Chapter_03: Chilliness

The room buzzed with astonishment as the soldiers processed the unexpected question. Proud of their comrade's bravery, they exchanged congratulatory slaps on the back, eyes gleaming with excitement as they focused on the bewildered Ragnar.

Time stretched as the soldier who asked the question, lance in hand, approached Ragnar. Each step heightened the suspense.

"Why the delay, Ragnar?" The soldier's voice oozed sarcasm as he neared Ragnar.

"Did you lie?" he taunted.

Stopping in front of Ragnar, the soldier paused. Slowly, he lifted his lance, its pointed tip aimed directly at Ragnar's throat.

I don't want to die again! How can Luca hate me this much! Ragnar panicked inside himself, but he maintained his composure outside.

"Fight back, and you shall pay a steep price of 5 Gold Coins and an eternal existence as a One-Eyed Monk above the treacherous Hills of Fraustpeak," the soldier warned, his voice dripping with malice.

Ragnar didn't understood the soldier's words, thus, he didn't talk back, plus the soldier already warned him.

Walter de Manny? Ragnar read the dog tag of the rude soldier.

Mockingly, he went on, "Picture the excitement of living on icy mountain tops, where temperatures drop below zero. It's an adventure unlike any other."

The soldiers behind him chuckled, their scornful laughter echoing around, intensifying Ragnar's feeling of offense.

But, only a few didn't laugh.

"Now that you've deceived us, you'll be sentenced to a life as a Mole Rat in the Realm of Darkness, mining coal to fuel our technology. How does that sound to you?" Walter taunted.

Ragnar's disdain for the soldier grew stronger as he glared at them, each laugh merging with the next. However, the mood shifted suddenly when a loud slam echoed from one of the tables. It was the lady.

"My soldiers were never meant to harm civilians. Despite his lies, I will personally see to his punishment," declared the young lady, her voice carrying anger and authority.

The soldiers' demeanor quickly changed from mockery to complete astonishment, momentarily forgetting that young Ana was right there with them.

In a matter of seconds following her command, the soldiers humbly dropped to their knees before her, displaying the utmost respect and carefully placing their lances beside them.

"We beg for your forgiveness, Young Ana. Our actions were thoughtless and inexcusable. Rest assured, we shall never repeat such behavior again." Walter kneeled with determination, his tone now filled with calmness.

This lady must be very important

The room descended into a silence, as deep as the ocean. Ragnar's eyes remained fixed on the soldiers who knelt obediently before young Ana.

"Apologies acknowledged. Do not dare repeat such a mistake, lest death be the consequence." Young Ana's voice softened, yet its authority remained firm.

"You are all dismissed," she concluded, granting them permission to leave.

The soldiers rose to their feet and bowed respectfully to Ana before exiting the room, each one carrying their lance. Ragnar cautiously stepped aside to allow them to leave, watching as they departed one by one.

Ana gestured towards one of the soldiers, the last one to leave.

"Damian, stay here. We need you to make sure this man doesn't escape. And find someone to fetch the village priest. We might have to put him on trial if he's really an evil spirit," she whispered urgently.

"I will, young Ana," Damian nodded, bowing respectfully with his lance at his side before rushing off to find the local priest.

Damian wore leather armor, reinforced with steel plates on his chest and legs for protection. His striking dark blue hair and piercing green eyes completed his unique appearance.

Ragnar watched the soldier leave, his gaze a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

"You may take a seat." Ana's voice echoed through the room, causing Ragnar to swiftly turn his attention towards her.

"Attempt to escape; be warned that eternal torture awaits you," she continued in a low, ominous tone.

Ragnar limped to a nearby seat, moving slowly and carefully due to his injuries. As he sat down, he extended his legs, but a sudden sharp pain shot through his body, making him audibly wince.

"Ouch," he whispered to himself, though Ana was able to hear it.

Ana took a seat beside him, her gaze fixed on Ragnar.

