''So, the reason you saved them is to use them afterward; you aren't different from us.'' Selene spat, knowing there was no way she would make it alive; she decided to create sow discord between Alex and the hostages; she wanted to incite them to voice their dissatisfaction, saying they wanted to leave, by doing so, Alex would lose. She couldn't be happier seeing him lose something.
Lilith's eyes turned cold while Sakuya tried to use the sheath of her katana to slap Selene flying; however, she was stopped by Alex, who was still smiling; he noticed the change in the captive's eyes when Selene talked, it's human nature, some might want to talk back saying normally Alex should have saved them, hell, even the most shameless would say, after saving them he must still accompany them until they safely reach the next village or city. Now that he was going to entertain them.
''Do you think I'm doing charity work?" Alex asked; his voice was col; thee captives, and Selene gulped, especially those shameless ones who were planning to fall for Selene's incitation.
''Nobody does something with a goal in mind.. Be it is charity work, even in this case, you acted on your desire to help others; it's to satisfy this desire that you act. For you, I need to save them and go away? What a joke; II acted with a goal in mind. I will not force anybody, as I said only those free, who have nowhere to go are free to come at me, as for others I have already notified the guild you have to wait, and someone will take you back.'' Alex said, the captives nodded.
''Free them and let them vent their frustrations on this woman and when they are done, those who wish to follow my suggestion, please come outside,'' Alex ordered Lilith and left with Sakuya.
Selene bit her lips in frustration; her plan had failed; those who were about to be swayed regained their sanity after Alex's speech; their eyes shone in ecstasy at the prospect of beating their once captor.
''Die you scum.''
''Give me back my daughter.''
''Die, die.''
Like enraged beasts, they jumped over the tied-up Selene and beat her into a pulp; they didn't even stop; even they squashed her brain, and she died.
Outside, Alex stared at the blazing sky; as they got closer to the dark forest, the temperature drastically changed into a hotter one.
''Since when you started planning this?" Sakuya couldn't help but ask.
''Since I learned that bandits occupied this road, tell the truth even if this road was not a shortcut I would have still suggested that we pass through it because I was sure the bandits would keep the captives to be sold as slaves, among them some would not want to go back because they have been soiled or lost their homes. Even if it's one I want to recruit, some who has once saw the despair can be sharpened into the most deadly weapon under a master and given a cause.'' Alex explained. As he said, since the villager chief warning, he had already planned everything, he didn't believe in recruiting everyone, not that he wanted this in the first place, he needed to recruit few people, two or five maximum. He already had few people he wished to recruit after appraising them; he needed to wait.
Sakuya chuckled and said.
''You know you have changed.''
''It's that so? Well, I guess you are right. People will change after experiencing a setback; I'm the same. I need my personal force, ready for everything, always counting on others is not the solution.'' Alex shrugged his shoulders; he could understand where Sakuya was going; indeed, he changed after his sister's kidnapping.
''Fufufu! Gathering force, it's almost as you are planning to take over the world.'' Sakuya says with humor; however, Alex following next words left her speechless.
''I don't mind if taking over the world will help me accomplish my goal and protect my loved ones,'' Alex said, and he was serious about this.
''Fufufu! It's now that I see that you have changed and I like it. I will be there for you, for others, together we will make things work, survive, and one day return on Earth. If our parents have died, we will at least pay our respect to their tombstone, tell them that we survived and safely came back to our hometown.''
''That's some nice suggestion, let's do that.'' Alex nodded at Sakuya's suggestion, and she laughed and tried to hold his hand when suddenly, they were interrupted by someone coughing.
''We are done; these four wish to join you.''
Lilith interrupted Sakuya's sweet time, she glared at her, but unexpectedly Lilith chuckled; she had an amused smile on her face.
''Oh!''
Alex was surprised, it was more than he had expected when he saw the four he was pleased, although one among the ones he wanted the most was missing, seeing the green-haired girl among the four, Alex couldn't ask for more. This girl had the talent for assassination as her class was an assassin.
''Good, I'll be your employer from now on; I'm Alexander; someone will fetch you and take you to Avalon.'' Alex introduced himself with his real name but kept on the disguise.
''I'm Elektra.''
''Arthic.''
''Selena.''
''Chris.''
''Good,'' Alex said as he observed the four, two women and two men, the oldest was Arthic, 25, while the youngest was Elektra (18) with the most potential.
Taking out a communication stone, Alex injected mana into it, and it immediately lighted, and a voice came from the other side.
''Yes, Alexander. I have already sent Drei and another two; they will join you soon.''
''Hi! Sera, I hope you are doing fine.'' Sakuya said after hearing Sera's voice.
''Oh! Sakuya, I'm fine. Please look after him as he tends to act too recklessly, he-"
Alex didn't give Sera the time to finish before cutting off the communication. He coughed to hid his embarrassment.
''So, it's as you heard it. Wait here-"
Alex stopped and looked at Lilith.