Erik

After hearing such a guarantee from Mr. Rhode, the last shred of doubt in Norn's heart completely dissipated.

Since the other party was a companion of Mr. Kraft, they surely couldn't be a bad person.

Moreover, the other party was a human from the outside world, which stirred a hint of curiosity in Norn about the outside, though his cautious nature kept him from showing it.

"What an incredible coincidence. In that case, Mr. Rhode, please take good care of your injuries."

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

Saying "come back" wasn't quite right either, since the Monsters in this forest couldn't get in anyway.

What Norn worried about most was that Demon Race member still lurking outside the forest, waiting for Rhode to come out—that would spell trouble.

At this moment, Rhode didn't know that the Monster had already been completely dealt with by Serie. Hearing Norn's question, he was momentarily at a loss for how to answer.

If his presence caused this human tribe to be targeted by the Demon Race, then he would be a sinner.

The room grew somewhat quiet.

Although Gremir Forest had a barrier, anyone would feel uneasy knowing a dangerous Demon Race member was eyeing them from outside.

Rhode's expression turned very grave as he said in a low voice, "I'm not sure. That Demon Race member was badly injured—I can't say for certain if it's still out there."

Hearing this, Noyun's small hand tightly gripped her brother's clothes.

Little girls were most afraid of such terrifying things.

No matter the era or the world, it was always the same.

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

He didn't harbor any resentment toward Rhode, nor did he feel any bitterness that the other's actions might bring danger to the village.

The guilty ones were always those who harmed others.

Even if Rhode's arrival brought danger to the village, it was still the fault of that Demon Race member. The pursued Rhode was innocent.

If Rhode had deliberately lured the Demon Race member here, that would be another story.

The strong striking the weak, and the weak dragging other weaklings into their escape—in such cases, all were sinners.

He said to Rhode, "I'll notify the village to strengthen the watch. Rest and recover peacefully. 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 the little girl's frightened expression, Rhode put on a smile. "Don't worry. As long as you don't run around, it can't attack the village."

Just then, a hearty voice came from outside.

"I heard that guy's awake!?"

A golden-haired man burst in, staring straight at Rhode with undisguised curiosity.

"Brother Erik, what's for dinner tonight?"

"Stewed Feather Chicken. Norn's already making it."

Noyun swallowed her saliva. Feather Chicken meat was the most delicious food in this forest—tender, juicy, and carrying a natural fragrance.

The fear from earlier was now suppressed by her appetite.

"Then I'm going to go see."

Noyun trotted out of the house. Watching her lively back, Erik chuckled. He could tell at a glance that the girl was going to sneak a bite.

But since a little girl wouldn't eat much anyway, he couldn't be bothered to stop her.

He turned his gaze back to Rhode, who was half-lying down. "When I first found you, I thought you were some animal carcass floating on the river. I fished you out and realized you were a human—and still breathing."

Erik laughed heartily, but his words didn't make Rhode want to laugh.

Something about it felt off.

Still, since the other party had saved him, Rhode spoke sincerely, "Thank you for saving me. I'm Rhode."

Erik waved his hand carelessly. "I'm Erik. I just heard from Norn that you were chased by a Demon Race member?"

"Yes."

"And they say you seriously wounded that Demon Race member?" Erik looked at him skeptically. "I find that hard to believe!"

Mr. Kraft had once told him that every Demon Race member was incredibly powerful, requiring his full concentration to deal with.

Moreover, Demon Race members were all cunning. One moment of carelessness and they'd seize your weakness, leaving you dead with your eyes open.

The Rhode before him didn't look like a strong warrior, and his build was average at best.

Erik couldn't help but doubt whether what the other said was true or false.

Rhode caught the subtext in Erik's words and knew this man didn't believe him. Since the pain in his body had mostly subsided, he directly proposed, "How about a spar?"

"Uh!" Erik was taken aback. He had only been skeptical and hadn't planned to spar with Rhode right now, especially since the other was still injured. "Let's forget it. I'm not the type to take advantage of someone's misfortune."

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

As long as he still had magic power in his body, he could cast spells. The only issue was that his injuries made movement inconvenient.

However, he could completely use the Defense Magic that Serie had taught him, so he wouldn't even need to dodge.

"Mm." Erik was still hesitant.

"It's fine, just think of it as a warm-up."

Rhode checked his body; there were no serious internal injuries like broken bones, and the herbs Norn had given him earlier were quite effective—the pain in his body had already eased considerably.

"Let's forget it. Wait until you're a bit better, or else Norn will scold me again."

After hesitating for a long moment, Erik finally suppressed the impulse in his heart.

He really did want to see the strength of this outsider before him, to find out what gave him the confidence to take risks in this world.

But he also knew he shouldn't take advantage of someone in a weakened state, so he decided it would be fine to spar the next day instead.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Just as she entered Gremir Forest, Serie encountered Kraft and Som, who had been waiting for a long time.

"Serie, are you alright?" Kraft stepped forward. The number of monsters chasing them wasn't large, so the two had easily shaken them off.

At the time, they had guessed that the Demon Race member had sent most of the monsters after Serie and Rhode, so they planned to turn back and help.

But they didn't know the escape route Rhode and Serie had taken. After fumbling through the forest for most of the day, they could only reluctantly head to Gremir Forest to wait.

"What about young Rhode?" the Dwarf Som asked, quickly approaching when he saw that Serie was alone.

"I got separated from Rhode. He was knocked off a cliff into the river by the Demon Race in the end. Now I'm going to find him."

Serie had been searching along the river the whole way, entering Gremir Forest, and happened to run into the two resting by the riverside.

"We'll go with you."

Kraft also understood the gravity of the situation and immediately prepared to join Serie in searching for Rhode's whereabouts.