novellk Chapter 64 The Burning Village
Chapter 64 The Burning Village
The morning mist had not yet dissipated when the girl was squatting by the pool, busy with her work.
Her long, dark brown hair was tied back with a thick hemp rope, revealing a slender, fair neck.
The girl scooped up water from the pond and washed the wild vegetables in a clay pot.
Roger had experienced the coldness of the pool water before, and now the girl's fingertips were already pink from the cold.
"Old Yar, do you mean that Miss Anya will travel with us and we'll leave her in the fortress... or what?"
Rogge stood beside old Jal and asked softly.
Old Jarl was silent for a moment, then let out a long sigh.
"Bill, the sheriff of the walled city, is a distant relative of mine. He'll take good care of Anya..."
Old Jarre's voice was somewhat hoarse, clearly indicating that he was also hesitant about this decision.
I don't want her to leave my side either.
My old bones can't take any more turmoil. I should have retired long ago. I just want to stay with her and live a peaceful life...
Hey!
I hope I'm just overthinking it; as people get older, they become more timid!
"Old Yar, it's not that I'm unwilling to take Anya with me,"
Roger said sincerely, "Bandits have been rampant along the way, and now these ruthless pirates have joined the fray."
"With Anya with us, I can't guarantee her safety."
Rogge was telling the truth.
Old Yar only asked Anya to come with them so that they could escort the girl to the city.
"Rogge, don't worry, Anya may look weak, but she has a very strong personality."
She followed me around from a young age, and she wasn't spoiled!
She can protect herself and will never cause you any trouble!
"Most importantly, the lord's retainers and several commanders of the stronghold mostly recognize her!"
With her there, your entry into the fortress will be much smoother!
"Anya!"
Old Yar called out towards the pool.
The girl glanced at it curiously, then handed the wild vegetables in her hand to the woman next to her and quickly ran over.
She approached old Jarl and looked at Roger curiously.
The girl, around seventeen or eighteen years old, was tall and slender. Her features lacked the usual girlish gentleness, instead possessing a unique air of heroism.
"Dad, I don't really want to go. I don't want to leave you!"
You're still injured. Who will take care of you if I leave?
The girl looked at old man Jarl, her eyes filled with reluctance.
"Didn't we already agree on this? If we tell you to go, then go!"
Old Jarl suddenly raised his voice and put on an angry look.
"I can take care of myself! I'll come find you after things are settled here!"
"Okay." She pursed her lips, her eyes slightly red.
Rogge stood aside, watching the girl's stubborn yet dejected expression, knowing that old Jarl had forced her to do this...
……
By midday, the morning mist in the woods had completely dissipated.
After packing their belongings, Roger and his group of more than 30 people descended the mountain and headed north along the dense forest that ran parallel to the main road.
Roger still didn't dare to go directly onto the main road, for fear of running into the pirates!
In the past, this main road connecting the fortified town with various villages was rarely frequented by bandits.
Old Yar could make the round trip by himself on an old horse.
But now, hundreds of pirates are marching north to plunder villages. If they were to run into them on the main road, with their small numbers, they would surely be in grave danger.
All the newly recruited young men of the Rogue carried their own bundles; the studded leather armor wasn't that heavy, and all of them wore it.
Ragnar followed beside Rogge, the boy wearing the pirate helmet he had found on his head, half his face hidden behind a nose guard.
The boy was still a little sullen; he was still angry about what happened today!
Qi Luoge only took a small amount of food, leaving all the other supplies to the villagers of Duanpo Village.
The group walked another ten miles or so when Ragnar suddenly pointed ahead.
"Brother Roger, there seems to be smoke up ahead!"
Rogge paused, then immediately raised his hand to signal the entire team to stop.
Ragnar was short, and could see clearly outside even from inside the forest.
Rogge signaled everyone to stay put, then walked out of the dense forest alone and saw a wisp of thick, grayish-black smoke rising in the distance.
A pungent, burnt smell filled the air.
Rogge recognized it; that direction led to Gonde Village!
They had visited Gangde Village once before.
"Everyone, stay put!"
Kid, it's your time to shine!
Rogge patted Ragnar on the back of the head, his tone serious.
He had noticed this kid long ago; he was agile, fast, and had excellent eyesight, making him suitable for reconnaissance work.
Upon hearing Rogge's instructions, Ragnar's face lit up with excitement, and he nodded vigorously.
Roger took out a meticulously crafted grass-leaf coat and draped it over him, then gently patted him on the back.
"Be careful! Find out what's going on and come back, don't go any closer!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Ragnar darted away like a nimble rabbit.
The boy, disguised as a blade of grass, darted quickly across the grassy lakeshore, his green figure almost blending into the surrounding environment.
If you weren't staring intently, you wouldn't even notice someone running there!
In the woods, Roger's eyes followed the boy's back the whole time. He watched as the boy climbed up the embankment, observed for a while, and then stood up and waved vigorously at them.
Seeing Ragnar's gesture, Rogge felt a little relieved.
He immediately led everyone out of the woods, keeping their bodies low, and jogged towards the earthen slope.
The moment I climbed to the top of the mound, my view suddenly opened up.
But when Rogge saw what the village of Gonde looked like below, his pupils suddenly contracted, and his blood seemed to freeze at that moment.
The entire village of Gondo was engulfed in flames!
The thatched roof was ablaze, flames spewing thick smoke.
Rogge noted that
Dozens of corpses lay on the ground at the village entrance alone!
Nobody knows exactly how many people died in the village!
The entire village of Gond was completely wiped out!
"It was the pirates!" someone behind him said through gritted teeth, his voice trembling uncontrollably.
The pirates had long since vanished, and everyone gritted their teeth, their eyes filled with rage.
Rogge led his team slowly down the slope, approaching the village, as they were about to pass through it.
The closer you get, the stronger the smell of burning and blood becomes.
The dead were mostly men, including the elderly and teenagers; none escaped death!
The corpses lay scattered about, some clutching weapons such as pitchforks and sickles, clearly having put up a last stand before their deaths!
Roger even discovered several small corpses...
His heart felt like it was being squeezed tightly, and he felt so suffocated that he couldn't breathe.
"Damn it! These sea monsters! Beasts!"
As Gold looked at the scene before him, he couldn't stop cursing.
Rogge took a deep breath, suppressing the murderous intent surging within him—an intent that deeply threatened him.
Following the main road leading to the fortress, we arrived at the north side of the village.
Several bloody heads hung from an old tree, a sight that sent chills down one's spine.
Not far away, on a stone mill, lay a man who had been executed. His back was hacked to pieces, and he had obviously been tortured to death.
The man's hair was dark brown.
Meanwhile, Yar'osen of Gonde Village had light blond hair...
The man who was executed was not Yar'osen!
Roger's tense nerves relaxed slightly.
He guessed that some people from Gangde Village must have escaped as well...