Volgar and the three soldiers beside him suddenly turned their faces toward Erlik. All of them were glaring at Erlik with anger.
Volgar: Since you're healed, get the hell out of our village!
Erlik hadn't been exposed to such direct aggression for a long time. Even the man who had killed him had spoken to him with respect. Because of this habit, he felt an uncontrollable surge of anger toward Volgar for addressing him so rudely.
Erlik: What did you just say?!!!
Just as Erlik was about to step toward Volgar, Ella stopped him and looked at him with a worried expression.
(What am I doing? I need to stay calm and understand the situation.)
Volgar: You heard me. You look healed. Now get lost!
The village chief, Sermon, became furious and shouted in response.
Sermon: VOLGAR!!! WATCH YOUR MOUTH!!! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?! WHO GAVE YOU THE AUTHORITY TO EXPEL SOMEONE FROM THIS VILLAGE?!
Volgar, maintaining his composure, continued speaking in the same tone.
Volgar: I am the leader of the Derhim Village Guardians. I am doing what must be done for the security of this village. There are people in the village who support me, and they agree with my decision. It is foolish to take such a risk while we are dealing with the gang.
Sermon calmed himself down.
Sermon: I have spoken with this man. I vouch that he has no connection to the gang.
Volgar: As the esteemed chief of our village, your guarantee is, of course, important and should be taken into consideration. However, along with a significant portion of the village, all of us guardians agree that this man must leave.
Sermon: Volgar… I understand your intentions. But expelling a man who has lost his memory without even attempting a proper dialogue… especially during a time when, as you said, we are dealing with a gang problem… That is the same as sentencing him to death.
While Sermon and Volgar were arguing, Erlik quietly asked Berilla a question.
Erlik: Berilla, is this guy a noble, or maybe the chief's son—your brother or something?
Berilla, slightly confused, responded.
Berilla: No, nothing like that. He was simply chosen and trained by the Village Overseer in the past. That's why he's a Level 1 Do user and the leader of our village's guardians.
Erlik's expression changed. He began analyzing the situation more seriously.
Volgar's patience had finally worn thin after his argument with Sermon. He stepped toward Sermon, getting right in his face. Volgar was looking down at Sermon, who was 10 cm shorter than him.
Volgar: No matter how important your guarantee is as the village chief, you have no actual proof that this man is innocent, do you?
Volgar stared threateningly into Sermon's eyes. Sermon wanted to respond, but he couldn't find the words. After all, he could sense that Erlik was hiding something.
Erlik: Hey, hold on a second…
With a sly smile, Erlik stepped between Volgar and Sermon, locking eyes with Volgar. This time, Erlik was the taller one, so he looked down at Volgar from above.
Erlik: (Normally, to avoid causing trouble for Ella and Burla, I would have just followed this guy Volgar's orders and left the village… But there's something off about this guy…)Erlik: Since this matter concerns me, don't I have the right to speak?
Volgar glared at Erlik in anger.
Volgar: Get out of my way!! You are not someone I need to deal with.
Erlik: But I really don't like the way you're talking to the person you are dealing with.
Erlik: (The way this guy speaks is different from those born in the village. He talks more like someone who has received high-ranking bureaucratic training. He's probably connected to the Overseer. The way he talks to the Village Chief also suggests that the Overseer and the Chief don't get along.)
Volgar was seething with rage.
Volgar: I won't say it again—get out of my way!! My relationship with the Chief is none of your business.
Erlik smirked in an infuriating way.
Erlik: I'm just warning a thug who's threatening an old man.
The girl beside Volgar swiftly drew her sword and pointed it at Erlik. The other two soldiers behind her didn't unsheath their swords, but they placed their hands on their hilts.
Girl: You will speak respectfully to my captain, you filthy gang member.
As she said this, her gaze suddenly shifted to Ella and Berilla. Ella and Berilla looked at her with sadness and disappointment. Ella, in particular, seemed deeply hurt. The girl's face also fell in response.
Volgar raised his hand, stopping her.
Volgar: Hira… that's enough.
Hira: But Captain—
Volgar cut her off with a shout.
Volgar:HIRA! Drawing your weapon without permission in front of the Village Chief inside the Village Council Hall is a crime.
Hira flinched and immediately sheathed her weapon. Volgar turned to the Village Chief, bowed his head slightly, and apologized.
Volgar: I apologize for the behavior of my subordinate. Please forgive my companion.
Erlik:(Good acting, but I'm not buying it. He has no real respect for the Chief. If that girl Hira hadn't drawn her sword, Volgar would have attacked me himself. But her action snapped him back to reality. Now, he's just pretending to be a virtuous man in front of the Chief and his own soldiers.)
Sermon let out a sigh.
Sermon: Very well. I won't punish a young girl who reacted in a moment of anger after hearing her captain insulted. Especially when that girl is my daughter's old friend.
Sermon shot a meaningful glance at Hira. Hira averted her eyes, looking down at the ground. Berilla and Ella did the same.
Erlik:(It seems like this Hira girl has a history with Ella and Berilla… I'll figure it out later.)
Volgar stared at Erlik for a moment.
Volgar: One week…
Erlik: What?
Volgar: In one week, the Overseer of Derhim Village, Salazon Morte, will arrive. Your fate will be decided by his words.
Sermon wanted to protest, but he held himself back helplessly. Volgar turned around and called out to his guards.
Volgar: Guardians, we're leaving.
All the Guardians turned their backs and started walking away.
Erlik:(Judging by Sermon's reaction, something is strange about this. It would be dangerous to get involved without understanding the rules here. For now, I'll let it go… but…)
Erlik: Volgar!
Volgar and his three guards turned their heads to look at Erlik.
Erlik: I just wanted to say one thing…
Erlik stared at Volgar with a menacing gaze.
Erlik: My fate can only be decided by me.
Volgar suddenly felt an overwhelming pressure.
Volgar:(This… What is this…? Is it Do? No… This pressure is different… It feels like I'm standing before Overseer Salazon himself…)
Volgar momentarily froze, but then quickly regained his composure. The other three, Hira and the two Guardians, didn't sense anything, but they found Volgar's hesitation odd. Hira, in particular, couldn't understand what had just happened.
Volgar: We'll see.
Volgar, Hira, and the other two Guardians turned their backs and exited the Village Council Hall.
Throughout the conversation, Sermon had been observing Erlik closely.
Sermon:(I thought this man was lying, but that pressure he exuded… Even if the others didn't notice, Volgar certainly felt it. I've felt that same pressure before. This man might really be someone noble or someone who used to lead a powerful force. Because only those with true authority can project that kind of dominance.)
What Sermon and Volgar had sensed from Erlik wasn't some supernatural ability or Do. In his past life, especially in the last twenty years, Erlik had lived like a king, leading countless people. That aura, that commanding presence, still remained within him. What they had felt was an undeniable and inescapable authority.