Zane knew the elven at the inn he protected fought until they collapsed. Therefore, the male elven was talking about the first inn that was destroyed. Zane was stunned because he didn’t expect anyone to run away. He didn’t think anyone should give their lives to protect the inns, but the male elven’s words made it seem like they gave up without trying.

“I meant exactly what I said,” the male elven stated with a sneer on his face. “We didn’t see a single human coming to help us even though we requested help multiple times. Did you think we would needlessly throw away our lives to protect the inn? We’re supposed to pay the greatest price while you humans receive the greatest rewards. Our race isn’t that foolish.”

Embarrassment and anger began to fill Zane’s mind. He recently stood up in defense of the elven. Although the elven failed, he believed they did their best and they didn’t deserve everyone’s hatred. Once the male elven finished speaking he knew he was wrong. He felt like a fool.

“Couldn’t you have endured ten more minutes?” Zane asked. He didn’t even think about hiding the anger in his voice. “My friends and I were planning to offer aid after we spent a few minutes resting. Are you telling me you couldn’t keep fighting for a few more minutes?”

“Sure, you can say that now. But how can I know if what you’re saying is true. We requested help for more than thirty minutes without any sign of help coming. We were told to hold on and wait a little longer each time we asked for help. It’s clear to see that you humans abandon us first, so we made the decision that was best for us, preserving our own lives.”

“Bullshit!” A woman from the crowd shouted. “All of us faced danger and we did so without running away. Your all cowards that took the easy way out. People died because of you.”

“Didn’t that woman come before us and announce that all of you were prepared to die to save your world?” A man from the crowd asked. “Or was that bitch spewing bullshit like you’re doing right now?”

“Disrespect to the Daughter will not be tolerated!” An elven female shouted as she drew her sword.

“I’m only speaking the truth.”

Calm down! Everyone, please just calm down!” Adam demanded. “Everyone will be given an opportunity to voice their complaints, but now is not that time.”

“I think now is the perfect time,” the level seventy-five evil human stated. “A price needs to be paid whether that be village points or blood. You and the council are supposed to handle situations like this right? Well, it’s time for you to do your fucking job.”

The evil human’s words resonated with the crowd. Immediately, shouts demanding village points and blood came from the crowd. Zane coldly watched in silence as Adam began sweating from the pressure. Although Zane felt bad for him, he had no intention of speaking up. Standing next to Sophie, Zane was able to see the many people that suffered from the actions or inactions of the elven. The anger inside of him could not be soothed. It demanded a price be paid.

“Everyone, calm down.” Jade spoke as she stepped forward to stand with Adam. As she spoke more human and elven were being attracted by the crowd. “I know all of you are angry and want an answer. However, there is no quick and easy solution.”

“There is a solution,” a man said. Like most people he was covered in wounds and wearing damaged armor. He had fair skin and short brown hair. He stepped forward with a woman and a man beside him. In his arms was the broken and bloody body of a woman.

“They ran away, and people died. Sure, some of their people would have died if they stayed. But because they ran, the inn they were protecting were destroyed, the mana creatures became stronger, and hundreds of people died. The answer is obvious, a life for a life.”

Handing the dead body to the woman beside him, the man stepped forward and drew his sword. His actions were met with the approval of the crowd. Many people drew their weapons and started walking forward as if they were planning to fight with him.

Naturally, the elven were unwilling to be victims. Drawing their weapons, the elven stepped forward and showed their willingness to fight. The tension in the air rose to new heights as two groups approached each other. However, Jade ended the fight before it could begin.

“STOP.” Jade calmly and clearly stated.

Combined the two groups had less than fifty people. Jade was able to paralyze all of them with a word. They were frozen for approximately two seconds before they regained their ability to move.

“Put your weapons away. Before we resort to violence let’s try and have a proper conversation. Can one of you bring your leader here?”

“Daughter is resting, and you have no right to give us orders.”

“It wasn’t an order. I’m sure your leader would want to be a part of this discussion.”

“I’m here.” The elven parted and created a space for Daughter to walk through.

