Unwanted

Soul kept walking, his face as dull as ever. Nia trailed behind, her cheeks flushed red. They had to wait about ten minutes before taking Professor Yuu's staff from the shop. It had some cracks in its body, and the repair shop told them it wouldn't take more than ten minutes. While they waited, they decided to find something to eat, as they hadn't had anything since yesterday.

They found a small tavern nearby and settled at a wooden table outside. Nia fidgeted with the mug of water, her eyes flitting to Soul, who sat across from her.

"What are you going to order?" she asked, trying to break the silence.

"Whatever's on the first page," Soul replied, not looking up from the table.

Nia sighed, placing the mug down. "You know, you could try to be a little more engaging."

Soul finally looked up, his eyes meeting hers. "Engaging?"

"Yes," Nia said, her tone softening. "Like, talking more. Sharing your thoughts."

Soul shrugged. "I don't have many thoughts worth sharing."

The tavern keeper arrived, taking their orders quickly. Nia ordered a hearty breakfast with bread, cheese, and fruit, while Soul ordered the first item he saw, which turned out to be a simple plate of porridge.

As they waited for their food, Nia attempted to engage in conversation. "I'm... in so much shame."

"Hmm."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"I hate that I'm blessed by Nierman. I – it's not me. I'm not a girl like that." She covered her face with her hands. "Ugh – gods. This sucks. And you, of all people, I tried to have... se – se… you get it."

"A Nierman-blessed girl who is too shy to say 'sex' huh?" Soul remarked with an emotionless face. "Now that's amusing, even for me."

"Ah shut up. Shut up!" She cooled down after taking a deep breath. "Well – who was that man?"

"Do you regret killing him?"

"Honestly – after learning he worked for The Topple… no. I just wished I wasn't the one who killed him."

"Hmm. Then you're in luck, he is alive."

"What?"

"I've put him in the Void."

"Here are your orders," the waitress said, setting down the plates of food. "Enjoy!"

"Thanks," Nia nodded. After the woman walked away, she leaned in toward Soul. "He's not dead? Oh, thank gods! Phew!"

"Death is waiting for him, of course. Just not a swift one," Soul said, grabbing a spoon.

"I couldn't care less about that man. You can torture him all you want. I'm just glad I wasn't the one who killed him."

"Hmm. Quite selfish."

"You calling me 'selfish' might be the biggest irony in all of human history."

"You tried to have sex with me."

"Aagh!" She smacked the table with her palm. "Stop reminding me of that! Stop!"

"Just felt like saying it." He ate his porridge, taking a drink of water after each gulp.

They sat in silence, ate their food, paid their coins, and left the tavern. The road to the repair shop was quiet too.

As they walked through the crowded streets of Redhaven, Soul couldn't help but notice the change in the atmosphere. The people of Gum'n, who had seemed wary and tense for the last few days, now walked with a spring in their step. The news of The Topple's death had spread like wildfire, and the citizens felt safer, knowing that the pervert was dead.

"You told me things about Ruby in the Void," she said. "Were those the truth?"

"Why do you care?"

"Just answer my question for once. I'm not plotting something against you or anything. Calm down."

"Hmm."

"Just answer the damn question! Were those the truth or not?"

"No – I don't think so," he replied. "I owe her my life. And my goal is to see her safe and sound, with a roof over her head and pockets full of gold."

"But? There's a 'but' coming, I can feel it."

"But I don't want myself in her life." He slowed his steps, seeing the repair shop ahead. "A blood mage comes with problems. And I think Ruby has had enough problems for a lifetime."

"That is such an idiotic way of thinking, oh my gods. You are dumb."

"Hmm, maybe." He stopped. "We're here. Take the staff and let's go."

Esvor, Roderick, and the little girl sat on a log, watching as a soldier skinned a rabbit nearby. The little girl's face twisted with discomfort as she saw the blood and fur being peeled away.

"What, you've never seen a rabbit skinned before, girl? Or hunted one?" Roderick asked with his gruff voice, leaning forward slightly.

"No, I've never… it's scary," she said, hugging her knees to her chest.

"Soon, you'll be hunting humans." He shook his head, a rough chuckle escaping his lips. "But… you did save Esvor."

