Leo and the Seventh Ruin

Ever since Leo and the knights got out of the forest, they've been slowing down ever since the safety of the kidnapped women they rescued became a priority. While this didn't change their journey to the kingdom of Eos, Henrietta knew the women can't just stick around and put their lives at risk. So the plan was to take them to the next town, which also was on the border they're heading to. When the dusk was falling, Henrietta told the troops to halt and gave the order to set up a camp on a grove, just a few miles away from the road.

The captain then assigned a small team of hunters to get some additional meat. Leo and Roxy were among those who volunteered to join the hunt. By the time they finished setting up the camp, Leo and Roxy had returned from the woods, carrying a bunch of rabbits they just hunted. It came as a surprise that a couple of mercenaries could have brought more meat than anyone else.

After delivering the meat they could gather, Leo and Roxy went to pitch up their tent while waiting for the supper to be ready. They decided to pick a spot away from the camp, but Leo felt like someone was watching him. Turning his head over his shoulder, he spotted Henrietta looking at him resentfully while standing a few feet away from him. He was fully aware tensions had been brewing between them ever since they had an argument back at the camp. Ever since then, she never spoke to him and only gave a dirty look. Although he was surprised that she didn't apprehend him while she still had the chance.

"She looks very upset." Roxy said, also noticing Henrietta glaring at Leo before she walked away the moment they looked back at her.

"Don't worry about her. As long as we give her some space, she won't think about hanging us both by the tree." Leo sighed as he focused back on pitching the tent, but then he noticed Roxy was wearing a crestfallen face. "What's wrong?"

Roxy glanced up at him, but she was barely making eye contact, as if she was hesitant to answer. "I just... think I should have done something."

"What do you mean?" Leo asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

"Back at the goblin camp. When you and Lady Henrietta were arguing about the loot we found, I felt helpless." Roxy continued, letting out a sigh as her tone grew heavier. "I knew I had the chance to step in, but I only stood and watched until you took out your blade on her. If I could've reasoned with her, maybe she wouldn't be so mad at us right now."

Leo's face softened as he came to realize she's feeling responsible for what happened, but he wouldn't let her take the blame for his actions. Shifting himself close to her, he placed his hand gently on hers, snapping her out of her musing.

"Roxy, you really did. If you didn't stop me when I pulled out the blade on her, things might have gone worse from there." The demi-human opened her mouth, but Leo continued. "Yeah, you could've done more than that, but I know you're doing your best."

Roxy's eyes blinked in surprise at his encouraging words before she looked straight at him. The expression slowly vanished as she was about to say something degrading about herself again.

"You're one of the few things in this world that helps me keep sane. And to be honest, I wouldn't find anyone else I can trust more than you." Leo finished before he cupped his hand around her cheek.

"Leo..." She muttered with a flushed face, deeply moved by his gesture, she touched his hand and nuzzled into it.

He let out a chuckle as he caressed the side of her face, making Roxy hum like a happy puppy as he scratched her floppy dog-ear. She was more than just a companion to him, she's like his moral compass, the voice of conscience, and probably the only one who's dear to him that he would do anything to protect her in this cruel world.

Roxy let out a gentle breath as she stared at Leo with a smile, but then her expression changed when she looked over his shoulder. Noticing something caught her attention, Leo turned his head around and saw a couple of women approaching. He recognized them as the few of the kidnapped women they just rescued back at the goblin camp; at least Henrietta was too kind to provide them with new clothing. However, Leo also noticed each of them were carrying a bowl.

"Forgive us to disturb you, brave warriors. But... we thought you could be hungry, so we brought you some food." The auburn-haired woman said with a gentle smile before she and the other woman gave Leo and Roxy the bowls full of warm supper.

"Oh, thank you! You didn't have to do that." Roxy said as she took the bowls, sniffing at the delicious smell of the food.

"We want to. This is our gratitude for saving our lives. If you and the knights wouldn't find us sooner... we would've suffered the worst fate than death..." The raven-haired woman muttered with her lips trembling, which the auburn-haired one noticed and comforted her.

