005

c h a p t e r   5:  t h e   v i l l a g e (3)

THICK long eyelashes fluttered gently as a pair of dazed and watery black orbs met equally cherubic eyes which promptly blinked twice. Amir who had been waiting on the side hurriedly stepped forward, shielding the child.

"Young master, are you feeling fine now?" he queried in a low tone.

Ains frowned while his eyes scanned the room. He perceived that he was lying on a lump of clothes carefully placed on the cold cement. They were surrounded by darkness with the burning light of a lamp as their only source of light.

He mustered the strength to sit up and lean on the uneven wall behind him. Amir hastily crouched down to arrange the blanket warming Ains' half lower body.

"Who's that child over there?" Ains questioned, tone cold.

This prompted the child to tilt his head and peeked at Ains while his body remained hidden behind Amir. Like Ains, the child has thick and tiny curls that almost covered a pair of glowing ash-grey colored eyes. His cheeks were plump while his lips formed a thin line. He stared at Ains with a deadpan expression.

"What's wrong with him?" asked Ains, his eyes turned to Amir.

"His name is Basil. He found you lying on the ground unconscious and was crouching beside you when I returned," Amir carefully explained.

Ains nodded. He paid no heed to the child and decided to inquire about the current situation.

"The village?"

Amir stiffened before replying vaguely. "There were heavy casualties."

Ains waited for further explanation but he got nothing. His brow arched as he stared deeply at Amir.

"You should know how to properly deliver a report as a competent butler, am I right?" Ains sarcastically questioned.

"The village was burnt into destruction. They also took women and children. The number this time increased. And they were also more brutal," mumbled a small voice.

Ains turned his head to the child. They silently stared at each other for some time before Ains gestured for the child to come over.

Basil unblinkingly stepped forward and sat down beside Ains.

"Hello," Ains dryly greeted.

"You're pretty," Basil unceremoniously complemented.

Ains smiled sweetly at Basil. "I know."

"Just like Momo," Basil continued. "He has your eyes too. But he has long hair that reached up to here." He pointed his hand on his waist. "His hair was bright, unlike like yours. Your hair color's not that pretty, it was ugly," he added.

'What the fuck is wrong with this kid?'

Ains heard Amir coughed at the back. His hand formed a fist as he pretends to cover his mouth.

"You having fun?" Ains asked, brow raised.

"No, young master," Amir answered, staring straight ahead avoiding meeting his young master's eyes.

Ains clicked his tongue as he once again turned his head to Basil.

"So, your parents still alive?" Ains blatantly asked.

"No. They're dead already," Basil answered, his sight remained glued on Ains.

Ains nodded his head. "What about siblings?"

"None."

"Other relatives?"

"None."

Ains was bewildered. "How are you still alive?"

He heard another cough but paid it no mind. Basil lightly tilted his head, appearing confused at Ains question.

"I hunt," he replied after a long pause.

"Ha? You?" Ains glanced at the child's small but healthy-looking body. His skin was soft and tender just from the look of it.

"Yes," Basil confirmed. He moved an inch closer to Ains. "Are you here to save the village?" he added.

"No," Ains instantly replied, leaning away from Basil.

"Why?" asked Basil in confusion.

"Why should I?" Ains asked in return.

Ains felt like someone's pot had fallen on his head. Why should he care for a small village such as this? His hands were already full with the impending war, why would he bother himself with such a poor village?

"But—"

"Enough. Why am I even talking to you?—Ah! that's right, you mentioned earlier that this was not the first time the church had done this. Tell me more about it," said Ains who let his back lean more comfortably against the wall as he waited.

"You helped put out the fire." Basil's eyes were burning with a determination which startled Ains.

"I did not," Ains replied.

Basil turned his head to Amir who was silently watching the exchange between the two. He extended his arm and pointed at Amir. "He said it was your order. So, you helped put out the fire."

'Why is he so stubborn? '

Ains heaved a heavy sigh. "Whatever. So, what is it to you if I helped you put out the fire?" His tone was languid.

He was so done with this child, he would rather fell into a coma rather than talk to Basil.

"Of course, I will tell you what I know in return." Basil pushed his chest out, looking proud.

"Wow? That's so nice of you, little one! You're truly great and mighty!" Ains exaggeratedly complemented.

"I know," Basil replied in a matter-of-fact tone. His head turned to the side while squinting.

'Seriously, what the hell is wrong with this child?'

"Fine then, tell me about it"

"It was two months ago when they took away my friends' moms and big sisters. At that time, we were celebrating the  Lunaria in Seventh. It was the fourth night when they came to our village. Then Momo came and saved us," Basil narrated.

"Momo?"

"Yes, Momo. The person who has the same eyes as you but his hair is much better than yours," Basil replied.

'Right, that Momo.'

THAT same night, Ains along with Amir and Basil went back to the village. Upon arriving, they were met with the sight of burnt-down houses and burnt trees near the houses. The last fire had just been put out when they reached the northwest of the village in which, according to Basil, they would find a stoned house—there lived the chief of the village.

"I told you to not let the kid follow us," Ains glared at Amir as they reached the door of the village chief's house.

"Pardon this humble servant, however, this servant thought that he would pose no threat to young master's well-being," Amir humbly replied.

"Tch, you think I care about what you think?" Ains gave his butler a side glance full of ridicule.

"You had to bring me with you if you wanted to meet the chief," Basil butted in which earned yet another contemptuous look from Ains.

"Shut up. Did I ask for your opinion?" Ains retorted.

Amir frowned at the current behavior of his young master. He thought for a moment before lowering his head hiding the dangerous glint in his eye.

"Are we just going stand here all night?" Ains complained. "Why am I surrounded by stupid people?" he added, whispering to himself.

"You have a rather hot temper, young man," said a modulated voice of a man.