Cashew walked along the narrow path that ran along the hillside.
The harsh noon sunlight shone down on her, forcing her to raise a hand to shield her eyes. In one hand, she carried a basket filled with the bread she had baked herself. In the other, she held a small bag of mushrooms that Tess had given her.
As she walked, she quietly murmured to herself.
"Let's see... the army will come to collect taxes tomorrow."
Cashew stepped down a small slope. Suddenly, the tip of her shoe caught on a stone sticking out of the ground.
She stumbled slightly, nearly falling, but quickly regained her balance and continued walking.
"There's still a lot of money missing before I can pay them... I guess I'll have to stay busy for a while."
The village soon came into view. Near the entrance stood an old stone well, weathered by time. Cashew slowly walked over to it.
She placed the basket and the bag of mushrooms beside the well, leaned forward, and splashed some cool water onto her face.
The clear water made her shiver slightly.
"Alright... this afternoon I still have to deliver bread to Mayor Heguel, Mr. Gouda, and Miss Maria."
Cashew stood up, brushed the dust off her dress, picked up the basket and mushrooms again. Just as she was about to walk into the village—
"Quick! Hide! Everyone, hide!"
A panicked shout echoed from within the village.
Immediately, hurried noises followed. Doors slammed shut, wooden locks clicked into place. People who had been outside rushed into their homes.
Within moments, the road became completely deserted.
Cashew stopped, looking around in confusion.
"What's going on...? Is everyone going to sleep or something?"
She continued walking into the village. On both sides of the road, every wooden door was tightly shut.
As she passed an old wooden house, she suddenly stopped.
In the distance, a figure was slowly walking toward her.
It was a large man.
His face was terrifying, smeared with dried blood. The heavy armor he wore had a large hole in the chest, exposing countless scars and half-healed wounds beneath it.
In his hand was a massive iron mace. The head of the weapon was stained with blood, and it dragged across the ground, producing a harsh metallic scraping sound against the stones.
Cashew felt her entire body turn cold.
"That's... that's terrifying..."
Her hand trembled, and the bag of mushrooms slipped from her grip and fell to the ground.
She stood frozen in place, eyes wide as she watched the enormous man slowly approaching. Her legs felt as if they were nailed to the ground.
Just then—
A pair of hands suddenly reached out from the slightly open door of a nearby house.
In an instant, the person covered Cashew's mouth and pulled her inside the dark house.
Inside, an elderly woman held her tightly.
She pressed a finger to her lips, signaling Cashew to stay silent.
Both of them held their breath.
Outside, the giant man walked past.
His body was so tall it nearly brushed against the doorframe. Each heavy step he took made the tension grow even stronger.
His foot stepped directly onto Cashew's bag of mushrooms, crushing them into a messy pulp.
The metallic scraping of the mace continued along the road.
Then the enormous figure gradually disappeared into the distance.
Only after a long moment, when they were certain he had left, did Cashew and the old woman finally breathe again.
"Thank you... Mrs. Johanna."
Cashew turned around. Johanna stood behind her, sweat covering her wrinkled forehead.
"It's nothing, Cashew."
Cashew fixed her messy hair and smoothed out her dress.
"That man looked really scary... luckily he didn't see us."
Johanna squinted with her aging eyes and brushed the dust off Cashew's dress.
"You must be careful around that man, understand?"
She stepped outside first and bent down to pick up the pieces of bread that had fallen from the basket when she pulled Cashew inside.
As she gathered them, she spoke.
"That man's name is Almond. A traitor who's currently being hunted by the army."
Cashew peeked outside the door before stepping out to help her collect the bread.
"Really? That's terrifying..."
Johanna closed the basket and slowly stood up, supporting herself on her knees.
"I heard he often attacks military outposts, stealing money and food... and even killing innocent people."
Cashew stood up as well, holding her basket again.
"Then you should be careful around him too."
Johanna looked toward the direction Almond had gone.
"The army warned us this morning. If we see him, we must hide and report it immediately."
She placed a hand on Cashew's basket.
"I'm sorry for ruining your bread and those mushrooms. I have some vegetables at home. Would you like to take some?"
Cashew quickly shook her head and turned away.
"No, Mrs. Johanna. You should keep them."
She waved as she walked away.
Johanna waved back and stood there for a while, watching Cashew's figure disappear down the road.
She quietly muttered to herself.
"I feel like... things aren't quite the way they say."
Cashew continued walking along the village road.
Gradually, doors began to open as the villagers came back outside once the danger had passed.
A man stepped out of his house carrying a large sack of vegetables.
"Hello, Mr. Heartman!"
Cashew waved cheerfully.
He set the sack down, and several large potatoes rolled out.
"That was frightening, Cashew... I wonder when the army will finally catch that man."
Cashew laughed.
"Until then, make sure you sell all those potatoes, Mr. Heartman."
She waved goodbye and continued walking.
But after walking for a while, Cashew suddenly thought about Almond again.
In her mind, she imagined the giant man catching her... and preparing to do something terrible.
Just the thought made her shiver with fear.
Cashew immediately began running toward home.
Along the way, she passed a house standing alone, separated from the others.
In the yard, a man was sitting on a wooden chair.
"Mayor Heguel!"
Cashew called out.
The mayor, who had been looking inside the house, turned around.
"Oh, hello Cashew."
Cashew walked over.
Heguel looked at her and asked,
"Were you visiting your parents' graves?"
Cashew was surprised.
"H-How did you know that?"
He laughed loudly.
"Because I was the one who couldn't cure your mother's illness. I've regretted it ever since."
His eyes fell on the basket she was holding.
"Bread, huh? Could you give me a few?"
Cashew shook her head.
"No. I'll bring you some freshly baked bread at noon."
Suddenly, a voice came from inside the house.
"Heguel! Heguel, help me!"
Cashew looked inside and asked,
"Do you need my help?"
Heguel stood up and shook his head.
"No, Cashew. You should head home."
"Alright. See you at noon."
Cashew turned and left.
A moment later, an old man slowly walked out of the house, leaning heavily on a cane.
Heguel quickly rushed over to support him and guided him to a wooden chair in the yard.
"Are you alright, Hendrik?"
"I'm fine... just a little back pain."
Heguel sat beside him and took a small glass bottle from his pocket. Inside was a dark reddish-brown herbal liquid.
He placed it in Hendrik's hand.
"I feel sorry for you, Hendrik. You're old and living alone without anyone to take care of you."
Hendrik laughed loudly, lightly waving his cane.
"There aren't many young people left in the village, Heguel... most of them died on the battlefield."
He tried to open the bottle, but his weak hands couldn't manage it.
"My eight grandchildren... and my three sons..."
His voice slowed.
"They all died in the war."
Heguel took the bottle and used a knife to pry open the cork for him.
Hendrik chuckled hoarsely.
"Perhaps... this loneliness is my punishment."
He raised his head and looked up at the sky.
"Because long ago... I invaded other countries... and caused so many people to suffer, Heguel."
Hendrik burst into laughter.
But immediately after, a violent cough forced him to bend forward.