Leo's expression slightly softened, as he could tell they're still reeling from their trauma, who knows how long they've been in captive by the goblins and what kind of torture they endured. "How are you both and the others feeling right now?" He asked, showing a hint of concern in his tone.

"We're doing fine, but... I don't think all of us are going to be the same after this, especially the poor young one." The auburn-haired woman replied as her expression grew solemn. "She saw her fiance and her father being brutally murder by those savages. We tried to comfort her, but she was very devastated."

"I think I remember the last time she could talk to us. She said her fiance gave her a beautiful silver ring when he came to propose to her, but now she lost it because the monsters took it away from her. I know this doesn't sound important at all, but it was the only thing she had left of him. It's like without it, she just lost her meaning to live."

Leo's eyes blinked as he soon realized what they were talking about. His face frowned in deep thought as he came to a conclusion. "Did she ever tell you what's her name by any chance?" He asked, earning a puzzled look from Roxy and the other two women.

"Um... I think her name was Nora." The raven-haired one said, albeit curious to know why this mercenary asked that question.

He fished out of his pocket the same silver ring he found in a chest back at the orc's hut, as he remembered there was something engraved on it. Looking at the inner side of the ring, he found some small words that said the following:

"To my beloved Nora"

There was no doubt, it's the same name the woman just said.

Raising up to his feet, he approached the couple and handed the ring to them, though right now they're more confused. "I think this belongs to her. I found it back at the goblin's camp."

The women were completely stunned not only because of his words, but also the fact that he's giving them a piece of jewelry he could sell for coins. Roxy on the other hand was smiling at the selfless decision he just made, and she could tell he deeply understands how that feels.

The raven-haired young woman took the ring from Leo and had a closer look until she found the name. "H-He's right! That's her wedding ring she talked about! A-Are you sure you want us to give it to her?" She asked almost in disbelief, which Leo just nodded.

"Thank you so much! Not only you have saved that poor girl's life, you gave her the chance to keep the memories of the loved ones she lost! May Mother Larentia bless your soul, brave warrior!" The auburn-haired one said with a soft smile and bowed her head to him.

"We'll never forget you, good sire!" The raven-haired also bowed her head, before they both walked away in a haste, surely to find Nora so they could give that ring to her.

Leo let out a sigh as he sat back down on the ground to feel the warmth from the bonfire again. "What do you think, Roxy? Was this all just a coincidence?" He asked as he picked up his bowl of supper.

"Whether be or not, you still made a noble decision for that poor woman, and you showed them you have kindness in your heart, which not many people have in this world." Roxy said as she scooted over and snuggled against his side. "It really makes me happy to stay by your side, Leo."

Leo remained silent as he wrapped his arm around her waist to hold her close to him, feeling himself moved by her words that always helps him to see everything from a different perspective. He looked up into the night sky, wondering to himself if he and Roxy can be prepared for whatever is coming next tomorrow. Right now though, what he really needs is to have a peaceful dream with a beautiful companion and hopefully Henrietta is not thinking of sending an assassin to slit his throat in his sleep.

*****

It was a cloudy morning to start the day, as Henrietta gathered her men to prepare to continue their long journey. However, she sent some of her men with a new task of escorting the women to the nearby town where it's just a short way to the South. Leo of course couldn't argue the logic as who knows if they'll encounter more danger on their way. As he and Roxy mounted up and met up with the cavalry, they were greeted by the rescued women who were bidding farewell to them and the other knights as they were taken by the other platoon to the opposite direction.

Leo then glanced towards the captain, Henrietta looked back at him with a sharpened glare, at the very least she didn't appear more furious like she was a day ago. Still, Leo was surprised that she's letting them come along despite the fallout between them, though for now it's best to not add fuel to the fire and keep his distance away from her just in case.

"Alright, men. Let's move out!" Henrietta shouted and took the lead, before the cavalry rode along her across the plains with Leo and Roxy following her from behind.

Leo thought this ride was gonna take all day before they'd make another stop, which could be pretty exhausting unless they find an unexpected event on the way. On the other hand, he noticed that the cavalry's pace is moderately hasty than yesterday, as if this time they're now in a bit of hurry.

