Cleaning Up Mess

("If I were in a room with Han, a robber, and a war criminal, and I had two bullets, I'd shoot Han twice. Just wait Han, I will cut you to pieces!")

For those of you who still doubt me, feel free to continue doing so. But mark my words: don't come crawling back later. And to those who seek change and , I promise to deliver it." I stated, portraying myself as a saint.

Some elves dispersed from the crowd following Han's lead, unconvinced by my words, but many remained, their curiosity piqued and their hope kindled.

"To those of you who remain, I see your desire for change. You need not fear, for I will not betray your trust. Together, we will bring about the change you seek." I reassure their hope.

With a pragmatic approach, I initiated the task of instructing every elf in the village on the construction of a basic water purifier. Using simple materials like sand, rocks, charcoal, and hay, I demonstrated the process, emphasizing the importance of filtering and boiling water to eliminate contaminants.

As the day progressed, we worked tirelessly, gathering materials and assembling the purifiers. I explained the principles behind the filtration process and demonstrated each step with precision. By the time night fell, we had completed several purifiers, ready to be deployed throughout the village.

As the sun dipped below the horizon and darkness enveloped the village, I instructed the elves to continue their work the next day. Seeking a moment of solitude, I wandered deeper into the forest, guided only by the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the dense canopy.

Finding respite beneath a towering, isolated tree, I sank down onto the cool forest floor, the rustling of leaves and the gentle chirping of insects providing a soothing backdrop. With a weary sigh, I closed my eyes, allowing the tranquility of the night to wash over me.

As I reclined against the sturdy trunk of the tree, thoughts swirled in my mind like leaves caught in a whirlwind. "Let's think our next step," I muttered to myself, my voice barely a whisper in the stillness of the forest. "I still don't know why the river could be contaminated. I must investigate the upstream."

("I haven't forgotten about Han too," "Somehow, I need to get rid of him. And that elder elf also seems suspicious. I need to watch her every step.")

"Mr. Apostle?" a voice called out to me, breaking the silence of the night.

"Ah, it's you, Mia," I responded, turning to face her with a nod.

"What are you doing here, Mr. Apostle? We have prepared a place for you," Mia inquired, her tone curious yet welcoming.

"It's fine, I'm more comfortable this way. And you can call me Gideon instead of Apostle," I replied, with a small smug.

"Alright, Sir Gideon," Mia responded with a casual smile, her demeanor warm and friendly.

She plopped down on a nearby rock next to me, her expression relaxed as she glanced up at the starry sky above.

"I'm really sorry about Han's behavior. I don't know what's gotten into him," Mia apologized, her voice tinged with genuine concern.

"It's okay, I take no offense from it," I reassured her, masking my true feelings behind a calm facade. (Though in truth, I harbored resentment and planned to ensure Han never saw another day.)

"I'm sorry, but may I ask you a personal question, Mia?"

"Uh, yes, Sir Gideon," Mia replied, her curiosity piqued.

"What's the deal with you and Han?"

"We're childhood friends, and I've known him forever. He's always been kind and caring to me, but recently after our engagement, he's become more aggressive and demanding," Mia explained, a hint of sadness creeping into her voice.

"What about you, Sir Gideon? Do you have someone special in your life?" Her question shot me like a rifle.

"Hmm, someone special?" I mused inwardly. ("My parents? I'm not that close to them. A lover? I've never even been on a date. With my arrogant and secluded attitude, people who know the real me will always avoid me. I need to put on a facade of a normal college student non-stop.")

Outwardly, I responded with a slight chuckle, "Well, not at the moment. Just focusing on life's adventures for now."

"You mentioned there was an apostle before me. What kind of person was he?" I added.

"Back then, when we were in constant war with the orcs, he offered to help us with the condition that he could choose an artifact from our treasury. My father agreed to his offer, and eventually, he did kill the orc king. But after that, this so-called curse was brought upon us," Mia explained, her tone tinged with bitterness.

"Where exactly did the battle happen?"

"Near the foot of the mountain, but no one is to step foot there," Mia added, her expression grave.

"Why is that?"

"The shaman warned us against it. She said that's the source of the curse, and we'd meet a horrible fate if we dared to go near," Mia explained, her voice tinged with fear.

("That old hag must be hiding something.")

"Let me guess, the river must originate from the mountain," I surmised, connecting the dots.

"Yes, how do you know? We've been relying on the river for thousands of years," Mia questioned, her curiosity piqued.

"Just a wild guess," I replied, though inwardly I couldn't help but feel the absurdity of the situation.

("It's sus asf, i need to see it by myself.")

Lost in thought, she suddenly broke the silence, "Sir Gideon, you came from another world right?"

"Yes, what's about it?"

"What is it like in your world?"

"Sigh, It's convenient, I suppose, but for the most part, it's rather mundane." 

("Hmmm...I should try to somehow get her affection.")

"You know, Mia, I can sense there's something weighing on your mind. Feel free to share it with me. After all, I've gained some wisdom from the Almighty." I winked playfully.

"Chuckles. Well, aside from everyone's safety right now, I've always had this nagging doubt that I'm not good enough, that I don't deserve to be their princess." Her shoulders dropped as she said this.

"You're worrying over nothing. I can see that you're more than worthy." I assured.

"How so?" She asked back.

" I see the way you care for your people, how you strive to do what's best for them. That alone speaks volumes about your character," I replied, trying to reassure her. Mia's expression softened, a faint smile playing on her lips as she absorbed my words.

We sat together under the starry night sky, the soft glow of the moon casting gentle shadows around us. The air was cool and calm, a peaceful contrast to the chaos that had consumed the village earlier. In that tranquil moment, it felt as though time itself had slowed down, Mia and I exchanged stories and shared laughter, finding solace in each other's company as the night drifted on.

Leadership isn't about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It's about one life influencing another. -John C. Maxwell