Erik

After hearing Rhode's assurance, the last trace of doubt in Norn's heart completely vanished.

Since he was Mr. Kraft's companion, he presumably wasn't a bad person.

Moreover, he was a Human Race outsider, which stirred a hint of curiosity about the outside world in Norn. However, his cautious nature kept him from showing it.

"What an unbelievable coincidence. In that case, Mr. Rhode, please focus on recovering properly."

Seeing that Rhode had finished the herbal soup, Norn took back the empty bowl and was about to leave. Then he suddenly stopped, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Will that Demon Race member chasing you come again?"

Though "come again" wasn't quite right. After all, the monsters couldn't enter this forest.

What Norn feared most was that the Demon Race member was still lingering outside the forest, waiting for Rhode to leave. That would make things troublesome.

At that moment, Rhode did not know that the monster had already been completely dealt with by Serie. Hearing Norn's question, he did not know how to answer for a while.

If a Human Race village ended up being targeted by the Demon Race because of him, then he would be a sinner.

The room fell quiet.

Although Gremir Forest had a Barrier, anyone would feel unsettled knowing a dangerous Demon Race member outside was watching them hungrily.

Rhode's expression became grave as he said quietly, "I'm not sure. That Demon Race member was badly injured, but I can't say for certain whether he is still outside."

Hearing this, Noyun tightly clutched the corner of her brother's clothes with her little hand.

Little girls were most afraid of such terrifying things.

That was true in any era, in any world.

Norn took a deep breath and patted his sister's shoulder, signaling for her not to be afraid.

He did not feel any displeasure toward Rhode, nor did he resent him for bringing danger to the village through his actions.

The guilty ones had always been those who harmed others.

Even if Rhode's arrival brought danger to the village, it would be the Demon Race member's fault. Rhode, who was being hunted, was innocent.

Of course, that would be another matter if Rhode had deliberately lured the Demon Race member here.

When the strong raised their blades against the weak, and the weak, in order to escape, dragged other weak people into it, then all were sinners.

He said to Rhode, "I'll notify the village to strengthen its guard. Rest and recover. If you need anything, tell Noyun."

"Thank you." Rhode nodded.

After Norn left, Noyun asked timidly, "Mr. Rhode, will that Demon Race member attack the village?"

Seeing how frightened the little girl was, Rhode smiled. "Don't worry. As long as you don't run around, he won't be able to attack the village."

Just then, a hearty voice came from outside.

"I heard that guy woke up!?"

A blond man burst in. He stared straight at Rhode, his face full of curiosity.

"Brother Erik, what are we having for dinner tonight?"

"Stewed Feather Chicken. Norn is already making it."

Noyun swallowed. Feather chicken was the most delicious food in this forest—tender, juicy, and naturally fragrant.

Her earlier fear was now suppressed by her appetite.

"Then I'm going to take a look."

Noyun trotted out of the house. Watching her excited back, Erik smiled. He could tell at a glance that the girl wanted to sneak a bite.

But a little girl could not eat much anyway, so he could not be bothered to stop her.

He turned his attention back to Rhode, who was half-reclining. "When I first found you, I thought you were an animal carcass floating down the river. Only after I pulled you out did I realize you were a human—and still breathing."

Erik burst into laughter, but his words did not make Rhode laugh.

Something about it felt strange.

Still, the other man had saved him, so Rhode sincerely said, "Thank you for saving me. I'm Rhode."

Erik waved it off casually. "I'm Erik. I heard from Norn that you were being chased by a Demon Race member?"

"Yes."

"I heard you even badly injured that Demon Race member?" Erik looked at him skeptically. "That doesn't seem very likely!"

Mr. Kraft had once told him that every Demon Race member was incredibly powerful. Even he had to give them his full attention.

Moreover, the Demon Race was exceedingly cunning. One moment of carelessness, and they would seize the opening, leaving their opponent to die without even knowing why.

And Rhode did not look like a powerful warrior. Even his build was fairly ordinary.

Erik could not help but doubt whether what Rhode said was true.

Rhode also heard the implication in Erik's words and knew the man before him did not believe him. The pain in his body had mostly eased by now, so he directly said, "How about a spar?"

"Uh!" Erik was somewhat surprised. He only had doubts; he had not planned to spar with Rhode now, especially when Rhode was still injured. "Let's forget it. I have no intention of taking advantage of someone in a weakened state."

"It's fine. These injuries don't affect me much."

As long as he still had mana in his body, he could cast magic. His injuries merely made it inconvenient for him to move.

But he could use the Defense Magic Serie had taught him. He would not even need to dodge.

"Mm..." Erik was still hesitant.

"It's fine. It'll be good to loosen up a little."

Rhode checked his body. He had no serious internal injuries such as broken bones, and the herbs Norn had given him were quite effective. The pain throughout his body had already eased considerably.

"Let's forget it. We can do it once you've recovered a little more. Otherwise, Norn will nag me again."

After hesitating again and again, Erik finally suppressed the urge in his heart.

He truly wanted to see the strength of this outsider and find out what gave him the confidence to adventure in this world.

But he also knew he could not take advantage of someone in a weakened state, so sparring the next day would not be too late.

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

Upon entering Gremir Forest, Serie encountered Kraft and Som, who had been waiting for a long time.

"Serie, are you all right?" Kraft stepped forward. There had not been many monsters chasing them, so the two had easily shaken them off.

At the time, they had guessed that the Demon Race member had taken most of the monsters to chase Serie and Rhode, so they had planned to return along the same route to help.

But they did not know Rhode and Serie's escape route. After searching through the forest for most of the day, they could only helplessly come to Gremir Forest first and wait.

"Where's young Rhode?" The Dwarf Som noticed that Serie was alone and hurried over to ask.

"I got separated from Rhode. The Demon Race member knocked him into the river at the bottom of the cliff. I'm going to find him now."

Serie had searched along the river the whole way and entered Gremir Forest, where she happened to encounter the two resting by the riverbank.

"We'll come with you."

Kraft understood the seriousness of the situation and immediately prepared to search for Rhode with Serie.