Confusion Tactics

"I will explain later, Auntie Kea. Let's help them first," Maia replied.

Their number one priority right now was to help them. There would be more casualties if they dilly-dallied and talked with each other.

"Fine. …I trust you," Kea said and nodded her head at her.

"So, what do I do?" Maia asked.

"Throw your fireball behind the goblins. Space the spells apart and ensue chaos among them."

With those instructions, Maia focused herself. She closed her eyes and extended her hand out. Fire elements exited her palm and gathered into a swirling vortex.

The vortex turned into a swirling red mass of flames before turning into a ball.

Maia opened her eyes and pulled her arm back.

"Huph!"

Maia swung her arm forward and threw the fireball. The goblins didn't notice it, and it hit their rear.

"Ohhh! Magic!?" Vivien exclaimed in amazement.

A two-meter round circle of flame appeared on the ground. The goblins that were arriving couldn't react, and they stumbled into it. The strong flames caused them to panic.

When their bare feet touched the flames, it would stick to their soles. They ran away from the fireball's AoE(Area of Effect) and hit the other goblins fighting the villagers, spreading the fire.

The villagers were surprised, but they took the chance to kill the confused goblins. Gerald thrust his spear several times. With each stab, he would kill a goblin.

Maia closed her eyes again, and fire elements gathered on her palm once more. She then threw another fireball several meters away from the first one.

The brainless goblins that were starting to recover from their confusion became confused for a second time. The goblins at the frontline couldn't resist the villager's attack anymore.

"OHHH!!"

"FORWARD!!"

Their confusion boosted the villager's morale. They advanced forward, and dead bodies of goblins would be left in their tracks.

Maia threw several more fireballs until she was out of usable fire elements.

"Hahh… Hahh… That was tiring, Mi- I mean, Quarter," Maia said as she panted like a dog.

Misho wrapped his arm on her shoulders and pulled her close to him.

"You can rest now," Misho said.

He was happy and bitter at the same time. It was supposed to be him who helped the villagers fight. But the fact that she was helpful still made him happy.

Together with the heightened morale and confusion among the goblins, the villagers killed most of the goblins. The rest ran away as they realized that they were losing.

The AoE flames of the fireball soon disappeared.

"Who is it?!"

The village chief returned. He looked at each of them inside the circle of barricades. He scanned their faces, and his eyes landed on the tired Maia.

"Was it you? Were you the demon?" Trepe asked Maia.

"Y-Yes." Maia nodded her head shyly.

"Thank you! We won against those goblins, thanks to you!" Trepe said with an excited smile on his face.

"I did it for everyone in the village," Maia replied.

"You have my thanks."

Trepe bowed his body to her. Without her help, the casualty would have been higher. He was really thankful to her.

Maia smiled at him. She felt happy being appreciated.

"We owe Uncle Gerald and Auntie Kea for taking us in. Naturally, we would help," Maia replied and glanced at Misho.

She emphasized that she couldn't have done this without Misho.

"Oh, that reminded me! Follow me to my house later. I will give the two of you your rewards," Trepe said.

Misho and Maia's eyes lit up. They were excited to get their first reward in this game.

"Rewards!? Can I also get some?" Vivien asked.

Trepe glanced at him before ignoring him.

"For now, can you help us dispose of the bodies?" Trepe asked Maia and Misho.

"Sure. I will do it. Maisha can rest," Misho replied.

He agreed immediately. It was the only thing that he could do to show his support.

"That's okay too. The young girl can recover her fire elements." Trepe nodded his head.

"Can we head out now?" Misho asked Kea.

"M-Mm…"

Kea nodded her head while she was dazed. She doesn't know what she felt, but she can't tear her eyes away from the two of them at the moment.

Misho opened the barricades and brought Maia with her. He pulled her back to Gerald's house. Vivien looked at Kea and Trepe before following after them.

"Misho, I can enter the house myself," Maia said.

She was tired, but she could still walk.

"No. Let me help you," Misho replied with a shake of his head.

"Uhmm… I can help her in your stead," Vivien said from behind them.

Misho and Maia looked at him.

"No, thank you," Misho instantly replied.

He stared at Vivien coldly. He could tell that Vivien was trying to sneak some points with Maia. As her 3rd cousin, he felt obligated to reject him for her.

"Yes. Just help me, Quarter," Maia said.

She snuck close to Misho and ignored Vivien.

"Ah…"

The two of them left Vivien outside the house. He was left standing there, not knowing what to do.

By this time, the male villagers were already returning. One of them spotted Vivien.

"Hey! Help us carry these goblins!"

"Me?"

"Yes, you!"

Vivien couldn't exactly deny him as it would be rude. He walked towards that male villager and helped them transfer the goblins away.

…

Inside Gerald's house, Misho guided Maia into their room. He made her sit on the bed.

"Rest here. I will go help them clean up the bodies," Misho said.

Misho turned around to leave.

"Wait!"

Maia grabbed Misho's clothes and stopped him from leaving.

"Huh? Do you want something? Water? Food?" Misho asked as he turned around to face her.

"...Stay," Maia said with a blush.

Her face slowly turned redder and redder.

Misho realized that something was amiss with her, so he sat down beside her.

"Misho, don't leave. I-I think I will go crazy if you leave," Maia said.