When everyone learned about the bald man Zorath's story, they all just sat there in silence.
Nyra was the only one who managed to speak, "Now I understand why that man was so angry… and honestly, his anger is justified."
Maya, with an angry expression, said, "I wish those people had never come here… everything would have been so much better. And now, they'll be back in just 2–3 days."
She paused for a moment, then continued, "A few days ago, that long-haired boy from their group came here… and told Zorath that if we don't leave this place, we'll have to pay 2 gold coins per person."
Hearing that, Kio immediately said, "That much?!"
Maya nodded, "Yes…"
Just then, a voice came from behind, calm but slightly amused,"Then why don't you just fight them and drive them away?"
Hearing the voice, everyone stood up at once.
Nyra turned and said, "You're awake?"
Leo smiled lightly, "I woke up a little before Maya started telling the village story."
Maya quickly walked up to him and asked, "How's your shoulder?"
Leo sat down and slowly rotated his shoulder, "It's better than before… the potion you gave worked. It's healed, but there's still some pain."
Maya placed her hand on his shoulder and checked it carefully. She applied a little pressure with her finger.
Leo winced slightly, "That hurts…"
Maya said firmly, "Sit still."
She moved her finger around his shoulder area, checking the muscles, then removed her hand.
"This pain is normal. It's nothing serious. You'll recover completely in a few days," she said calmly.
Everyone was impressed by her skill.
Nyra said in amazement, "Your hands feel like magic… how do you know so much?"
Maya gave a small smile, "My grandmother was a healer… she treated people who came back from war, or those who were in very bad condition."
"She was very popular too… people came from far away to get treated by her. But because of poverty, she couldn't go very far… it was like a wall stopping her."
She paused for a moment, then continued, "And because we didn't have money, I couldn't get a proper education either… so I just learned whatever I could from her."
Leo listened quietly, then looked at Maya and said, "You're amazing."
Maya lowered her head, a soft smile appearing on her face. She felt happy inside that her skills were finally useful somewhere.
Then she said softly, "But I don't have anything to offer you to eat…"
"In our village, there are only a few days when we actually get to eat properly. We depended on our fields… but the orges destroyed our land."
"Now we can't grow anything…"
Alex said quietly, "That's really bad…"
Maya nodded, "Yes… but there's nothing we can do now."
Just then, a loud sound came from Kio's stomach.
Kio said bluntly, "I'm hungry…"
Nyra immediately hit him on the head, "Kio! Don't you have any shame? She's helping us and you're making demands?"
Kio lowered his head, "Sorry…"
He went back and sat on the bed.
As soon as he sat, Leo's stomach also growled.
Leo held his stomach and slowly glanced at Nyra…
Nyra was staring at him angrily.
Leo quietly turned his face away and pretended to sleep, facing the wall.
Nyra sighed, "All of you are idiots…"
Then she looked at Maya and said, "They're acting like kids…"
Night slowly passed. The fire that was burning gradually died out.
Everyone fell asleep…
But Leo was still awake.
He was deep in thought — there must be some way to help them…
He kept thinking for a long time, but every time he reached the same conclusion — he couldn't do anything.
He wasn't strong enough… nor rich enough to support so many people.
He spent the entire night thinking the same thing…
And just when he was about to fall asleep, a bright light came through the window.
The shadow of a tree was cast inside along with the light.
Leo opened his eyes… and looked at that shadow.
He suddenly sat up.
"Yeah… this could work…"
A faint smile appeared on his face… and he lay down again.
Morning came.
Sunlight fell on Maya's face. She had fallen asleep with her head resting on the table.
She slowly woke up, stretched her arms, and let out a long yawn.
Then she stood up and walked outside.
The wooden floor of the house had weakened, so it made creaking sounds as she walked.
That sound woke Leo up.
He sat up and saw Maya going outside.
He tried to get up.
He noticed Nyra sleeping near his feet, while Kio and Alex had fallen asleep sitting on the ground.
Leo carefully placed his feet on the floor and slowly walked outside.
As he stepped out and looked around…
His heart felt heavy.
Every house in the village was broken…
There was destruction everywhere.
After walking a little further, he saw Maya.
She was drawing water from a well.
She pulled up the water and drank it.
Leo called from behind, "Maya…"
Maya turned around after hearing his voice, quickly finished her water, and walked toward him.
"You shouldn't be out like this… your injury hasn't fully healed yet," she said.
Leo scratched the back of his head and smiled, "Sorry…"
Then he said, "But I have an idea."
Maya asked immediately, "What kind of idea?"
Leo looked straight into her eyes and said,"An idea to save all of you… so you can live properly, have food… and you won't have to pay them anymore."
Hearing this, a spark of hope appeared in Maya's eyes.
She grabbed Leo's shoulder with both hands and shook him slightly, "Is that true?"
Leo nodded, "Yes…"
This time she held his shoulder tighter, "You're not lying, right? You're not making fun of us?"
Leo quickly said, "My shoulder hurts… let go first."
Maya immediately released him, "Sorry… please tell me, is it true?"
Leo gave a small smile…
And said softly,"Yes… it's true."