Enri trembled as she held her little sister close, her breathing still unsteady. Her back was bleeding, her simple clothes torn from where a knight's blade had grazed her during their escape. The little girl in her arms clung to her tightly, whimpering softly, her small hands gripping Enri's tattered sleeve.
I crouched down slightly, making sure not to move too suddenly. Despite having just saved them, I knew better than to expect immediate trust.
"Hey, girl," I said, my tone calm but firm. "What's your name?"
She hesitated, her eyes flickering with uncertainty before she swallowed hard. "...Enri. Enri Emmot." She held her sister a little closer. "And this is Nemu, my little sister."
The younger girl peeked up at me, her wide, frightened eyes filled with confusion. "Are… are you a bad guy too?" she whispered.
I blinked. "What? No."
Technically, I am, but currently, I am not.
Enri tensed slightly, still unsure, but I reached into my inventory and pulled out a small vial filled with a shimmering red liquid—a healing potion. I held it out to her.
"Drink this," I said. "It'll help with your wounds."
She hesitated, staring at the potion like it was something foreign, something too valuable for a mere village girl like her to accept.
"I… I can't—"
"You can," I interrupted, pressing it gently into her hand. "And you will. Drink."
Her lips parted slightly, but she must have sensed that arguing with me wouldn't do her any good. Carefully, she uncorked the vial and took a small sip.
The effect was immediate. The gash on her back began to close, the pain in her expression melting away into relief. She blinked in shock, bringing a trembling hand to her back as if to confirm the wound was truly gone.
"This is… incredible," she murmured.
I simply shrugged. "Basic healing potion."
Enri clutched the now-empty vial in her hands, as if unable to believe she had just been given something so precious. She looked back up at me, her expression a mix of gratitude and lingering fear.
"Th-Thank you…" she said softly.
"Don't mention it." I stood up and stretched slightly before glancing around. "Now, tell me, where is your village?"
At the mention of her home, a look of panic flashed across her face. She turned her head, pointing with a shaking hand toward the distance. "It's… it's over there! The knights—there are still more of them! They're attacking my village right now!"
My gaze followed where she pointed, my eyes narrowing slightly. Smoke was beginning to rise from beyond the tree line. I could already hear the distant sound of screams.
I smirked.
"Perfect."
Enri looked at me in shock. "P-Perfect?!"
I turned to Demiurge and Solution, who had been watching the interaction in silence.
"I was just about to start my training," I said casually. "And what better way to warm up than cutting down some knights?"
Demiurge adjusted his glasses, a small smile forming on his lips. "A most practical decision, my lord. Though I must say, the poor fools in the village are quite unfortunate to be in the path of your 'warm-up.'"
Solution giggled, her eyes flashing with amusement. "Shall I assist in the hunt, my lord?"
I shook my head. "No need. This is just for me. You two can observe—or do whatever you want in the meantime."
Enri took a step forward, her hands clutching her skirt. "P-Please… if you're going to the village, can you help the others?"
I met her desperate gaze. She was still afraid, still unsure of who I really was, but she had nowhere else to turn.
I let out a small sigh and cracked my neck. "Sure," I said, rolling my shoulders. "I'll help. Not because I care about the village, but because those knights just made themselves my training dummies."
Without waiting for a response, I opened my hand.
"Gate."
A swirling black portal appeared in front of me, leading straight toward the burning village. The scent of smoke and blood wafted through, mixing with the cries of the desperate.
Enri stared at the portal in shock. "What—?"
I stepped forward. "Stay here and protect your sister. This will be over soon."
And with that, I walked through, stepping into the chaos beyond.
~~~
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