章 17: The Village
General POV
The company of fifty men rode swiftly across the grassy plains on their horses, their figures robust and athletic. Among them, one man stood out, radiating an aura of exceptional physical prowess even beneath his breastplate.
This remarkable individual, Gazef Stronoff, was the renowned Warrior-Captain of the Re-Estize Kingdom, a man who bore the duties and responsibilities of his position with the strength of character and body. His tanned face, etched with wrinkles from the sun, and neatly trimmed black hair spoke of years spent in the field.
Beside him, a companion remarked, "Warrior-Captain, we're almost at the first village on our patrol route."
Gazef acknowledged his words with a curt, "Ah, yes, Vice-Captain."
The tension in the air was palpable as they neared their destination. Their orders from the King were clear: eliminate any Imperial knights spotted at the border.
Normally, troops from the nearby city of E-Rantel would handle such matters, but the Imperial knights posed a formidable threat that only Gazef and his men could match. Despite this, entrusting the entire task to them alone was a reckless move.
As they continued, their conversation turned to the nobles' involvement in the matter. The Vice-Captain voiced his frustration at the nobles' manipulation of power and their disregard for human lives.
Gazef, aware of the situation, kept his thoughts to himself. However, his mind churned with anger and conflict over the nobles' actions.
Their dialogue shifted to the ongoing events. Suddenly, thick black smoke billowed in the distance, rising ominously over a small hill.
Gazef's heart quickened as he urged his horse forward. The Vice-Captain expressed his concern, and Gazef shared his unease.
The King's orders were to eliminate Imperial knights, but the timing of the attack on the village seemed suspiciously close to their arrival. Gazef suspected foul play by the nobles, who saw this as an opportunity to undermine the King's authority.
As they approached the village, the horrifying scene came into view. The village had been razed to the ground, and only charred remains remained. The stench of blood and burning filled the air. Gazef remained composed, but his expression revealed the turmoil within.
Determined to rescue the survivors, Gazef ordered the Vice-Captain to escort them to E-Rantel. The Vice-Captain, aware of the risk, hesitated but complied.
However, Gazef was resolute. He believed in protecting the weak and showing the villagers the strength of those who would risk danger to save others.
Their eyes met, conveying a multitude of unspoken emotions. The Vice-Captain accepted his role, knowing the value of Gazef's life.
With their mission clear, the Vice-Captain would lead the men to escort the villagers to safety, while Gazef would face the Imperial knights head-on.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Gazef and his men, equipped with powerful magical gear, prepared to confront the enemy.
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In a desperate race against time, Enri and her little sister Nemu fled through the outskirts of the village, their lives hanging by a thread. Behind them, a relentless knight clad in heavy armor pursued them, the rhythmic clanking of his metal-covered steps serving as a grim reminder of their grave situation.
Enri's heart pounded in her chest, and she could feel exhaustion gnawing at her body. Her legs trembled, and every breath she took was making her exhaust. But the weight of her sister's hand in hers was a lifeline that fueled her determination. Enri couldn't afford to stop; she had to keep running, for her own sake and, more importantly, for Nemu's.
With every glance she stole behind her, Enri saw that the gap between her and the armored pursuer remained unchanged. The knight's relentless pursuit demonstrated the vast divide between their abilities. Yet, the unbreakable bond between the sisters kept Enri going.
Doubts and self-critical thoughts plagued Enri's mind, urging her to abandon her sister and save herself. But she fiercely silenced these inner voices, for she knew the true strength of their sisterly bond. Enri couldn't bear to betray the trust Nemu had in her, the belief that her big sister would protect her.
Amidst the relentless chase, Enri's mind echoed with haunting thoughts:
—"Let her go."
—"Perhaps you could escape by yourself."
—"Do you want to die here?"
—"It might be safer if you split up."
With determination, she shouted at herself, fighting back these treacherous notions. Enri was painfully aware of the solemn responsibility she held as an older sister. She couldn't let her sister down, not now, not ever.
Her stamina dwindling, Enri pushed her body to its limits, but Nemu's exhaustion was evident too. She stumbled and almost fell, a clear sign that they were reaching their limits. Enri's heart ached for her sister, but there was no time to rest.
The pursuing knight drew closer, his armored form casting a long shadow over their desperate flight. The grim reality of their situation loomed larger with every passing second.
Then, a dark realization settled in. Enri felt the searing heat on her back—a painful consequence of her bold attempt to defy their pursuer. She had bought them a moment of respite, but it had come at a heavy price.
With the knight closing in for a final, lethal strike, Enri couldn't help but feel fear and despair gripping her. She understood that her life was about to end, and she was powerless to change that.
But one thought gave her strength—the unbreakable bond between sisters. Enri glanced at Nemu and knew she couldn't abandon her. Even in her darkest moment, she found the strength to protect her sister.
As the knight's sword swung down, time seemed to slow to a crawl. Enri's mind raced, searching for a way to survive, but she found none. All she could do was offer herself as a shield, a desperate attempt to grant Nemu a chance to escape.
With a painful smile on her lips, Enri readied herself to endure the inevitable, to hold on until the very end. Her life was a small sacrifice compared to her sister's chance at survival. In this final act of sisterly love, Enri would bet everything, even her own life.
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