### Chapter 113: The Outpost (Part 2)
After thinking for a while, I realized that it was better to go find someone. After all, these guys weren’t Church Knights. What could go wrong? I couldn’t just stand here and watch that Horned Horse flail about. Worst case, I could make a run for it. If they turned out to be enemies, I could always take care of them too. Either way, they probably weren’t a threat to me.
So, I adjusted my sleeves, took a moment to gather my courage, and walked right out.
Walking slowly, I pretended to be a delicate, non-threatening girl, hands clasped in front of me as I made my way toward the outpost.
And, of course, some people noticed me immediately.
I saw a few soldiers near the spike wall pointing in my direction and saying something. Then two of them came over, seeming not overly tense or on guard. One of them even turned back to chat loudly with the soldiers behind him. However, when they got closer, they didn’t seem interested in making further contact with me. They stood about ten meters away from me in the middle of the road, and one of them raised his hand and signaled, “Stop!”
So, I obediently halted.
“What do you want—?!”
He yelled at me. From a distance, he looked to be about thirty, a robust veteran. The other one was just as sturdy. Neither of them wore helmets, and the bright red armor along with the sword at their waist gave me a sense of deja vu, though I couldn’t quite place where I’d seen them before.
“Help… help me~”
I feigned weakness, making my voice sound as pitiful as possible. “My… my Horned Horse… his name is Rect… He’s… he’s about to drop dead…”
“…What!?”
The soldier shouted back, seemingly not hearing me clearly.
Well…
Even if I had transformed into a formidable being, my voice remained weak and shaky. I didn’t even need to put on an act, really. Just shout it out.
So, I took a deep breath: “My—Horned Horse—cough cough…”
Ah, my throat hurts.
“My Horned Horse, Rect… he… Rect…”
“Horned Horse?”
Finally, someone seemed to have heard me clearly. The big guy, noticing I was just a young girl, turned and shared a look with the other soldier. Then he furrowed his eyebrows and walked over to me.
“What do you mean, your Horned Horse is in trouble?”
“Horned Horse… Rect is sick…”
“Sick?”
“Yeah… he can’t walk, he’s lying over there… convulsing… what am I supposed to do…”
“Where did you come from?”
He approached me, his towering shadow nearly engulfing me and blocking the falling snow. I looked up and saw a gruff face, not overly large, but lively eyes inspecting me from head to toe. I noticed his face was clean-shaven, not bad-looking for an older guy—definitely someone who could make a girl feel secure, even his voice had that comforting vibe.
Though he looked fierce…
He didn’t seem like a bad guy?
I don’t know why these thoughts crossed my mind, but in front of such a man, it’s likely a weak girl would be their cup of tea, triggering their protective instincts.
“I… I’m from Silgaya… I’m from the southern Republic… a refugee…”
“A refugee?”
“Yeah… I… I escaped here… I ran out of food…”
“You’re a refugee who escaped from Silgaya?”
The man seemed slightly surprised, “Such a long journey, how did you manage? Are you alone? Where are the others from your family?”
His tone had a hint of concern, and I felt like I had him hooked.
What an old trick…
Pretending to be pitiful? I’ve mastered that; no need to show my face.
Heh heh…
“My family… they’re gone… our house… it was burned down a long time ago… I still have a companion… my former maid… she’s waiting back with the Horned Horse… Rect… you guys need to go check on him quickly, he’s about to d*e… without him, I can’t go anywhere…”
“……”
The man fell silent for a moment.
“Hey, what’s going on?”
Just then, another soldier walked over, looking more cautious. As he approached me, he instinctively placed his hand on his sword hilt.
“A refugee from the south, whose Horned Horse is dying, here seeking help.”
The rugged-looking man casually told his companion, then asked, “Where’s Ral? He should be in the beast stable, right? Call him over so we can check together… hey, it’s not far, is it?”
The last part was directed at me.
“Watch it, you.”
However, the companion didn’t seem easily convinced. He laughed and patted the man on the shoulder: “You’re just too soft-hearted, believing everything she says! Aren’t you afraid she’s an enemy sent to cause trouble? We’ve had our share of troublemakers around here…”
Suddenly, with a flourish, he drew his sword, nonchalantly and so quickly—he probably thought he looked cool—holding the blade to my neck.
…Hmm?
I froze for a moment.
Then it hit me all at once, and my body jolted. “Ah! Sir… please don’t, don’t k*ll me! I’m not an enemy… I’m here to escape… not an enemy…”
My voice trembled, mixed with a woeful tone as if I might burst into tears. I didn’t even need to act, it just hit him right in the feels. Both of them looked stunned, and the gruff man shot the sword-wielding idiot a glare, bursting out, “What are you doing—”
“I just wanted to see how she would react…”
“You almost hurt her!”
“I was just testing her reaction…”
“A refugee escaping for her life can have what sort of reaction? You’re being ridiculous!!”
“Hey, hey, hey, no need to lose your temper over it…”
“Look at what you’ve done!”
As he grumbled, the rugged man bent down and helped me up. His fierce gaze softened as he looked at me, “Are you alright?”
At that moment, I certainly couldn’t just bounce back all normal…
Thinking this, I didn’t immediately respond. After standing up, I shrank my shoulders, gently shaking off his helping hand and taking two timid steps back.
Now for the theatrics…
Time to build up those tears…
“Wuwu…”
I made a little whimper, then stopped right away.
Yes, that’s the vibe!
Wanting to cry while being afraid that if I did, I’d be treated even worse, cautious to the point of not daring to let out a sound…
Hehe, I still got it.
Watching my reaction, even the guy who had drawn his sword visibly relaxed. With a “clink,” he sheathed the sword and gazed at me with an exasperated look, “Ah, I’m terrible at dealing with fragile little ones like you…”
“Sorry, sorry…”
The rugged man raised his hands, trying to put on the most friendly face he could manage, “Please don’t be scared, we’re the stationed patrol from Erin Castle. We mean no harm. It’s just that the situation during wartime is a bit special, and this guy can be a bit too clever for his own good. He might have startled you…”
…Erin Castle?
I suddenly froze, nearly forgetting to continue my pitiful act.
Ah…
I remembered now.
Red armor, Erin Castle!
I had seen that lady countess from Erin Castle at the banquet in Winter City, Firebird Annie. I remember… she seemed to have known me since I was little… though I don’t quite recall her now…
So these are all my father’s people.
