
The next day...
The chirping of birds sounded melodious, interspersed with the sound of gentle breeze. The orange leaves began to fall like a beautiful reddish rain. Autumn is in sight.
If we look at the moment where we stand now, we must have forgotten that a day ago there was a vile bloodbath. But all has passed, and the time continues to look ahead.
Michael, Riana, and Katherine walked towards the exit of the village to the south. Today is their farewell day. Katherine will go on her way.
Along the way, passersby greeted them. The people seem to be very busy. Looks like they are about to repair the damage caused by yesterday's incident.
"Katherine-san, why don't you stay overnight again?" Riana said with both hands pushing on Michael's wheelchair.
Riana smiled as she replied. "I actually want to. But there is still a journey I must continue."
Michael raised his face, looking at Katherine. "What does that have to do with the Demon King?" Michael said guess.
Katherine nodded. "A few days ago, I heard news of a strange undead activity in Steinfen" he said. "Gossip circulating says that the number of undead roaming slightly increased. Plus, many strange undead figures have unique abilities. I'm sure this is the Devil King."
"unique abilities? To my knowledge, Elder Lich and some types of top-tier undead do possess certain abilities. But if what you're talking about is undead kroco, then something is happening" Michael replied.
Katherine sighed. "I don't know what he's planning with those rotten creatures. But I just want to tell you to be vigilant. We don't know if something similar will happen again."
After walking for quite a while, and a few good-bye greetings from the passing citizens, the three of them arrived at the exit of the village. Not far away, the mouth of the forest could be seen clearly.
"So we're parting ways here" said Katherine as she gazed towards the lush forest. The leaves began to fall off and drift amidst the wind. Provides an epic farewell feel.
Then he turned to look at the two of them. "I wish I could spend more time here. The village is very comfortable and friendly."
"Then you can visit next time" said Riana with a big smile on her face.
"Yes, I'll stop by sometime."
"Then, are you going straight to Steinfen?" Ask Michael.
"really. Most of the activities that took place were centered on Steinfen. I suspect there is something important to the Devil King's plan" replied Katherine.
"so yeah. It's weird that I'm saying this, but..." Michael paused for a moment. Then, "Be careful."
Seeing Michael's expression, Katherine gave a small laugh. "What the fuck is your look."
"I'm not used to saying that! I usually say: 'See you in the afterlife!' when I parted with my army. I'm not used to talking to the devil."
"Yes yes. Get used to it first" Katherine replied with a laugh. "Riana-chan, take care of this knight of yours. From now on, you're his protector."
Riana's eyes glowed. "Good!" Speak with enthusiasm.
Katherine waved her hand as she walked into the forest. Riana returned a wave of her hand, while Michael just stared at her away in silence. Katherine disappeared in the shadows of the trees until finally escaped from the sight of the two of them.
The wind started blowing a little. Clouds began to gather covering some of the sunlight. The leaves also began to fly, adorning their view.
"The wind is starting to tighten. How about we go back?" Riana said to Michael, who was then followed by a nod.
The two of them walked back to the village and arrived at Riana's house.
"Is your brother not there?" Michael asked, looking to the left.
Riana placed a cup of tea in front of Michael. "none. He was out on patrol as usual."
"That's it," said Michael, sipping a little of his tea.
From the wheelchair, he saw Riana who was busy working. He swept the floor, cleaned the parabotan, to wash clothes.
All this with a cheerful face. No matter how many and no matter how hard the work is, he does not show the slightest tired and complaining face.
"I'm sorry Michael-san. So it's not nice to clean in front of guests" Riana said as she swept the floor near Michael.
"It's okay. I'm the one who doesn't feel good because I've been bothering you all this time" Michael replied. "Is it every day you're always like this? Left alone and doing homework."
"Yes. That sounds boring. But I have my own way of enjoying it."
Michael clenched his palms. Hearing Riana just now seemed to awaken the hidden determination within her.
"Life like that has a fun side?" Michael said again.
