The forest reeked. A sickening, sweet stench hung in the air.
Groans of the wounded filled the temporary camp.
Roland's side had paid a price, too. Several slave soldiers were wounded.
Alina's people had saved their core fighters. But most of them were injured.
A woman knelt by Alina. She carefully tore the cloth from her shoulder. She washed the wound with clean water.
"Hss..." Alina sucked in a sharp breath. But she held back any cry of pain.
Her gaze went past the woman's shoulder. It locked onto Roland.
Roland had his back to her. He was calmly checking his casualties.
Alina's expression was complex. Shock. Gratitude. But most of all, a deep, profound awe.
When she was at her weakest, her magic sealed... He could have just watched. He could have killed her and taken everything.
But he honored their fragile, verbal alliance.
He saved her. And he saved what was left of her people. That kind of honor was rarer than gold in the chaotic North.
"Done," the woman said softly. She skillfully applied a salve and tied the bandage.
"Thank you." Alina pulled her gaze back and nodded.
Just then, Roland turned.
He gave Violette a look.
Violette understood. She grabbed a bucket of cold water. She walked over to the unconscious scout, Rena. And dumped it over his head.
SPLASH! "Koff... koff, koff!" Rena woke with a jolt, coughing violently.
He looked around, dazed. When he saw Roland and Alina, his eyes filled with venom.
"Pah!" He spat bloody foam.
"You... you damned bandits!"
"Scheming with outsiders... The Lord won't let you get away with this!"
Roland heard this. A slight, amused smile touched his lips.
He walked over and squatted in front of Rena.
"The lord you mentioned," he asked calmly, "is it Cassian?"
Rena's curses died in his throat.
Roland smiled. He slowly wiped a captured dagger.
"I'm just curious. You're a knight."
"Why aren't you back in your territory?"
"Why are you out here in this wasteland, luring Corpsefiends to attack a group of bandits?"
Rena's face went white. His lips trembled. He couldn't say a word.
Roland's smile remained. But his dark eyes turned cold.
"Cassian. My dear brother sent you to kill me, didn't he."
"Lord Roland." A weak but firm voice called out.
Alina walked over, supported by Wood. She stood at Roland's side. Her icy gaze fixed on Rena.
"This man... he plotted and killed many of my people."
"Please... hand him over to me."
Rena looked up, terrified. "You... you can't..."
Roland stood up. He didn't even look at Rena. He just nodded to Alina.
"He's yours."
"No—!"
Raw hatred flared in Wood's eyes. He drew his sword and stepped forward.
Shink! The blade flashed. Rena's scream was cut short. Blood sprayed over Wood.
Vengeance burned in Wood's eyes. It wasn't enough. He stabbed the body again. And again.
Roland watched quietly until Wood finally stopped.
Alina took a deep breath, steadying herself.
She pushed Wood's arm away.
She struggled, but managed a deep bow toward Roland.
"Lord Roland. You honored our promise... when I was at my weakest."
"I, Alina, will not forget this kindness."
Roland accepted her bow.
He turned and walked toward the ten bound bandits. Anna had already brought them over.
Roland untied their ropes.
"I am the rightful lord of the Nightingale Barony in the North." His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to everyone.
"I need people to build my lands." He scanned the crowd, his gaze landing on Alina.
"Alina. Your people need a home, too." "Join me."
The invitation hit her like a boulder dropped in a lake. Alina were stunned.
A home...
A fierce internal struggle crossed Alina's face. She wanted to.
But after a moment, she shook her head, pained. "Lord Roland, I admire your kindness and your honor."
"For a moment, I was tempted."
"But... I have something I must do."
Roland frowned. "What is it?"
Alina looked south. "A... personal vow." "I can't stop until it's fulfilled."
Roland stared at her. In the corner of his vision, the minimap icon for Alina was still unique.
A clear blue, flecked with white.
What does that even mean?
Roland didn't know. But his intuition told him this woman was more than she seemed.
"Alright." Roland nodded, respecting her choice. "In that case, I'll count the spoils."
Alina let out a breath. "As we agreed," she said quickly, "the equipment and food are yours. You've earned it."
She hesitated, then seemed to make a decision.
She bit her lip. She stepped closer to Roland.
"But... Lord Roland."
"Could I... beg you to take less of the food?" Her voice dropped to a plea.
"My people are almost out."
"If you could leave us more, I... I'll do anything you ask."
"Oh?" Roland turned his head slowly. His gaze swept over her pale, beautiful face.
"Anything?"
His voice had a strange magnetism. Alina's heart skipped a beat. A blush suddenly bloomed on Alina's cheeks.
She bit her lip. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides.
She was at war with herself. She knew exactly what "anything" could mean.
It would be her first time...She had always valued... but... for the dozens of people who followed her...
Her breathing quickened. She struggled. She was about to nod…..
"Hahahaha—!" Roland suddenly burst out laughing. "I'm kidding, Lady Alina."
Alina snapped her head up, staring at him in shock.
The playful look on Roland's face was gone. He was serious again.
"The food. I'll take fifty percent." "The rest is yours."
"...You!" Alina's eyes instantly reddened. She never expected him to be so... generous.
"Don't," Roland said, waving his hand.
"And I'll leave you twenty sets of the leather armor and weapons."
He looked at Alina.
"I just don't want my new 'ally' to die of starvation right after leaving this forest."
"Lord Roland..." Alina couldn't hold it in. She surged forward and gave Roland a tight hug.
It was brief. Not romantic. Just pure, heavy gratitude.
"Thank you." She let go, stepped back, and bowed deeply again.
"Ahem." A tiny sound came from behind Roland.
Violette was standing in the shadows.
Her violet eyes were fixed on Alina, her mouth in a slight pout.
Roland glanced back at her.
Violette instantly smile again. As if her displeasure had just been an illusion.
The supplies were divided.
"Well then, Lady Alina. Farewell." Roland swung onto his horse. "I hope you fulfill your vow soon."
"Be safe, Lord Roland!" Alina shouted from the front of the camp. "The North... the North is dangerous! Be careful!"
Roland didn't look back. He just raised a hand and waved. "Move out!"
The North.
He was coming. Finally.