Arc Two. A new acquaintance.

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***

- Brother! Let me see your face, please! - The girl pleaded, giving me pitying eyes.

Looking at her, I felt like the local Shrek who saved the princess. But only if Shrek showed himself, then I clearly should not do it....

And I don't think I'm gonna get any.

- Come on, little brother! What's it to you? Just a peek, that's all! Pozzyazya! - she looked up with a look that had a lot in it. And don't cross your arms at your chest, it doesn't work on me...!

...

- No...' I replied coldly and succinctly.

- Boo, why are you being so mean... I am... because....

M-yes, looking at her face full of regret and cuteness, I rubbed her head, remembering our first meeting....

***

On the way to the former bandit leader's tent, I wiped the blood off my club, found a bag of provisions for two days and a couple of gold pieces. I also found a bandana and covered my face with it to hide my hobgoblin identity. Otherwise my too long nose would be visible during the day, and so the old rag now hides my yellow teeth and half of my face, hiding everything else behind the hood.

Although... it was many times harder to breathe afterwards, and the smell of the rag was peculiar! It's a pity I couldn't find any face mask, but I don't think there's any, especially here in a dilapidated camp.

By the way, the camp is full of corpses. I don't think the local beasts will be attracted by fresh human blood, but I think the fire will keep them away for a while.

Now I have to look like a hero in front of the girl who's supposed to be in the bag. Although, if you look at me from the outside, I'll obviously look like the same brigands from this camp! And how could my heroic role not be the flip side of the coin.....

But who doesn't take risks? and the list goes on!

*Shuruch*

As I entered the tent, I saw a clutched girl in a sack that huddled in a corner and kept her head down, waiting for everything.

Obviously, she had heard the sounds of battle, the screams and yells of people, and could make up her own mind.

Eh, I hope I don't get mistaken for an outlaw.

Slowly approaching her, I raised my hands and said: - Don't be afraid, I've come to help you. Your captors won't hurt you anymore,' I said in as soft and sweet a tone as I could, or at least that's what I tried to say.

The girl, hearing my words, cautiously raised her head and opened her emerald eyes, staring at me. It was obvious she was having doubts, especially when fear was splashed in her eyes.

- Now I will untie you and we will leave the camp. Quietly and peacefully, it's nighttime and we'd better not attract any local predators, okay?

- Mhhhhhhh! - She mumbled, nodding her head gently.

Untying the cloth over her mouth, I began to cut the ropes braiding the bag. The girl kept watching my hands the whole time, and when she felt free, she slowly climbed out of the sack and nodded silently.

Now that she was out of the sack, I could see her in all her glory. She was dressed in such rags that they didn't even look like clothes and didn't hide much. The girl was about six feet tall. Delicate skin, a little pale. Light golden coloured hair fell down to her hips. She also had firm size two breasts with soft pink nipples.

I didn't realise she could be half-naked. And the girl, noticing my gaze, was embarrassed and covered her breasts and intimate area with her hands.

- I didn't realise you were unclothed, sorry. There must be something lying around here that will fit you,' I said, looking into her eyes, trying not to look at her breasts.

Nodding, the girl began to search the tent and when she looked in the bag, she squeaked happily when she found something of her own. Quickly pulling a half-dress half-armour out of the sack, she threw off her rags and began to put on her clothes enthusiastically. Apparently, she was so happy that she didn't notice my gaze, and I had a beautiful view.

Which I tried to take full advantage of.

Her tender neck and protruding nipples and her clean, hairless pussy and tight ass were revealed to my view. Her body was taut, muscles showing through the thin layer of fat. It was clear from the look of it that she worked out, but only to keep in shape. That's what it looked like to me.

Meanwhile, the girl had managed to put on her own clothes and gathered her hair into a single ponytail, and I saw the elf ears....

'That's how, turns out she's also an elf! I've always dreamed of having one of my own!'

After getting dressed and tidied up, she smiled and turned to me, and then bowed deeply with the words:

- Thank you very much, may I know your name?

'Name...?'

Just hearing her question, I froze in place like a statue, and the girl looked at me questioningly, as if waiting for an answer.

I just didn't remember my name... and I didn't even think of it until the girl reminded me of it....

- Is something wrong? - she tilted her head questioningly, radiating curiosity.

- 'No, it's just... I've never been asked about it, that's why I wondered,' I said the first thing that came to my mind. Okay, a name... yeah, we should come up with a name. I can't remember mine, and if I don't say it for too long, the girl might think of me in a bad light. Arthur? No, too cliché, and it's a strange name in this world... Then... Legolas? What, what am I thinking of? Saruman! I need something sounding, kind and yet ordinary... Maybe... Arien then... Hmm, that's not a bad name.

It's decided, my name is Arien.

*Zing!

There was that sound again, and a transparent window appeared before my eyes.

Name received - Arien

+1 to performance.

What? I could get free stats for just a name? If only I had known about it in the beginning! Ah, well, what's the use of thinking about it, the girl is already staring at me suspiciously.

- Sorry, I was thinking about my name. You can call me Arien. No last name.

- A-ri-en means good! Thank you so much, Arien-sama, for saving me. I'm sorry I didn't tell you my name right away. I'm Aquinas lvens. It's a pleasure to meet you! - She smiled like a happy child, dazzling me with her smile.

- Good, Aquina, it's a pleasure to meet you too. But our time is running out, it's time for us to get out of the camp. By the way, can you use these? - I took my bow and quiver and dagger off my back and handed them to Aqui.

Let her think my intentions were benevolent, for an enemy would hardly give a girl a weapon.

- Ah! Of course! You can't tell from me, but I've been practising shooting since I was a child! - Aqui smiled, holding the bow to her chest and somehow visibly relaxed.

She reminded me of a child with her light-heartedness. But I'm better for it. Hehehehehe...

- Thank you for saving me, I am indebted to you! - Aquina said in a confident voice, and her eyes were still a mess of emotions.

I even blinked and wiped my eyes, but no, it didn't show. The girl was indeed experiencing strange emotions.

- Mm-hmm. We'll talk later, it's not safe here. - I said as I walked out of the tent and cringed at the smell.

- Ah! Arien-sama! Wait for me! - Aqui ran out after me and, ignoring the mountain of corpses, still radiated joy, flashing a wide dazzling smile as she looked at me. She didn't even blink an eye when she saw so much blood and dead people! Apparently, the girl has a strong psyche, or maybe she's just used to it....

I hope it's the former.

- You killed them all, didn't you? - she asked me a question as we left the camp. I couldn't see her expression, but I felt a strange awkwardness at that moment, so I decided not to lie and told it like it was.

- Um, not all of them, but many, Aquinas, and you can call me by my first name. - I tensed, but nothing happened.

The girl, having levelled with me, nodded with a certain glint in her eyes. We travelled further south, to the nearest village, in complete silence. Going into the forest at night... not the smartest decision, but better that than staying in a camp of corpses.

After all, if you look at the sky, it's quite bright here at night....