"Um... Thanks for healing me." The elf thanked Souta as tears formed on the corner of his eyes.
While the elf was crying, Souta stood up and saw a lot of people who were full of injuries around the place. They were starving because they didn't have a time to eat as their focus was to run away from the army.
Isabella felt pity for these people. She knew that they've experienced something worse when the army invaded their country.
War is really unfair for everyone.
"The Great Astley Empire is never kind to other people except for its own citizen," Lydia said in a low voice.
Souta turned back to the elf and asked, "Have you calmed down?"
The elf nodded his head in response to his question.
"Okay, I'm going to ask you some questions. I know it's a s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e question but please answer it." Souta said in a calm tone. He then asked, "What happened to the people that are left there?"
"The enemies captured them... T-They only killed the soldiers... Everything is looted..." The elf said while trembling as he recalled the things that happened.
"I already said it to you. They are enslaving everyone and only killed people who could fight." Lydia said to him. "Then, do you still want to go even if you know what they will do to you?"
"Why not? That place has a lot of information and things that I wanted. Potion recipes for Isabella and probably information from ancient times." Souta said while shrugging his shoulder.
"That..." Isabella was surprised when she heard it. Going to that dangerous place just for a... She couldn't put anyone in danger.
"I know you're strong that's why I'm recruiting you but going there without preparation is the same for asking death," Lydia said to him.
"Yeah, but you didn't know how strong I am," Souta said to her nonchalantly. Most of his confidence came from Yuko who was at the third evolution stage.
He squatted down and looked at the elf in his eyes. He asked, "Can you estimate how many enemies are there?"
"A-Around three hundred thousand..." The elf replied unsurely. "But they are all strong... I take three to five soldiers to fight one enemy."
An older elf heard their conversation. He stood up and went to Souta with unsteady steps. He said, "Hello..."
Souta, Isabella, and Lydia turned around when they heard the voice coming from behind. They saw an elder elf wearing luxurious clothes but his clothes were ragged and full of holes. Also, blood was painted around it.
"What can I do for you?" Souta asked the elder elf.
"I heard your conversation. You're going to the Condifan Empire, right? I also sense that you have a large amount of mana in your body. You're probably at Master-class Knight." The elder elf said. He then turned to Lydia and added, "The same could be said to your female companion. A Master-class Knight too."
Souta raised his eyebrows in interest when he heard the elder elf's words. This elf possessed some good senses. Oh, right? He was wearing the [Bracelet of Silencing] so how can this elf sense his mana.
"I don't know why it disappeared but I sensed a huge amount of mana coming from you when you used a healing spell on that young one." The elder elf said and Souta realized that the bracelet couldn't hide his mana when he used his spell or mana.
"By telling me that. What do you want from us?" Souta asked.
"Simple. I want you to forget going to that place. All the Master-class Knights of the empire have been killed so another two wouldn't do any good. I don't know which country are you from but I advise you to cooperate with other Master-class Knights if you want to go to the Condifan Empire." The elder elf slowly said in a hoarse voice.
"I understand what your trying to say but I'm not going to change my decision," Souta said to the elder elf in a polite tone.
Lydia just sighed as she gave up. She didn't want to waste her voice telling Souta that the army of the Great Astley Empire was strong.
"I see... But remember what I tell you. Don't fight them head-on." The elder elf said as he closed his eyes. He could only pray for them to complete their goal.
The word that Souta and Lydia were both Master-class Knights quickly spread out in the entire city like a wildfire. Everyone didn't think that there was Master-class Knight with them. A Master-class Knight was the ace of every country so, what were they doing in this kind of place?
'Damn that old elf. Did he really need to say that we're Master-class Knight loud?' Souta said inwardly.
Soon, the city lord appeared before Souta's group. They couldn't ask Souta to come from their place as they know the status of a Master-class Knight was higher. If they had something to say to Souta, they were the ones who will come to him.
Souta, Lydia, and Isabella looked at the group of people that was approaching them. They heard that the one in front was the city lord of this city.
A city lord didn't retreat. He had to protect this place and buy some time for his citizen to escape with his soldiers.
The city lord and his subordinates bowed in front of Souta's group as a sign of respect and introduced themselves.
"I'm Dino Fedora, the lord of the Riverpool City. It's my p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to meet the Master-class Knight." The city lord who looked like he was in his thirties said politely.
"Good. So why are you here?" Souta nodded and asked the man.
Lydia and Isabella didn't say anything as they simply watch the city lord. Lydia could already guess what they want from them considering what's going to happen tomorrow.
"I'm here to humbly ask you to help us protect this city. I don't have anything left to give you. I just wanted to buy some time for my citizen to escape from their fate." Dino kneeled in front of Souta and said sincerely. He placed his forehead on the ground and when he didn't hear any reply from Souta he opened his mouth, "You just defeat some of the enemies and escape. It will help us a lot. I'm sure that with your strength you can escape from them."
Dino's subordinates who were beside him also kneeled on the ground.
"Sir, please lend us a little bit of your strength!"
"Please!! For our people!"
They begged Souta with a sincere expression. They were afraid of their enemies but they were much more afraid to imagine what will happen to their family if the enemy arrived here.
"What are you going to do?" Lydia went closer to Souta and asked him in a low voice.
Souta stayed silent for a moment before he opened his mouth and asked, "How many enemies are approaching?"
Dino lifted his head and looked at Souta before he answered him, "From the information that we've gathered. There are ten thousand enemies that are heading in this city. Our forces only consisted of five thousand trained soldiers and one thousand volunteers who didn't know how to fight."
"So you're basically outnumbered," Souta said and Dino nodded at him.
"Yes, not just that. I'm not gonna lie to you. Aside from the number the enemy's strength is stronger than us. Each one of them possessed the might of five soldiers." Dino said to Souta in a grave tone. He didn't dare to lie in front of Master-class Knight. Also, Souta would find it sooner or later that the enemy possessed great might.
"Okay. I'm going to help you. Since we're going to Condifan Empire, I don't mind cleaning some of those dregs to test how they would fare." Souta said to Dino as he patted his shoulder.
"...eh... really?!" Dino and his subordinates were stunned. They didn't think that Souta would agree to them. After they come to their senses, all of them thanked Souta. The people who were watching the scene also bowed down and thanked him.
"Thank you!!"
"We appreciate your help!!"
"Thank you very much, sir!!"
All the people bowed their heads towards Souta, Lydia, and Isabella. They were grateful that Souta accepted to help them.
Souta ignored them as he looked at the notification that he received.
*Ding!*
[Quest Triggered]!
[Defend]: The Riverpool City is facing a crisis. An unknown army is heading towards it with the intent of destroying it. Help them fought the invaders.
Rewards: 15,000 exp, 4 skill points, and 5 free attribute points
Not a bad quest. It's such a waste if he will let 4 skill points passed by.
'I know what you're thinking.' Saya's voice sounded in his mind.
'Hehe, ten thousand enemies is equal to ten thousand souls. Not a bad deal, right?' A grin formed on Souta's face as he turned around. 'It's time to devour the souls of those people.'