Riana was somewhat astonished to hear Michael, but she only answered him, "Hmm? Of course there is. There's a hidden sense of contentment that overflows every time you finish the house's chores." Her speech. "Eh, but that doesn't mean other jobs aren't exciting. I'm just happy to take care of the house. Michael-san must have felt it in the military, too, right?"
Michael took back the teacup in front of him and gulped it down. After being gulped down, he put the cup back down, and then looked at Riana.
"The military is just my past. I want to leave it and start something new" Michael said. "Riana, I have one request."
"Huh?"
.
.
.
A large fireball shot and hit something in a yard. The pile of wood was instantly charred to nothing, leaving only ashes that were even so fragile as to be blown away by the wind.
"M-Michael-san, this seems a bit excessive," Riana smiled awkwardly with twitching eyes.
A puff of smoke came out from Michael's palm. It seems like the fireball was the cause.
"Huh, those woods were instantly charred," Michael said staring at the black ash in front of him.
"Yes if you use magic that strong it must be charred. We just need a little fire to cook dinner" Riana replied.
Michael turned his face away from the mess he was making. "It's too complicated. Is there anything else I can do?"
Riana thought for a moment. He looked up at the sky while holding his lips with his fingertips.
"Actually I want to dry clothes today. But..." He said while looking at the clouds. "There is no sun. Plus the wind is pretty strong. I'm afraid his clothes won't dry."
Michael looked up at the sky. "It just takes clear skies, right? Leave it to me."
"Eh?"
Before Riana explained what to do, Michael had raised his palm to the sky and shouted a spell.
"M-Michael-san, what are you doing?" Riana's eyes glared.
Michael poured out his Mana. "Light Elemental: Heaven's Light!"
The sky opens. The clouds that had once seemed to fill space, instantly disappeared. Then a dazzling light came down upon them.
"M-Michael-san!" Riana's voice instantly turned to panic.
Woosh! The wind was blowing all around them. Riana tried to maintain her position, but she could do nothing but cover her eyes from the flying dust.
Soon, the wind stopped blowing. Riana opened her eyes slowly. His face was immediately exposed to the sunlight, as well as several other shocking things.
"Eh," His eyes were immediately fixed on the clothes that were strewn everywhere. There are things on the fence, on the ground, and even on trees.
Michael put his hand back. "Done already. I opened a crack in the sky so that sunlight could enter. This way the clothes will dry quickly." Say it casually.
Riana smiled awkwardly. "Good job Michael-san. Maybe we should try something else again."
Riana leads Michael to the kitchen. There he placed a large piece of meat on a hard stone table.
"How about you just cut the meat while I'm going to hang my shirt? So we can save time" Riana said.
Michael thought for a moment. "Good idea. Efficiency is very important in everything, not just in the military" he said. "Give this to me."
Riana sighed. He could only hope that Michael wasn't exaggerating like that. He began to think that Michael's military experience might make him overreact at all.
"But I can't blame him. I'm here to teach him how to live a normal life. I must be able to understand her actions," Inner Riana.
He tries to convince himself not to worry about Michael. He patted his own cheek as he slowly glanced at Michael.
"The task of cutting should be easy for him. At least one soldier must have used a sharp object in a fight. They should be able to estimate the energy expended so that the meat being cut could be perfectly split apart," Inner Riana again.
Then he shook his face. "What the hell are you Riana. No need to worry about that. He could do it."
Riana exhaled. "Then, I stay first huh, Michael-san. If you need a knife, it's in the closet" Riana told Michael as she turned and left.
"alright. Leave the one here to me."
Riana left Michael alone. In the yard, he began picking up clothes scattered and drying them in the heat of the hot sun.
Sweat slowly flowed to the base of his chin. It didn't take long, his hands hung the last shirt today. The job's done.
"I should immediately check Michael-san's condition, "Riana walks back inside.
As soon as she opened the door, Riana's eyes immediately glared back. Plenty of blood stains were everywhere. Also pieces of stone scattered on the floor. It's a really messed up situation.
"W-What's going on here?"
.
.
.
To be continued...