"Is she dead?" Arion asked, peering over at the woman's still body.
"Hmm… maybe I hit her a bit too hard?" Savior replied casually, though his tone carried a hint of uncertainty.
"Savior, you killed someone!" Nari accused, her voice half-panicked, eyes wide in disbelief.
"Silence, or I'll turn you into dinner. Stupid snotty little fairy," Savior snapped, glaring at Nari, who immediately hugged herself like a sulking child.
"Look! She's waking up," Arion cut in quickly, his eyes catching the faint movement of the woman's eyelids.
She slowly opened her eyes—but the moment she saw the tip of Savior's staff hovering right in front of her forehead, her body froze. Her breath caught in her throat, and her eyes widened with fear.
Savior leaned in slightly, his tone softening—for the first time.
"I just want to ask one thing… why have you been following me for over a month?"
There was no answer. Only a tear, falling silently from the corner of her eye. Arion and Nari exchanged glances. Savior sighed quietly and lowered his staff.
"Don't do anything stupid again," he said gently—a rare tone from his usually sharp mouth.
"I… I'm Aria," the woman finally spoke through quiet sobs. "Our village… it's dying. The Black Plague…"
Savior's body tensed slightly. His face was hidden behind the mask, but Arion was perceptive enough to notice a subtle shift in his posture—an involuntary reflex he couldn't hide.
"The mayor of Niagara… he locked down our village. Forced isolation. But he did nothing. Just… let everyone die one by one. Then I heard… someone could tame the plague…"
Before Aria could finish, Savior quickly interrupted her.
"And that someone… is me," he said proudly, thumping his chest like he was introducing the hero in a play.
"You know, I am kind of an urban legend," he added smugly. "Well then, what are we waiting for? Move your lazy butts. We've got a village to save!"
With that, he started walking, light on his feet but full of purpose.
Nari let out a long sigh and leaned toward Aria, whispering,
"Just ignore him. He's been insane since forever."