Several days had passed since the village had fallen. The survivors moved cautiously through the dense forest, muscles still sore and nerves taut. The younger twin's gauntlets were battered from the previous battle, and the older twin moved ahead, scouting silently, eyes sharp for any sign of danger. The girl stayed close to the younger twin, ever watchful. The princess kept a faint magical aura around her hands, ready to strike or protect, while the young lord and older Oni flanked the group. The plain man followed calmly behind, alert but unhurried.
The older twin crouched low, scanning the path ahead. A rustle in the undergrowth caught his attention. From the shadows, a hunting party emerged: six hobgoblins moving cautiously among the trees and several wolves following them. The largest wolf stepped forward—a massive creature, twice the size of the others, with a star-shaped patch of fur on its forehead and a large horn rising from its head. Its eyes glowed faintly as it assessed the group, clearly the alpha of the pack.
The older twin signaled for the group to halt, observing every movement carefully. The younger twin clenched his fists, the girl at his side, ready to react. The princess whispered to the young lord, "We must strike first." Recognition flashed across their faces—this hunting party could threaten them if left unchecked.
With a coordinated attack, the survivors moved as one. Spells erupted from the princess's hands, the younger twin's gauntlets struck with brutal force, and the older twin moved with precise strikes while the young lord and older Oni flanked. In moments, the six hobgoblins and the smaller wolves were incapacitated, leaving only the alpha wolf standing. It growled deeply, circling cautiously, clearly assessing its opponents.
The group paused, breathing heavily. Their bodies ached from exertion. Then, from the shadows behind the alpha wolf, a tall figure appeared. A mask covered his face completely, leaving only piercing eyes visible. His aura radiated calm yet overwhelming power, causing the forest to seem to hold its breath.
The princess's eyes narrowed. "That mask… it's like the ones Footman uses," she whispered to the young lord. Tension spiked—could this stranger be an ally of the demonoid they feared?
The masked figure spoke, calm and deliberate. "I do not wish to harm you."
The younger twin raised his fists instinctively, and the girl stayed close at his side. "We don't know you! Don't move!"
The older twin continued to observe silently, noting every detail, while signaling the others to hold their positions.
Suspicion hardened the princess and the young lord. They struck first. Magic flared from the princess's hands, and the younger twin and older twin attacked with full force, while the young lord and older Oni moved to flank.
The masked figure moved effortlessly, countering every strike without harm, but with controlled force that made the Oni realize how outmatched they truly were. The alpha wolf growled, circling cautiously, but remained at bay.
The princess's eyes widened as she realized something—this stranger could have ended them at any time, yet he had not. She studied the mask closely. "He conceals his magicules… yet he did not strike lethally. Perhaps… he is not allied with the demons that destroyed our village," she murmured to the young lord.
The masked figure then raised one hand, and a large black sphere of flame materialized effortlessly, hovering steadily in the air. Its sheer size and intensity radiated undeniable destructive power. The group froze, sensing the massive gap in strength between them and the stranger.
The princess's eyes narrowed further. "He could have killed us all at once… yet he did not. This confirms he is not with Footman's forces," she whispered.
The masked figure gestured toward the alpha wolf and the incapacitated hobgoblins and smaller wolves. With subtle movements, he healed their injuries, and they rose, blinking in astonishment.
Finally, the figure spoke in a calm, friendly tone. "I am a slime named Rimuru. These guys were out hunting for a party—if you want, you can join us."
The younger twin unclenched his fists slowly, glancing at the girl. The older twin remained watchful, noting every detail, while the young lord and older Oni relaxed slightly. The princess's hands glimmered faintly, but she nodded subtly. "We will go—but any sign of hostility, and we defend ourselves."
The younger twin and the girl exchanged a look, silent agreement passing between them—they would follow cautiously. The young lord glanced at the older twin and nodded. "We are not ready to face enemies like the Orc Lord alone. We follow—for now."
Rimuru inclined his head slightly. "Fair. I will not stop you. Come, see my village. Rest, and decide your path then."
Cautiously, the survivors and the alpha wolf followed the masked figure and his companions, stepping onto a new path of hope, recovery, and training—still wary, but aware that this encounter might be the first step toward preparing for the horrors they had survived.