Orcs Attack In Aurham [1]

For the next five minutes, Marek diligently cleaned up the place, sweeping away dust with a worn-out broom until the hut looked noticeably tidier. He gathered up various items and tools, organizing them neatly on the working table at the hut's end.

"Still better than nothing," Marek muttered, surveying his work with a hint of satisfaction.

"You did a good job, Arthur," a voice suddenly spoke from behind Marek.

Turning around, Marek found Colette standing there.

"Thanks," Marek replied.

"Can I ask you something?" Colette's tone turned serious, catching Marek's attention.

"Of course," he replied, curious about her question.

"The little Anastasia isn't truly your sister, is she?" Colette's observation was keen, having likely noticed the disparity between Marek and Anastasia's appearances.

Marek nodded solemnly. "No, she isn't. She didn't have a family like me, so we've stuck together."

"I see..." Colette smiled softly. "You're a much better brother than many blood relatives, that's for sure." Her words carried a subtle jab, clearly aimed at Alan, her own older brother.

"Why did he leave this village?" Marek asked, not out of genuine interest in their backstory, but rather to glean insights. From what he gathered and heard from Alan, the latter traversed the country peddling his culinary creations. However, Marek harbored doubts about this being Alan's true vocation. It seemed more likely to him that it served as a pretext for returning to his hometown.

Colette's smile bore a hint of bitterness. "I often wonder myself, but I suspect Father exerted considerable pressure on him."

'Father, huh?'

Marek pondered this, not his earthly father, but the one he had in Ajekreia. His Ajekreian father never imposed burdens on him; it was Marek who assumed the weight of responsibility, striving to safeguard his nation, his kin, and his people.

His Ajekreian father's gentle nature ultimately led to his death.

Observing Marek's stoic demeanor, Colette realized her misstep in broaching the topic of fathers and promptly apologized. "Ah, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have—"

Marek shrugged indifferently. "It's nothing."

'I must refine my expressions and demeanor.'

Marek inwardly thought, recognizing the necessity of maintaining a certain facade for Anastasia and preserving the tranquil persona he sought to uphold.

[Milord.]

'I know.'

-BOOOOM!

Suddenly, an explosion reverberated from the western side of the village, sending shockwaves rippling through the air.

"W-What...?" Colette gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief as she turned to face the source of the disturbance.

A deafening 'boom' echoed as a section of the village wall began to splinter, yielding to the force of the blast. Meanwhile, the once-sturdy watchtower on that side lay in ruins, its structure demolished by a massive rock crashing down from above.

"W-What's happening?" Colette stammered, her horror palpable.

[They are Orcs, Milord.]

'How many?'

[Six for now. Two are attempting to breach the wall, while the others are poised to hurl rocks inward, aiming to wreak havoc within the village. There may be more. I am investigating.]

'Good. Notify me if there are additional threats.'

[Yes, Milord. Should I summon Lady Raizel?]

'Raizel, for a mere bunch of Orcs?' Marek wasn't able to hold back a scoff in his tone.

[I beg your pardon, Milord. I presumed swift action to eliminate the Orcs before they breach the defenses would be prudent, especially considering your presence and that of Lady Anastasia.]

'I am capable of protecting myself and Ana. I am indifferent to other casualties. At the very least, inform me if the mother and daughter of this househ are in danger. Losing them would be inconvenient, given that we reside on their property.'

[Understood.]

"C-Come with me, Arthur! We have to act fast!" Colette's sudden grip on Marek's arm irritated him, though he reluctantly allowed himself to be led.

"Agnes! Rufus! Anastasia!" Colette's voice rang out as they entered the house.

"W-We're here, Mom! What's going on out there?" Agnes asked, her hand clasping her brother's tightly.

Anastasia trailed behind, her silver hair still damp from a hurried shower, clad in a simple dress borrowed from Agnes. Confusion and a hint of fear flickered in her eyes as she glanced at Marek.

"We need to leave immediately. It's not safe to stay here," Marek urged, gripping Anastasia's arm firmly.

Uncertainty gnawed at Marek as they rushed towards the safety house. He harbored doubts about the village guards' ability to repel a determined Orc assault. If the Orcs breached their defenses and infiltrated their supposed sanctuary, Marek would be left with no recourse but to confront them. And in the aftermath, he would be compelled to silence any witnesses to his actions.

Colette nodded in agreement. "Yes, we must make for the safety house underground. It's a short distance away. Hurry!" With a determined grasp on Rufus's arm, she led the way out of the house, with Marek and Agnes following closely behind.

"A safety house?" Marek asked, silently assessing whether it would truly provide sanctuary for himself and Anastasia. If not, he contemplated taking her elsewhere, even if it meant defending her alone—a prospect he preferred to avoid, as it would involve incapacitating Anastasia to shield her from witnessing his capabilities. Reluctantly, he chose to adhere to Colette's plan.

"Yes! It was my husband's idea. He constructed it with others as a precaution against monster invasions or bandit raids. It's hidden underground, capable of sheltering the entire village," Colette explained as they hurried along.

-BOOM!

"K-Kyaa!"

"Hurry up!!"

From the periphery, Marek watched as other villagers fled their homes in panic, driven by the onslaught of massive rocks hurled by the Orcs, shattering buildings in their wake.

-BOOM!

"Agh…!"

The force of another rock's impact sent Anastasia tumbling to the ground, her knees grazed by the rough terrain.

"Ana!" Marek swiftly knelt beside her, concern etched on his features. He realized his pace had been too brisk for Anastasia, still in the process of recuperating.

"Are you okay?"

"A-Agnes!" Colette's urgent cry interrupted, as she whisked Agnes away to safety.

Marek's gaze shot skyward, spotting a boulder hurtling towards them. Instinctively, he wrapped his arms around Anastasia, propelling them both out of harm's way just in time.

-BOOOM!

Dust billowed around them, obscuring their surroundings in a haze of debris.

"Are you okay, Ana?" Marek's voice was laced with concern as he checked on her.

"Y-Yes, sorry," Anastasia winced, her knee throbbing with pain.

"Don't worry. Climb on my back," Marek offered, crouching down to allow Anastasia to mount him.

Anastasia nodded, securing her arms around Marek's neck as he rose to his feet, swiftly rejoining Colette and the others in their frantic escape.

"Thank God..." Colette breathed a sigh of relief.

"Let's hurry!" Marek urged.

"Yes, come!" Colette rallied Rufus and Agnes, leading them onward in a desperate bid for safety.

"Y-Your arms..." Anastasia's voice trailed off, her eyes tracing the bruises on Marek's arms without doubts due to his last jump to protect her.

"It's okay," Marek reassured her, though the pain was evident. Yet, his words only served to deepen Anastasia's guilt, prompting her to bury her face in Marek's neck, stifling a whimper of distress.

Marek didn't hear it.

His very dark gaze was fixed on the Orcs hurling boulders just outside the village, so he was oblivious to it. They briefly flickered to purple as his urge to tear them apart and take the entire forest with it flashed through his mind. However, he breathed deeply before regaining control of his emotions.