"I'm sorry…" she murmured, her eyes on the ground.

"For saving him?" Roderick raised an eyebrow.

"For being a high elf," she replied, her voice barely audible.

"Hah! Don't be, little one." He roughly patted her head, messing up her blonde hair. She winced slightly at the roughness.

"Ouch."

Roderick let go of her head and leaned back, crossing his arms. "Which of those gods blessed you? Dierman?"

"Yes." She said, fixing her hair. "Dierman blessed me."

"Lucky. I am unblessed, so is the True-King." He glanced at Esvor.

"Why are you calling him True-King?" she asked, curiosity overcoming her discomfort.

"Have you seen a king fight in arms with his soldiers?" Roderick gestured toward Esvor with a nod. "Fuck – have you ever seen a king even hold a sword? He earned the title."

"You're making me blush," Esvor teased.

As both of them chuckled, a soldier approached. "King, we've spotted a cart up ahead. It's guarded by high elves and has humans inside. They look like prisoners, possibly slaves."

Esvor's eyes darkened. "Shit – okay, let's go."

Roderick stood up, adjusting his sword belt, and the little girl followed, her steps hesitant. They moved through the trees, following the soldier. The sound of the cart wheels and muffled cries became clearer as they approached.

They crouched behind a thick cluster of bushes, peering at the cart. The high elves, armed and vigilant, walked alongside it. Inside the cart, humans were chained, their faces gaunt and eyes hollow with despair.

Esvor glanced at the little girl, who was staring at the scene with wide, horrified eyes. "That's what your kind do to us," he said, his voice low and hard.

She looked down, tears welling up in her eyes. "They – they are just bad people. All high elves aren't…"

Roderick placed a hand on her shoulder, not unkindly. "Now you see why we fight."

Esvor signaled to the soldier who had led them there. "How many?"

"Five guards, my lord. All armed."

Esvor nodded. "We can take them. Roderick, flank from the right. I'll go left. Stay with her," he pointed to the little girl. "Keep her safe."

"No, I want to help!" she protested. "I'll ride this wron… wrong the ri… I'll do this wrong – to right?" She fumbled her words.

"You mean right this wrong?" Esvor asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Y-yeah. That's what I meant!" she stammered, her cheeks flushing.

Esvor looked at her for a long moment, then sighed. "Stay behind us. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary."

She nodded, her small fists clenched at her sides.

They moved into position, Esvor and Roderick creeping through the underbrush to flank the high elf guards. They moved silently, weapons at the ready. Esvor caught Roderick's eye across the clearing and nodded.

In a fast, coordinated attack, they burst from their hiding places. The element of surprise was on their side. Esvor slashed at the nearest guard, his blade cutting through armor and flesh with ease. Roderick took on two guards at once, cutting their necks in silence.

The remaining high elves drew their weapons after realizing something was up. But it was too late. The fight was brutal but brief. One by one, the guards fell, their blood mixed with the dirt.

The last guard tried to flee, but Roderick ran after him and finished him off.

"Damned elves…" Esvor whispered to himself.

The Rebel-King turned to the cart, breaking the locks on the chains that held the human prisoners. They stumbled out, some falling to their knees, crying with relief and gratitude.

The little girl walked toward Esvor, who was helping a woman out of the cart. "I want to help them," she said quietly.

Esvor looked at her. "No, stay back."

"But –"

He turned to the freed prisoners. "You're safe now. We'll take you back to our camp, give you food and rest. You're free."

One of the women lunged at the little girl, scratching her face and pulling her hair, causing her head to hit the ground, with blood seeping from a gash behind her ear.

Roderick held the woman back while Esvor rushed to help the elf to her feet.

"Fucking elf!" she yelled. "Kill this bastard! Why is she with you!"

"She's just a kid!" Esvor countered. "Calm down!"

"Do you know what they did to our child? It doesn't matter to them! I've lost my grandkid to these pointy-eared fucks! They made me watch it!" she cried. "Kill her! Kill her!"

"Take the elf and go to camp," Esvor said to the soldier who led them to the cart. "I'll handle the rest."

"Yes, King," he nodded. "Come on, elf. You're unwanted here."

"I'm sorry…" the girl kept repeating, still in shock. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry."