloped the young man for a moment, as if giving time for the magic's energy to fully soak in.

"Are you finished?" I asked Elara.

The little girl also asked, "Is Kaelan okay?"

Elara stood up and said, "Yes, hopefully. Take this young man, Gunnar."

I picked up this young man named Kaelan.

Elara held the little girl's hand and asked, "What's your name?"

"Runa."

"We won't stay the night; I don't want them to attack us in our sleep," I said as I walked.

Then, we headed to the city of Artelo in the dark of the day.

The city of Artelo came into view from a distance, as the sun rose.

Upon arriving in the city, we went straight to our inn, where we saw Draven waiting at the inn's entrance, covering his eyes.

As we approached, Draven noticed our presence.

His gaze then shifted to the young man I was carrying, prompting him to ask, "Who is he?"

"He's Kaelan, a somewhat fortunate young man," I replied.

Then, his attention shifted to Runa, and he asked again, "And who is the young girl?"

"Listen, Draven. They are both victims of a raid. Stop with your questions; we're tired."

Elara also commented, "Have you reported it?"

"Yes, I have reported it. There have been many similar reports from the surrounding villages."

"Does that mean it's not just from Relm Village?" I asked.

"That's correct; it seems to be part of a larger attack."

"So, what action will the rulers take?" Elara inquired.

"They are currently gathering troops, organizing them this morning, and forming several other groups. They have also invited our group to join."

Both Elara and I asked simultaneously, "What are they offering?" "When will they start the attack?"

Draven answered our questions, explaining that the attack would begin tomorrow, and each individual would be given 22 Edoria gold coins.

"We can't miss this opportunity," I said.