"It must have been excruciating to endure those bruises. I can see that the Grimoire have taken a significant chunk of your flesh," Ana spoke in a gentle, empathetic voice.

"Don't worry, we'll tend to your wounds once we're finished here," she continued, her tone carrying a sense of genuine concern.

The room fell silent as they waited for Damian to arrive. However, the stillness was soon broken.

"By the way, what I said and did earlier was all in jest," Ana spoke, her cheeks turning pink as she looked at Ragnar.

"Is that so? I'll be sure to remember that," Ragnar replied, a smile forming on his lips as he gazed back at her.

The room once again fell into silence, leaving only Ana and Ragnar within its confines. Ragnar observed Lady Ana's impatience as she impatiently flicked the wooden chair.

Suddenly, the sound of loud, hurried footsteps echoed through the room. Damian finally arrived, visibly exhausted, as he took a deep breath to regain his composure.

"I have to apologize, my lady," he panted, catching his breath.

"I know you asked me to have a soldier summon the priest, but I went along to ensure it was done promptly and to prevent any further delay." Leaning on the door frame, he looked visibly weary.

"Unfortunately, the priest is unavailable at the moment. He's engaged in a season-long ritual," he explained as he took a wooden seat opposite the lady.

The lady was momentarily surprised, a reaction not lost on Ragnar, but she quickly regained her composure.

"For the entire season, you say? Very well. The lives of the innocent outweigh one man's innocence," she replied calmly, sitting upright with her hands resting between her thighs and her legs neatly aligned.

"Then, what should I do? Where should I stay for the night?" Ragnar asked, looking confused.

The lady chuckled softly. "You'll be staying with me," she said with a smirk.

I'll be sleeping next to her? Ragnar blushed softly, his feelings excited for the night.

"But, my lady, we should lock this man up to ensure the village's safety. We don't want you to get in trouble." Damian stood up, clearly frustrated with the announcement.

Don't try to destroy my time with Lady Ana, Damian! He thought angrily as he fantasized his night with her.

Lady Ana cast a sly smile at Damian.

"I don't want this man to endure bullying from soldiers again, Damian," she said softly.

Even she cares for me! Ragnar smirked, his eyes in flames.

"Why? My lady, William assured you it wouldn't happen again," Damian defended.

Lady Ana paused, gazing downward as she took a breath to compose herself before admitting, "I don't trust my soldiers, Damian."

I-I.... That took a dark turn. Lady Ana's words were quite hurtful, even in front of Damian, his own knight.

The room fell into confusion and shock as she spoke. Ragnar was visibly stunned, while Damian looked at her with a mix of confusion and guilt.

"It was a joke, Damian. I do have my reasons for not letting Ragnar stay with all of you; I just won't share them," she laughed, finding the moment amusing.

Ragnar sighed in relief, thinking Lady Ana said something rude to his soldier for the sake of his safety.

Damian took a deep breath to calm himself as he glared at Lady Ana with anger.

"Lady Ana, don't ever joke about something like that," Damian said, his tone filled with embarrassment.

Lady Ana continued to laugh and slammed the wooden table, leaving Ragnar confused.

Damian closed his eyes, clearly annoyed with Lady Ana after embarrassing him.

Lady Ana stopped laughing, took a deep breath, and with a sly smile said, "You are all dismissed. Ragnar, you may do as you please in this village, even if it means harming innocent lives or robbing adults." She stood up, stretching her arms.

I'll do as you please, since I'm allowed to. He jokingly thought.

Ragnar stood up too, with his legs still aching and his wounds hurting. She stood up in front of Lady Ana as she stretched her arms.

Finally, she stopped stretching, gazing towards Ragnar. They stood parallel with each other and had warm emotions inside them. Their heights are quite far, which is visible since Ragnar is a gigantic person.

Ragnar gazed downwards at Lady Ana's face as she smirked.

"You seem to look like an innocent fellow, but always, chilliness is just a facade for warmth waiting to be revealed."