"Damn it!"
Gil could no longer bear to hear Cynthia's cries as he turned around and screamed. "Is this what all of you wanted!?"
Gil knew that most of the people that died here were scum, even Cynthia and her husband themselves were murderers. But seeing the bloodshed that laid before him, and the tears that trailed on Cynthia's face… all he could think of was that they were human.
"We could have resolved all of this peacefully! This was your 2nd chance in life!" Gil continued his words, garnering the attention of all those left behind, "Look around you! This is supposed to be the freedom that all of you desired! You were finally not limited by a Wall, but now you are once again surrounded by corpses of people you killed!
...Is this what all of you really are!? Just a bunch of murderers!?"
"..." The Prisoners that were left alive could only look to the side as Gil's words pierced their ears like a knife.
Gil then looked at Van, shaking his head before stomping his way to the Village, "Gah! I don't know anymore!" Were Gil's final words before he entered the Village. The Locals didn't really stop him from entering their Village, they've seen Gil's efforts first hand, he truly was trying to stop the bloodshed.
"I am sorry for your loss, Cynthia." A few seconds after Gil's striking speech, Nisha let out a sorrowful sigh as she placed her hand on Cynthia's trembling shoulder.
Van, on the other hand, didn't know what to do. Should he also do the same and offer his condolences?
"..." Van was about to stretch his hand towards Cynthia's shoulders, but before he could do so, he heard someone calling for him.
"Van! Come here!"
Van quickly turned around, only to see Latanya waving her hand; her gigantic bosom waving along with it.
"Go, we will find you later," Nisha whispered.
"...Alright."
Van walked over the corpses to reach Latanya, who was near the gates of the Village.
"What is it?" Van said, his tone a bit impatient.
"Come with me, we need to talk with the Locals."
"...Why me?"
"Why are you so grumpy?" Latanya could not help but squint her eyes as she noticed the frown on Van's face, "I suppose that would help…
...do you know what the Locals are calling you?"
"Hm?"
"The Ghost."
"...That's weird."
"It's a strong name. I'll make a more striking figure with you by my side."
"...So I am a mascot, then?"
"Yes, my cute little mascot!"
"!!!"
Van could not help but hold his breath as Latanya hugged her all of a sudden. His face buried in between her gigantic bosom.
'...Was she always this jiggly-- I mean jolly?' Van thought as he struggled to remove himself from Latanya's grasp. Did she have a higher STR than him? That must be it; even as a Mage-type, Latanya is already more than 60 years old. Her level must be way above Van's.
"Come, they are already waiting for us," Latanya said as she let go of Van, humming as she entered the Village. Is it because she's with her people again that she's somehow radiating a different aura than before?
"...Fine," Van could only shake his head as he followed her inside.
"Reed, make sure to coordinate with the Locals to bury our dead. Make sure no one causes any trouble."
Reed, who was about to follow the two, could only wryly smile as he watched Van walk beside Boss. It was alright like this, he thought. Whatever happens, he would stay on Latanya's side.
As Van followed Latanya inside the Village, he could not help but compare how similar it was to the Encampment. The only difference was that it had a more homely feel, with all the houses made of wood and children moving about.
"..." Van also saw Gil being surrounded and bombarded by children. It seems that he wasn't even able to take a break for himself to let out his emotions.
Van also noticed the look of hostility that the women were giving him. It was to be expected, of course. Despite them helping the Locals defeat the other Prisoners, they were still Prisoners themselves, which hasn't changed a single bit.
"...I am sorry about Solomon, by the way." Van then said as he ignored the stare of the Locals.
"Oh… were you the one who killed him?"
"...No."
"Pft," Latanya could not help but scoff at Van's obvious lie, "It doesn't matter, either way… Solomon was just a puppet."
"...A puppet?"
"Hm. He barely moves without anyone telling him what to do. He has always been like that ever since he first arrived from your world. Although by the end, I think he found a little bit of free-will."
"...I see."
The two continued to walk deeper into the Village, and soon, they reached a house that was slightly bigger than the rest.
And as soon as they entered, the Locals that were inside quickly put up their guard; pointing their weapons towards Latanya and casting their Skills. But when they saw Van following her from behind, they slightly backed away.
"That's enough." Eugene, who was sitting at the end of the room, gestured for his men to stand down, "I told all of you not to do anything."
"B… but Euge-- Chief! They are barbarians!"
"No," Eugene quickly shook his head as he let out a loud sigh, "The woman in front of you was the Chief of our Village 60 years ago."
"W… what!?"
"How is that even possible!?"
"That--"
"That doesn't matter."
Before Eugene could explain, Latanya stepped forward, slowly making his way towards Eugene. "...You're in my seat."
The two stared at each other for a few seconds, before Eugene let out a loud sigh as he stood up from his seat and moved to the side.
"W… why are you giving him your seat!?"
"Is... was she really a Chief!?"
"What's going on!?"
The clamors of confusion that lingered in the air stayed there for a whole minute, only dying as Latanya's words that seemed full of authority entered their ears.
"Whether you like it or not…
...I am your Chief."