As soon as they arrived in the village, the inhabitants came out to greet them.
However, upon realizing that the inquisitors could barely stay on their feet, wounded and exhausted, several hurried over to help them, without even waiting for anyone to ask.
They took them into the shade, offered them water and food, and a few immediately began tending to the most seriously injured with clean bandages.
Alice watched it all from one side, with the novice beside her.
"Thank goodness we found this place," the young inquisitor commented with clear relief. "I don't know what would have become of us if we'd spent one more night in that forest."
"…"
"And there's still good news," the novice continued. "I spoke with the village leader and found out that we're near the Great Forest. So at least now we have an idea of where we are."
She made a face.
"Although that also means we have a very long road ahead of us back to the Inquisition's central headquarters."
