volume 2 - Chapter 144 (1/2)

Volume 2 Chapter 144 – Warm words of hope (6)

The bodies of the dead were covered with a layer of leaves, and were lined up in the village’s square in front of G.o.ddess Nia’s statue. A crowd observed in silence while an elderly priest performed a rite for the dead.

The difficulty of life had become part of Senia’s citizens dating from a few centuries back. The weak race was powerless to resist the forces around them, and they could only choose to retreat further into the dark forest. Cold, hunger and monstrous creatures greeted them and brought about the threat of death everyday.

Everyone looked to the oldest elder amongst them, one whom they regarded as the most experienced in life and the best leader they could have in trying times. The leaders had always managed to lead the citizens of Senia out of difficult situations in history. However, their wise elder was now hunched in defeat with melancholic eyes.

The old man leaned against the cane in his hand, with each wrinkle in his face seemingly casting a dark shadow over him. His sigh of lament was just loud enough for the dark-skinned middle-aged man with a short beard beside him to walk off with a huff.

“Uncle Brynjar, where are you going?” A tall youth beside the old man immediately yelled after him.

“I’m going to take Sifrid back by force!”

“Please calm down!” The youth urged: “Uncle Brynjar, what can you possibly do by yourself? Are you trying to head to your death?”

“I promised Sa.s.sa to take care of her….. Even if I’m heading to my death I still have to go and rescue her!” The middle-aged man was stubborn.

But he also knew that it was a remark made out of anger. He turned away with clenched fists, and every muscle on his body was taut with anger.

“Byrnjar, restrain yourself,” The elderly leader finally spoke, and sighed: “Sa.s.sa is my daughter. Sifrid is also my granddaughter. I am just as upset as you are….. Once the winter is over, we’re moving to the forest.”

“And what about Sifrid? How about the others? Are we not going to take revenge?” He whirled around to the elderly man with bloodshot eyes.

The villagers were silent with bowed heads.

He scoffed at them and left. The elderly leader sighed deeply again as he looked at Brynjar’s back. He knew that the latter was not going to find the n.o.bles and seek revenge. None of the male villages would turn their backs for the greater good of this tribe. It was their responsibility.

However, Brynjar’s departure still caused a deafening silence amongst the gathered crowd. There was nothing they could really do. Their greatest warrior was a mere Silver-ranked brawler, and one man was no match for the army of the terrifying Baron Graudin.

The silence did not last for long as the priest started his ritual rites again but was soon interrupted by a man running in with clumsy footsteps—

It was Ulf who was in charge of guarding the outer areas of the village.

The crowd tensed up when they recognized him, wondering if the vicious soldiers were back to attack them again. They already took Sifrid, were they back for more of them?

“Ulf, what’s wrong?” The old man said when the panting Ulf stopped in front of him. Even though he maintained his calm demeanor for the sake of his tribe, his fingers gripped his cane tightly to the point it was trembling slightly.

“S-Sifrid…… She’s……” Ulf’s words came in breaks as he forced air into his lungs. His pale face looked as though he saw a ghost.

“Sifrid?” The elderly leader’s expression turned grim and immediately demanded for an answer: “What happened to her?”

“She has been rescued……”

“What?”

=========== Brendel’s POV =============

The news of the little girl being rescued were quickly spread throughout the village.

But Brendel felt a little awkward from the villagers’ treatment.

He did not expect them to give him a cold shoulder. Even though he didn’t hope to get grat.i.tude, he did save the little girl after all. The gazes that he received from them were of suspicion and fear. They felt such eyes upon them at every moment ever since he and his men arrived in the village.

The man named Ulf returned to receive them and brought them to the biggest house in the village. He explained to them the Elder was going to come over very soon, and cast a complicated and nervous glance at them before he left the house and shut the doors.

Once he left, the Grey Wolves Mercenaries were the first to be vocal about their discontent.

“They are insulting us with their att.i.tudes!”

“Indeed, we should not have come here if this is supposed to be our treatment.”

“There’s no reasoning with these barbarians!”

They complained bitterly but they did not go overboard with their words. Their lord had already stated that their original destination was this village. However, they did not understand why they were here in this remote area, and glanced at Brendel with puzzled looks from time to time. Even Amandina did the same thing, but with the addition of resentment in her eyes.

Brendel had a wry smile.

“You would feel much more better if you are less biased to them.” The youth sighed and had no choice but try and soothe them.