###'s POV:
- And with that, it's all right.
I gently adjust the bandage on a person's arm while I check for any flaws in the strapping. The boy smiles brightly at his wound and then runs to his parents a little further away. I can't help but look at the boy in his parents' arms with some envy. I quickly shake my head and focus on looking for more injured people.
- ####! Are you done yet? We have to chase that storm.
- Yes! I'm done for this area. We should be able to continue.
He looks around us in awe as people reunite with their families and mourn the loss of their homes and loved ones. I follow his gaze to the family I was watching a few moments ago, hugging each other with tears in their eyes. Before I know it, a large hand lands on my head.
- ...What are you doing?
- Nothing, I just thought you might want to be pampered after all your hard work.
- …
His hand gently begins to move over the hood covering my head. I make no attempt to resist. I take a step forward and rest my head on his stomach as I hug him tightly. He continues to gently move his hand over my head when a voice comes from beside us.
- Excuse me, sir. I'd like to extend my thanks for helping us during this crisis that has befallen our small town. Although we don't have much left, I would like you to receive a meal prepared by our best cooks as a token of our appreciation.
- Thank you, sir. It's very kind of you to offer this, but we can't stay here any longer. My companion and I have to hunt down the witch who caused this calamity.
- …I understand, sir. Then at the very least, I'd like you to take a few medicinal plants, which are the village's specialty. I'm sure your companion could put them to good use.
I raise my gaze slightly to see a cloth bag with a string to secure it.
- Thank you, sir. I assure you they will be very useful.
Erick accepts the bag and passes it to me so I can see its contents. I can't help but marvel at the unusual gift we received.
- I'm glad you like it so much, miss.
Seeing how he suddenly addressed me, I awkwardly cover my face with my hood as I hide behind Erick.
- I'm sorry for her behavior, sir. She's just very shy.
- It's no problem. It's just that little girl has saved the lives of many of our family and friends, so I wanted to thank her directly.
I lift my hood slightly to see the wide smile on the man's face. I smile awkwardly in response to what he seems genuinely pleased with.
- Thank you for the gift. It's time to go.
With those words, Erick grabs me by the legs and lifts me until I'm at his chest level. Unfortunately, the speed of the movement causes the hood over my head to fly back, revealing my face. My face, horribly burned, one half of it exposed to the people around us. Cries of admiration are replaced by screams and shrieks of grief and disgust echoing from the villagers around us. Feeling the multitude of stares, I quickly cover my face again while leaning against Erick's chest.
- ... Is the little one okay?
Erick awkwardly tries to say something, but the words get caught in his throat. His gaze darkens as he tries to think of what to say. Before he can, I gather my courage and pull the hood back down over my face.
- Don't worry about it. Although it may look bad, this wound is a trophy I earned when I saved my hero. I would never be ashamed of the achievement marked on my body.
I put on the best smile I can for the villagers surrounding us. Although their reactions are not unlike their initial ones, pity clearly prevails this time. Although a deep desire to cry wells up within me, I hold back my tears as I stand strong before the villagers.
- I see, so that young lady is also a hero in her own right. You truly are admirable.
The man who gave us the gift smiles broadly at me as the villagers slowly begin to applaud. Without another word, Erick begins our walk toward our horse as the people around us clap in applause. I smile back at the villagers I met. Although some of them react with fear or pity, they also applaud as Erick and I leave the village. Erick saddles the horse, seats me first, and we quickly set off toward the storm. When the horse is at full gallop, Erick thanks me with a bitter expression as I lean against his chest and return his thanks.
..................…
A sudden movement wakes me. Considering today, it's been approximately three days since we've been chasing the storm. Thanks to its erratic speed and occasional stops, we've almost caught up with the storm when we spot a small town in sight. Erick's sharp gaze tells me clearly that he plans to stop it in the town. Somehow, we manage to reach the town slightly earlier, where its inhabitants realize the abnormality of the situation and come out to see what's happening.
- This is bad. They don't seem alerted by the presence of the storm in the least.
- What should we do, Erick?
- ….
Without answering my question, he quickly dismounts his horse and, without dismounting me, leads the horse toward a person standing in the doorway, watching the approaching storm.
- Hey, you, I need you to do me a favor.
- …Huh?
The man, barely noticing our presence, looks at us suspiciously.
- A favor? If you're here for the banquet celebrating the defeat of the Witch of Deception, you've come at a bad time. The event was canceled today due to bad weather.
- Bad weather? You're mistaken! That's not a normal storm; what's coming there is a witch.
The man stares at Erick in shock, not knowing how to respond. He looks at Erick suspiciously.
- I don't have time for this! I need you to go to the capital and warn everyone that a witch is on the way.
- Me? Why would I-?
Erick suddenly throws a bag containing a considerable amount of gold coins.
- If you do, this will be yours.
- ...And if I don't and just take the money?
- I'll chase you until you're a pile of ashes.
- ...I understand. I just have to go and deliver the message, right?
- That and-
He suddenly turns to me, looking at me.
- You have to take care of this little girl until I get to the capital myself.
- ...Huh? Erick?
He quickly turns around and looks at me affectionately while stroking my head.
- I'm sorry, but I can't take you with me this time. This fight will be too dangerous, and I want to get you to safety.
- But Erick! What if you get hurt?
Erick gives me a warm, affectionate look as he continues stroking my head.
- Don't worry, I'll come back completely unharmed. I'm confident I can stay well, but... I'm not confident enough to say I can protect you. That's why I want you to go ahead. I don't think I can defeat the witch here, but at least I'll delay her long enough to give them time to prepare for the worst in the capital.
After saying that, he quickly turns to look at the man holding the bag of gold.
- Maybe it goes without saying, but... If anything happens to her, not only will you be dead, but I'll torture you until you beg me to kill you.
Erick's sudden thirst for blood sends a chill through my body.
- Understood, sir...
With a clearly terrified expression, the man quickly heads for the village and then returns quickly with another horse. Erick gently takes me by the hip and carefully places me on the other horse, which the man also climbs onto.
- Have a safe trip. The capital of the kingdom of Mim should be only about 7 hours from here. When you arrive, give this to the guard, and he should guide you to the water hero.
He carefully takes it from his chest and places it on my chest. It's some kind of insignia with a crest on it that I've never seen before.
- ...Be careful, Erick. I'll pray to the angels for your safe return.
- Of course. Leave it to me.
Those are the last words I say to him before he turns and begins to run, sword in hand, toward the village where he will meet the witch.