"Is he really here!?"
Selina questioned, and then suddenly,
"You have been such a good girl. How can I not come and meet you?"
Kael smiled as he knelt next to Selina as well. Tobias stared at Kael in silence.
"Are you really the Hero?"
Selina questioned as she reached her hand out, trying to place it on Kael's face just like she did with her grandpa. Kael gently grabbed the girl's hand and helped her.
Selina touched his face as if trying to draw a picture in her mind. Then, she exclaimed in awe.
"You are so beautiful."
Hearing those words, Kael laughed.
"You are very beautiful as well, Selina."
Selina answered graciously.
Suddenly, the little girl called out.
"Can I stay with the Hero for a little while?"
She requested properly. Tobias, however, shook his head and,
"No, the Hero is tired right now since he has come from far away, so let him rest, okay?"
Selina was unwilling.
Tobias's tone became a little firm, and in the end, the little girl lowered her head.
"Okay, please rest well, Hero."
"Good. Now, while the Hero's resting, you should rest well, okay?"
"Now, let's get you back to your room, shall we?"
Tobias carefully picked her up like she was the most precious thing in the world. She rested her head against her grandpa's shoulder, her blind eyes closing as she trusted him completely while he carried her to her room.
Kael watched the scene in silence. When Tobias returned, there was a light smile on his face.
She's the reason I didn't run away from this town."
Tobias continued with a solemn look on his face.
"When the beasts attacked, when people fled, I wanted to leave too. But I couldn't. Not with her here.
She's all I have left.
That little girl gives me the confidence to face anyone and anything."
The Town Head then glanced at Kael and,
"Most people who are left in the town are like that, Hero Kael. They are here because they wish to protect their loved ones. This is what drives them.
They might not trust you, but I assure you, when the time comes, they will fight for you.
I will fight for you."
Tobias declared confidently.
"Because we have no other choice."
He completed, and once again, Kael found himself staring at the man in silence.
The Town Head then smiled lightly and,
"Now, please get some rest.
He spoke as he pointed at a room. Then, he spoke apologetically.
"There are only two rooms in my house, and…
My granddaughter requires one of them. If you four can adjust in one room…"
Tobias was hesitant, and seeing Kael frown, he panicked,
"I-I mean, if it is that big of a deal, I can take Selina to my friend's house! I know a party usually stays in one place, so we can empty this place for you."
"No, Selina doesn't have to leave. She must be used to this place. I understand."
Kael nodded understandingly.
"If you could prepare another place for us with two rooms, it would be fine even if the rooms aren't well furnished. We will adjust."
After all, all the soldiers with him were women. He didn't want to make them awkward.
Tobias, however, had a hesitant look on his face.
Before he could complete, someone else spoke up.
Tobias turned towards her, and Sarah momentarily glanced at Kael before turning back towards the Town Head.
"There is no need for any of us to leave.
We four can adjust in a single room."
"I agree. We can adjust."
Before Kael could say anything, Aria, the party's mage, added. Lyra nodded as well.
Seeing that the girls had no problem with it, Kael didn't push it any further either.
After all, who in their right mind would push away such an offer?
Kael could already imagine Mark calling him 'Gay!' if he resisted any further.
Kael chuckled inwardly as he thought about it. His eyes then stared at the three women standing in front of him.
Sarah had a petite frame, striking blue eyes, and blonde hair. Her fair skin and natural grace exuded charm and an adventurous spirit.
Aria was an elegant beauty with clean skin, an hourglass figure, shimmering silver hair, and piercing violet eyes. Her movements had a certain grace and playfulness in them.
Lyra's build was more on the athletic side. She had sharp green eyes, long auburn hair tied in a ponytail and skin blessed by the sun. She seemed somewhat indifferent, but that, combined with her tanned skin, gave her an honest charm.
Yes, all three women in his party were beautiful. So much so that if they were in his university, most male students would be after them.
What about them being older than most university students?
Well, that only added to their charm, didn't it?
For now, however, Kael decided to act gentlemanly.
"Well then, since the three do not have any problem, we should stop wasting time."
"Yes, thank you for understanding, Hero Kael."
Tobias bowed his head.
"I hope you have a good rest."
He spoke, pointing at the room. Kael nodded as he walked towards his room. His party members followed behind, and when Kael wasn't looking, Aria, the one who had spoken earlier, nudged Sarah with her shoulder, and once Sarah turned towards her…
Aria winked at her and pointed her thumb up. Her face had an expression saying, 'I gotcha back!' and Sarah, who saw that, quickly turned her flushed head away.
She had no idea what this woman was talking about!
Aria's eyes shimmered playfully when she saw Sarah's expression.
This mission might be much more fun than she expected~