The guard observed Aeren with a small smile, visible to both Aeren and Ellie. They understood his expression—he believed he had gained Aeren's trust and that they would follow him blindly, doing whatever he commanded.
Aeren and Ellie easily read him because everything was written on his face, but he had no idea who they truly were.
"Good, I'll remember your words."
The guard took the lead and entered the village. Aeren and Ellie paused momentarily, watching his retreating figure.
"What do you think, brother Aeren? Do you believe he's one of them?"
Aeren kept his eyes on the guard's back before turning to Ellie. "Possibly. Let's follow him and find out."
After replying, he began following the guard. Ellie kept her attention on both Aeren and the guard while sensing their surroundings.
Let's see what happens. I can sense several people watching us—or perhaps just me. Hehe...
Ellie felt excited about being observed and continued following Aeren.
The guard stopped at a hut-like dwelling and turned to Aeren and Ellie with a smile.
"Here, this is my house. Come inside—only my wife and I live here."
Aeren and Ellie examined the hut and felt irritated by his residence. Is this even called a house? Does he think I'm an idiot? Ellie stared at the small hut, unable to comprehend how anyone could call it a home. She had never seen such a tiny dwelling in her life.
All three entered the guard's small hut. Ellie surveyed the interior—four walls enclosed them in a space so cramped they could barely move properly. She examined the hut in disbelief.
How can someone live here? There's no space to sit or stand properly. It looks more like a prison than a house. Did we enter a cell?
Ellie was so shocked by the guard's dwelling that she couldn't believe it qualified as a house. She turned to Aeren and signaled: Brother Aeren, we've entered a prison. Her eyes widened as she gestured frantically.
Aeren noticed Ellie's signals and felt confused, signaling back: What are you talking about? This is quite a spacious house with everything villagers could desire...
From Aeren's perspective, the house contained everything a small noble family might want. He scanned the dwelling and noticed the expensive dining table, costly paintings, ornate stone walls, and generous size for commoners.
The house had multiple rooms where at least ten people could live comfortably.
Ellie thought the house resembled a prison because her single bedroom equaled other noble mansions—even high noble estates—and she had lived in such luxury since birth.
Ellie didn't believe Aeren and patiently waited for the right moment to explain her perspective.
While Aeren and Ellie exchanged signals, someone emerged from one of the rooms. The guard's face brightened as he spoke hurriedly.
"Darling, these are our guests." The guard addressed his wife with enthusiasm, and the woman observed Aeren and Ellie.
She studied them both, her gaze stopping on Ellie just as her husband's had. She did not fall into the same dreamy trance as the guard had.
A small smile appeared on her face as she spoke. "Oh my, you should have informed me before bringing guests."
Both husband and wife began their performance, smiling at each other while Aeren and Ellie watched their drama silently, revealing no emotions.
"I'm sorry, but they looked so pitiful, and the boy doesn't even have proper clothes. I'm a protector of this village—how could I let them die at the hands of monsters or human smugglers?"
The guard spoke with determination like a true leader while continuing to observe Aeren and Ellie. Ellie maintained a blank expression, while Aeren displayed bright eyes, staring at the guard as if he were his role model.
The guard studied both Aeren and Ellie, but they were surprised by Ellie's lack of expression. Their eyes twitched with suspicion about her, but they dismissed their doubts.
"Good, I expect nothing less from my partner." She spoke with a persistent smile, glancing at Aeren and Ellie before continuing. "Let's have dinner together—night has fallen outside."
"Yeeeessss, let's eat! I haven't had food for days!"
Aeren spoke excitedly and loudly, instantly dispelling all awkwardness from the atmosphere. Ellie turned to Aeren, who was clearly enjoying his mission, while she felt despair about being trapped by these people.
Ellie didn't want to speak with either of them and wished to complete their mission quickly.
"Yes, I also haven't eaten for days," Ellie said in a dull voice without expression.
After hearing Ellie, both the guard and his wife smiled awkwardly and nodded. "Sure, I'll prepare it now."
She went to the kitchen while he remained with Aeren and Ellie, spying on them and studying their behavior. He stayed alert about Ellie but considered Aeren an idiot.
Ellie noticed this and felt increasingly frustrated before shouting at Aeren. "Brother, I've had enough! These two clearly look like smugglers. Let's finish this job and return home."
Both Aeren and the man heard Ellie's outburst. The guard's eyes widened in panic, not knowing what to do. Then his gaze shifted to Aeren, and he lunged directly toward him.
But before he could reach Aeren, he found himself on the ground with Aeren's foot pressing against his face.
BAM
"Don't even think of touching me with those filthy hands of yours." Aeren's cold voice sent shivers through the man on the ground.
Aeren turned to Ellie, who was also watching the man on the floor. "See what you did? You destroyed their hard work, Ellie."
Ellie turned her head away from Aeren. "Hmph."
Aeren noticed Ellie's rejection of their plan, and as she turned away, the woman emerged from the kitchen and saw Aeren with her husband on the ground.
"Run away, darling! They've come for us!"
Before she could understand the situation, her husband shouted to warn her. Her expression changed as she locked eyes with Aeren and Ellie, speaking in a cold voice.
"Shut up, pathetic vermin."
Aeren and Ellie heard her icy tone and were shocked by the scene, slightly impressed that she didn't flee immediately.
She glared at Aeren and Ellie with cold eyes as darkness began falling over the room. Everything was swallowed by the shadows, and she merged with the darkness.
Aeren and Ellie observed this without any expression on their faces, showing no reaction to her dark magic. Unable to be seen by either Aeren or Ellie, she moved directly toward Ellie, thinking: How could I lose premium stock like her? I'll just take her and disappear into the night without anyone knowing... heheheheh...
She smiled while fantasizing about the luxurious life and enjoyment she would gain from premium stock like Ellie. She finally closed the distance to Ellie.
She reached out to grab Ellie with her hands, laughing in her mind: HAHAHAHAHA, I'm rich...
She was so blinded by greed that she didn't notice her darkness disappearing as her body froze and began to disintegrate.
Ellie watched her body dissolve into nothing. The man was also shocked by the scene—he had felt hopeful after witnessing her darkness magic, but seeing this, all his hope shattered like her body.
When she disappeared completely, Ellie spoke coldly to the air: "You filth dared to touch me."
"Why did you kill her? Now who will answer our questions? I wanted to repay his kindness, but you killed her. How can I show gratitude for his kindness now?"
Aeren had witnessed the entire scene. He had wanted to kill the man peacefully without torture, but Ellie had eliminated the other culprit, leaving him with only one source of information.
Aeren looked down at him with pity in his eyes. Ellie observed the scene beside Aeren but didn't respond to his comment.