Horse-drawn carriages slowly made their way across the wilderness. On the carriages, which were probably used by farmers to transport agricultural products, sat villagers with bewildered expressions.
They were all villagers of the Holy Kingdom rescued from the demi-humans by the Paladin Order, many of whom were parents who had lost their children or parents who had lost their children. Furthermore, their homes had been destroyed, and they didn't know what they would rely on for survival.
If cities can support so many people, then villages have no reason to exist. The villagers on the border know that they will probably have to struggle to make a living in the city.
How could they not feel confused?
Remedios glanced at the villagers, then shifted his gaze to Lock at the front of the group.
She has experienced far more than what she went through in the capital Hoban, from the arduous training and fighting thieves.
Even the most vicious thieves fear her name, and upon seeing her, they would most likely choose to beg for mercy or surrender.
But the demi-humans are different. They either fight to the death or take hostages to save their own lives. Some even choose to attack and kill villagers when they know they are going to die.
The virtues of a paladin are selective. There is no need to talk about benevolence and righteousness with the demi-humans who invade a country, because they are all cruel and tyrannical. You just need to be stronger and more cruel than them!
This is what Lock had said to her before.
With his terrifyingly powerful strength, this man dismembered the demi-humans the moment they took or harmed them. Every demi-human he saw met a gruesome end.
He would also frequently torment these demi-humans, for example, by having the villagers take swords and each slash the other, drain their blood, and then hang them on crosses. Or he would skin them and use their hides as flags at the village entrance, or he would make them fight each other until the victor was killed...
Remedios did countless things that displeased him.
But all the Holy Kingdom villagers looked at him with gratitude and respect, because the man had saved them and their loved ones from being held hostage by the demi-humans.
This is something we cannot do because we have too many concerns and are too weak!
We cannot decisively pierce the hostages' bodies and destroy the hearts of the demi-humans standing behind them, nor can we silently appear behind the demi-humans and kill them instantly.
Remedios looked at his palm, then clenched it into a fist.
Help us!
Under the villagers' gazes, she also abandoned her own beliefs and tried to do what Lock did: secretly attack those demi-humans who used the villagers as a shield.
Unfortunately, her actions were discovered every time, and several times the hostages almost lost their lives as a result.
Although the villagers thanked the aladdin Order with gratitude, the fleeting reproach in their eyes tormented Remedios.
As the strongest paladin in the Holy Kingdom, to be unable to even do this much is truly incompetent!
"Everyone, stay put and rest!"
Deputy Commander Gustavo glanced at the time; it was almost lunchtime, so he gave the order loudly.
This location is not far from Kalinsha, and no more demi-humans will chase us here, so there is no need to rush. This is also to ease the tension of these frightened villagers.
Paladin Order, along with all the villagers, numbered over three hundred. The food they brought with them when they set out was certainly not enough, but there was still a lot of food stored by the villagers in the destroyed village.
After the procession stopped, the villagers took out their cooking utensils and began cooking together as a unit for the same village.
Smoke curled from the chimneys as villagers gathered around bonfires, watching the large pots begin to cook.
It wasn't that they were particularly hungry, but rather that the feeling of being gathered together made them feel safe and secure.
Surrounding them were paladins on guard duty. Although demi-humans probably wouldn't dare to appear in such a place, it was still necessary to be vigilant.
Lock took out a large handful of bright green grass with a few red streaks and fed it to Bicorn.
These special fodders were not found nearby, but were harvested from the kingdom's plantations that morning, and Little Black especially loved to eat them.
"Lord Kurt!"
Lock turned around and saw a little girl standing nervously in front of him; it was she who had called him earlier.
Lock vaguely remembered this little girl; it seemed he had rescued her from the Iron Ratmen.
He's always been very kind to children, as long as they're not unruly, and he asked gently, "What's wrong? Is there something you need?"
The little girl immediately took something out from behind her back, handed it to Villar, then nervously closed her eyes, lowered her head, and said loudly, "This! I hope you will accept it!"
In the little girl's hand was a delicate wreath, which looked to have been carefully woven from wildflowers picked from the surrounding area.
Would an adult dressed in expensive armor and riding a powerful monster look down on such a shabby thing?
The little girl's heart raced, as if it were about to leap out of her chest, but she had nothing else to offer in gratitude.
A large, thick hand rested on her head, and the flower wreath in the hand was gently taken from her. Only then did the little girl slowly open her eyes.
"Thank you for the wreath, I really like it."
Upon hearing this, the little girl's face immediately lit up with a bright smile.
Lock casually put the flower wreath on his head, which didn't quite match his fake shiny black hair.
Doing good deeds and receiving thanks is a normal thing for him, but it still makes him quite happy.
"As a return gift, I'll give you this amulet," Lock said, pulling out a small, triangular paper amulet necklace from behind his back and putting it on the little girl. Seeing that she seemed a bit nervous and reluctant to accept it, he spoke first, "It's not anything valuable, but it can bring good luck and keep you safe."
The little girl weighed it in her hand, making sure it was just a light paper amulet. After hesitating for a moment, she obediently accepted it. "Thank you, Lord Kurt! Anya will keep it safe."
Lock smiled gently and stroked the little girl's head.
This scene, witnessed by Remedio,s who had been watching him closely, evoked a strange feeling in her. It was a heartwarming scene, yet it subconsciously made her feel a little ashamed and want to turn away.
Because that little girl was one of the villagers she had almost killed, and that radiant smile was too much for her to bear.
---
A/N: 40+ Advance Chapter Has Been Uploaded.
Support: patreon.com/Narrator_San