The Archer, John, stood bewildered, his brow furrowed in deep confusion. "How could that be? I thought the prince didn't have a child? He's not even married!"
Chief Egon, his face etched with a weary determination, turned to John. "John, the woman you took me away from is Prince Lucian's wife. We need to go back."
John hesitated, his gaze shifting between his son, Vince, and the remaining villagers. The weight of the situation settled upon him, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "Okay, Chief. We can't let Prince Lucian's son die in that village. Come on, everyone!"
The villagers, a mix of apprehension and reluctant obedience, helped the injured Chief to his feet. They began the slow, arduous trek back to the village, their steps heavy with uncertainty.
"I'm still confused about something," John muttered, his voice laced with disbelief. "How can such a small kid link with all of us?"
Chief Egon offered a faint smile, his eyes reflecting a profound understanding. "He might be a kid, but he has the brain of an adult."
After what felt like an eternity, the villagers finally reached the village's perimeter. A collective gasp rippled through their ranks. The familiar, yet utterly transformed, village stood before them. The once-ramshackle wooden fence had been replaced by imposing five-meter-high walls, and a formidable metal gate barred their entry.
"Is this the village?" one villager asked, his voice trembling. "I think we're lost."
"Yes, it is," another villager replied, his eyes wide with disbelief. "When we escaped, the village was burning to the ground. How did this...?"
"I don't know," a third villager echoed, his voice a mere whisper.
John turned to Chief Egon, his expression questioning. "Is this the work of the prince?"
"We can only find out once we enter," Chief Egon replied, his smile enigmatic.
The massive double metal gate creaked open, revealing Aaron, Aurora, and Lilly standing resolutely before them. The villagers, numbering thirty-five, cautiously stepped inside. The ground was pristine, devoid of any signs of the previous battle, no bloodstains, no ash. It was as if the chaos had never occurred.
"Stop," Aaron commanded, his voice sharp and authoritative. With a swift, fluid motion, he waved his hand, and a towering wall of fire erupted, encircling the villagers.
"Cough! What are you doing, My Prince?" Chief Egon asked, his voice laced with mild surprise.
"In the time of battle, you all ran away from the village, leaving my mother and sister defenseless. What do you think will be your punishment?" Aaron's voice was cold, devoid of emotion.
"Punishment?" a villager echoed, his voice laced with fear.
"What is the little prince saying?" another villager asked, his voice trembling.
Chief Egon sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I'm sorry for that, My Prince, but we tried... The Queen refused to leave, same with the princess... Seeing I was injured, they moved me away from here, leaving them behind... We're deeply sorry for that." He attempted to kneel, but the pain in his chest prevented him.
"Yes, Aaron. We were the ones who chose to stay," Aurora said, her voice filled with remorse. She felt a pang of guilt seeing the chief's condition. He had always been kind to them, caring for them over the past year.
Aaron nodded slowly and waved his hand, creating a single exit in the wall of fire. "Come out one at a time. I'll ask a question, and you'll give me an honest reply. If you speak the truth, you'll have a place in this village. But if you lie... I'll end you right here."
The villagers exchanged nervous glances, nodding in reluctant agreement.
"Good. Let's start with the Chief."
Chief Egon slowly walked through the exit in the fire wall, stopping before Aaron.
"I have two questions," Aaron said, raising two fingers. "First: Are you a traitor? Second: Will you ever betray me?"
"I am not and will never be a traitor. You are my Prince, the last hope of our race. I would die before betraying you."
Aaron nodded, placing his hand on the Chief's chest. In an instant, the gaping wound vanished, and the Chief's vitality and demonic energy were restored.
Chief Egon stared at himself in shock, then bowed deeply to Aaron. "Thank you, My Prince!"
"Stand by my right," Aaron commanded.
Chief Egon nodded and stood beside Aurora and Lilly.
Seeing the Chief's miraculous healing, the injured villagers surged forward, only to be met with the searing heat of the fire wall. They recoiled in pain.
"I told you, one at a time," Aaron said, his face impassive.
The villagers nodded, making way for John.
"I'm John, father of Vince. First, I want to apologize for everything my son made you go through."
'You mean what I made him pass through,' Aaron thought, nodding at John. He then asked his two questions.
"As your father's number one archer, I will never betray you and will never be a traitor."
"Stand by my right," Aaron said.
John nodded, joining the Chief.
"What is the prince doing?" John whispered, his voice filled with confusion.
"He wants to see if there are traitors among us," Chief Egon replied, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Vince stepped forward, his heart pounding in his chest. He was both nervous and scared. The kid before him was royal blood. Now he understood why Emily was so fond of him.
"You know the questions. All you need to do is answer," Aaron said.
Vince nodded. "I want to first apologize to you. I am not a traitor and will never betray you. From today onwards, my bow will be at your command." He bowed deeply.
Aaron nodded in satisfaction, patting Vince's shoulder. "Good. Stand at my right."
Vince nodded and stepped aside.
Aaron proceeded to question each villager, directing them to stand either on his right or left.
"Stand at my left," he said to the last villager.
Aaron sighed, turning to the twenty-five villagers on his right and the ten on his left.
"Why would you guys want to betray me? Some of you are even traitors." He massaged his temple, his expression weary.
"What are you saying, kid?!" a villager shouted.
"Yes! You're just spewing nonsense!" another villager yelled.
"Yes! Do you think being the son of the late prince gives you the right to insult us?" a third villager added.
Aaron sighed, addressing the ten villagers on his left. "Each of you should leave this village. I'll only count to ten."
Hearing Aaron's ultimatum, the ten villagers turned to the Chief and John.
"Are you going to let this kid act all high and mighty?!" one villager demanded.
"We are the owners of this village. Why should we leave?" another villager protested.
"One..." Aaron began to count.
Chief Egon sighed deeply. "The prince said you are all traitors, and will betray him in the future... I'll just have to believe him."
"Three..." Aaron continued.
"Yes, you guys should be asking for forgiveness, instead you are all yelling at the prince. So... I can't help you," John said.
"Six..."
Ten spinning dark energy balls materialized behind Aaron.
"Seven..."