"What did you just say?" Baldon asked, his eyes widening in disbelief.
Gary nodded.
"I reacted the same way. Honestly, if it had been anyone else saying it, I would’ve dismissed it as complete nonsense."
Baldon felt the same.
Someone claiming to have found the Hunter Killer, only for that mysterious figure to turn out to be a human. And on top of that, claiming to have killed him.
It sounded almost impossible.
Several hunters had already lost their lives to that elusive murderer.
For someone to suddenly announce that the bloody string of killings had finally come to an end was enough to leave anyone stunned.
Yet the one making that claim was Luke.
A man who had single-handedly slain a magical beast and returned the previous day dragging behind him a wolf of monstrous proportions.
Surely, he wouldn’t fabricate such a story over a mere reward.
"You can send people to search the area," Luke said confidently. "If vultures haven’t gotten to him yet, you’ll find his body hanging from a tree."
Baldon exchanged a glance with Gary before speaking.
"Very well. I’ll have a group investigate the area. If your words prove true and you really did hunt the Hunter Killer, you’ll be rewarded accordingly."
Luke merely shrugged.
Maybe they would find the body.
Maybe they wouldn’t.
If they ended up doubting his story, so be it.
He didn’t really care.
Even without a reward, killing that man had been satisfying enough.
The weight that had settled in his heart after watching that vision had subdued once he heard that bastard’s last breathe
That alone made the hunt worthwhile.
"Now, about yesterday’s contest," Baldon continued. "The beast you brought back was of an exceptionally high grade. Using its materials within the village would be a waste."
Gary nodded.
"We’ve decided to send the corpse to the head village. Once it’s sold, you’ll receive your share of the revenue."
Baldon smiled.
"And besides that..."
He snapped his fingers.
A man soon entered the room carrying a wooden box.
Luke raised a brow as he lifted the lid.
Inside were well over a thousand toras.
"There’s one more thing," Gary added. "The Chief has decided to give you that house free of charge."
Luke blinked in surprise before looking at Baldon.
"Chief...?"
"Consider it my way of thanking you for protecting this village," Baldon replied with a warm smile.
Luke was genuinely taken aback.
The village’s resources were limited, yet they had rewarded him so generously.
Letting out a slow breath, he smiled faintly.
"Well... I’m not sure what to say."
Baldon chuckled.
"Then don’t say anything. Just keep doing what you’ve always done."
His smile widened.
"Protect this village, and remain its guardian."
Luke slowly nodded.
He chose not to mention that he might eventually move to the head village.
For now...
He would simply enjoy the moment
~~~~
Soon, Gary took his leave since he had to open the hub for the day. Baldon, however, insisted that Luke stay for a meal.
Luke was about to decline when a gentle voice came from the doorway.
"Ah, there you are."
Both men turned.
Standing at the entrance was a beautiful black-haired woman in a flowing white dress that perfectly complemented her deep crimson eyes.
Smiling, she said, "I was just about to head to your house."
Luke let out a quiet hum.
"I was beginning to think you’d forgotten your promise."
Baldon burst into laughter.
"She’s been preparing for the trip since yesterday. Packing clothes, gathering supplies, the whole lot."
A faint blush spread across Roxanne’s cheeks.
"I just wanted to be prepared," she said softly. "I promised I’d take him to my village."
Luke grinned.
"Then let’s leave in an hour. How does that sound?"
Roxanne nodded without hesitation.
"That works for me."
Baldon cleared his throat.
"First, tell the servants to serve the food. Luke is staying for the meal."
Luke could only smile wryly.
This stubborn old man...
Roxanne smiled warmly.
"Alright. I’ll let them know."
With that, she turned and walked away.
Baldon turned towards Luke and asked, "What’s the sudden enthusiasm to see her village?"
Luke shrugged, "I just want to venture around and see the place. Know more about how things work around places."
Baldon hummed, "Then I am sure you would like to see what resides beyond the Walls."
"The Walls?" Luke asked in confusion.
Baldon nodded, "There is a very secretive settlement situation far away from the head village where people reside different from us. Their clothes and way of speaking is very strange. And I have never seen anything beyond the walls, but those who have visited said that this place is very different from our villages."
"How different?" Luke asked, evidently curious.
Baldon shrugged, "Fortified walls of normal houses, a place to pray, and a tall house, much larger than my previous one where their chief resides."
Soon, the shorter man added, "And yes...because of the number of magical humans they possess, they are undoubtedly the strongest settlement out there."
"Even stronger than the head tribe?" Luke asked, a little surprised.
Baldon nodded, "No one wants to admit it but it’s true. The number of magicians they possess could easily be used to suppress the head village. But as I mentioned before, they are very reserved people, always minding their lives and barely getting in contact with outsiders."
Luke hummed, nodding.
This was quite curious.
What kind of people were they? From what he heard they might be more advanced humans than the villagers and have strong military backing.
However, from how Baldon said it appeared he didn’t have much information other than what he just mentioned.
To figure out more about the place, he needs to meet more people.
’Hopefully, I will meet someone in Roxanne’s birth land who might have some idea what kind of place that is.’
•••••••
A/N:- I hope you liked the Chapter. This arc would be a little long considering world building would be done a bit.