“Thank you for coming.” Jade gave a nod of her head as a sign of respect. “With you here I’m sure we can find a way to resolve things peacefully.”

“I don’t want to resolve things peacefully.” The brown-haired man that led the charge vocally showed his disapproval. “They need to pay, a life for a life.”

“Life for a life!”

“Life for a life!”

“The elven are unafraid,” Daughter replied. “We were willing to face all opponents.”

“If you’re unafraid then why didn’t you protect the inn.” Someone shouted

“Cowards!”

“Why don’t you run away again!”

“Fight me!” The brown-haired man pointed his sword at all of the elven.

“If you want a fight then the elven will give you one!” An elven shouted.

“Enough!” Jade shouted. “Daughter please control your people.”

“Control my people? Daughter questioned. “You humans are the ones that insulted us and pointed your weapons at us. We are simply responding to your actions.”

“Maybe we should let them fight,” Adam suggested.

“Do you really think that’s a good idea?” Jade asked.

“I’m not saying we should let them kill each other. We can let them fight without weapons. Sometimes the best thing to do is let people fight it out.”

Jade frowned in response to Adam’s words. She felt like the situation would become worse if she allowed a fight to happen. After some hesitation she looked to Daughter and a few other members of the council to see their opinion. All of them agreed.

“Sometimes people can become friends after a good fight.”

“Everyone needs an opportunity to vent their emotions. A fight is a good way to do it.”

“My people are willing to fight.” Daughter stated. “However, I hope that there will be no violence toward my people after the fight is over.”

With the appointed leaders in agreement the fight was scheduled to begin. The crowd was stirred into a frenzy as they began shouting at the two fighters. The brown-haired man and a male elven.

The elven looked similar to most elven. He had a slender frame, fair skin and green eyes filled with disdain. Although the brown-haired man wasn’t bulky, the slender frame of his opponent made him seem much larger. The elven looked healthy and well rested while the man was tired and wounded. However, both were emitting a powerful will to fight. Once they were ready Daughter announced the start of the battle.

Without hesitation the brown-haired man charged forward like a raging bull. The male elven took calm graceful steps forward while wearing an arrogant expression. The elven male easily dodged the brown-haired man’s first attack and calmly defended against the ones that came after. Only a few seconds passed, but Zane already knew who would win the fight.

Sadly, that person wasn’t the brown-haired man. It didn’t take long for the elven male to beat the man into submission. The fight ended with the elven male’s foot on the man’s neck.

“You’ve lost.” The elven male stated.

“I’ve lost.” The brown-haired man struggled for a while, but he eventually admitted defeat. The man lost his fire the moment he admitted defeat. His anger was gone, his will extinguished and he laid on the ground without resisting.

Many people in the crowd became silent when the man admitted defeat. Many people started to calm down and weren’t as angry. Of course, there were still some people who were angry and willing to fight.

“See,” Adam quietly spoke to Jade. “People are starting to calm down.”

“Pathetic!” The elven said as he took his foot of the man’s neck. “It’s a good thing you admitted defeat, otherwise you would have ended up like the garbage you caried here.”

As the elven walked away he wasn’t able to see the man’s eyes. He didn’t see the extinguished will reignite. The man stood up and glared at the elven before charging forward. The elven turned around in surprise and received a punch to the face.

“Filthy human!” The elven roared as he leapt to his feet and whipped the blood from his mouth. Drawing a sword, the elven walk toward the man with hatred in his eyes. “You will pay for that.”

“Bring it on.” The brown-haired man said as he drew his sword.

“We need to stop them,” Jade said.

“Let them fight,” Daughter replied. “That human launched a sneak attack when the battle was over. Honestly, it shouldn’t have been a surprise. It’s normal for you humans to behave shamelessly.”

“I’m sure all elven aren’t the same so please do not pretend like all humans are. Also, the reason that man attacked is because he was provoked.”

“Excuses. The truth is-”

Daughter was interrupted by a collective gasp from the crowd. Turning to look she could see the head of the brown-haired man flying into the air. Blood squirted from the headless body as it slowly collapsed. The head fell to the ground shortly after. The entire time everyone watched on in silence.