The Infected Patrol Squad had left without taking anything from the village, even abandoning several weapons in their terror.
But at the same time, the condition of the villagers was far from good.
The terrifying knight had not only shaken the patrol squad but had also left the villagers in deep fear.
However, unlike the patrol members who still had the option to flee, the villagers of this small settlement had no choice at all.
Staying in the village might mean being killed by the knight if he returned, but that was just a possibility.
Leaving the village, however, meant certain death in the desolate, uninhabited snowfields.
Between the chance of death and the certainty of it, they could only choose the former.
What else could they do? Life had to go on.
So, after their initial fear subsided, the villagers picked themselves up and started restoring their homes, which had been left in disarray by the Infected Patrol Squad.
They returned to their daily lives as best they could.
This was the reality of those living at the bottom—so long as there was even the slightest hope for survival, they would keep moving forward.
Meanwhile, Talulah and Alina, after helping two elderly villagers who had been weakened from standing too long in the cold, made their way outside the village.
They believed that Steven would be able to find them, and they had urgent questions that needed answering.
Sure enough, just as they stepped out of the village and reached a secluded spot, they saw Steven casually emerging from the forest with his helmet off, looking as relaxed as ever.
Seeing him like this, Talulah found it impossible to associate him with the terrifying knight who had ridden a skeletal warhorse and seemed to have emerged from the depths of the abyss.
Where was the oppressive aura?
He looked more like some idle, good-for-nothing loafer.
"Why are you staring at me like that? Did I fail to do what I promised? Shouldn't this be the moment where you heap praise on me?"
Seeing the two girls looking at him as if he were some kind of monster, Steven had been expecting admiration and applause.
Instead, he was confused about their reaction.
Hadn't he just driven away the Infected Patrol Squad without even shedding blood?
And those soldiers would never suspect the villagers were involved in what had happened.
It was a perfect solution to the crisis!
Shouldn't he be getting cheers and applause right now?
"That knight just now… that was really you?"
Talulah still found it hard to accept.
"If it wasn't me, was it you? My acting skills are pretty strong, aren't they? Those guys definitely couldn't tell the difference."
Steven stroked his chin with a smug look.
Strictly speaking, this wasn't even acting—those snowmen were real constructs, made from glowing pumpkin heads and piles of snow, forming puppets under his control.
Everything else was also completely real, not some illusion.
To create the effect of being wreathed in flames, he had even downed a Fire Resistance Potion and then used a Flint and Steel to set himself alight.
That's how he had achieved that terrifying, blazing aura.
It had taken quite a bit of effort to make it all work.
"It's not about whether they could tell or not—it's about how you managed to do it in the first place," Talulah asked hesitantly, unable to hold back her curiosity.
"Huh? Originium Arts. It's all Originium Arts. How else could a human achieve that kind of effect? Obviously, it was just an illusion created with Originium Arts."
Ever since Steven realized that people seemed willing to accept anything as long as it was explained with "Originium Arts," he had started using it as his go-to excuse.
Originium Arts—the perfect scapegoat!
But while this excuse might work on Alina, there was no way it could fool Talulah, a Draco.
No matter how she looked at it, this had nothing to do with Originium Arts!
Not to mention those snowmen that seemed to have a life of their own—where did that skeletal warhorse come from?
And that earth-shattering slash that split the ice and snow—where did that come from?
The mark left by that sword was still at the village entrance.
If that kind of power could be achieved with regular Originium Arts, then Steven might as well be a war god descending to the mortal world.
After all, that wasn't some carefully prepared, long-charged strike.
Anyone could tell that it was just a casual swing, a sword aura drawn effortlessly in the air.
But since Steven had already given his explanation, it was clear that he didn't want anyone prying further into his secrets.
Talulah naturally knew better than to push the matter.
This wasn't just any question—it concerned personal abilities.
No one wanted their deepest strengths and secrets to be exposed.
"Let's put that aside for now. Regardless, I should really thank you properly."
Talulah bowed deeply toward Steven, her expression filled with gratitude.
She fully understood what he had done and the risk he had taken.
If things had gone wrong, he wouldn't have just provoked the Infected Patrol Squad—he might have drawn the attention of Ursus officials.
Even now, it wasn't as if Steven was completely out of danger.
The patrol squad members who returned would surely report what had happened, and the authorities would send someone to investigate.
In the worst-case scenario, even the Emperor's Blades might be dispatched.
After all, the power Steven had displayed wasn't something that regular officials or enforcers could handle.
"No need for thanks. Didn't we already agree? I'm not helping you out of the goodness of my heart. This was a deal—I help you, you pay me. No need for all that gratitude nonsense."
Steven shrugged, casually sidestepping Talulah's bow.
"This…"
The moment he mentioned the deal, Talulah's composed demeanor shattered.
Her face instantly turned red, and she was at a complete loss for words.
Was he really that impatient? Or was he just that eager to get his hands on her body?
Alina was right here—didn't he feel the slightest bit embarrassed?
"You want to do it here?"
Talulah pointed at Alina, who clearly had no idea about the secret agreement between them.
Her lips pursed, her expression showing her reluctance.
"Huh? Why not? What's there to be shy about? If Alina wants to watch, let her watch. What's the problem?"
Steven scratched his head, utterly confused.
Was spitting really such an embarrassing thing for Dracos?
What did they do if they had phlegm stuck in their throats? Swallow it?
Alina, equally puzzled, tilted her head slightly.
It was clear she had no clue what the two of them were talking about, but her curious expression showed that she wasn't planning to leave.
"I… sigh, whatever. Let's just get this over with."
Talulah hesitated for a moment, but seeing that Steven was completely unfazed, she didn't know how to react anymore.
She had already agreed, and going back on her word wasn't an option.
Steven had fulfilled his promise, and if she refused him now, she'd be going against her own principles.
Might as well just go for it.
Resolving herself, Talulah shut her eyes tightly, took a deep breath, and reached forward.
Wrapping her arms around Steven's neck, she pressed her lips toward his.
But the very next second—
A strange sensation touched her lips, pushing past them and into her mouth.
Something was off.
Snapping her eyes open, Talulah found herself staring at a familiar glass bottle—one that was currently being shoved into her mouth by Steven.
Her wide, stunned eyes showed just how unprepared she was for this development.
Steven, on the other hand, looked completely unfazed.
Meeting her shocked gaze, he simply urged her impatiently—
"What are you staring at me for? Blow!"
<+>
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