"Thank you for saving our village, Young Master Merlin, Young Lady Catrine, Captain Gover, and all the soldiers."
An old man in simple clothes bowed deeply to them, his face full of respect.
"Thank you for saving us."
Hundreds of villagers behind him lowered their heads in unison.
Merlin, Catrine, Gover, and the soldiers exchanged smiles. Gover stepped forward and gently helped the old man straighten up.
"No need to thank us, Village Chief," he said softly. "Helping you is our duty. Besides, this plague could have spread to the city of Droswen if we hadn't acted quickly, so we all benefited. And one more thing…"
He turned to Merlin with a broad smile. "It wasn't us who solved it—it was Young Master Merlin. So the thanks really belong to him."
The village chief smiled warmly. "Thank you, Young Master Merlin. We don't know how to repay your kindness."
The others nodded in agreement. Then a middle-aged woman stepped forward, her face beaming.
