“Boy, your mouth is so foul and full of lies!” Before Harold feels fully relaxed, a hand grasped his shoulder. He turned his head and saw a big man wearing fur armor with a massive axe on his back, Harold sighed. ‘Another troublesome guy…’

Seeing Harold sigh, Steven roared. “What is your problem, boy! Can you act more than this rude way of talking!” his roar can be heard by the surrounding, and they now staring at both of them.

‘Am not even talking yet…’ Harold shifted his eyes for this troublesome barbarian and say. “That is the same for you, can you speak calmer? You hurt my eardrums.”

“My name is Steven! Not You! And I know Natasha better than you. She would never fall behind from that blond boy with showy magic!”

‘Did you not hear me, you Barbarian!’ Harold now covering his two ears as the Steven's voice is too loud. Natasha who standing near Roland turned red in embarrassment and Roland pointed himself in confused. Then Steven turned toward Harold with a fierce glare.

“And why does my enhanced nose can smell a stink smell of darkness on you! Who- No. What the hell are you!?”

This word from Steven takes the attention of the human forces as they now turned their body toward both of them and glared at Harold. It seems that Steven already recognized as a leader and they are not asking any question from his word. So when he suddenly says someone was suspicious, then he must be one to check!

This turn of events surprised Shirley and Roland as the atmosphere turned serious and looks dangerous. The people was already steeled their heart and ready to hear Harold ‘excuse’, and it looks like if the Steven say it, they will attack without minding.

Both of them gulped their saliva, and hope Harold can solve this problem like he always do. Shirley grasped her two hands together like praying, and Roland's eyes were shining.

Harold in the meantime observed the crowds and he can see Natasha already has a sword on her hand, ready to move.

“What, you say? I was a Human. Why do you say? It’s because of my power. My power is Shadow, one of the powers of Darkness.”

This sudden declaration dumbfounded the surrounding. They stared at Harold with a blank expression. Shirley and Roland gasped in surprise that Harold in a bold manner told his power to the surrounding. They were companion, Shirley believes at him is unbroken. And Roland in his heart already has a small feeling of gratefulness at his swift action and planning. But the other people in this Alstancia Continent has a full hatred toward darkness, they lose their land, they lose their loved one, and many people have their dark history and that is why they gathered in this Signal Village for a reason.

Then, Steven who grasped his axe to combat stance was like a signal, as the people started to pull out their weapons while blood red aura of killing intent poured out as their fierce glare stabbed Harold.

****

[Day 15 Month 6 Year of Crescent Moon: 18.00]

Roland standing still with blank expression, he staring at the certain location with complicated feeling in his heart. His eyes flickering with certain feeling but then disappeared, What he staring at was Harold and Shirley few meter away from him. Shirley with nervous expression while healing Harold injury as his body glowing. Even from the distance between them, Roland can understand that Shirley started to complain toward Harold. Harold who is trying to ignore her nagging, unfortunately only to make her complaint more intense.

Roland frowned seeing them but he didn’t have a good reason to disturb them, so he decided to stand still. But what is this uncomfortable feelings?

“Yo, magic boy! Your expression looked sour!”

A sudden loud voice suddenly appeared beside him, make Roland to jumped sideways in reflex, looking closely it was actually Steven, who showing a wide grin on his face.

Roland who wanted to speak something, suddenly closed his mouth, Steven smile turned rigid as he noticed Harold and Shirley on the distance.

“You know what? I really don’t understand. Why did you bring along that dangerous man?”

Roland only sighed hearing Steven badmouthing Harold with hatred. Dangerous man? Didn’t you’re the one who hurt him, when the only thing that he do is telling you about his power?

Roland couldn’t help but to remember of what happening few hour ago. When Harold said his power, Steven who gripped his weapon, swung his axe without hesitation. The upward swing lifted Harold who standing in front of Steven’s, blowing him until Harold back hit the and destroyed one of the house. The other people who already unsheathed their power also rushed to attack. Suddenly a barrier stopped them in track as their head turned toward Shirley who glared at them while trembling.

The girls group suddenly walking from their group while silently giving Shirley a glare. ‘What are you doing? Siding with cursed people!?’ their eyes openly giving an anger. And seeing Shirley stepped back a bit make their eyes shining. Before they arrive, Roland stopped them as he standing on their way.

