Everyone glanced at the boy with some amount of pity and their lieutenant now visibly looked better and a little ashamed by his own thought but hearing they weren't in any immediate danger for the time being did give him a peaceful mind.

'This bandits were simply lawless, now I had to see another bright and innocent soul suffer hardships and live a horrible life' Lieutenant thought to himself.

He wished they had some means to protect themselves and get rid off these parts for good but they can't offer to offend any bandits as some remote town guard.

" Kid, should have said this first instead of giving us quite a scare" Lieutenant grumbled as he noticed the heavy silence pretending to be mildly annoyed.

" How long has it been…uh I mean how many hours passed since you got separated from your father and grandpa? You should have known the approximate time right? " he continued as he stared at the boy he was wondering whether such a secret route exists.

"Lieutenant, please allow me to handle this matter will you?" The stocky man said felt that his lieutenant was a little insensitive today 'asking the kid this bluntly' he shook his head glancing at the still sobbing kid then sighed resignedly.

He then turned to the kid also wondering whether the kid know or remember the time, he sized up the kid with peculiar eyes ' The kid was lucky enough to survive the forest alone so it's likely he doesn't go that deep and encountered any dangerous enough beasts'

Now that I thought about it he doesn't seem to be in the forest more than half a day… but I couldn't recall any merchandise roadway nearby calculating information if that's true…could it be some undocumented path ' he frowned.

"Child you have to give us some useful information to look for your family ….try to remember what you have seen along the way this might help us locate your family quickly " Kent interjected " If you can guide us there it could be even better" 'which I highly doubting ' He added in his heart after all even he doubted himself a capable scout might lose his way in the forest if he goes little deeper and truly from time to time he lost on his occasional patrol muchless this small kid.

" Perhaps you remember what you have been seen when you are inside the forest like say certain eye catching things that was easy to notice like…. a mountain, Some small ponds or a stream we can guess where it was or if we come across in our patrol and importantly we can determine which bandit group likely active in that specific area"

The boy stopped with his sobbing during this time as his face scrunched in concentration. He could tell this will help them quickly locate his father and grandpa Will it's just that he forgot most of what he seen on the way the poor kid struggle to find something to noteworthy " Th-there was indeed a small stream on the halfway path which I have been following here …and I have noticed a herd of big pretty deers with blue furs"

Apparently he didn't know how to bring them there to begin with. He twisted his hands as he raked his brain for something useful and easy to make an impression on anyone " Ah… I also saw these three huge spotted cats playing in the distance and along the way and a few small ponds and an enormous tree with tiny purple fruits… it's very tasty!"

The expressions of the guards turned more and more somber as they heard the child's narration. ' Was there really such a place in the forest? ' They looked at one another including lieutenant who awkwardly look at one of the guards " Tillip, did you recognize any of this places was there really this big tree exist it looks like easy to find"

" Sorry, I don't remember seeing anything like that " the guard shook his head with bewilderment. Unlike most guards here he was a local from red oak town and had often ventured into the forest with his hunter friends or fellow townsfolk could be said he knew this part of forest but also stumped by the landmarks just like this.

' What big tree and huge spotted cats? What was this kid blabbering about was he dreamed all of this last night or something? '

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He then thought of something, his eyes widened but quickly schooled his face as he carefully sized up the kid a little more but refrained from saying anything he had to carefully remember the details before saying anything to his lieutenant or it would be him receiving scolding unjustly.

The stocky man talks to another local guard in a low voice who also shakes his head as the guard seems to feel his eyes and throw a helpless look at Tillip. The other one wasn't that adventurous enough to wander in the forest foolishly ' There was a ferocious wolf pack territory nearby for God sake '

"Look at the tiredness on this kid's face" Lieutenant spoke all of sudden as he concernedly crouched near the kid examining the scratches on the kid's body " Tillip take this kid to town feed him and make sure to clean him up before send him to physician I'll go look for him latter"

He instructed sternly, " He definitely needs some rest, poor child might have been frightened in the forest were you?" he asked the kid in soft tone

"Yes!" Tillip salutes then motioned for the boy to follow him only to see the kid blankly looking at them as if he didn't understand his gesture or lieutenant's words. He lightly called out frowning " Kid? Why are you not following me? Let's get your wounds treated or you are going to crash"

" B-but… Can you soldiers really bring back my father and grandpa to me?" he sharply asked once again.

