AN: Hello, your lazy author :D present you chapter 18, enjoy.

PR by Zenla, the royal proofreader

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We continued to move at a fast pace for around 2 hours. Every now and then I would cast the enhancement spells on us. All this time the girl was in my arms, clinging to me, with tears silently streaming down her face. We didn't have any camping materials, but magic helped us a little. Once we settled down, the girl fell asleep on my lap while clinging to me.

My father and I were tired as well, but neither of us tried to lay down to rest. We stayed silent, staring at the camp fire. My gaze fell on the sleeping girl. Today was probably the worst day of her life. My father and I stayed up all night, we had bags under our eyes. When the girl woke up, she flinched, then took a good look at me and relaxed a bit. I took her in my arms again, then I cast the enhancements spells on both me and my father, and moved at a fast pace toward our home.

We reached Argot in the middle of the afternoon. My father had to inform Lucas, the village chief, about the attack on Carduc. I went straight home with the girl in my arms. Seeing me with tired eyes and an unknown girl in my eyes, the villagers understood that something serious happened during my trip. They asked me if I was alright, and I reassured them as much as possible.

When I reached home, I took the girl to the living room and left her on a chair. I brough her a cup of water and went to the kitchen to make a soup. When I was done, I gave her a bowl and sat next to her with my own. I started eating, but she didn't at first, but I gently told her she had to eat. She looked at me with her brown eyes, nodded and started eating slowly.

A few minutes later, she was silently crying again. So I stood up and took her in my arms, and she cried for good while holding me. Later, she fell asleep and I put her in my bed. While she was sleeping, I finally got a good look at her. She was charming, tanned skin with blond hair, an ovale face, a slightly pointed nose and slightly thin lips. She was a bit taller than me, with a modest chest, and a wonderful butt that kept distracting me. She must have been between 13 and 15 years old, a pretty girl. I sat down next ot her, remembering everything that happened at Carduc, then all the weight and tiredness of the last 2 days hit me like a tidal wave. I laid down and fell asleep instantly.

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Roland has always been a peaceful, gentle guy, he didn't like the idea of harming others. During his younger days he would rather endure being harmed by someone than trying to harm them back. He was more interested in nature and alchemy, and making products for the sake of the other people. His current wife, Yaereen, beat some sense in him during the time they spent traveling together. She even tried to teach him how to fight, but he had no aptitude for it. And he never felt bad about it, until that night.

He was at an inn with his prided 9 year old son. They had gone to a nearby town so his son would be officialy recognised as an alchemist. They stopped in a village for the night, but right before going to sleep the village was attacked by bandits. Because the village was near a town, it had poor defences, and the bandits quickly reached the inn he was staying in with his son. They were under attack and he didn't have the ability to protect him.

The worst thing for him was that his 9 year old son, even though he was diligently training to fight and defend himself, had to kill to protect his father, and protect himself. His son knew that his father wasn't a fighter, and was ready to fight himself, to kill. Even though he looked really bad, his son still kept his focus, and saved him, almost at the cost of his life. It was almost unbearable for this gentle loving father to see that his son was forced to take brutal actions.

While they were fleeing from the village, they spotted a girl about to be raped by 2 bandits. Roland was torn between leaving fast so his son wouldn't have to kill more than he already did, or help the girl and get themselves in more danger. But his son reacted faster than him, and killed the 2 bandits without any hesitation, and without remorse. Then he gave her his change of clothes and turned around.

Roland was proud of him, because he didn't think long before going to help someone in need. 3 other bandits attacked them, shortly after, and Roland saw his son killing again, but this time in a cold and calculating manner. He could tell his son was furious, and he was furious as well, since he too killed them. After that, they left the village with the girl, moving fast.

Roland couldn't sleep that night, because he realised his beloved little boy has lost his innocence forever. He lost his innocence too early. Seeing that his son didn't sleep either hurt him terribly. He knew he was heavily affected by what he saw and did. He knew that, after that night his son wouldn't be the same ever again. He was at least relieved his son was still a caring boy.

When they reached Argot, Roland thought it would be best to warn the village early about what took place at Carduc, and his son just assured him that he could take care of the girl. Roland agreed, beside, the girl looked to be really attached, more like dependant on him. He went to the village head's house and gave him a report.

Later an emergency meeting was conducted, during which Roland when into more details about the events of Carduc, and the possibility that the bandit group may move closer to Argot. After the meeting, shortly before dusk, he left with the company of his wife. He recounted to her what had happened, and what he felt about it. She too, was saddened their son experienced something like that so early, but there was nothing they could do about it.

When they got to their home, they found out that their son and the girl had already eaten. Not seeing or hearing them, they went upstair and checked their son's room. They were both asleep on the bed, the girl was holding tightly onto their son, who even in his sleep, had a tired and uneasy expression. Considering what they both went through, Roland and Yaereen decided to let them be. Besides, Roland was extremely tired himself, so after a quick meal, they went to sleep.

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I woke up after sunrise, feeling a bit tired, my body was still aching. Something was warped around my waist, and when I looked, I saw it was the girl I rescued. She was still asleep and there were traces of dried tears on her face, but she looked at ease. I slowly got up, making sure not to wake her up, and went downstair to wash myself. I took more time than usual, I felt really dirty after killing those men.

When I was done, I found my mother in the kitchen making breakfast. We hugged each other for a few minutes. She was crying. I separated from her and told her that I would be fine. Before going back upstairs, I turned around, she was looking at me, and one more I told her I would be fine, then went back in my room.

The girl was already awake, kneeling on the bed, looking at the window. She noticed me and turned her gaze towards me. I closed the distance and sat next to her. I told her where we are and who lives in the house. Then I introduced myself and asked her who she was. Her name was Muriem, 13 years old. I told her that breakfast was being made, and that in the meantime she should wash herself. I led her downstair and left her in the care of my mother while I took care of the breakfast.

My mother, my father, Muriem and I. The 4 of us were silently sitting in the living room after eating breakfast. My mother lent the girl some of her clothes for the time being. She asked Muriem if she knew anything about ger family in Carduc or beyond. Muriem was the only daughter of a couple of farmers. They both died in Carduc while trying to protect her.

Her father was an only child whose parents died long ago. Her mother was the daughter of a thoreim warrior, but she had eloped with her father and cut ties with her family. Right now, she was all alone. She started crying, but I took her in my arms and told her she won't be alone. I gave a meaningful look to my parents, and after a while they nodded.

You have a new home now, Muriem.

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AN: I didn't feel like writing dialogues...