With the demon defeated and its body reduced to dust, Alex and Emi began to search the cave for survivors. Amid the rubble, unconscious cultists, and faint flickers of lingering magical light, Alex heard a soft groan coming from a dark corner.
He quickly approached and found a young woman unconscious. Her skin was pale, and her breathing was weak. Though she wore tattered clothes, underneath the wear and tear were fine fabrics that hinted at noble origins.
—"Emi, someone's here. She's really weak," Alex called out, checking the girl's pulse.
Emi walked over, inspecting her with mild curiosity.
—"She looks different from the others… Do you think she's important?" she asked, arms crossed.
—"Important or not, she needs help now," Alex replied, carefully lifting the girl into his arms.
—"Alright, you take her to the village. I'll stay here and guide the others out," Emi said, frowning slightly.
—"You sure?" Alex asked, surprised by her willingness to stay behind.
—"Of course. But you better not take too long. I'm not doing all the heavy lifting alone," Emi replied, pointing her spear at him to make her point clear.
Alex nodded and began to leave the cave, carrying the young woman in his arms. Her body was lighter than he expected, which only made him more concerned. As he walked, he noticed his steps were heavier than usual. The energy he had used during the fight—and to strengthen Emi—was starting to take its toll.
Upon reaching the nearby village, he found a small, makeshift clinic. He knocked urgently on the door, and an elderly doctor opened it, frowning at the sight of the girl's condition.
—"What happened here?" the doctor asked, helping Alex lay her down on a bed.
—"We found her in a nearby cave. It looked like she was being held by some cultists," Alex explained, avoiding too many details.
The doctor began examining her while Alex collapsed into a nearby chair, exhausted.
—"Do you think she'll be alright?" Alex asked after a few moments of silence.
—"She's lost a lot of blood, but it seems you arrived just in time. With some rest and treatment, she should recover," the doctor said with a reassuring smile.
Just as Alex began to relax, the clinic door burst open, and Emi entered, covered in dust but looking satisfied.
—"Well, it's done. The others are safe, and the local guards are handling the cultists," she announced, dropping into a chair next to Alex.
—"Thanks for staying behind," Alex said, glancing at her.
—"Don't make me remember it. I'm still deciding if it was a good deal or just a pain," Emi replied, though her tone was more playful than annoyed.
As the two rested, the doctor returned with a slightly serious expression.
—"I have something to tell you. This girl isn't just some villager. I recognize her face from the news that comes from the capital. She's the daughter of Duke Alaric, one of the most influential nobles in the kingdom."
—"The duke's daughter?" Emi repeated, blinking in surprise.
—"That explains her clothes," Alex muttered, glancing at the unconscious girl.
The doctor nodded.
—"If that's true, when she wakes up, she'll likely want to thank you personally. This event will probably reach the ears of the royal court."
Emi smirked, glancing at Alex with an amused expression.
—"Well, Alex, looks like your plan to stay in the shadows is failing again. Now we're the heroes who saved a noblewoman."
Alex let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temples.
—"Perfect, just what I needed… more unwanted attention."
The girl remained unconscious, but her breathing had grown more regular. Alex knew this was likely to make things even more complicated.
—"So, what do we do now?" Emi asked, though her voice held a hint of excitement at the prospect of what was to come.
—"I guess we wait for her to wake up… and brace for more trouble," Alex replied, resigned.
Emi leaned back in her chair, clearly enjoying the situation while Alex tried to figure out how he would get out of yet another mess without becoming the center of attention once again.