Chapter 9: Intention

"Hunters are also glorified by our villagers. Most of them are usually very arrogant, prideful, and eccentric."

"Though they were like that, it was just their way of flaunting their glories; after all, men like to show how strong they are. They're actually quite honest and kind inside."

"So don't be scared after their actions, okay?"

After saying that, Ceth didn't forget to give advice, lest Juan misunderstand the hunters too much.

Juan has already understood what's going on. Basically, it's all about playing a scary prank on a newbie.

Acting tough and scary to stop wimpy ones from losing their lives without meaning.

A tsundere.

"Alright. Let's go in another direction."

...

The two walked around the whole village until noon together.

They talked along the way, and their conversation wasn't as awkward as before anymore.

It's much more warm and casual, with no words that might be misunderstood.

Because of this, Juan has gotten to see and know many people. He also got somehow familiar with the village with Ceth.

From farm, barn, mine, tavern, market, smithy, workshop, and other places. Juan saw many things he found very novel in his world.

The mine isn't that far, just at the edge of the forest. Juan and Ceth didn't enter but just chatted casually with the miner working outside.

A tavern is a place where most men get drunk as they drink beer to their hearts content. It let them vent off their stress from everyday work.

Juan only glanced inside and didn't dare to enter, lest he invite trouble upon himself.

"Are there only beers being sold here?" Juan asked curiously to Ceth beside him.

"Beer and food. Nothing else," she said.

Then they found the market where Juan could look around while vendors and storekeepers started to introduce their goods upon seeing him.

"It's a little desolate, isn't it?"

Unexpectedly, Ceth was the one who spoke what was on his mind first.

Juan nodded in agreement. There are seldom people walking around, and there is even a lack of stalls opening at this time.

"Can you compare it to where you came from?" Ceth calmly asked.

It looks like this has been her real motive after all. Juan nodded inwardly in his heart. Thankfully, he was alert all along.

"The market in my hometown is more bustling."

Still, he answered her truthfully; it's not important anyway.

"Hmmm..."

Ceth nodded after hearing that.

Juan waited for more follow up question but they never came.

After a while, they sat beside a log to rest under the shade of a small shed.

"Here, you must be thirsty and tired after all this walking."

Juan passed on the water pouch Garu had given him to Ceth, seeing her sweat as they rested.

Ceth didn't turn him down as she received the water pouch and then opened it to drink some water.

"Thank you, Ceth, for helping me get familiar with the village." Juan bowed.

"It's okay. I'm just following my father's order." Ceth nodded back and replied calmly after she quenched her thirst.

Hearing that it's indeed her father's order.

Juan confirmed in his heart that indeed, it was their plan to use the honey trap to let down his guard and extract more information from him.

The village chief didn't fully believe on his side of the story at all. Well, it's not beyond his expectations.

How can a person trust a stranger anyway? Thankfully, he was prepared and cautious enough to notice the problem from the start.

Juan heaved in relief at himself as he smiled inwardly, feeling somehow relaxed that he could feel the sun's heat more clearly today.

"Well then, let me send you back. I also need to meet up with the village chief to ask for work too."

He turned around and said to her.

Ceth said nothing and just nodded in agreement as she followed beside him.

She stole him a glance before her sight returned to the path. No one knows what she was thinking.

But Juan noticed that and just shrugged it off as nothing more than a curious glance.

There's no need to overthink; he had long since experienced a setback on that. He learned his lesson already.

Don't assume things easily. It's been an illusion all along.

...

Soon, they returned to the village chief's house.

There was no laughter, but their conversation can be said to have flowed smoothly and well.

"We're here," Juan said after ending their conversation.

Ceth nodded as she stepped into the house and said, "I'll go and call my father.".

"Thank you," Juan answered normally.

A few seconds later, inside the house,

Garu was chatting with Jura, his younger brother, about some things when Ceth came in, attracting their attention.

Ceth stopped before she bowed.

"Father, I already helped Juan get familiar with the village and was now waiting outside for you. It was about the job."

She calmly said like usual. Nothing has changed in her tone at all.

"Good job, Ceth, so how about it?" Garu nodded, satisfied, before he asked something serious.

"What about it, Father?" Ceth rolled her eyes after hearing that.

Garu was stunned, then seemed to realize something and turn back. Jura sat there casually.

"I see, so even my usually calm daughter could be this shy too, even in front of his uncle. Ha ha ha."

Jura stood up as he understood something. With both hands above his head, he said as he left.

"Talk to you later, brother."

"Oh! I'll go and call you after this."

Garu replied warmly. Then he turned his questioning eyes to her daughter.

"So how is it? Did you find out more about him?"

Ceth nodded and then shook her head. Her ears turn slightly a shade of red after remembering all those that happened.

"I see."

Garu's eyes lit up happily after seeing her reaction at the mention of the thing he asked her to do.

"Ceth, you are my precious daughter and have already come of age. You should have been married already. Unfortunately, our village is currently lacking with young men."

"Only Juan is the one suitable I could find since most men in our village are either very old or still too young playing mud."

"This must be fate for the young man to arrive here from such a dangerous place. and become your husband."

The [Greenfield Village] is currently in a rather unique status.

There are too many older men and young children in the village, yet there's not even one young man right now.

The oldest child in the village is still seven or eight years old, while the youngest old man seems to be in his late forties already.

This made it unacceptable for Garu, who cherishes his daughter very much and wishes her a happy family and life.

And Ceth also didn't want to marry someone younger than her by many years, nor was she willing to accept someone older like her father.

That's why, when Juan arrived in the village, her father has already hinted to her that he approves of him and will accept her decision.

"I made you help him tour and get to know him. How about it? How's he's personality with you? Is there something wrong with him?" 

That's right, this was always Garu's motive from the start.

Since saving the young man from the river, his daughter's marriage was already on his mind. That's why he gave a house directly as a cover.

The conversation about his origin and story along the way was just to lower Juan's guard and to have him feel safe in his territory.

It's for preparations for his daughter and son-in-law to live in the future. If not, how could he just give him a house like that?

As for Juan's history? Who knows wether it's even real or false? Garu doesn't care! He trust his judgement and his daughter more.

He wasn't as kind as to give a house to someone he knows or doesn't know after all.

"Father, I don't hate him." Ceth finally answered after a long wait.

"Really, that's good. That's enough."

Garu finally heaved a sigh of relief.

He seems to have become younger after a heavy load that burdened him was lifted away.

"Juan is more acceptable than those old men in the village. And I also know he is smart and knows kindness. I'm sure he won't mistreat my daughter."

Then, with eyes sharp and a face as fierce as his raging murderous intent, he continued with a serious tone laced with killing intent.

"But if he dares to hurt you, he won't be forgiven easily."

Ceth looked at her father helplessly. As the only young lady in the village.

She felt ashamed to be left out unmarried, even for so many years without a suitable partner.

For a lady, being unmarried after so many years of being an adult is too shameful for their culture.

She was also stressed inside. That's why she was walking with Juan closely, shoulder to shoulder, back then.

She was also desperate, despite her calm appearance.