The bandits lay defeated, their corpses scattered across the battlefield. As the immediate danger subsided, the villagers began the grim task of looting the fallen enemies. They scavenged whatever meager valuables could be found—coins, weapons, and supplies that might benefit the village in the difficult days ahead. Nearby, the uninjured children, including the girls who had stayed at the back to assist the archers, gathered under the watchful eyes of the adults.
The girls' voices trembled as they recounted the harrowing events of the battle. Despite their fear, they spoke with conviction, painting vivid pictures of the chaos they had witnessed. They described how Rei rallied them when hope seemed lost, motivating them to hold their ground. They spoke of Rei's courage and that of Kaiser and Luster as the three stood against the seasoned bandits, defending the village with skills and bravery far beyond their years.
The girls' eyes shone with admiration and gratitude as they detailed the key moments of the battle—how Kaiser and Luster supported Rei in holding the line, how Rei faced down the bandit leader, and how he sacrificed himself to protect them. Their voices rose with excitement as they recounted the decisive blows that brought down the bandits, each kill a testament to the strength and unity of the village's youth.
The villagers listened intently, nodding in approval as they learned of the children's valor. Yet, amidst the pride swelling in their hearts, a flicker of confusion crossed Lily and Thomas's faces. They exchanged a silent look, the same unspoken question passing between them: Why would Rei, who had always kept a distance from the girls, go to such lengths to defend them, even at great personal cost? They resolved to let the matter rest for now, but the question lingered in their minds.
As the days turned into a week, the children began to recover, their minor wounds healing under the skilled care of the village healers. Laughter returned to the village, tentative at first, as life slowly resumed its rhythm. However, Rei remained confined to his bed, his injuries more severe than anyone else's. The pain of his wounds was a constant reminder of the battle, and the scar across his torso—a diagonal slash from shoulder to waist—was still fresh and raw.
On the seventh day, the head healer, a wizened woman with silver hair and a warm smile, entered Rei's room to change his bandages. Her hands moved with practiced efficiency as she worked, her eyes carefully assessing his healing progress.
"Ah, my dear boy," she murmured, her tone soft with sympathy. "This scar... it will remain with you. A nasty one, I'm afraid." She sighed as she finished, stepping back to give him a reassuring pat on the arm.
Lily, who had been quietly observing, bit her lip, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She leaned closer, smoothing Rei's hair with trembling hands, her expression a mixture of concern and awe. Thomas, standing tall and steady by the bedside, placed a firm hand on Rei's shoulder.
"Don't you worry, Rei," he said, his voice filled with pride and warmth. "This scar isn't something to hide. It's a badge of honor—a testament to your courage. It shows the world that you stood tall when it mattered most. And besides," he added with a small, proud smile, "it looks cool on you, son."
Rei looked into Thomas's eyes and saw not just pride but a deep, fierce love that made his chest tighten. Despite the lingering pain and fear—the thought of carrying this scar for the rest of his life—he forced a small smile onto his face. The scar was more than a physical mark; it was a reminder of the day he risked everything to protect the village, of the moment he became more than just a boy.
Thomas's brow furrows in confusion for a moment before his expression clears, a look of relief washing over his face. "Oh, I'm glad you chose the opposite path, Rei," he says, his voice filled with a mix of pride and something deeper—a profound gratitude. "I meant the path of courage and selflessness, not the one they taught you about at school."
His words puzzled Rei, and he leaned forward slightly, searching his father's face for answers. "What do you mean, Father?" he asks, his voice tinged with bewilderment. "Was there another way to defeat the bandits that I don't know about? I thought we did everything we could to protect the village and the other children."
Thomas's expression darkens, and he takes a long moment to collect his thoughts before responding. "Ah, I apologize, Rei. I forget sometimes that I pulled you out of the village school early, given your aptitude and curiosity. They never taught you the true purpose of the weapons they handed out to the children, did they?"
He pauses, his gaze distant, haunted by memories he wishes he could forget. "The truth is, Rei... those weapons, they weren't just for defending against the bandits. They were a grim last resort. If the bandits had overpowered us, those weapons were meant for the children to use... on themselves. It was a way to spare them from the... unspeakable fate that awaited them at the hands of those monsters."
A chill runs down Rei's spine as his father's words sink in. The sheer horror of the revelation leaves him momentarily speechless. If he and his friends hadn't stepped in, if they hadn't found the strength to fight, the girls he had fought so hard to protect might have faced an unthinkable choice. The thought of such a possibility tightens his chest with a mix of anger and despair.
As if on cue, a group of girls enters the room, their steps tentative, their faces a mixture of shyness and determination. These are the same girls Rei had shielded with his own body, the ones he had vowed to protect. One of them, a petite blonde with a bandage wrapped around her arm, takes a hesitant step forward. Her wide eyes meet Rei's, filled with a mix of curiosity and something else—a desire to understand.
"Why did you save us, Rei?" she asks, her voice barely audible, trembling as if she fears the answer. The other girls look to him as well, their gazes full of unspoken questions, hope, and gratitude.
Rei searches for the words, but they don't come easily. His mind races, replaying the moments that led him here. He thinks of Emilia, the kind-hearted girl who had patiently worked to help him overcome his unease around others. Had her guidance played a role in his actions? Or was it something deeper, rooted in his values of protecting the innocent?
He shakes his head slightly, feeling the weight of their stares. "Even I don't know why I saved you," he admits, his voice raw with emotion. "I guess... it just happened. My legs moved on their own. All I knew was that I couldn't let anything happen to you. I wanted to keep you safe, no matter what."
The girls exchange glances, their expressions softening as they hear his words. The fear and uncertainty in their eyes begin to fade, replaced by something brighter—trust and gratitude.
At that moment, Rei realizes something profound. Whatever his reasons, whatever instinct or force drove him to act, his actions had made a difference. He had given these girls a chance to live, to grow, and to dream of a future beyond the nightmare that might have been. And that, he decides, is reason enough.