“Stop it!!” A loud shout from Steven stopped all of them as they slowly retracted their weapon before slowly dispersed. Steven ignored his men as he only stared on his hand. ‘Why did he not evading?’ Steven mind is in turmoil. He clearly swung his axe with his strength, but he never expected that Harold would not evade it. His swing is powerful, but it was so easy to see and if people with clear mind saw it they would ridicule it as they calmly evade the swing. So, Why!?

Steven really didn’t understand as he watched Harold being treated by Shirley. The Darkness would never get along with the Light. So seeing Harold receiving healing is sure is a sight. Is Harold lying about his power being the darkness? Steven shook his head and turned toward Roland.

“That man is really easy to lie! You better careful with him.” Steven loud voice makes Roland troubled.

“Alright, but can you please lower your voice? It would be bad if they heard it…”

“So what if he heard it! He better opens his ear wide and listens! His mouth is foul and his attitude is worse!” Steven roared so loud that the entire village can heard it, there even some who smirked or laughed.

Steven then turned around and said with rare small voice as if whispering.

“Listen young man. From your attitude, I’m knows that you are only known him for a little time. But I suggest you to not let your guard down. The power of darkness is not for a human to wield. Even if the one control it were a kind man, we never know if his mind slowly being eaten. I feel sorry for that missy, you better watch him to not make any trouble for her.”

From Roland view, he can see an emotion in Steven eyes that is hard to tell. So Roland swallowed his word as he stare at the back of the man with a sigh. ‘I know…” Roland muttered in small voice before heading toward his two companions.

Shirley currently in a bad mood. She clearly heard the loud voice from Steven who was far from them and scowled. She started to making a complain.

“What the problem with him? To suddenly badmouthing a person with loud voice right in front of the person. He sure looking barbaric! And what with the people here? To laugh at Harold even when though they never seen or know him? Hmph!”

Harold smiled and poked the cheeks of Shirley who beside him.

“Don’t say that. You see Rey, you’re too long far from the civilization right? Do you think there would be normal people who want to live in this land infested monster? All the residents here were the victims of the demonic beast. They experienced betrayal and the loss of their loved one. We never know anything about their hardship and pain. So, their hatred and suspicious toward a stranger was justified. And your scowl would ruined your pretty face.”

Shirley grabbed Harold finger and puffed her cheeks as she pinched Harold. Harold silently screamed in agony. Shirley sighed before turned her head as one of her hand gripped her upper arm.

“However… E-even then, you could at least do something right? With your ability can you at least block or evade that swing? A-are you really need to receive that attack?”

Harold smirked seeing Shirley being worried then leaned his back on the wall.

“You know what. There is no use to hide this power. It even useless if I tried to says something else. If I retaliate, it would only make the situation worsen and both of you also cannot escape the backlash. Although, the attack was somewhat over my estimation as it was freaking painful. It even broke my chest protector. With this, they would understand and I’ve also decided to let the world know it. The people are afraid of me? Hating me? Fear me? It’s not my problem. My only goal is to protect you.”

Shirley who hears Harold was troubled when he suddenly mixed a joke between his serious explanations. Shirley heart stirred as she heard Harold word and she unconsciously lowering her head. She suddenly felt a big and warm hand stroking her head. Shirley looking up and see Harold smiled as he patting her. Shirley then roared.

“W-Why are you really like patting someone head!?”

Harold blinked as his hand still froze above Shirley head. ‘Because I like it’ of course he not say that, rather Harold says “Of course, because your hair is soft and lovely.”

Shirley face suddenly turned red, who know it was from her getting embarrassed or getting angry. She only glared at him.

“Harold, is it rude to suddenly patting someone head? I don’t know what do you think, but the head is important part of human. Patting head would only make them look like a pet right? It’s totally rude you know. Even my mother never do that, at least she would only pat my shoulder to encourage me.” Suddenly a voice appeared behind Shirley and she turned her head.

“Ah, Roland is it.”

Seeing Roland appeared, Harold scowled at him and folded his hand.

“That has nothing to do with you. I only do this to Rey because I like her hair.”

‘Is it the same?’ Roland coughed before says. “I don’t want to hear that from the men who getting blown up by a slow swing.”

Harold eyebrows twitched and said with evil smile. “Hooh, what is this. Doesn’t you seems more braver today~? Where are you getting this courage from, hm?”

Shirley on the corner stared at them with her smile cramped. ‘Did I fall into something troublesome, again?’