37 CHAPTER 36: CURSE (2)

Now, it is rage that invades my brain. I will destroy. Everything! Everyone! Everybody! I will murder you all!!

"Fucking dammit!" I manage to regain my senses by punching myself. "Fuu…okay, let's-"

"Are you okay?" I hear the Valkyrie speaking but I don't think she is talking to me.

Indeed, it would seem that hearing the girl behind her scream stopped her from continuing to attack me. She is carrying her as if the girl has fainted but I can see her eyes are clearly opened and looking at me.

She doesn't answer the Valkyrie for a moment but then finally shows signs of life by grabbing her hand. Wait…Don't tell me that the heightened senses part is the same for her as well? The god of law and balance, no, the first hero is really a fucking bastard.

"Are you okay? Do you hear me?" The Valkyrie releases her seeing as she is responsive but the girl doesn't speak. She simply nods multiple times while trying to stand back up.

How come I was forgotten so quickly? The Valkyrie helps her stand up and people start coming around us. An old man using a cane then steps forward to the Valkyrie.

"Miss Valkyrie, allow us to take care of our saintess, please."

"Saintess?"

"Yes. This girl was blessed and chosen by the god of law and balance. She is a saintess who can heal wounds and bless us."

"How come we never heard of it at the capital?"

"I believe we should have this discussion once you end your fight with this bandit of yours. For now, let us take care of her." That's highly suspicious.

"Hm…"Yeah, the Valkyrie thinks so as well. "Consider our fight has ended then. Let us then to the saintess first. It is a priority after all."

"What?! No!! There is no need for you to-"

"Enough. Tell me where we can bring her so that she can rest."

Being cut off so brutally, I see the old man holding his cane with more strength. The other people around also start to show animosity. I guess they basically don't want us to touch their treasure. And indeed, it would be better for all of us if she stays here.

"It's this way." He finally raises his cane and shows a house that looks neater than any other around. "My home is the usual place where she stays. I am the chief of this viallge: Galand."

"I see. Let us move then. Will, follow me without resisting." Why do I have to…Yeah, I guess it would be better this way for me as well.

"What?! I won't allow a bandit in my home!" The villagers all turn to look at me like I am the source of all their trouble. Hey! I didn't choose to come here! Don't look at me like that!

"Don't worry. He is no bandit. He is one of my trainee. We were having a mock battle nearby." Why is she lying to cover me? Does she suspect something as well? No, even if she does, why involve me? And that girl won't stop looking at me for even a second. Is your neck strained or something?

The Valkyrie of justice carries the girl while following the chief. I am behind them with the villagers behind me, launching spears with their gaze on my back. On the way, I see a group of children that seems to have been abandoned. They are all dirty and frail. When my eyes wander around after that sight, I meet with the Valkyrie's eyes. She is looking at me as if to say 'have you seen that?'. Even if I have seen it, what can I do? You already called me your apprentice so I have no power here.

***

When we arrive at the chief's house, there are guards waiting, a lot of them.

"While you rest with our saintess, our guards will take care of your band-"

"I believe I told you he is my apprentice." The Valkyrie of justice speaks with a louder and angrier voice this time.

"But when you-"

"Are you going to make me repeat myself?" She releases her aura and everybody starts shivering in fear.

"N-no. We apologize for our behavior. Please follow me."

One of the guards opens the door of his house and we follow him inside. We walk through the living room and then up the stairs to a room that is almost empty. There is only a bed here, nothing else.

"Are you sure she is staying here?"

"Yes, Valkyrie. She was always someone who didn't desire to have much. Surely, it is the reason why God chose her."

"Right. Thank you then. I will take care of the rest."

"But we have someone here who can help? She is a delicate person, you know?"

"No, it is unnecessary. For now, assess the damage that was done to your village due to our fight. We will send a note to the capital so that they can provide compensation."

"I…I will, Valkyrie." The guy leaves, although unwillingly, and closes the door behind him. But he is still there. I can hear his heartbeat there.

The Valkyrie of justice turns to me but when she is about to speak, I indicate to her that the guy is still there. Wait, why am I even doing that? She must know, right? She frowns then stands up and goes straight to the door. When she opens it, the chief almost falls down.

