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Chapter 16 - A Chieftain's Pride

Step by step, a sliver of light at the edge of the woods appeared like a gateway. The forest finally released its grip. The darkness that had been their companion for so long was replaced by a wide, open horizon. At the foot of a valley, as if protected by the arms of the rolling hills, a small, living village was nestled between the gentle slopes. From a distance, the wooden houses looked like scattered toys on a great green cloth.

"Look, Rian, the village is in sight! Is that the Cikubangsari village you mentioned? Do the lion-kin and other beast-folk live there?" Catty asked, her head turning from Rian to RQ.

"Yes, that's it," RQ confirmed, her voice heavy. "But some of the villagers have already evacuated. Half of them chose to stay behind and defend their homes."

A wave of relief washed over Rian. Finally, he could see proper houses. For so long in the forest, all he had known were caves, and the one home he found was carved from a tree. As they drew closer, a wooden fence encircling the village came into view, and they passed through its simple gate.

The signs of the recent monster attack were evident. Some houses stood empty and abandoned, while others were in the middle of being repaired. RQ led them to the chief's house, where they were warmly greeted by her parents. Her father, the chieftain, was a formidable figure, with a strong, muscular build and a proud mane of hair framing his lion-like head. In contrast, RQ's mother looked almost entirely human, save for a long tail and ears that were distinctly leonine.

RQ's mother welcomed Rian and Catty inside to rest. But as they were shown to their room, they could hear a tense discussion break out between RQ and her parents.

RQ recounted what had happened in the forest, her voice urgent as she advised a full evacuation. She insisted a massive horde of wolf monsters was on its way. But her father flatly rejected the idea, his voice booming with pride. He spoke of the village's ancestral legacy, declaring he would rather die there than surrender it without a fight.

Hearing this, RQ's mother vowed to stay by her husband's side until the very end, urging her daughter to flee with the remaining villagers. RQ stood frozen, refusing to accept that she would lose her parents, refusing to abandon them. The argument grew heated, a desperate push and pull of pleas to stay or to go.

Having heard enough, Rian descended the stairs from his guest room and approached them. "There is a possibility that five hundred monsters will ambush this village," Rian stated, his voice calm but firm. "Mother, Father, RQ… are you truly insisting on staying when the chance of survival is a guaranteed zero percent?"

The chieftain puffed out his chest, his powerful frame seeming to grow even larger. "Even if there is no chance, I will stay. I will never abandon this village," he declared.

"What about you, RQ?" Rian asked, turning to her.

"I will stay. I will follow my parents," she replied, though the fear was plain on her face.

Rian thought of his vow to Catty, his promise to protect all feline-kin, but he kept it to himself. He would help them, but first, he needed to see their resolve.

"Very well," Rian said, his tone turning cold and distant. "Since our destination is the city of Kuningan in the Fulakmi kingdom, for our own safety, we will continue our journey after we have rested."

"If they ask for my help," Rian thought to himself, "I might ask for a reward, just to test the strength of their will to protect this village. I'm a stranger to them. It would be odd if I suddenly offered to help for nothing. But even if they don't ask, I will still help them with my life. A promise is a promise, whether I can win this fight or not."

RQ, remembering Rian's incredible power, saw a glimmer of hope. Just as Rian had predicted, she called out to him as he was about to head back to his room.

"Sir Rian! Will you help our village? Will you save us?"

Rian turned, only to see her father scolding her.

"Why would you involve an outsider in our village's affairs?" the chief snapped at his daughter.

"Because I don't want to lose you! That is my only reason," RQ cried, tears welling in her eyes.

"I don't know if that man is telling the truth about five hundred monsters. He could be lying," the chief said, pointing a finger at Rian. "And I don't know what kind of skill he has, if it's even useful in battle. It is better that they do not interfere and save their own lives."

"He's right, RQ," Rian said, his voice flat, playing along. "I cannot confirm if the five hundred monsters will truly come here or not. And it's also true that my skill is not meant for combat. It's just a Storage that can hold items, it can't even store living beings."

Unwilling to accept the death of her parents, RQ approached Rian. Believing he was her only hope, she fell to her knees before him.

"Please, sir, help this village," she begged, her voice breaking with sobs. "I will give you anything you desire that is within my power. Even my body and soul, I will give them to you if you succeed in saving this village."

"ENOUGH, RQ!" the chieftain roared, his face flushed with anger. "Do not involve others for our sake! His unique skill is useless for defending this village. Stop destroying your father's pride! It will only be a meaningless waste of lives."

"Listen to your father, RQ," Rian said coldly. "I cannot help you. I'm sorry." He turned and walked back toward the room to wake Catty, preparing to leave.

RQ could only remain on the floor, weeping as she accepted the bitter reality she now faced.

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