Rhode had no interest in Loli, mainly because they shared the same surname, and five hundred years ago, they were one family (not really).
It was quite normal to pack some dry food and sugar before setting out to guard against potential food shortages during missions, and it was certainly not to lure little Loli.
Jimmy looked at the chocolate offered to her, looked at the big brother smiling warmly while holding Hunter, and then looked at the 'men' and beasts fighting fiercely around, and burst into tears with a 'wah'.
She was terrified.
She thought Laban would eat her, and her brother too.
"Alright, alright, it's okay... Are you cold? Hungry? Does anything hurt?"
Rhode was at a loss, not very good at comforting children.
"Stay put and wait for me a bit, I'll be right back." Rhode put Hunter beside her and summoned Warm to act as a heater for the siblings.
"Partial Receiving: Stone Beetle Arm!"
To conserve Magic Power, Rhode only used a partial receiving, covering his arm with stone-like armor, and personally joined the battle.
The River Crab form wasn't strong enough, and the wolf and Beaked Bird forms were too bloody, so the Stone Beetle was more suitable.
His left fist hit Laban's belly, causing ripples, while the right fist pounded on its head, sending it into a baby-like sleep.
In terms of battle efficiency, it was much better than the beasts tearing and biting wildly, or Elfman using single-arm Receiving Magic.
The main thing was being able to take down the opponent effectively.
"Manly Man!"
"I suggest you lower your voice; if an avalanche comes, it won't be easy to escape with two kids."
"Manly Man! (whispering)"
Rhode chuckled as he fought, sometimes Elfman was surprisingly cute.
After a chaotic fight, the Labans attacking them lay scattered all over the ground.
Such combat power and numbers would be challenging for an average mage to handle.
Double fists can't match many hands, and a Magic powerful enough to injure Laban couldn't possibly last, fighting dozens with Magic Power would be exhausting.
Even Elfman was catching his breath: "These bunnies... are quite strong, huh, Manly Man."
Rhode said, "No time for a break, let's get the kids down the mountain fast, who knows how many more there are."
"But we haven't found the herbs yet."
"We'll come back later; we can't take these two further up the mountain."
Jimmy, hugging Warm, shyly said, "Um... big brother, I already found the herbs."
Otherwise, Rhode always felt his social skills weren't as good as Poro's, but before long, Warm and Jimmy had gotten along so well, snuggling as if Jimmy were its owner.
Of course, it could be because the chocolate Rhode gave Jimmy remained uneaten.
Rhode was surprised, "Already found them?"
Jimmy nodded vigorously, "Yeah!"
"Little girl! You really are... a Manly Man!"
Jimmy wore a frown, what Manly Man, I'm not Hunter.
"Alright, let's hurry down the mountain now." Rhode picked up Hunter and asked Elfman to carry Jimmy.
Jimmy was a bit scared of Elfman, but after being carried by him for a while, feeling his firm arm muscles through his clothes gave her a sense of security.
As for Warm, let it walk on its own, on the snowy mountain it felt perfectly at ease, just like being at home.
It could even help find the way down the mountain with its rich experience.
The other monsters had been sent back by Rhode, relying on its own senses to keep watch.
Luckily, they encountered no trouble going down, and when Rhode regained enough Magic Power, he summoned a Tree Monster, placed a Crown of Embers on the children, and sent it away immediately.
Hunter's complexion grew rosier, while Rhode's face turned a bit pale.
"Hey, are you alright?" Elfman was a bit concerned.
"I'm fine, just need to rest a bit."
When lacking Magic Power, even resistance to cold seemed to drop, Rhode was glad he'd prepared well and dressed warmly.
Once they were nearly back to the village, Rhode's face began to regain some color, and Hunter, who he was carrying, opened his eyes.
"Sister! Run away!"
Jimmy felt a bit bitter, but managed to squeeze out a smile, teasing, "Silly Hunter! It's alright now."
"Huh?" Hunter looked around at the surroundings in a daze, he remembered getting slapped...
Was he really slapped by Laban from the mountain to the village?
"We were saved by the big brothers!"
Once he confirmed safety, Hunter burst into tears with a "wah".
He was terrified too, and didn't even know how he dared to push his sister away.
"Dummy, quickly say thank you!"
"T-thank you, big brothers... *sob sob*..."
"No problem, but..." Rhode thought for a moment, thought he'd leave the lecturing to their mom,
"But don't wipe your nose on my clothes, winter clothes are hard to wash. Right, Elfman... Elfman?"
"Huh? Ah. As long as you two are alright."
Elfman wasn't really answering the question, could it be seeing the sister and brother touched his heart? Rhode asked, "What are you daydreaming?"
"Nothing, nothing." Elfman, holding Jimmy, just kept his head down and walked forward.
Actually, Hunter's act reminded him of himself in the past.
Back then, he too, to protect his sister and brother, recklessly received the Beast King.
Once he regained consciousness, his first reaction was also telling them to run.
It's just a pity...
The same recklessness and courage, with completely different outcomes.
However, these two children were lucky, and that's a good thing.
Jimmy was a bit dazed, seeing that the fierce-looking big brother could smile so gently.
"Big brother."
"Hmm?"
"Thank you for protecting me." Jimmy showed a sweet smile.
"Brother Elf..."
Elfman seemed to see a familiar figure: "Lisana..."
Jimmy puzzled, "What?"
"Nothing." Elfman shifted one hand to pat her head gently, "Don't do such dangerous things anymore, your mom will be worried at home, and so will your brother."
Jimmy lowered her head, feeling guilty, "Okay..."
Elfman smiled, at least this time, he protected others.
So it's like that... Rhode looked at Elfman's expression and seemed to understand something.
If it's really like I think...
Then this kid can be saved!
So can Mira!
No, can't rush to conclusions; on the way back, I'll have a good talk with him to be sure.
Moreover, finding missions as suitable as this isn't easy...
Take more escort missions, or healing types, surely we'll come across a few?
As long as there's a bit of effect each time.
Of course, need to be sure doing this won't further wound him, there's much to consider.
Will the guilt and hurt caused by inner kindness and tenderness be finally healed by his kindness and tenderness?
At last, there's a bit of a clue.