Chapter 7- Rejection.

"What?" The man's deep voice echoed. His face rucked up in confusion.

His hand left his side and gripped the nearby wall. He stared at the wooden floors for a while before flipping his head up, eyes locked onto Love.

"Love, explain right now. What is she talking about?." He demanded.

"I-it's true, Des! She was the madam I was serving. We managed to escape but nobody- "Love snapped her mouth shut up.

I turned to Love and wrapped my hand sideways around her. I knew what she wanted to say," nobody escaped with us." Well, at least to our knowledge, nobody did. I glanced at the man in front of us. Des? Is that his name?

"We escaped using some old mines and ended up in a nearby town." I continued.

The 'General' sighed, walking over to us. I closed my eyes, expecting to get hit, but instead he walked to a large table behind us. I opened my eyes and watched as he pulled a wooden chair from its position by the large table, the loud sound of wood scratching against wood. The chair creaked under his weight as he sat on it. His body leaned forward and his head dropped into his hands as they rested against his thighs. Even though he was wearing a simple brown t-shirt, complemented by dark brown cotton pants, his body was bulging out. I could see his huge stature, every muscle and vein popping out from under his shirt. Wow…

"And so? Why are you here?" He broke the long, awkward moments of silence.

" We want revenge and I feel that you- "I tried to add, but was instantly shut down.

"No." The 'General' declared.

The man's instant rejection left me dumbfounded. I took a moment to process his flat out "No" before finally speaking out.

"Why- "And yet again, he had cut me off.

"We- no, The citizens of Aolenoa are happy here. We have peace. Even if what you said was true, we're clearly outnumbered, outsourced. We can do nothing against Burke. So what if a few of us are sacrificed? If that means that the rest of us can be happy- so be it." I chewed my inner cheek. How can someone be so uncaring?! My god, if this was a normal person, I would have grabbed them by the balls and called them a coward. But… if I did that… I eyed the man again.

"Ooh… muscle.." I muttered, a small string of slobber dripping down the side of my mouth.

I shook my head; logic entered my brain again. Yeah, no, he'd crush me before I could even get to his knees. With thighs like that, he could split my head easier than a sunflower seed.

"Desya!" Love's voice rang beside me.

"You insolent prick! Father trusted you- You promised to take care of me if anything were to happen to him! We gave you food, shelter, but you're turning your backs onto us- onto me!" Love yelled.

"You- you coward!"

"Pfft." I couldn't help but giggle. Good job, Love! You said everything I was thinking about.

"That's enough, Love." I said, stifling my giggle by covering my mouth with my hand.

I cleared my throat and extended my arm out to her, as if forbidding her from doing or saying anything more.

"But, your high-"

"Love." I warned, my expression turning cold.

Love didn't disobey; only her eyes seemed to whine at me.

"I understand if this is too much, but I'd like to ask for patronage just for tonight. It's been a long journey." I requested, bowing my head slightly.

I felt the callous man's gaze linger on me before hearing the floorboards creak. He walked past me and pointed to the hallway in front of us.

"Straight and then turn left. My guestroom is located there. The loo is in the back part of the house." He instructed.

I walked towards him, Love's hand in mine. His enormous body towered over mine. He smelled distinctly of tobacco, beer and oil. Just as I passed him, he warned me.

"Lest you want anymore pesky insects like just now, do something about your hair."

I paid the man's advice no attention and continued walking. My feet pulled me to the left and quickly led me into the room. I shut the door behind me and took in the room.

Two small beds stood on each side of the room, only a small cupboard and table furnished the wooden room. A soft smell of old earthiness filled the space.

I ran and jumped onto the bed on the right. The soft mattress enveloped me into its squishiness. Ahh, this bed feels so nice! So much better than the rocky mine or wooden wagon floors. I'll never take the pleasure of a soft bed for granted again! A grin formed on my face as I rubbed my face into the softness of the mattress.

"Miss!" Huh? Who's disturbing my time of gratitude?

