Chapter 49: Return to the Village

The decision has been made. The remaining members of the group, including the mind-controlled Borin and the 8 orc kids, all went towards the direction of Cola Village, the village that ordered the quest.

Although Barry had suggested against the decision of bringing the orc kids to the village for obvious reasons, one glance from Layla was enough to stop the words in his throat. Besides, it was almost dark, and as their unofficial leader, Tristan couldn't let the decision to leave children unattended no matter what their race was.

Their choices were either staying a night outside the village or to return and risk the villagers' reaction towards the orc kids. Tristan decided to choose the latter.

As predicted, their arrival accompanied by the orc kids brought mixed feelings into the village. However, due to their success in eradicating the orc camp, the villagers collectively decided to let them come into the village and stay the night.

There was no welcome, no celebration. Tristan certainly did not need it, per se, but the clearly different treatment annoyed him.

Tristan decided to keep a level head, deal with his anger later, and ask about the rewards for the eradication. When he got the answer that he could only claim the reward in the nearest adventure guild, he became even more annoyed.

Fortunately the village elder still allowed the group to stay at the empty residence where they stayed previously.

Right as Tristan and the group walked inside the place, Tristan was welcomed by Herrera, the beautiful purple-haired mage.

"Ah, you are all back! I have been waiting. I have to say, it's quite lonely here by myself." Although she acted as if she welcomed everyone, her gaze was fixed on Tristan the whole time, something that did not go unnoticed by the other team members. But, though they had noticed it, none of them chose to speak up.

Herrera asked about how the job went, and about Piyo's whereabouts. Right as the question left her lips, everyone went quiet. Some looked away at the mention of his name.

"Ah, bad news, was it? Well, at least you all came back safe and sound. That is one silver lining." Herrera quickly said after realizing the burgeoning awkwardness between them.

The woman took Tristan's hand, winked, and pulled herself towards him. She escorted Tristan to a long table with the rest of the group following behind him.

Right as they arrived at the table, the scent of a sumptuous feast can be smelt by everyone there. The entire long table was full with various meat dishes, vegetables, and a plate of sliced fruit. There was so much food, it was even enough for the orc kids.

After Tristan took his seat, Herrera immediately sat right between Tristan and Layla. Her body language showed that she tried to distance Layla a bit from Tristan.

"How is the food, Sir Tristan?" Herrera asked, while pressing her body against him. "I hope it is to your liking?"

"Yeah, thank you." Tristan gave a simple answer, not sure how to react to her blatant flirting. "You're a good cook."

Herrera's face reddened upon hearing the compliment. She pressed her face closer to Tristan's arm, letting him feel the warmth on her face, and said. "Sir Tristan, if you like it, I can provide you with this, every day and night, for the rest of our life…"

Tristan was busy eating, and thus he merely nodded in response. The nonchalant response made the woman become more excited.

Meanwhile, Layla narrowed her eyes at the purple-haired woman in annoyance. Not only is she interrupting dinner with her flirting towards her brother, Layla could also see how lovestruck she was, and she felt nothing but disgust thanks to it.

"Slut.." she whispers to herself

"What was it, little sister?"

"Who hell are you calling little sister?!"

"Of course you are… you are the sister of my beloved and you are… little"

Hererra said it by glancing at her body... Which annoyed her even more.

Fortunately, before a fight broke out, Tristan stood up and asked Barry for more information about the orc city he mentioned.

Barry unfurled a small map depicting the territory of Arcadia Kingdom and pointed at the southernmost border.

"This is our current location." Barry said.

The cola village is located south of Erantell, while the capital city is further north. Spread out on the west are the evergreen forest meanwhile, blue oceans cover the eastern territory, as where they will be heading the down south was marked as "Chaotic Plains"

"Alright then, which orc settlement would be the closest to our current position?" Tristan raised his eyebrows.

"Around here." Barry pointed at the chaotic plains, and explained that most of the area belongs to the orcs. He suggested to take a boat and sailing along the coast to find a settlement nearby. It would be faster and easier, and they wouldn't be exposed to unnecessary danger.

"Alright, I agree. That will be our plan."

Tristan was quite glad that the eight orc children were more obedient than he thought. They appeared to be willing to listen to Layla and him without too much fuss.

As the late night starts to creep ever closer, the eight orc children are huddled together, resting in one room sharing it. From the outside where Tristan and Layla peeked in, they looked like sardines being pressed close together.

While Tristan was staring at the sleeping kids, Layla looked at him and smiled.

"Did they remind you of something, brother?"

Tristan did not answer, he merely nodded. Layla was certainly right, the scene did remind Tristan of himself when he was still at the orphanage. In order to keep himself warm during the colder months, he would huddle together with the other children like that.

After a few minutes, Tristan and Layla closed the door as quietly as they could, before he went to his room for a well-deserved rest. Layla said good night to him before entering her own room, and he did the same.

Right after he entered, Tristan saw the fire magician Herrera was already waiting for him. She lay splayed on his bed, wearing a thin, black dress that accentuated her curves.

"Sir Tristan…" with a teasing sound, she beckoned him. "Yesterday was the best I ever had... no one can ever compare… let me feel your touch again tonight..."

Tristan approached the girl, put both hands on her shoulders, and lifted her up to a sitting position.

"Yes, Sir Tristan… I am ready, now come at me.." Herrera smiled, a smile that faded the moment Tristan carried her bridal style.

Took her out of the room, gave a long sigh, and said.

"I need my fucking rest!"

He dropped her and slammed the door closed.