Rukiyo followed behind the four men down the path, the two women walking along beside her.
The men keep their shoulders straight, their postures tense as if afraid to turn their backs to her— the same way prey animals try to approach a predatory creature.
The women, on the other hand, have their hands rubbing up and down on their arms, an attempt to comfort themselves as their eyes dart at Rukiyo.
The atmosphere is thick with tension, the silence heavy as they trek along the path.
After Rukiyo realized that the group was being honest using her passive skill, she proceeded to ask them to lead her to the nearest village.
They all agree without complaint, eager to lead her out of the forest as quickly as possible, and separate themselves away from the intimidating and terrifying woman.
The walk is silent, save for their footsteps and the occasional birdsong in the trees around them.
As they walked, Rukiyo kept glancing at the system interface where the map is open, watching with quiet satisfaction as the dark clouds gradually dissipated with every step they took— revealing more of the area ahead.
Unlike before, her shoulders are relaxed now, her posture loose and carefree.
She strolled alongside them without a hint of wariness, unintentionally broadcasting that she doesn't view them as a threat anymore.
The group noticed this— of course they do.
The men walked even more stiffly while the women stole glances at her, which grew more curious than fearful.
Meanwhile, Rukiyo kept glancing at the map floating before her.
She was thankful that the atmosphere isn't so stifling anymore, the tension draining out of the air now that they've left the forest and had gotten away where she kicked their leader up in the air.
She doesn't know why, but she feels completely at ease. She couldn't help, but wonder if it was about the fact that she's a dragon and that they can't do anything to harm her, or if she just doesn't really care about them now because she knows they can't kill her.
Either way, even if it's the same, she doesn't care.
The group continued walking, the air around them slightly stifling for the men and women— until suddenly, angry shouts echo from the path ahead.
The group tensed, except for Rukiyo.
"She has black hair and golden eyes!" A familiar voice echoed in the air, screaming on the top of their lungs.
Rukiyo froze mid-step, her relaxed posture snapping into alertness.
Her golden eyes flickered toward the source of the voice and she knew that tone, she heard it just earlier.
".. The woman? " She murmured under her breath, her pulse spiking.
The men in front of her hesitated, glancing back at her with uncertainty, and one of them swallowed. "Uh, ma'am... S-Should we—"
Before they can finish, the shouting grows louder, cutting him off.
Rukiyo scanned the group, listening as the approaching shouting was enough to confirm that this group was indeed coming for her.
The men and women looked at her nervously, their backs straight and shoulders slightly stiff.
"Go and hide." Rukiyo instructed, sighing heavily. "They're obviously looking for me, but if they managed to take me down.. Expect that I'll bring you with me."
Without a word, the men and women obeyed, scattering into nearby bushes and trees like nervous rabbits.
Rukiyo's eyes shifted back to the path they were walking through, her heart feeling strangely calm.
When the angry mob appeared and was seen marching toward her, Rukiyo's eyes narrowed, quickly counting the numbers of the people ahead of her.
There's about ten of them— all of them armed with either knives or crude makeshift weapons.
Anger and frustration filled their faces as they walked down the path, but when they spotted her, where she was blocking their way, recognition sparked at the eyes of the one leading them.
"There she is!" He hollered, pointing a finger at Rukiyo. "That must be the one with the golden eyes and black hair!"
Rukiyo tensed for a fight, bracing herself for the impending insults, jeers, and attacks..
.. But it didn't come.
Instead, the mob suddenly went down on their knees once they were right in front of hervand pressed their heads low onto the dirty ground.
To her surprise, tears were streaming down their faces.
"Thank you so much for savin' the chieftain!" All of them screamed in sync, the synchronization causing their voices to echo loudly in the air. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so much!"
They repeated the words over and over again, relief and emotion in their voices.
Confusion and bewilderment welled up in Rukiyo's chest, and all she could do was stare at all of them. "W-What the hell…?"
