"Alright," Riku said, pushing himself to his feet, the lingering stiffness from his recent ordeal already fading. "The village isn't too far from here, but we need to be careful. If that Flugel was a scout, there could be others." He looked at Igris. "Igris, you take point. Your senses are the sharpest."
"As you command, Master," Igris replied instantly, his crimson form already moving towards the cave entrance, his spectral senses reaching out into the surrounding landscape.
Riku turned to Levi and Erina. "Levi, you're with me. Erina, stay close. We don't know what we might encounter." He retrieved Braham's Ring from his inventory, a contingency plan forming in his mind.
Levi merely grunted in acknowledgment, his sharp eyes already scanning the cave entrance and the terrain beyond. He moved with a fluid grace that belied his compact stature, his posture radiating a coiled readiness for any threat.
Erina, still looking pale but with a newfound resolve hardening her gaze, nodded silently. The shock of the immediate danger and the bizarre revelations had shaken her, but the inherent strength of her character was beginning to surface. Survival, it seemed, was a universal motivator.
They moved out of the cave, Igris leading the way like a silent bloodhound. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the rugged landscape, painting the familiar terrain in an unfamiliar light. The air was still and quiet, but an underlying tension hung in the atmosphere, a palpable sense of unease after their encounter.
As they walked, Riku briefly explained the general dangers of this world, the constant threat from various monstrous races, and the need for vigilance. He kept the details about the System and his unique abilities somewhat vague, focusing instead on the immediate need for caution.
Levi listened intently, his sharp mind absorbing the information, his occasional curt questions cutting through Riku's explanations. He seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation quickly, his experience in a world constantly on the brink of annihilation serving him well. Erina, though less experienced in combat, listened with a focused intensity, her initial shock giving way to a dawning understanding of the perilous reality she now inhabited.
After about an hour of cautious travel, with Igris periodically circling ahead to scout, the familiar sight of the village came into view. Nestled in a small valley, surrounded by a makeshift palisade, it looked like a fragile beacon of civilization in the vast wilderness.
Riku felt a surge of relief at the sight of his home, but a nagging sense of unease still lingered. Had the Flugel they encountered reported back? Were they walking into a trap? He couldn't shake the feeling that their troubles were far from over.
As they approached the village gates, Couronne, who seemed to be on watch, spotted them. Her eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed with suspicion as she took in the unfamiliar figures of Levi and Erina.
"Riku!" she called out, her voice sharp. "Who are these people?" The safety of her village, and her feelings for Riku, were clearly paramount in her mind. The next encounter, Riku knew, would likely be just as complicated as the last.
"Couronne," Riku replied, his voice calm but carrying a note of caution as they approached the village gates. The setting sun cast long shadows, making it difficult to discern the expressions of the villagers gathered near the entrance. He could feel their curious and wary gazes fixed on Levi and Erina. "These are… allies. They will be staying with us for a while."
Couronne's sharp eyes narrowed further, her gaze lingering on Levi's grim demeanor and then softening slightly as she looked at Erina, whose refined appearance stood in stark contrast to the rugged villagers. "Allies?" she repeated, her tone laced with skepticism. "Where did you find them, Riku?" Her possessiveness, Riku knew, would make this introduction challenging.
Before Riku could formulate a response, Levi stepped forward, his piercing grey eyes meeting Couronne's unwavering gaze. "Tch. Problem, woman?" His bluntness was characteristic, and Riku braced himself for Couronne's reaction.
Couronne's eyes flashed with annoyance at Levi's abrasive tone. "And who are you to address me like that?" she retorted, her hand instinctively moving towards the dagger hidden in her belt. The air around the village gate crackled with sudden tension.
"Enough," Riku interjected firmly, stepping between Levi and Couronne. "Levi, Couronne is… important here. Couronne, Levi is here to help us." He offered a placating smile to Couronne, hoping to diffuse the immediate hostility.
Erina, observing the exchange with a detached curiosity, found the dynamic between Riku and the fiercely protective woman intriguing. It was a far cry from the rigid social structures of her own world.
"Help us with what?" Couronne demanded, her gaze still fixed suspiciously on Levi. "Did you find something out there, Riku? Something dangerous?" Her concern for the village was evident.
Riku nodded slowly. "We encountered a Flugel. It was… observing us. We need to be prepared in case it returns, and in case there are others." He finally revealed the immediate threat, hoping it would explain the need for these new arrivals.
A collective murmur rippled through the gathered villagers at the mention of a Flugel. Fear flickered in their eyes. They knew the power and danger of those winged beings.
Couronne's expression softened slightly at Riku's words, her suspicion momentarily overshadowed by concern for the village. "A Flugel? Here? Why… why would they come here?"
"We don't know," Riku admitted. "That's why we need to be prepared. Levi… he has experience with dangerous enemies." He offered a subtle nod towards the stoic soldier.
Levi, sensing the shift in the villagers' demeanor at the mention of Flugels, remained silent, allowing Riku to take the lead. His sharp eyes, however, continued to scan the surroundings, ever vigilant for any sign of danger.
Couronne finally lowered her hand from her dagger, her gaze still wary but now tinged with a grudging acceptance. "Alright, Riku. If you trust them… but they will abide by our rules. And they will not cause any trouble." Her protective instincts for the village remained strong.
"Of course," Riku assured her. "They understand." He looked at Levi and Erina, a silent plea for cooperation in his eyes.
Levi merely shrugged, his expression unreadable. Erina, however, offered a small, polite nod to Couronne, a silent acknowledgment of her authority.
