034. Sold Village

Not making any sense to Alice at all, the waitress just stood there gaping with wide eyes. 

Alice immediately looked at Ethan, "Is that true?"

Ethan did not respond. He just looked away while looking down. 

Alice turned her gaze to Nala and found Nala who lowered her face sadly. 

"Alice, this is -"

"LIES! THE KINGDOM CAN'T POSSIBLY BETRAY THE HERO!" Alice shouted, cutting off Nala's sentence.

The waitress stood up immediately, trying to hold back her overflowing tears. 

"YOU LIED! LIED!" Alice shouted, running out and go to her room. 

Ethan's room was instantly silent with a rather gloomy atmosphere. 

"I...," Ethan immediately raised his head and looked at Zhen. "Uncle Zhen, can you do me a favor, just this once. Please."

Zhen sighed heavily and immediately stood up from the edge of the bed. "Sorry, it's none of my business." Zhen walked towards the door. 

"Please, Mister Zhen, I couldn't say it," Nala said which made Zhen stop his step.

Zhen looked at the ceiling then sighed once more. "Even if it's only five years, I'm still your teacher... Is that what you mean?"

Zhen resumed his steps towards the door. "I'll take the beer from this morning as payment for this contract."

"Thank you," Nala said with a subtle smile. 

Zhen walked out of the room, leaving Nala and Ethan who concerned about Alice's well-being. 

"She deserves to know the truth," Ethan said with his head bowed. 

Nala sat down in a chair and sighed heavily. "This is why I hate royal politics."

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Alice sat hugging her knees as she leaned against the door. In her small room, she could only sob as she recalled the conversation.

"Knight girl, are you okay?" asked Zhen from outside the room. 

The elf was standing outside Alice's room, leaning against the door while crossing his arms. The look on his face was very serious and he occasionally looked at the ceiling while sighing. 

"Mister Zhen, it's all a lie, isn't it? It's not going to happen, is it?" asked Alice through sobs, trying to deny reality even though in her heart she knew it was the truth. 

"Ethan never lies, especially when it's an important matter like this," Zhen replied confidently.

"Bu... But... Eleindal's army..." Alice sobbed. 

"Whether you believe it or not, Eleindal's army will still level your village in three days."

"But why? Why did the kingdom let go of my village so easily? Didn't they take pity on the villagers?"

"Probably not."

Alice's eyes filled with tears and she immediately pressed her face to her knees. "But it's so cruel."

"Yep, I know."

"The previous heroes saved the kingdom from demon attack and defeated the demon lord. This is not fair."

"Yep, I know."

Alice raised her head and tears streamed down her cheeks. "Don't they appreciate the sacrifices of past heroes?!"

Zhen did not respond. He just fell silent. 

"Mister Zhen," Alice said while still sobbing. "If the kingdom does not uphold justice, then who will?"

"That's not an answer you can get in one day, knight girl," Zhen replied.

Alice was no longer crying, but the remaining tears still flowed. "Is that so?"

"It is so."

Alice hugged her knees and then pressed her face to them.

"Why is Mister Ethan so cruel? Why did he let that happen?" Alice asked. 

Zhen just sighed heavily. "And why do you think he was cruel?"

"He should have stopped the attack, after all he is a captain."

"He's a captain indeed, but he's also a soldier. He's just following orders."

Alice did not respond.

"If he was really cruel, he wouldn't have shared this information. He could have left without saying anything and when you return to your village, all you see are dead bodies and broken houses," Zhen added. 

Alice still did not respond.

Zhen walked away from the door. "You already know the situation. In 3 days, without any help, your village will be attacked. What are you going to do now, knight girl?"

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In Ethan's room, Nala was still sitting on the chair while Ethan sat on his bed.

"Was I wrong?" asked Ethan breaking the silence.

"What do you mean?" replied Nala.

"I can't stop the attack on the village."

"You're too hard on yourself, Ethan."

"But I'm a captain and I..." Ethan looked at his trembling hands. "I can't do anything."

Ethan punched the wall angrily.

Nala immediately hugged Ethan's head and stroked the his head. "You did your best. You don't need to feel guilty."

The soft sensation on Ethan's face and the soothing scent of lavender soothed Ethan's overflowing emotions.

For a moment, Ethan just wanted to be released from the burden of his duties and Nala's words managed to soothe his soul. 

At least for a few seconds, before Ethan realized what was really going on. 

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Ethan immediately backed away with his face flushed with embarrassment. 

"Ara... Did I say something wrong?"

Ethan's eyes only stared at Nala's breasts which had been very tight against his face moment ago. "Y... Yo... You! What are you doing?!"

"Since you call Mister Zhen as uncle Zhen, you may call me auntie Nala. Mister Zhen's nephew is my nephew too," Nala replied with a friendly smile.

Ethan immediately turned his blushing face away. "I... I won't let you tease an honorable knight."

Alice and Zhen entered the room.

"Mister Ethan," Alice said with a look full of confidence.

Ethan was still unable to look at Alice.

Alice walked over to Ethan and stood beside his bed.

"I apologize for my behavior earlier and I also thank you for providing this valuable information," Alice said as she bowed.

Ethan looked at Alice with guilt still mixed with relief. 

"N... No... I didn't help anything," Ethan stammered a little. 

Alice immediately approached and grasped Ethan's hand which was still trembling. 

"I'm sorry, I don't know this complicated matter, but," she looked into Ethan's eyes with a face full of determination and optimism. "I know that Mister Ethan is a good person."

The doubtless gaze managed to shake Ethan's heart and somehow, Alice's cute face filled with determination made his chest tighten instantly followed by his face turning slightly red. 

"Ara... What did you say to Alice?" asked Nala looking at Zhen who was standing beside her.

"Just something she needs," Zhen replied casually.

"Ma'am Nala" said Alice, who was standing in front of Nala. 

Alice immediately bowed her body. "Please let me go, I know I still have debts, but I'll pay them as soon as I'm done with my problems. I promise."

"Ara... Ara... You want to run away from your responsibilities?"

Alice was silent as cold sweat ran down her face.

Nala sighed. "Kids these days are so rebellious. Okay, you can go."

Alice immediately raised her head with a big smile on her face.

"Thank you, Ma'am Nala" said Alice who hugged Nala tightly. 

"Ara... Ara... You're too excited, Alice," Nala said as she stroked the blonde waitress head.

Alice released her hug and walked over to Zhen. 

"Mister Zhen, will you do me a favor? Could you escort me to my village?" asked Alice with a bright smile on her face.

Zhen could only smile at Alice. "No, i won't."