Then, suddenly, a familiar little girl bursts through the kneeling crowd, her tiny legs pumping as she stumbles toward Rukiyo before throwing herself forward, arms outstretched, and— whamp, latched onto Rukiyo's waist in a tight hug.
"YOU'RE SAFE!" The girl sobbed out, pressing her face into Rukiyo's side, squeezing tight enough to make Rukiyo stay rooted in place.
"Granny said.." The little girl cried, hiccupping and unintentionally cutting herself off. "Granny said that you might have gotten yourself hurt fighting the bad men!"
Rukiyo stared down at the child, completely frozen in shock, her hands hovering awkwardly over the girl's shoulders, unsure if she should hug back or gently pry her off.
"Uh— I.." She stammered, stumbling over her words. ".. What?"
From the crowd, an old woman shuffled forward, with the same young woman she saw earlier standing beside her.
The young woman was wiping her eyes with a trembling hand. "That bastard tried to kill the chief's daughter and I.. I tried to protect her, but I was terrified."
Rukiyo stared owlishly at the crying young woman, her hands on the little girl's shoulders tightening slightly.
"But you not only saved us—" The young woman sniffled, bringing herself down to her knees and pressing her forehead onto the ground. "You also saved the whole village by stepping in. Please, allow me to thank you."
Rukiyo's brain short-circuited, not expecting such a sincere expression of gratitude. ".. Oh."
It was silent for a moment, with Rukiyo just staring down at the little girl hugging her waist, but then, she slowly lifted her gaze to the kneeling mob, before looking back to the child.
Her brain worked furiously to piece it together.
Once she does, her entire body froze, the realization hitting her hard like someone threw a bucket of cold water at her.
".. Wait." Rukiyo mumbled, voice low and disbelieving, eyes widening in surprise as she pointed at the child hugging her waist. "Don't tell me… THIS child is the chieftain?"
The villagers flinched at the sight of the incredulous look on Rukiyo's face, but they all nod vigorously, some still sniffling with gratitude.
The little girl pulled away from her before proceeding on rubbing her nose with her sleeve, all the while puffing her chest out with all the dignity a tiny child can muster.
"I'm Chief Lina!" She declared, sniffling and wiping the snot off her nose.
One of the villagers straightened himself up and yelled, "Youngest chieftain in five generations! An absolute prodigy!"
A beat of stunned silence followed, only broken by the nervous shuffle from the villagers.
The little girl looks up at Rukiyo expectantly, blinking her huge hazel eyes, not a single snot seen in sight.
"No offense, but isn't she way too young?" Rukiyo asked, raising her gaze towards the kneeling older villagers. "I'm no expert, but I believe that it's best to let her experience puberty first.."
The kneeling young woman raised herself, shaking her head. "Our village doesn't choose leaders by age, madam.. Since she's the late chief's only heiress and there was no one else suited to become one.. We decided to just stick and follow tradition."
The little girl nodded solemnly, her tiny face suddenly turning serious. "I might be small, but I'm doing my best for my people."
Rukiyo pursed her lips and stared at the girl for an extra long moment before she let out a long sigh.
"Fine." She murmured, effortlessly scooping the little girl up into her arms, barely noticing the weight despite the child immediately clinging to her like a koala.
"Anyway, you guys arrived at the perfect time." Rukiyo stated, adjusting her grip on the girl before explaining her situation. "I'm not familiar with this forest, so I was heading to the nearest village, but since you're here.. Mind leading the way? I'd appreciate it."
The crowd grew silent, their eyes widening as they fixed their postures.
Then, all of them immediately burst into nods and murmurs of agreement, scrambling to their feet to start leading the way.
The young woman stepped forward with a grateful smile. "Of course, madam! It's the least we can do after what you've done for us! Please, please! Allow us to pave the way for you!"
And just like that, the former angry mob transformed into an enthusiastic escort, eagerly guiding Rukiyo toward their home.