"Roxy, did you happen to hear any news back at the camp?" Leo asked his companion as he made sure the nearby knights wouldn't overhear their conversation.

"It was all just gossip, but what I could gather is that the main forces in Eos are still trying to repel the Legion's advance, but there's rumors that the monster army's number is starting growing, and that their new leader is a powerful dark sorceress. That's all I could hear, Leo." Roxy replied while glancing back at him.

"A sorceress, huh?" Leo frowned in deep thought, thinking that somehow that the so-called sorceress might be related to what that orc said in his last breath, but he still needed more details. "Did you hear anyone mention something about a fortress?"

Roxy turned her gaze forward as she tried to remember if she caught that word before. "I believe so, but the only thing I could hear about that was that the leaders of Eos' army started building fortresses around the Northlands even before the war broke out, as if they somehow knew the monsters planned the invasion. I'm sorry I couldn't get any more info you need."

"It's okay, Roxy. I'm sure we'll find out more when we get there, so long as Henrietta still needs us." Leo replied as he glanced towards Henrietta. While he didn't have a clear look to her face, he could tell she's more focused on reaching their destination as soon as possible

"Leo, if I may ask, what exactly are we looking for in Eos?" Roxy asked, as she remembered her master was being more skeptical about this matter.

"I'm not gonna lie, I'm not even sure. But something is really bothering me ever since that orc... talked to me. Maybe I'm just using that as an excuse, but I get the feeling that whatever that monster told me, it has something to do with me and why I'm here. I just can't let this opportunity go to waste." Leo said with a conflicted look on his face, which almost surprised Roxy since he rarely becomes motivated for something.

"HALT!" Henrietta's voice boomed as she stopped the horse, before the entire formation of the cavalry slowed down to stop.

"Why did we stop?" Roxy asked as she looked around with full alert.

Leo was wondering the same thing, but then he noticed from afar some dark smoke coming out behind the hills at the northeast. He has seen this more than a few times, and this could only mean that a village or town is under attack by an unknown party, though it's most likely monsters or bandits.

"What are your orders, Captain?" One of her men asked.

Henrietta didn't say a word at the moment as she kept looking at the smoke. Leo could tell she's feeling troubled because she had an important mission, yet she just cannot turn a blind eye when she finds a disturbance around these parts of the country she swore to protect. Of course, he wasn't in a position to voice his opinion even if she would ask him. After all, he's just a mercenary, and whatever decision she makes, he will have to follow whether he likes it or not.

"Our people must be in trouble, and we have to do something fast." Henrietta finally spoke with her voice full of resolve, before glancing back at her unit. "Knights, ready your weapons and follow me!" She then whipped the reins and rode down the slope.

The cavalry followed the command without hesitation and followed the captain off the main path and straight to the smoke. As Leo and Roxy caught up with them, he couldn't help but give Henrietta credit for making a quick decision, though he wondered if they'd arrive in time to find out what's going on over the hills or if it would be too late.

As they were taking a narrow path up on a forested hill, Roxy began to pick up a scent as she sniffed a few times, "Leo, I'm getting a scent of wood burning from there."

"What else can you smell?" Leo inquired as he kept close to her.

Roxy sniffed once more, before growing a grimace on her visage. "Blood... And it's growing stronger." Leo frowned at the thought that it could mean that a massacre must be happening over there.

Meanwhile, Henrietta also began to notice the burning smell as she reached the top of a hillock where she could overlook a rolling field of dry grass, but then her heart sank when she spotted a small farming village in flames, just as she feared from the beginning. Knowing she can't waste any more time, she galloped down the hill with the cavalry behind her and they headed straight to the village.

"Cover the right flank with some of your men!" Henrietta barked an order to one of her high-ranking knights, which he nodded in response and went to the other side with a quarter of the cavalry.

Noticing that, Leo chose to follow them as the cavalry surrounded the village in a single file. Soon, the screams reached his ears before Leo saw some villagers trying to flee out of the village, but suddenly one of them was stabbed by a spear flying through the back. Looking to the side where the spear was thrown, Leo saw a raider wearing only leather armor and leather cuisses with a codpiece between his legs. But then he saw more of the bandits burning other huts, others were dragging innocent women and children along with them while killing the elder and the men. They were not just bandits, they were a package of bandits whose fun is only pillaging and raping, and Leo always hated to find these types.

