Sunlight spilled with lazy warmth over the winding dirt road in Buena Village.
Cui Ciyou held Sylphy's little hand.
He deliberately slowed his steps to match hers.
Sylphy kept her head lowered, her emerald-green bangs hiding most of her face.
Only her small, pale chin and slightly drooping pointed ears remained visible.
The old clothes she wore were clearly too large for her.
Though clean, they only made her look more frail.
"Um..."
In the quiet, a voice as faint as a mosquito's hum came from beside Cui Ciyou.
Cui Ciyou looked down and saw Sylphy gazing up with large, watery eyes like those of a frightened fawn.
She stole a quick, cautious glance at him.
Then she immediately lowered her head again, her little hand shifting restlessly in his palm.
"Th-thank... thank you... for today..."
Sylphy's voice was very soft and distinctly timid.
Yet her sincere gratitude came through clearly.
Cui Ciyou merely gave a quiet "Mm."
Then, recalling how Sylphy had been bullied earlier, he said:
"If anyone bullies you again, give them my name-Cui Ciyou."
"Tell them I'm this village's Auxiliary Defense Knight."
"If that doesn't work, tell them you're under my protection."
"If they punch you once, I'll give them two punches back for you."
Sylphy seemed very surprised by his words.
The title of Knight was unfamiliar to her, stirring her curiosity:
"H-huh... an Auxiliary Defense Knight?"
The two continued walking in silence, passing several branching paths worn by villagers and skirting vegetable patches and makeshift sheds.
The sunlight warmed the stones, and the air carried the scent of earth and the fresh breath of the forest.
Buena Village was indeed just as Paul had described it: peaceful and tranquil, full of pastoral charm.
As they neared the little square at the center of