I flipped my body to look at Love. Her face was beet red and her fists were so tightly wrapped her knuckles were turning white.

"Why did you stop me?! Why didn't you argue with Desya?! He abandoned our country! He knew what happened with my family, with other citizens' family, and yet he can easily reject avenging them! He-"

"And what would chastising him do for me?" I asked blatantly, enjoying Love's speechless expression.

I laid on my side to face her. My elbow sunk into the mattress as my face leaned against it.

"He would- that is…" Love's voice trailed off as she fumbled with her fingers.

"He has his reasons, Love. We can't force someone to risk his life. If you weren't keen to join me in avenging Aolenoa, I wouldn't force you either." I smiled.

"Now, let's get some sleep." I turned around and laid on my side, facing the wall.

I heard Love's soft footsteps lead to the bed behind me.

My teeth gnashed against each other . I meant what I said about not wanting to force Desya, but that doesn't mean I wasn't angry. I barely knew the man, but what type of person can turn his back on another's pain and sacrifice so he can live peacefully? My hand lifted from the mattress and met my lips. Thoughts swarmed my mind as I chewed on my index finger's skin.

"Do something about your hair. " Desya's words keep repeating in my head. I grabbed a lock of my hair, studying its smoky and dizzying colour. It's kinda funny how I've been reincarnated in a body bearing hair of my favourite colour: a deep red. My eyes burnt holes into that lock of hair. Is my hair really going to attract trouble?

My scalp throbbed as the memories of the soldier grabbing my hair played itself in my mind. It's an understatement to say I was scared. I thought the soldiers would- a lump formed in my throat. I shook my head. No, no, I don't even want to think about the things they would've done to me if Desya didn't step in.

I looked down at my hands. The spot I had been chewing was raw. I really thought that at that moment; some type of power awakening would happen to me.

Well, we all know how that ended up. I can't believe I thought KAMEHAMEHA would activate it. A small yawn escaped me. I wondered why nothing happened, though. When the protagonist is in danger, wouldn't the power awakening happen then? Maybe there's no magic here? No, there's no way. Love had already told me that demons and 'the chosen one' exist, so there's no way magic doesn't exist here. Maybe I have no powers? Yeah, that could be it… Hard to imagine I'd win a war without it though. I shake my head. This isn't the time for pessimism. They could have granted me with wonderful luck or intelligence like other protagonists in books and mangas are so I shouldn't assume the worst. Moreover, isn't this whole reincarnation thing a gift from god? They gave me a whole new life to restart after I had to go through a shit of a past life. I shouldn't think so negatively of them.

I turned to see Love's body heaving up and down slowly. She's asleep. I quietly sat up, folding my knees up to my chest. I haven't planned what to do now that Desya isn't keen on joining us. And to be honest, I don't think the rest of Aolenoans would be too. From the way Love described Aolenoa, it's not much of a leap to assume that Aolenoans are mistreated. It's like the typical case of any other home country other Isekai protagonists get transported to. Prioritises money, power and all that cliche bullshit. That means; coming to Aolenoans for help is a big no-no.

"Hmmm.." I closed my eyes, thinking hard on my next move.

Right! I have to find a base first. It's been… 3 days or more since we left Aolenoa. Burke's soldiers should have been long gone. I should check tomorrow with locals whether they've heard anything about Aolenoa or the Second Crown Prince. If all is well, Love and I can return to Aolenoa.

My eyes took a small glance at Love; still asleep. Carefully, I rested my feet against the floor. The wood emitted a loud creak under my weight. I clenched my jaw. It may just be me, but I keep feeling like this world is trying to tell me I'm heavy.

"Ugh.." I flipped my head to look at Love. A breath of relief escaped me. She's still deep in slumber. I placed one foot in front of the other, opening the door with the utmost wariness.

I opened the door, expecting to see the same wooden hallway I walked through. Instead, the chest of a big man greeted me.

"Out for a late night walk?"