17. The Town

(Next day)

After a good night's sleep, I freshened up and ate breakfast while feeding Luna the milk. I wore a similar outfit as yesterday, just with a blue robe today.

I again put Luna in my chest pocket and went towards the 3rd quest location. I was flying slowly to enjoy the journey with Luna. She peeked her head out to look around and was amazed. 'Well, it was the same for me the first time I flew'

(A few hours later)

I can now see my destination, it's a small village far West of Hargeon town known as Little Dale. As soon as I reached the village, I could smell a strong scent of blood.

"Luna, stay in my pocket and don't come out" I cautioned her and landed down near the entrance of the village and started walking. On the way, I couldn't find a single person but I can sense a lot of people gathered in the middle of the village with my haki so I ran there.

At the centre, I came across the most horrific scene I have ever witnessed in both of my lives combined. About 20 people, most of whom were old people and children gathered around a pit and as I gazed inside the pit, my stomach churned and my body started becoming numb. I barely controlled myself from puking.

'Thank God I forbid Luna from coming out of my pocket'

Inside the pit were dead bodies of at least 50 people, mostly men, all with a despairing face as if they had seen something truly horrific before death.

'Calm down' I told myself. Being emotional during a mission would only be a hindrance which can cost me my life.

Inhale~

Exhale ~

By now, the rest of the people had noticed me and an old man with a long beard walked towards me and asked "Who are you kid? Whatever you want is not here. This place is already dead" and continued in a bitter tone.

" I am a wizard from Fairy Tail guild and I am here for the quest you posted" I took a deep breath and replied, my emotions still numb from what I have witnessed.

" I see, but you are late." He said and I just bowed my head in shame while thoughts like 'if only I had come here first, this wouldn't have happened' and ' maybe this is my fault' started emerging in my head.

But for now, I just suppressed them and said "I know sir and I am sorry for being late but please, if there's anything that I can do to help, tell me" and bowed sincerely.

"It's not your fault, young man. Come, let's talk alone." and took me away from the others to continue the discussion.

From him, I found out that the bandits came here a month ago. Their leader was injured a while back and came here to recover. In the beginning, they just came to loot the town and beat people up but 3 days ago, their leader came with them and ordered his minions to take all the women.

Naturally, the men didn't cower behind and picked up weapons to finally retaliate but, it was futile.

The leader was on another level, he killed all the men and took all women with him, leaving only the elderly and children behind.

I also found out that they have set up their lair deep in the forest about a 2 hour journey from here. I have decided to kill them all, especially their leader.

I have never taken a life before, but somehow, I am not nervous.

Maybe, it's because my emotions are still numbed. I come from a modern society where we are taught from a very young age about the difference between right and wrong and I know that killing is wrong but I am determined to go through with my decision. But before that-

"Luna?"