CHAPTER – 27 What Remains After Victory
Aren had killed that half-covered mask person—or whatever it was.
He took a long breath.
"Finally… it's over," he said.
The moon had fallen, and the sun was rising.
Then he saw Lucien coming toward him.
Aren waved his right hand.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
Lucien replied, "I'm fine."
Aren looked around. He saw no one behind Lucien.
"What about Lira's side?" Aren asked with a worried expression.
"She's fine," Lucien replied. "She's just resting under a tree. After resting, she'll come."
"What about the villagers?" Aren asked.
Lucien was silent for a moment.
"Five villagers have died," he said.
Aren's eyes widened, but he didn't say anything.
Lucien looked around and saw the same big goblin.
"I sensed something dangerous before, but there was no trace of this," Lucien thought.
"Did Aren defeat that strong presence?"
Few minutes later
Lucien was checking the surroundings, and Aren was resting under a tree.
"There's no trace of other goblins," Lucien said.
"That's good," Aren replied.
Then—
"HEY!" shouted Seris.
They noticed her.
"Are you okay?" Aren asked.
"I'm fine," she said. "What about you guys?"
"We're fine," Lucien replied.
Seris looked around.
"Where is Lira—"
Before she finished, she saw Lira coming, her head lowered.
Aren and Lucien stood up.
"Are you okay?" Aren asked.
Lira walked closer to Aren.
Tears began to fall.
She hugged him.
"Sorry… I couldn't protect them all," Lira said while crying.
Aren didn't say anything at first.
Then he gently patted her head.
"Everything is going to be alright," he said.
"Don't worry."
Lira began crying loudly.
Few minutes later
Lira had calmed down.
Aren sat beside her.
"Aren really cares about her," Seris said.
Lucien looked at the sky.
"Well, after all, she is the last family member of Aren."
Seris looked at Lucien.
"Family…"
There was a moment of silence.
Lucien stood up and was about to go to the village chief's house when—
"Are you okay?" the village chief asked.
Lucien heard his voice.
He walked toward him.
"We're fine," Lucien replied.
The old man took a breath of relief.
"I have something I need to discuss with you, sir," Lucien said.
The old man nodded.
They went to the chief's house, and Lucien explained the situation—
how many villagers had died, about the goblins, and the remaining ones.
Minutes passed
After Lucien gave all the information—
"So, five villagers have died," said the village chief.
"Yes," Lucien replied.
The village chief stayed silent.
"What are you going to do about the remaining ones?" he asked.
"Don't worry about them," Lucien said.
"I will handle them."
"Thank you for your help," said the village chief.
The old man paused.
"Please rest now. We will prepare dinner," he said.
Lucien nodded.
After leaving the chief's house, Lucien went to the house the village chief had given them.
He opened the door and saw Seris sitting on a chair, but Aren and Lira were not there.
"Where are they?" Lucien asked.
"Aren and Lira are resting on the first floor," Seris replied.
Lucien sat on a nearby chair.
Then he looked at the ceiling.
"Are you enjoying things right now?" Lucien asked.
Seris looked at him.
She nodded and gave a warm smile.
"It's been a long time since Seris and I talked like this," Lucien thought.
They talked about the mission and other things.
Minutes passed.
Lucien also went to rest.
Seris remained sitting on the chair.
Hours passed
The villagers were repairing the village, and some were preparing a small celebration.
The moon rose again.
Lucien, Aren, Seris, and Lira had finished resting.
They saw the food prepared by the village chief as thanks.
They ate and laughed.
The village was celebrating.
People were dancing, laughing, and eating.
It was a good night.
"They are really happy," Aren said.
"Well, after all, their fear is gone now," Lucien replied.
"The village chief didn't tell anyone about the remaining goblins," Lucien thought.
He took a deep breath.
"I have to move before they make their move."
"Well, Seris, if you don't mind, can you tell us about your parents?" Aren asked.
He said this while they were eating.
Lucien looked at Aren—he said it suddenly.
Seris took a deep breath and nodded.
"Fine."
Lucien looked at her.
"I don't know who my father was, but my mother was part of a noble family," she said.
"When my mother was killed, I was alone for many years. Lucien helped me. Then I met you guys."
Aren and Lira stayed silent.
Then—
"My father was a hunter, and my mother was a housewife," Aren said.
"When the Demon King's army marched, our village was in their path. They destroyed everything. But Lira and I escaped with our parents' help."
Lira had a sad expression.
Aren patted her head.
"Well, what about Lucien?" Aren asked.
Lucien didn't reply.
Aren looked at him.
Lucien was asleep.
"Lucien must be tired," Aren thought.
"He's sleeping," he said.
Seris and Lira looked at him.
Then they left him alone and moved a little farther away.
After that, Lucien slowly opened his eyes.
"That was a close one," he thought.
"I still haven't recovered Lucien's childhood memories. In the novel, they never showed his childhood or his parents."
"Well, whatever," he muttered.
He took a deep breath.
"I have to kill the remaining goblins."
Then he quietly left.
_________________________________________
END OF CHAPTER 27
_________________________________________