Leon soon arrived at the entrance of the forest.
There he saw a village which was the source of the smoke.
So it is the battle after all huh...
Although it might still be a campfire in the village, the sight of burning roofs which were all made of wood and screams confirmed the notion of the smoke being caused by a battle.
Additionally, the pillar of smoke had multiplied and grew larger than what he had seen before.
Leon climbed a tree with a single jump in order to scout the current situation of the battle.
About 40 goblins and 2 hobgoblins. Though there are around 50 villager, most of them are children, women, elders and several injured. The only capable fighters left are around... 20. Annihilation is almost certain.
In order to get information, discovering a village immediately was very fortunate. However, it was on the brink of getting destroyed.
Saving them would be the most obvious conclusion.
He could gain necessary information, and made them promise a few things such as not telling anyone who Leon was which may attract unwanted attentions.
And also -
It will leave a bad taste in my mouth if I just leave them to die...
Steeling himself to save them, Leon immediately maneuvered his way in front of the horde of goblins.
Although attacking them from behind would be an easier way of dealing with them, his first priority was to save the villagers.
He jumped around the rooftops, trying to get into the best position to begin his counterattack.
However, before being able to find a suitable position, he saw a blonde girl laying on the ground trying to stand up. However it looked like she sprained her foot and was covered in wounds. She was about to be brandished by the hobgoblin's axe.
Seeing a life in danger, Leon instinctively pulled out <<Misteltein>> and jumped towards the hobgoblin, killing it with one slash from above.
Breathing out a sigh of relief as he confirmed the death of the enemy, he turned towards the direction of the girl.
A girl with blonde hair which reached her waist, stared at him in a daze with her widened blue eyes.
"Are you okay?"
Not receiving an answer from the girl who keeped staring at him with her incredibly captivating eyes, Leon healed her completely.
The girl, surprised at the rapidly closing wounds and receding pain, looked around her body and realized that all her wounds were gone like they were never inflicted before.
"Take defensive position. Focus on protecting the people. Make groups of four in which one will carry the injured into a safe place while the others protect him. I'll take the offensive. Please relay this to the others."
Right after telling his instructions, he run towards the fray with speed which astonished the already dumbfounded girl laying on the ground.
Leon continued to slashing his sword towards the goblins, leaving none alive in his wake.
30 more to go... 24... 18... 14... 9... 5...
As he brandished his sword, he saw the villagers acting according to the instruction he asked the girl to relay to them.
Good, now then, leave none alive.
The last 4 goblins and hobgoblin was slain in an instant.
He then proceeded to extinguishing the flames.
<<Spell: Rain of Mercy>>
The spell, not only removed burnt debuff, but also rejuvenated the stamina of the villagers hit by it and extinguishing the flames, leaving them confused at their sudden feeling of refreshness.
A few moments later, the duration of the spell ended.
The burning village now become a picture of tranquility after the rain if Leon ignored several broken houses and some smoke.
Several men and women approach Leon who was standing idly in the middle of the street, surveying the damage done and reflecting on how he could've reduce the damage.
As Leon noticed them, he put on his business smile, the one he had perfected over the years of being in the middle of people wearing a similar mask. He didn't intend to deceive them, it was just his habit.
"Thank you very much for saving our Village. Although we may not have anything to satisfy you with, we would still like to give our appreciation and thanks to our savior."
A relatively old man with an impression of a village chief chosen for his intellect rather than his strength, voiced his appreciation to Leon.
"Before that, would you please bring me to the place where you place the injured?"
Leon said in a serious tone.
The village chief and the villagers, confused at the sudden request of the young man, voiced their agreement and lead Leon towards a house one size larger than the others.
Inside were 8 people covered in wounds, groaning in pain as they laid down on a old looking carpet.
Leon invoked 2 spells right after entering the premise.
<<Spell: Sanctuary>>
<<Spell: Nightingale>>
The wounds which covered the body of all 8 people started to close and vanish after golden light enveloped them. Their groans started to fade as they fell into a deep sleep.
The scene where people covered in wounds immediately changed into a scene of a relaxed sleeping group of people.
All the villagers behind Leon gasped in shock after witnessing such phenomenon. Some can't contain their surprise and exclaimed.
"I have made them go to sleep after healing them. Although their wounds are healed, their stamina will still need to be restored. They will be completely fine after waking up."
The villagers looked at Leon in disbelief as he explained what just happened.
The village chief then asked Leon a question in a trembling voice.
"A-are you perhaps a magician?"
Seeing the surprised expression of the village chief, Leon shuddered at his blunder.
Did I made it too conspicuous? If anything, the existence of magic itself is very conspicuous. I just assumed that there are other magicians in this world just because I can use magic. What a blunder!
However, now that he couldn't take back his actions, he must find excuses that he could use to deceive them.
"Uhm... are magicians that rare?"
Leon asked the village chief aiming to extract as much information from him and create a suitable plan to make up a believable story for the villagers.
"N-no, there are a few magicians. Most of them can invoke beginner level spells, mostly on the scale of creating a cup of water or a gentle blowing of the wind depending on what element they have affinity for. People who are able to use intermediate spells such as creating a flaming spear or a frozen spear are usually B rank adventurers, which are considered veterans."
"Then what about healing magic?"
"Healing magic is a special kind of magic. It requires you to have affinity to light element which are incredibly rare even among the few magicians."
"I see. Ah, you said something about adventurers, what are they?"
"Adventurers take quests from a Guild, which is available in most towns, and will be remunerated based on the agreed price."
"Then what about rank B adventurer being veterans?"
"Ah you see, there is a rank which determines the adventurer's strength and experience. Starting from rank E, which is considered amateur adventurer, to rank S, which is on the realm of heroes."
"And where does magicians who can use Healing magic ranks?"
"There really are few magicians who have affinity to light. There is a famous rank A adventurer who had affinity to light and could use healing magic."
So it is too conspicuous after all. Then...
"Would you please keep quiet about my ability? I would like to avoid any unnecessary attention."
Leon pleaded the villagers while slightly smiling, furrowing his brows and made his eyes bigger than usual. He was trying to make a face which would persuade people to accepting his request. The puppy face.
Both man and women, surprised by the sudden docility and attractiveness of their savior , felt the piercing an arrow to their heart. They immediately agreed to his plead and nod their head in unison.
"Thank you very much!"
Now Leon's face changed again into a cheerful and bright smiling face. All the villagers felt relieved after seeing such bright smile. The women, especially, blushed a little as they felt another arrow piercing their heart.
"Th-then, would you like to come to our conference table to discuss the matter of your rewards?"
The village chief being the first to snap out of Leon's charm managed to stop the soothing atmosphere and moved to the next matter at hand.
Leon nods and followed after the village chief into the second floor of the same building.
AN: First chapter of the week~ Hope you enjoy it. Please look forward to the next chapter m(_ _)m