Feeling helpless Tillip nodded his head almost lazily " Sure! Now could you follow me, I'll help you get your wounds treated…maybe a warm bath and Food what do you think?"

The strong determination on the kid's face started to waver at the mention of food and along with the ache in his stomach he wouldn't deny his hunger. The kid nodded and started to follow behind him wordlessly despite eating wild berries in the forest. He couldn't quench his hunger and felt like his stomach got stuck with his back. Even drinking water gives him some pain.

The guards all sighed in relief as they watched him walking towards the red oak town with one of their men. Everyone guessed what might have happened to the kid's family if what they understood rightly besides they can't even tell exactly which gang it was responsible from the kid's information.

It could be said the forest was literally with these bandit groups. Almost dozens of bandits groups active in the vicinity like them and the surrounding half a dozen towns suffer the same fate from this bandits ambush every year yet they could do nothing.

When the patrol came the bandits ran away to hide in some caves or forest even if the town merchants bribed the patrol officers all they did was capture some small bandit gangs and execute them while putting up a show.

The merchants weren't stupid and their sharp minds analyzing the situation wouldn't waste their limited wealth on this pony show. They just focus on maintaining their business, at least the patrol team is willing to escort their caravan every few months.

" Phew, I…Ahem for a second I was alarmed by the kid's arrival assuming he might have been followed by these bandits" the lieutenant commented to the stocky guard near him only to be embarrassed by the impassive look and notice the subtle smiles on his men he became furious.

He pointed his fingers at the guards and scolded them "I was really disappointed in you all, how come you all relax don't you see this might have some trap!" his face was flushed in anger as he berated them.

" He might have caused a catastrophe in our little town… Did you think of the problem in this? " His eyes were wide as he stared at everyone with hawk-like eyes.

"You two?" he pointed at Kent and Len who was pretending to be regretful of his berating jump and had a sinking feeling in their hearts "You guys actually dare to come out even without taking a weapon or wearing armors what were you thinking?"

The two become speechless and try to explain him but cut off " sir-"

" Be quiet, don't Interrupt me…. What is the use of excuses huh? Does this help you from escaping death's grasp?" he glared at them more fiercely than before.

"Learn to take responsibility of your action, the dog was barking without pause there is forest nearby the two of you at least thought about getting more help ready to face them " his eyes glanced at everyone and then went back to the two "It could be some wild animal or that wolf pack can't you be little more sensible?"

The two sighted to themselves quite resignedly Kevin even wondered why he didn't think of slipping this 'Sigh There is the chance of escorting the kid to town I could be spared from this ' and suddenly alarmed by the yell.

"Brat, did you just click your damn tongue at me?" a incredulous yell heard ' Damn did I do that, I'm done for '

" I see?.... It looks like I have been too soft on your training lately wasn't I hmm!? How about this from today onwards you guys would do double the training if you guys don't finished it before lunch then you don't have to eat lunch"

" As for you brat, you have to clean up the stable until I say otherwise. Got it? Hmph!" He walked back to the building and turned a deaf ear to the guard's plea.

" Damn Hell! " Kent shouted not caring about his manners and lunged at Len who was looking at him with pity and relief.

*Whish* * Ka-pow, Pow * "Ouch, Arg- umpf "

*Pow Pow pow*

"Stop you two! STOP IT YOU TWO B*******"

__ __ __ __

Unknown about the commotion back at the post or he was also implicated in this, Tillip brought the kid to his town who had the look of curiosity and apprehension in his face.

Of course it doesn't mean he hasn't seen a town of this level but the peaceful atmosphere and the beauty of red oak trees awed him for a second which is very different from what he used to from their city life.

' Huh what's with his reaction? Could it be that he was still worried about his family? Might be ' Not knowing anything Tillip on the other hand thought to himself and then suddenly called out the kid.

" Hey kid, What's your name again?"