Step, step...
Damian and Carolla were walking down a soft and cozy forest path, heading toward the village hidden within the woods where the Taurus Tribe lived.
After arriving in the forest via teleportation and walking for a while, they finally came upon a village surrounded by towering trees that had been erected as walls.
At the village's entrance, they saw two male elves, each with a bow and quiver slung over their shoulders and daggers strapped to their waists, standing guard before a firmly shut wooden gate.
"Damn… I hope they don't shoot me in the head. Elves have such keen hearing, they'll shoot an arrow first and ask questions later if they even think they hear intruders."
"And since their sense of smell is just as developed, they'll notice the scent of bread we're carrying too. No invader comes bearing fragrant, freshly baked bread."
The two chatted casually as they approached the entrance of the Taurus village.
They hadn't even arrived at the gate yet when the elf guards began to glance around cautiously, clearly preparing for a potential confrontation. Damian and Carolla could see them taking up defensive stances even from a distance.
"They're really on edge... quite aggressive for elves, huh?"
"Well, the Taurus Tribe has a history of invasions from the Black Dragon Kaideman and various other monsters. It's no wonder they're so vigilant. You can't just erase years of habit, even in peace."
Eventually, Damian and Carolla reached the gate. When the elves recognized Damian, their hostile stance immediately relaxed.
"Isn't that Lord Damian?"
"Long time no see, everyone. Haha!"
Damian greeted the gatekeeping elves with a hearty laugh. After a brief conversation, the elves' gazes shifted behind Damian—to Carolla—and their long ears perked up with suspicion.
"You… Have you really cut all ties with the Demon King's army? Weren't you the commander or something?"
At their words, Carolla shook her hands as if the idea was ridiculous.
"Please, I now work under Damian at his bakery. It's a far more honorable job than leading the Demon King's army. And besides, look at me—do I look like someone here to invade, holding bread in both hands?"
"Hmm… I suppose, with Lord Damian here, you wouldn't dare try anything funny."
"I don't even plan to try anything funny, thank you very much."
Satisfied with the explanation, the elves lowered their guard. After all, there had never been any record of a demon marching into villages with baked goods in hand.
"Alright, opening the gate. Please, come inside."
"Thank you kindly."
With that, the gate opened, and Damian and Carolla stepped into the village.
Inside, a wide, flat yard stretched out before them, where young elf children were running and playing. Nearby, adult elves—likely their parents—watched on to make sure no one got hurt.
Log houses filled the village. Since the Taurus forest was abundant in quality timber, most homes were built from strong, beautiful wood.
As Damian and Carolla entered, the playing children turned their attention entirely toward Damian.
"Waa~ It's Uncle Damian!"
"Uncle~!"
The tiny elves, who couldn't have been older than five or six, dropped what they were doing and rushed toward Damian.
"Yes, kids! Uncle's here!"
"Uncleee~~!"
They welcomed Damian excitedly. But just as they were about to crowd around him, they caught sight of the intimidating Carolla behind him and froze.
And then, as if on cue, they all burst into tears.
"Waaaahhh!!"
"Uwahhhh!!"
Carolla panicked as the elf children suddenly began crying at the sight of her.
"Hey, hey… This aunty isn't a bad guy. She's actually a really nice person…"
At the word of "aunty" Damian could feel the murderous aura slipping out from Carolla but she sensed more pressing matters in hand.
Thinking of a way to calm them down, Carolla decided to share the bread she was holding.
"Kids, look! This sister, here made this bread."
Even though they still looked frightened, the delicious smell of the bread seemed to tempt them. Despite their tear-streaked faces, they began nibbling on the bread Carolla offered.
"Yum~ So good!"
"Mmm… it's yummy."
"Aunty, you're the best!"
"Glad you like it, kids. But I am "sister" not aunty!"
The once-terrified elf children were now Carolla's little fans, thanks to the power of bread.
Soon after, a group of adult elves—probably the parents—approached Damian and Carolla.
"Lord Damian. Lady Carolla. The chieftain and his wife are currently out visiting another tribe."
"Is that so? Then we'll wait for them. By the way, is there a place we could rest for a bit? We did a lot yesterday and I'm feeling a little tired."
"Of course, we'll guide you. Please, follow us."
Just as they were about to follow the elves, the village gate opened once more.
In walked a tall, slender male elf with long brown hair, strikingly handsome, and beside him—a woman with golden, flowing hair so beautiful it defied description, holding a tiny baby who didn't even look old enough to walk.
Seeing Damian and Carolla, the brown-haired elf smiled and called out.
"What the—Damian! When did you get here? Would've been nice if you'd given me a heads-up with a telepathic message or something!"
"It was kind of sudden. I was just thinking of you, Ain. Plus, I had a bit of business to attend to."
"Haha! Either way, I'm so glad to see you! It's been what, nearly a year? You should visit more often, seriously."
Ain, the young chief of the Taurus Tribe, laughed heartily and greeted Damian with open arms.