Yusuke, still standing in the midst of the ruins, alone, undid his transformation. He returned to his human form, face solemn from the pain, inside and out. He did not desire to fight again, to hurt anyone or anything, even if it was to protect.
But he knew, in this part of the world... no, this wasn't his world. The orcs that he slew were proof of that.
He took a deep breath, calming himself. His hands had hit flesh in violence once more, like all the many fights he had had before entering this mysterious world. The threats might differ, but what he must do still stays the same.
He left the ruined village of Arboros, looking for the two people whom he had told to run; his benefactors, in a way, who took him in without much question, who gave him a temporary home.
Wilhelm and Joanna.
***
The priest-nun pair rested just beyond the village borders. Wilhelm was resting against a tree beneath the leafless canopies. Joanna was tending to the older man, especially his legs and hips. Wilhelm was breathing lighter than before, but occasionally, he winced when she hit a sore spot.
"Goddess, forgive my tardiness," he breathed out, silently groaning when Joanna wrapped a bandage around his knees, which had been bruised when he fell over a while back. "In my devotion to you, I have neglected to nurture my body..."
Joanna smiled sadly. The reality of the situation was harrowing. The village was doomed to fall into obscurity, and part of their self-assigned duty was to help them accept their fate. The elderly villagers couldn't just leave their home behind; they were set on staying there until their dying breath. Even if it meant the village died with them.
None had expected the village's fated end to be from an orc raid.
After another wince from Wilhelm, Joanna had finished the emergency treatment. The priest wasn't fit to walk unassisted for some time due to the sudden strain. "Thanks, my dearest Joanna. My daughter in faith," he said.
Joanna nodded, appreciating the gratitude. "It is my pleasure to serve the goddess Theitomme under your wing, Father."
Wilhelm looked into the horizon, in the direction of the ruined village. He sighed and leaned back against the tree trunk. "We have no reason to stay anymore. Our church fell with the village."
He looked upward to the young lady. With a heavy tone, he continued, "We must return to the Central Church to report."
Joanna's eyes widened. She knew what it meant. So, she voiced her concern, "What about Yusuke?"
The priest winced, both from the question and the sudden movement of his hips when he flinched. Shoot, he thought. He hadn't considered the younger man's feelings. Heck, he had forgotten about Yusuke's bugman-like form when he saved them out of sheer relief from escaping danger.
Speak of the devil, and he shall come, as the saying goes. Yusuke finally found them. He dashed to them, saying, "You two made it out! Thank goodness!" and knelt before Wilhelm. "Are your legs okay!?"
Joanna and Wilhelm were stunned. This man didn't act like he had been when he faced those orcs. The nun could see his back soften, unlike the sturdy posture she saw mere moments ago.
"He's fine, Mister Yusuke. He only needs some assistance in walking for a while." Joanna put her hand on Yusuke's shoulder. The once-bugman warrior slumped his shoulders in relief.
"Yusuke, can you help me walk? We need to move," Wilhelm asked. Yusuke nodded without question. He lifted Wilhelm to his feet and propped him up around the shoulders. Joanna joined the two, but Yusuke shook his head when she offered her assistance. "You've helped enough already. Let me take over," he said to her. Joanna wanted to object, but sighed in resignation and walked on Wilhelm's free side.
The three quietly walked along the dirt road, cold but free from snow. The snow on both sides of the road had yet to fully melt.
After long moments of walking, the late winter sun was setting, which meant nightfall was nigh. They had to find shelter, and fast.
"There's a small inn that's used for merchants to stop by," Wilhelm began. "If we can keep walking, we could arrive after moonrise."
Yusuke shook his head, disapproving of the older man's suggestion. "I cannot agree to that, Father Wilhelm. Your legs aren't holding up."
Then, he pursed his lips, thinking of an idea. He stopped, which made Joanna stop as well. "What are you doing?" she asked.
Yusuke smiled slightly and knelt to the ground. He then put the priest on his back and stood. The priest is piggybacking the younger man, much to his chagrin. "I'm too old for this," he said in an odd bout of bashfulness. Joanna could only giggle when her father in faith lamented about his situation.
"Oh, Father, you need to lighten up," she said playfully. The three shared a laugh, with Yusuke letting out a quieter laugh than the other two. A moment of levity amidst the heavy circumstance.
Unknown to the three, a shadowy figure was tailing them between the trees. Their eyes were zoning in on Yusuke, and they smirked, showing their elongated canines.
He could be the one who can satisfy my lust.