"Oh, you were still here. I was going to call you but perfect timing. I will need some water and a meal for two, please."

"R-right away, Valkyrie."

He then leaves for good and she slams the door shut.

"Fucking abuser." That's one harsh tone she just used there. No, let's not think too much. Or my emotions will overflow again. I need to find a way to suppress this.

"Purify." Although I was already sure it wouldn't work, I cast purify on myself and the curse is still there.

It was pretty obvious that the curse created by the guy who give us skills wouldn't be suppressed by those. Else, he would look really stupid.

"What are you doing?" The Valkyrie speaks to me while walking to the girl. When she reaches her, she reveals her arms and legs hidden behind the goon she is wearing.

"I was testing something."

"Were you poisoned at some point?" I walk to her and the girl has multiple bruises and scars on her body.

"No, it is worse than that."

"I knew it. She was an orphan." The atmosphere around the Valkyrie starts going a bit electric.

"Wait, is it always like this for orphans here?"

"Yeah, in remote places like this, they are often mistreated. We try our best to provide assistance but there is only so much we can do."

"Right."

The girl's eyes start twitching and then she wakes up slowly. The Valkyrie pushes me to the side and then starts caressing her head.

"It's okay. Don't push yourself too hard."

This girl…she is really…Nope, I am not falling for it again.

"Who…who are you?" She looks at the Valkyrie with fearful eyes.

"You don't have to be afraid. I am the Valkyrie of Justice. I am here to help you."

"Valkyrie of Justice? Like the ones of legend?" The girl raises her head when she hears the word 'Valkyrie'. Was it that much of a shock?

"Fufufu. Well, do I look like a legend to you?" You are most certainly not, but I am not the one to answer so.

"Then you will save us?"

"I will do my best. Leave it to me." Those are big words there, miss Valkyrie. "But tell me, how and when did you awaken your divine powers? Oh, this is my subo-"

"My destiny." The girl finally looks at me and the first words that come out from her mouth are already worrying me.

"Your what?"

"Come again?"

Both the Valkyrie and I react, though a bit differently.

"You are my destiny, my soulmate. For you, I will die and for me, you will suffer. Our love was decided by god himself and none shall break it."

"Shit." Of all people, it had to be a lunatic.

"Hey. What is she talki-" Somebody suddenly knocks on the door and as if she knows what will happen, the girl puts her goon back on her knees to hide the scars that were revealed by the Valkyrie.

"Miss Valkyrie, it is me. I have brought water and food as it was requested."

The Valkyrie goes and opens the door. But when the old man tries to enter, she just takes everything off his hands.

"Thank you. That will be all."

"Oh, okay. Should you need anything, I will remain here then."

"No, you may leave and continue with what I asked."

"I will, miss Valkyrie."

He still manages to launch a last furious look at the girl on the bed who shivers from fear instantly. The Valkyrie closes the door and puts the food on the ground.

"It is poisoned, right?" She then looks at the girl for approval but she doesn't say anything. She just stays with her head lowered, full of fear.

I go and take a piece of bread and immediately, she reacts like a bolt.

"N-no! Don't!" She almost jumps out of the bed but controls herself at the last moment.

"What? You said it is not poisoned, right?" So you are afraid of death then. After all, if I die, you will follow me, right? "Since it is not poisoned, I might as well eat it, right?"

"I-it is poisoned."

"I see."

"Bastards to the very end. They would even kill a Valkyrie just to achieve their greedy needs. They forget about the sacrifices of the people at the frontier who left their children here!"

The Valkyrie's aura comes out like it was squeezed for a moment. A brief but incredibly powerful burst of aura sweeps the room and surely the house as well.

"Oh, well. At least, now we know. Purify." I purify the food and it shines for a moment. Then I eat that piece of bread and it is quite good. No sign of poison whatsoever.

"Heroes' skills are really convenient, huh."

"Not always, trust me."

The Valkyrie takes a fruit and goes to the girl.

"Please, eat. I promise you that I will save you from this place. You and all those who need it."

"I don't care about me for I have found my way. But please, save my friends."

"I will."

"Wait, what do you mean you found your way?" What is this stupid girl saying? I hope she is not…

"I will follow you on your journey, of course." I knew it.