Alastor and Caroline came back to the village after they’ve slain the monster. The head was cut off clean and had to wrapped the head of the Ozer bear to censor the gruesome figure. They stop at the front door and remove their shoes as it was stained in blood.

Entering the hut, the old lady seemed to be preparing for their snacks. When she finally packed it with a fabric, she turned, tilted over her heels and got to see the tired faces of two. She hurriedly came to their side with a motherly gesture over the two.

“Oh my. Are the two of you alright? Is someone hurt?”

Alastor shook off her hand. “Don’t worry we’re fine.”

“Thank you for your concern. Just as you request, we’ve defeated the monster for you.” Caroline earnestly said. “It won’t be bothering you anymore.”

Alastor showed her the head of the monster, but she quickly averted her gaze.

“You don’t need to show such gruesome sight.”

“Sorry,” Alastor said. “I just thought it might be good taking this head as a proof.”

“Thank you for killing the beast. Without your help this small land of ours will be a food stock for the monsters.” The old lady clasps her hand. “Ah yes. I forgot. I have something for you.”

The old lady gave them a packed of food and a jar.

“What’s the jar for?” Alastor remove the tip and smelled it. It was unpleasant and he could tell that this is a booze they cultivated.

“It’s a beer.” She replied.

“I’ve been longing to ask,” Caroline started. “Why not move away from here? Live in the city? I’m pretty sure you have family back there. Any sons? Daughters?”

The old lady shakes her head. “I understand what you are saying, but whenever I see the life of my children had I cannot bear to see that they must endure watching me over too. They have their own life now, and I have my mine.”

“But you’re their mother.”

“I know, but it doesn’t mean I have to control their lives.”

“That’s not what I meant. They should take care of you.”

The old lady offered a half-smile. “My children, debts me nothing, darlin’.

“Is that it?”

“Caroline,” Alastor cut off and threw her a look.

The old lady sighed. “You know, you kinda remind me of my late husband. Grumpy, strict and cold. He never gave me too much attention ever since we had our first child. All the time he’s busy on farm, making deals with the city mayor regarding exporting rice and other. And even still we’re living smoothly, he cannot still rest assured. I knew since the beginning that he’s scared of being a father and a husband, but I didn’t blame him of such. We married the same year as you youth. He didn’t have a plan nor has any money. What he has done for our family is enough for me as a gift.”

“What about your scars?” Alastor dared to asked. “Where did you get them?”

“Oh, this?” The old lady folded a part of her clothes around her around and showed to them various scars. “I got this scars in several occasion. One was trying to help him and I got fell, some where from his whips accidentally leading to me. None was his fault.”

Alastor hummed his fingers. His eyes remained skeptic.

“By the way,” she ventured at her room and grabbed a sack of coins. “This is the only thing we can offer to you.”

The dangling noises from it didn’t escape their ears. They knew that all inside was coins, summed out of their remaining budget.

Caroline as belligerent she is, decline her offer before Alastor can claimed it. “No, no. Please, keep it.”

“Why?” The elder asked. “Didn’t you accept his job for the enemy.”

“Yes,” Alastor promptly responded. His hands were about to reach the sack of coins but Caroline shoved it down.

“But we gained something valuable in the process too.”

“What is that?”

“Experienced. Our bout against the monster helped me improved my ability.”

“But still…”

“There is no need.”

The old lady took a hold of Caroline’s hand and handed the sack of money.

“This is a token of our appreciation. Do not worry. With the monster is gone, our products will once more flourish.”

“I really - really feel bad about this, taking your money while the men and women in this village are having a hard time.”

“Miss Caroline, you have a good heart. I hope there could be others like you.”

“Thank you for your kindness.”

The old woman nodded and offered a smile as she watched Caroline and Alastor took off.

“You’re a fool for trying to reject the money, you know.” Alastor spoke after her.

The sky was dipped in orange and red. The wind shrilled while the birds are following the rhythm of the breeze.

“Of course, I would decline her. They’re poor. If you have any amount of decency left in your heart - which is none, then you would’ve understood them.”

Alastor sighed as clung the head of the beast. “I really still can’t believe that you were able to survived that much long all by yourself.”

“Why? Because I’m a girl?”

“No. It’s because you’re naïve. Denying a money is like denying a food treated by some stranger.”

“By taking their remaining money, how do you think they will survive?”

“The old lady seems so confident about reviving their land.”

“You don’t really care about other people, don’t you? You only care to those who you considered friends or anyone that you can use.”

“This world revolves only in money. Without it you cannot afford anything or survive that much long.”

“No.” Caroline protested. “Your world revolves only in money.”

“Oh yeah? What do you know about me? You barely know me and now you have the right to judge? Excuse me, princess. I only wanted to gather resources as much as possible so you can get home safe.”

Caroline raised a brow. “Do you actually want to save or are you only doing this just to get some plenty amount of money?”

Alastor almost had forgotten what he is. And so, he didn’t reply. They were silence for a while.

“You know what? It doesn’t matter anymore. Let’s just go back and get some rest.”