Chapter 14 - A New Step
The bandits who attacked the village had committed every atrocity imaginable.
I severely injured them but deliberately didn't kill them. Putting them out of their misery would have been an act of kindness, but they don't deserve it. Even as an outsider to this village, I'm boiling with rage.
One of the villagers noticed that some of the bandits were still alive.
"You've got to be kidding... Hey, everyone! This one's still breathing!"
"What!?"
"This one too, the bastard!"
"He's the one who wronged those people!"
The news spread quickly. I expected this to happen.
If the villagers want revenge, they are free to take it. I didn't expect it, but for some, it might be necessary.
The young woman I had been with noticed and, with a sudden change from her dazed state, walked over with a fierce expression.
Villagers who had been hiding began to emerge, looking dazed or crying, and some sought revenge in their anger.
Amid this chaos, a strong and composed mother looked at me.
"What?"
"Thank you for your help."
She began to speak, and I listened.
Her name is Sophie, and her husband had passed away long ago. She is a widow.
She had been raped by the bandits, and her house had been burned down.
It's a tragic story. With a small child in tow, what will she do now?
Thinking about giving her some money, I was interrupted when the young woman returned with a slightly more composed expression.
Had she taken her revenge? It might not have healed her emotional wounds, but if it gave her a reason to move forward, that's something.
Looking to the side, I saw the grieving knight still sitting on the ground.
She had been crying non-stop and would need time to recover. But suddenly, she looked up. Perhaps because she was a professional soldier, she was able to recover quickly.
She stood up and approached me.
"I am deeply grateful for your assistance! My name is Siegrune, a former knight. And for avenging my comrades... Thank you so much."
She expressed her gratitude with a loud voice, as if to clear her mind.
"If you hadn't fought so hard, it would have been much worse. Hold your head high. But first, what about the bodies of the fallen villagers?"
I might have been a bit harsh. However, I don't coddle people I've just met. I'll help a little, but that's it.
Siegrune didn't need comforting. She seemed like a strong person.
"Right. I should start preparing for the funeral."
Siegrune began to gather the bodies of the fallen villagers into the town square. Other villagers, seeing that they couldn't stay like this forever, also started to help.
With the number of dead not being too high, it shouldn't take long to gather and prepare for the burial.
Siegrune took charge, and the preparations proceeded smoothly.
As outsiders, we couldn't intrude on the villagers' funeral preparations.
Instead, we helped bury the bandits' bodies outside the village.
By the time we finished, it was already night.
It's a bit late, but it couldn't be helped.
With the immediate threat gone, I thought it was time to leave. Just as I was about to discuss this with Angelina and Valeria, some of the village women approached. Among them were the mother and daughter, the young woman, and Shelby.
"We want to thank you again. Our survival is thanks to you. We are grateful. If there's anything we can do, please let us know. And if you don't mind, could you take us with you? We won't be a burden. We want to repay your kindness. Please, I beg you."
The women, including the knight, Siegrune, looked at me earnestly.
Hmm, repaying kindness. Honestly, I don't need it. Did I show it on my face? Siegrune smiled wryly.
"The truth is, we have nowhere to go. Our homes were burned down, and the village is in ruins. Sophie, Sarah, and Mary are women with no place to go."
It's a typical example of the low social status of women. If they stay here, they won't have a bright future.
Well, everyone has the freedom to go where they want.
"You're welcome to come with us, but I can't take responsibility for you."
"I understand. I'm a former knight, so I can take care of myself. As for Sarah, Sophie, and Mary, they can take care of themselves too. We won't be a burden. We want to repay your kindness."
"It's not like we have any obligation to you, but please, I beg you. Even if it's just to a town or village."
Shelby added her plea, supporting Siegrune.
They just don't want to stay in the village. In the worst case, they might be sold to rebuild the village.