"Oh... thank you," Draven nodded, a small, genuine smile touching his lips as he accepted the offering.
"You all really shouldn't have, we are all part of this community now, and rescuing you was simply the right thing to do," he said, his gaze sweeping over their grateful faces.
"While you were not obligated to risk yourself for us, you did so nonetheless... we must show our appreciation," the elf insisted, her eyes lingering on Draven's features. She then added, her smile softening:
"I heard you now reside in the castle. If you require any assistance, I would be honored to help in any way I can."
Draven nodded at her words, his gaze shamelessly drifting downwards to admire her ample boobs and curvaceous figure before returning to her face.
"Thanks," he muttered, stepping aside to allow the others to enter.
"Please, feel free to place everything inside."
The women nodded and filed into the room, carefully setting their gifts on the floor. They offered Draven grateful smiles before quietly exiting.
Alice watched this exchange with a raised eyebrow.
'These vixens! Do they have to wear such... revealing attire just to deliver gifts?' she thought, her arms folding across her chest as she fixed a pointed stare on the elf lingering beside Draven.
'I thought all elves were paragons of purity... A pity. Only Alexandra seems to live up to that ideal. But this one is practically throwing herself at Lord Draven.' Her gaze shifted to Draven, who sported a rather pleased expression.
'What will Master do if she makes a more direct advance? No... I must keep a close watch on this one.' Alice nodded to herself, her decision made.
After several minutes of gift-giving and not-so-subtle displays of admiration, the women finally prepared to depart.
"Lord Draven, if you find yourself in need of anything at all, please do not hesitate to ask," the elf said, her saccharine smile unwavering.
"Yes, Lord Draven, we would all be more than happy to assist in any way possible!" the other women chimed in unison.
"Thank you, thank you all... and thank you again for your generous gifts," Draven said, slowly closing the door behind them.
'That was a close call... These girls are even more forward than some of the demonesses I've encountered. Good heavens, if you want to get laid, at least try to be a little less obvious,' he thought, then slowly glanced over his shoulder, meeting Alice's pointed gaze.
'She definitely noticed their blatant flirtations.'
"So, is Master contemplating taking some of these... helpful villagers up to the castle?" Alice asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Well... only time will tell," he replied evasively, then turned his attention to the pile of gifts.
"However, some of these herbs will certainly aid Alexandra in brewing even more potent potions," he said, deftly changing the subject.
"True," Alice conceded, turning to Atticus. "Go now, get ready for the funeral," she instructed.
Atticus paused for a moment, then nodded solemnly. "Okay," he said, rising and heading towards his room.
"You should go and speak with Alexandra," Alice suggested to Draven.
"Not necessary. If she desires company, she won't remain locked away. I'll be back shortly," he said, turning towards the door. He opened it, then paused, a thoughtful expression on his face:
"And... sometimes in life, a person needs solitude to discover certain truths about themselves."
With that, he stepped out and closed the door gently behind him.
Alice stared at the closed door for a few moments, then slowly nodded in understanding. 'He's right.'
___
[7:30 PM.]
The villagers had gathered in the somber atmosphere of the village tomb, their gazes fixed on the newly erected tombstones. A low murmur of grief and the soft sound of weeping filled the air.
"Where is Draven?" Atticus, dressed in a simple black shirt and trousers, asked, tugging gently on Alice's wrist.
"He isn't present, but he is watching over everything." Alice, also clad in black, replied, her gaze drifting towards Alexandra, who sat hunched and silently weeping before her mother's grave.
'Shouldn't he be here, offering her some comfort?' Alice thought, a flicker of confusion crossing her features.
She turned her head towards the distant silhouette of the castle, spotting a solitary figure standing at its highest point, his dark coat billowing in the evening breeze.
_
Draven stood on the castle's highest parapet, his gaze fixed on the funeral taking place in the village below. He wore a black shirt and trousers, his black fur coat swirling around him in the wind.
'Krakens... be prepared. I will help you avenge your mother,' he vowed silently, his eyes unwavering on Alexandra's grieving form.
"Finally located you, My Lord!" A voice chirped from behind him.
Draven glanced over his shoulder.
"You located me because I allowed it," he stated flatly.
The small green lizard scurried towards him, and in the blink of an eye, it shimmered and transformed into a young man, who immediately dropped to one knee:
"General, why are you here?" He asked, his head bowed low.
Draven turned his gaze back towards the funeral. "That old man placed you here, didn't he?" he inquired, his tone devoid of emotion.
"General! The Demon Lord didn't specifically assign me to this location. He instructed me to investigate the Krakens... I don't understand how, but they discovered that gateway, and it led them all here."
"And you followed?"
"Yes," the young man nodded, his head still bowed, sweat running down his handsome face.
Draven turned fully to face the cloaked figure. "Michael, First Lord under General Draven... shouldn't you have alerted me about this mission?" he asked, his voice dangerously cold.
"I am deeply sorry, General! The order came so suddenly, and I believed I could return swiftly... I had no idea---"
Draven raised a hand, cutting him off.
"You were gone for a mere two weeks. I had assumed you were dead," he sighed, a hint of weariness in his voice.
"A week?" Michael raised his stunned gaze to meet Draven's crimson eyes:
"But... I have been here for years," he stammered.
"I know..." Draven said, a faint, enigmatic smile touching his lips.
"And I am certain you have gathered sufficient information to share with me."
"Yes." Michael answered readily.
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