4. Vilage invasion part 2

The soldier brought Nashiro to Harold.

"Who's this now?" he asked while cleaning his sword with a cloth.

"Found this rat, hiding under a cart."

"Oh, well, first of all... Get this human piece of trash out of my sight," he pointed at the chubby horse owner. In a flash, two men tried to pick him up but even deceased he was heavy. They dropped him a few times until the coordinated with each other how to carry him and they moved him to the pile with the rest of the dead.

"Now then, who are you?" He asked.

Nashiro's heart was pounding as his voice was very intimidating and deep to make any brave man falter. His helmet didn't give him a clear view of his face but what he could see was his short blond beard and moustache. His dark gaze was piercing through his soul and it made it harder for him to speak. His words were stuck in his throat as his eyes got watery. He was like a kid whose parent got very upset with him and was ready to scold for misbehaving. His armour seemed heavy as every part of his body was well protected. His face was the only thing that was viable and even that was limited to a few places as his helmet had an M-shape. Nashiro's lips dried up and a bit of sweat went down the side of his face.

"Well? Speak up! I don't like waiting."

"I-" he stammered, "I'm n-nobody"

"That isn't untrue. You just seem oddly distinct," he closed upon his face, "Where do you come from?"

Nashiro looked away and remained silent.

"Not talking, eh?" he punched Nashiro in the face, leaving a bruise above his eye. The soldiers behind him picked him up from the ground. He probably should have seen this coming. He coughed up a little as the dizziness came back.

"You see now, I very much dislike people who try to be secretive," he opened and closed his palm a few times, "I want a clear answer. Who are you and where do you come from?!" he said in a stern voice.

Nashiro barely shook his head.

"I-i don't k-know, " he responded truthfully.

Another punch came straight after.

"Ever heard of chances? I just gave you two and usually after that I slice them but I'm willing to give you a rare third chance. Answer my questions!" he pointed his sword at his heart.

He honestly couldn't say anything more. He was out of options and time at this point. He had blood running down his nose and it looked like death was near. How? He doesn't know where he came from? Except for his name, who was he before this?

He closed his eyes and awaited his fate.

"Suit your- Agh!" A wind arrow pierced Harold's shoulder armour and swept through a wooden fence and into the nearby wall.

"What the?!" The soldier holding Nashiro turned to the right. Nashiro barely moved his head to look and see a shadowy figure on a building with its cloak fumbling in the wind.

The army, that was looting and moving stuff around quickly reorganised and came to the forefront.

"Archers! Fire at will!" One after the other, they shot the arrows but the figure avoided them and jumped off the building.

"Second Wind!" it fired another arrow and blew away the soldiers who were standing next to each other, which included the archers.

It managed to land, thanks to some acrobatics, on its feet.

Nashiro recognised the figure. It was the green hooded girl he bumped into. With a swift hand, she took another arrow and placed it on her bow.

"Let go of him or say goodbye to your life!"

She threatened and the soldiers pushed him away, freeing him rather easily. A few soldiers tried to attack her but she was too agile for them. She avoided the sword of the first guy and kicked him in the face, while the second she shot with her arrow into his knee. He yelled in pain as he rolled on the ground, calling for his mommy. Nashiro went over to her, saying a simple 'thanks'.

"Sir?!" A few separated to go check on their leader.

"Finally, a foe!" he mumbled, taking the arrow out and crushing it with a squeeze. He stood up and got in front of everyone.

"I'm gonna be honest, I wasn't expecting anyone to be here. Guess my scouts need to be looked at," he glanced at a few people in the back who had black hoods and markings on them, "Anyway, may I know your name? You're interesting. Not many people can damage my armour but you managed to cut through to the flesh. Quite remarkable!" he laughed cynically.

"I rather keep my identity a secret. It's more fun for you to wonder than me saying it."

"Oooh! A mysterious archer... I'll get it eventually," he pulled out his sword, "Now, shall we get to the good stuff?!"

"Status," she whispered and pulled out her screen. She tapped on it and got a pouch out.

"I'll pass this time! May our paths never cross," she added and threw the pouch down, creating a thick smoke screen, allowing them both to disappear by the time it cleared.

Harold wasn't disappointed. He liked these sort of games and it made it more entertaining.

"Hmmm... Gary! Thomas! Take command and finish up here. I'll see you back at base."

The two of them were his best men and he trusted them to do the things in his absence. They weren't natural leaders like him but they did the job and he hasn't been let down before.

"Sir, yes sir! You heard him..." They started shouting orders as Harold got on his horse and bolted in the opposite direction. As he was riding, he kept thinking about his encounter. One thing was confusing. Why did she decide to reveal herself when he was questioning the boy?

It seemed illogical to him to think that they knew each other from before, otherwise she would have acted sooner. Could it be something else? Like pride or justice?

It was a head-scratcher but this mysterious girl had power. He was very impressed with her that he might come up with a plan if he meets her again. Just in case...