Today they say their goodbyes to the villagers and the captives. The villagers stood before the village gate, the face lettered with joy but also sorrow, not because they lost someone, because they couldn't repay them in any shape or form.
The chief walked up to Haruto, his voice steady and apologetic. "Heroes, please forgive our poor village for not able to reward you."
Haruto smiled softly as he grabbed the chief's shoulders. "Chief, why are you apologizing? The time spent in this village was the greatest thing we could've experienced. All of you were very kind to us."
The Chief statured. "E… even so, we wasn't able to give you anything back. Not to mention while you were here you helped in every possible way."
Nita shook her head. "Nope! Look, what I got from one of the children's." She showed them a flower crown.
J grabbed his face as he exclaimed, "Damn you guys are slow, just say your goodbyes and let's get going."
"Why're you in such a hurry J? Do you miss Lina or something?" Star teased.
J rolled his eyes. "Whatever like care, just hurry."
As J was saying that a child pulled his black cloak. "Mr. J, are you just going to leave us here? Will you ever return to our village again?"
J crouched, a faint smile on his face. "Of course I'll—" he paused before speaking. "One day, so don't worry your little head. And if those stinky goblins attack the village show them what you got, okay?"
The child tried flexing his muscles, his voice high-pitched with excitement.
"Okay!!! I'll give them everything I've got, don't you worry!"
J smiled. "There you go, that's the spirit. Welp, I've gotta go now — take care, alright?"
After saying their farewells, they got on to the carriage. The coachmen held the reins tight as he commanded the horses to move. The carriage clacked along the rough road.
J tilted his head as he asked Nita. " Hey, Nita, why are you silent today?
Nita stared at the tranquil sky outside as she said. "I was just wondering about what one of the villagers told me."
J narrowed his eyes. "What did they say?"
Nita straightened her back, gently pressing her hands together. "Well, the villager said that the increase in monster attacks is caused by the demon. According to them magic is continuously leaking out from the demon and that's the reason why the monster attacks have become common."
She paused a moment before speaking. "I was thinking that… we really need to get stronger and when I say strong I mean really really strong if we want to stop that demon from spreading anymore chaos."
Haruto clenched his fist, his eyes sharp. "That demon! That demon is the cause of all this. He is the reason those children and women suffered a fate like that."
With a rage filled voice he continued. "It doesn't matter if I can't return to Japan, I don't care if I don't see my family again. I… I'm going to make that demon suffer for everything he has put the people of this through."
Star placed her on Haruto's shoulder as she spoke with concern. "Hatuto, calm down, would you? Your anger may be valid, but this much is too much. Take a deep breath and relax a bit."
Haruto swatted her hand away. "How can I relax, huh?! When I know thousand of people are suffering because of that demon."
J covered his face, his tone sharp and cold. "You're so annoying. Why are you so keen on saving people of this world huh? You never thought or did anything to save, actually forget support countries like Ukraine, Philistine or any other countries like that. So, in what mind are you saying all of this hero stuff."
Haruto gets taken a back as he stuttered. "I… I didn't had any power to help those countries." Haruto lower his gaze, gridding his teeth. "I was powerless to do anything."
J smirked. "So, do you really think you've any power at this moment? Not a few weeks ago we struggled to fight that mutated goblin, so drop your hero nonsense and get stronger."
Haruto fell silent, not a word came out from his mouth.
"J, you've gone too far." Star exclaimed.
"Why is it? Does the truth hurt that much? I normally wouldn't you said anything. But from past few weeks he had been killing monster nonstop, without taking any breaks as if he is a mindless zombie. And now he is spewing out big talks, things that annoy me, so I had to step in." J said annoyed.
Nita slapped J, tears in her eyes. "J, stop! You weren't like this. What have happened to you?"
J couldn't speak for a while as he processed things.
Then J shook his head, his tone apologetic. "I'm sorry Haruto, I shouldn't had said anything like that. It's just after seeing the captives I don't know, my heart feels weird and when heard you speak like that it I felt as if my heart was getting sliced. Sorry."
Haruto shook his head, "No, you were right, but even so I want to save people this world to the best of my power."
J slowly rolled his eyes. "You're so stubborn. So, be it than I'll try to keep up, I guess."
"Thanks." Haruto smiled.
As they talked, the carriage jolted to a sudden stop, throwing them forward. Star grabbed the edge of her seat and yelled at the coachman, "Hey! Why did you stop like that?"
The coachman's voice trembled. "I-It's Moonlight… Why is she here?"
Star tilted her head. "Who's Moonlight?"
"She… she's one of the elite commanders."
J and the others got down from the carriage, eyes narrowing as they spotted a lone figure ahead — a girl with flowing blonde hair and piercing golden eyes. She wore a golden tunic-dress with silver embroidery, modestly tailored with long sleeves and a high collar, complemented by elegantly engraved armor that blended beauty and defense.
Haruto tilted his head. "A human?"
The girl, sword drawn, pointed it toward them. Her troubled expression suggested hesitation — like someone being forced to act against her will.
She took a deep breath, steadying her voice. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Okita. Some call me Moonlight… and I'm one of Noctis' elite commanders."
J narrowed his eyes, pressing his thumb near his mouth. "Noctis? What does he want with us?"
Okita sighed, the weight in her voice loosening. "Oh yeah… you guys call him a
demon."
A memory flashed in her mind — Noctis's cold instruction before the mission:
"Okita, your job is to drain the girl's mana. Don't kill her. Ideally, trick
her into using barrier magic for as long as possible."
Okita swipes her sword. "Enough talk."
She slashed the air, the wind. Lunging at Haruto. Their sword clashed, Haruto shifted his sword pushing Okita
back.
A slight grin formed on her face. "Not bad for a newbie… but it won't be enough."
J bit his thumb summoning Eclipse as Star and Nita fell back. Okita just smiled,
before closing the distance between her and Haruto. They clashed swords as dust
flew in the air and metal ringing sound echoed in the air. While Okita was
distracted, J seized the opportunity and tried striking her alongside Eclipse. Okita
shoved Haruto, sending him stumbling to the ground. Then she spun around and
delivered a powerful kick to J's stomach, launching him into the carriage with
a loud thud, making him unconscious. Eclipse jumped his jaw opened ready to snap Okita's neck in half—
but with one effortless swing she severed Eclipse's head from his body as he
turned into smoke.
Haruto rushed at her, clashing swords once more. But this time Haruto can't keep up,
with a slight adjustment of her sword she locked Haruto in a stalemate. Leaving
him in a position where if he tried to move away he'd suffer a fatal wound.
Okita looked over Haruto's shoulder. "Hey, Blondie, why don't you use barrier magic
on your friend here? If you do he'd be able to escape and if you don't… well
I'd have to kill him."
With a slight grin as she continued. "Now, you don't want that, do you?"