After journeying for a while, the young wornan pointed at a spot not too distant from them. “Rock Village is up ahead. Thank you for saving me. I can return by myself.”
As she spoke, she grabbed the demon beast. from Flaxseed and strolled toward her home. Stunned, Flaxseed peered at the young woman with confusion. “What an impolite girl. We rescued and escorted her home, yet she didn’t even invite us to her home for a drink?”
Jared was somewhat baffled, too. She doesn’t look ill-mannered, so why didn’t she propose we visit her village? Hammerhead noticed the duo’s confusion and clarified, “The humans in the Ethereal Realm are very wary of each other. A small village like hers probably doesn’t allow any strangers to enter.”
In response, Jared was astounded. Why are people in the Ethereal Realm so cautious of each other? Still, since the young lady didn’t invite us in, it’d be rude for us to follow her home by force and cause unnecessary misunderstandings. Now that she’s back home safely, it’s time for us to set out for Greenoxen Peak-
Just as the trio was about to leave, they were surrounded by burly men in pelt clothing and weapons. When Jared swept his gaze past those people, he realized none of them were strong. In fact, they were only about as powerful as the young woman.
The hostility in their eyes confounded him because he was certain he hadn’t antagonized anyone in the Ethereal Realm. Why are they treating us as though we’re enemies?
“Who are you people? Why did you come to Rock Village?” a young man with a giant sword interrogated sternly. “We were only escorting a young lady back to her home. She’s a resident of Rock Village, which is why we’re here,” explained Jared. “You brought someone from Rock Village back home?” The young man frowned.
“Don’t listen to his nonsense, Ali! I bet they’re spies from Cyan Village here to investigate Rock Village’s situation! Let’s capture them first,” a beefy man suggested with a glower. The young man studied the trio and waved his hand. “Round them up first.”
Just as around eight brawny men approached the trio, Flaxseed flexed his fingers, ready to attack. He could eradicate them all with ease before they could even touch him..
At that moment, the young woman who left not too long ago suddenly returned and shouted, “Don’t hurt them, Ali! They protected me and sent me back home.” She stood in front of Jared’s group protectively, preventing the muscular men from getting close.
“What’s going on, Emily?” asked Ali. Emily swiftly recounted her meeting with the trio and showed Ali and the others the demon beast’s corpse. It wasn’t until they saw the body that they believed her words.
Still, that wasn’t enough to erase Ali’s hostility and suspicion toward Jared’s group. “Since you lot rescued Emily, please come to Rock Village. We’ll show you hospitality and requite you three,” said Ali.
“No need. We still have other matters to attend to, so we won’t be disturbing you.” After that incident, Jared didn’t want to waste time at Rock Village anymore. Besides, it’s obvious they still treat us as enemies.
“You saved someone from our village, so we should show you our gratitude. It’s our settlement’s rule. Please, follow me,” insisted Ali, leaving no room for negotiation..
Just as he ended his sentence, the other burly men blocked Jared’s group’s path. It would seem Jared’s group had to follow the men, whether they wanted to or not.