"Pegasus Knights! Let's make those barbarians pay for this!" The leading knight shouted and signaled the cavalry to attack.

Leo unsheathed his sword and swung the blade towards a nearby bandit, cutting off the arm before he was about to strike a defenseless farmer, and used his horse to crash into a couple of bandits who were trying to pursue a young maiden, but he didn't stop from there as he turned the horse around and let it stomp on the fallen bandits, hearing the sickening crack of the hooves crushing the bones.

He then noticed another bandit charging at him with a spear, but Leo turned his horse around and made the stallion kick the bandit away from behind. Hopping off his mount with his weapon ready, Leo paced around and watched more bandits being slayed by the Pegasus Cavalry as they're taking advantage of the element of surprise. He also saw Roxy slashing one of the bandits's throat and punching another who tried to attack her from the side, and he was still by her immeasurable strength as Roxy sent that bandit crashing into a burning house, clearly he wouldn't survive after receiving that brutal blow.

A bearded man wearing only a pig pelt and a pair of underpants charged recklessly at Leo with an ax. Leo reacted quickly as he blocked a downward slash with his sword and kicked to the torso, making the bandit fall to the ground. But suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, saw another thug about to attack him. He parried the bandit's sword and moved the blade aside with his own before he would get stabbed between his eyes. Leo then made a risky move by stepping closer to the bandit, keeping their blades locked while grabbing the bandit by his arm so he wouldn't move his weapon; this was to give Leo a moment to glance behind. The other raider Leo was dealing with just a second ago was getting back to his feet and went to strike him from behind. Turning back to the bandit, he reached with his arm around the back, spun around and pushed the bandit into the other one. When both of them collided against each other, Leo used the chance to thrust his blade into the back and stabbed the two bandits.

Pulling the sword back, he looked around once more to notice the bandits were now running away after realizing they're outnumbered. But then he spotted one of them dragging a young woman with him, no doubt using her as a hostage so he could slip away. Leo of course wouldn't let that guy get an easy way out, so he picked the ax from the bandit's cold hands and then threw it.

The raider failed to realize the ax was flying towards him until his face got split open by the blade, killing him instantly and fell to the ground in a heap with the young woman with him. After that, Leo went to check the poor woman and maybe help her to find a safe place to hide until this is all over. When he approached her, the woman looked at him with fear in her eyes.

"It's okay, I'm here to help you!" Leo said as he held out his hand to her. The woman was hesitant at first, but she grabbed his hand and Leo pulled her back to her feet and into his arms to shield her from the dangers of the scuffle.

"Get your filthy hands off her!"

"What?" Leo was taken aback by the female shouting, but his instincts alarmed him at this very moment that he immediately reacted by pushing the young woman away and jumped back before a large two-bladed ax almost cut his head off. The villager didn't want to stick around as she got back to her feet and ran away, hopefully she can find somewhere safe.

He stood in a defensive stance as he faced forward to confront his attacker, who happened to be a tall, dark-skinned woman with short ashen hair and a rugged figure. She was wearing some unusual, if not revealing clothing, which was a dark leather jacket with collared fur and straps around the sleeves, but they could barely cover her massive chest as she wore a white-trimmed red bikini. Her tight shorts were also unbuttoned that gave away a glimpse of her loincloth with white straps hanging up around her waist. The only protection she was wearing was a pair of spiky vambraces and greaves over her high-knee boots. Though the most peculiar thing he also noticed was a pair of horns protruding out of the sides of her head.

While this wasn't the right time to ponder, Leo couldn't help but wonder if she's a demi-human or rather she's just wearing an accessory. He broke out of his thoughts when the ashen-haired woman charged and swung her massive ax diagonally at him. Leo weaved to a side and went to slash her side, only to be elbowed in the face when the tall woman knew what he was about to do. He stumbled back as he tried to shake off the blow he just received, only to notice she was about to launch another fierce attack.