With the immediate tension diffused, Couronne gestured for the gates to be opened. "Come in, Riku. And bring your… allies. We need to discuss this." The safety of the village was her priority, and she would proceed with caution. As they entered the village, the curious gazes of the villagers followed them, a mixture of hope and apprehension in their eyes. The arrival of these strangers marked a new, uncertain chapter for their small community.
As they entered the village, the curious gazes of the inhabitants followed them, a silent wave of apprehension and intrigue washing over the small community. Children peeked from behind their parents' legs, their eyes wide with wonder at the sight of the stern-faced Levi and the elegant Erina. The villagers, accustomed to their own rugged appearances, had never seen anyone quite like them.
Couronne led them towards the largest hut in the village, which served as a communal meeting place. Inside, the elders and other key members of the community were already gathering, their faces etched with concern at the news of the Flugel encounter.
"Alright, Riku," Couronne said, her voice firm as they entered the hut, "explain everything. Who are these people, and what's going on?" The villagers settled around them, their attention focused intently on Riku and his newfound companions.
Riku took a deep breath, knowing he had to tread carefully. He couldn't reveal the truth about Levi and Erina's otherworldly origins or the existence of the System and Igris. It would only sow confusion and fear.
"These two," he began, gesturing towards Levi and Erina, "are survivors I encountered during my scouting mission. They are from… different villages that were unfortunately… lost." He offered a somber expression, hoping the lie would be believable. "They have nowhere else to go, and they have agreed to stay here and help us."
Levi, ever the pragmatist, remained silent, his sharp gaze surveying the faces of the villagers, assessing their strengths and weaknesses. Erina, though clearly still overwhelmed by her surroundings, offered a polite nod to the assembled crowd, a hint of her inherent grace shining through.
An elder, his face lined with wisdom and worry, spoke up. "Lost villages? Flugels? Riku, what did you find out there?"
Riku recounted their encounter with the Flugel near the monument, emphasizing the creature's unusual behavior and the potential threat it posed. He spoke of the need for increased vigilance and preparation.
"Levi here," Riku continued, gesturing towards the Captain, "is a skilled warrior. He has faced… difficult enemies before and his experience will be invaluable in our defense."
Levi offered a curt nod, his stoic demeanor conveying a sense of competence, if not warmth.
"And Erina," Riku added, turning towards the blonde beauty, "while not a fighter, possesses… unique knowledge that might be helpful to the village." He deliberately kept her skills vague, not wanting to delve into the complexities of her culinary expertise in their current situation.
As Riku spoke, his gaze kept flicking towards Couronne. He could sense her unease, the suspicion still lingering in her eyes, especially when she looked at Erina. He knew he would have to address her concerns privately later.
After the initial briefing, the villagers dispersed, a heavy atmosphere settling over the community. Preparations for potential attacks began immediately, the initial fear slowly giving way to a grim determination.
Later that evening, Riku found himself alone with Levi and Erina in his small hut.
"Alright," Riku began, lowering his voice, "I need you both to understand something. What I told the villagers… it wasn't the complete truth."
Levi merely raised a sardonic eyebrow. "Color me surprised."
"You two are from… other worlds," Riku continued, explaining the basics of the System's summoning process, omitting the details of his own past life. "It's crucial that no one else in the village knows this. It would cause unnecessary panic and confusion. You need to pretend that you are from other, distant villages."
Erina listened intently, her initial shock having subsided somewhat, replaced by a quiet acceptance of the bizarre reality. "Understood, Riku. I will not reveal anything."
"Same here," Levi grunted. "Keep things simple, avoid unnecessary questions. Got it."
"And Igris…" Riku hesitated, glancing around his small hut. "He… he is a… very loyal guardian. He is also… not from this world in the traditional sense. For now, it's best if no one else sees him. Levi, Erina, you are the only ones who know about him."
Just then, as if on cue, Igris's crimson form shimmered into existence in the corner of the hut, his silent presence a stark reminder of the secrets they now shared.
The tension in the small hut was thick with unspoken words and hidden truths. As the night deepened, and the sounds of the village slowly faded, a new, fragile alliance began to form in the heart of this dangerous world, built on a foundation of lies and shared, otherworldly origins.
Later that night, after the initial flurry of activity had died down, Riku found himself unable to sleep. The image of Igris's sacrifice, the chilling encounter with the Flugel, and the arrival of Levi and Erina kept his mind racing. He slipped out of his hut, seeking the relative peace of the night.
He found Couronne sitting alone near the edge of the village, gazing out at the starlit sky. The flickering light of a nearby torch cast long shadows, highlighting the worry etched on her face.
"Couronne," Riku said softly, approaching her.
She turned, her expression softening slightly at the sight of him. "Riku. I couldn't sleep either."
He sat down beside her, the silence stretching between them for a moment. Finally, Couronne spoke, her voice low and laced with concern. "Riku… those two. The soldier… he seems dangerous. And the blonde girl… she looks like she's never lifted a finger in her life. Are you sure we can trust them?"
Riku sighed. He knew he couldn't fully confide in her, not without revealing the truth he had sworn to keep secret. "I know it seems strange, Couronne. But trust me. They are here to help. We need all the strength we can get, especially after what happened today."
He reached out and gently took her hand, his gaze sincere. "And you know I would never do anything to put the village in danger."
Couronne looked at his hand, then back at his eyes, a flicker of doubt still lingering in her gaze, but a hint of trust as well. "I know, Riku. But… be careful."
As the night wore on, the village settled into an uneasy slumber, unaware of the otherworldly presence in their midst and the hidden truths that lay beneath the surface of their fragile peace. The arrival of Levi and Erina had irrevocably changed the delicate balance of their lives, ushering in a new era of uncertainty and potential danger.