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What have I done?!
I hung my head, both hands resting on top of it. Did I just make a mistake while I was drunk? Why did I even drink that stuff?!
Guilt washed over me as I stared at the three naked bodies, barely covered by the blanket.
I need to get out of here—now.
I quickly grabbed my clothes from the floor near the table.
"What the—?!"
My tunic was torn in half from the neckline. Cursing under my breath, I reached into my inventory bag, thinking about the shirt and cargo pants I'd brought. Luckily, I managed to pull them out and put them on.
I slipped out of the chief's house. The throbbing in my head eased slightly as I inhaled the crisp morning air.
By the time I reached my home, something felt off. The door—had someone tampered with it?
Still, I stepped inside.
Creak.
"Where were you last night?"
A stern voice cut through the silence, freezing me in place.
I knew that voice.
Slowly, I turned toward the source.
Sitting on the bed, arms crossed, was Meliss. She looked menacing—like a wife who had just caught her husband cheating.
"I—I... I..." I stammered, struggling to find words.
"I'm sorry. I was drunk, and I barely remember anything," I blurted out, still avoiding her gaze.
"So… did you do it?"
Her voice was calm but piercing.
I coughed. "Tell me," she demanded.
I hesitated. "I… I was drunk. I barely remember anything at all." It was the truth—I truly didn't remember.
"Whatever."
Meliss stood up, walking past me. Her voice carried irritation as she said, "Meet me at the training grounds. We need to practice. There might be a conflict soon." Then, without another word, she left, saying she had something to do before breakfast.
---
I let out a deep breath.
Scary.
Goosebumps covered my skin from the way she had looked at me. I was just glad it didn't last long.
The morning continued as usual. After breakfast, I made my way to the training ground, where Meliss was waiting with another woman.
"Say hello to Dymas," Meliss said, gesturing toward a slightly taller, sturdier woman standing beside her.
"Hello," I said, shaking her hand. Her grip was firm, her fingers calloused—probably from years of handling weapons. As we introduced ourselves, her brown eyes scanned me.
She wasn't particularly beautiful, but her physique was well-proportioned. She wore a leather cuirass, no helmet, and her hair was cut short like a boy's.
"She will be your guard and instructor while you're in training today," Meliss explained, frowning. "Neither I nor your usual guards will be available."
Then, with a scowl, she stormed out.
"Your name's Denis?" Dymas asked in a deep voice.
I was caught off guard by her tone.
"Y-Yeah. I'll be in your care," I replied.
"Let's do our best. Ms. Meliss said you have talent in archery, so I'm here to observe and train you."
"Is that so?"
"It is. So let's get started."
She handed me a bow and a quiver.
"Oh, and here—energy pills from Ms. Meliss."
She gave me two small green pellets. I hesitated but swallowed them. They tasted like mint ice cream, and almost instantly, my nausea and headache disappeared.
"By the way," I asked, curious, "why do you keep calling Meliss 'Ms. Meliss'?"
"Because she's older than me."
"How much older?"
"By empire standards, she's around forty-five."
"And you?"
She hesitated, then replied sheepishly, "About thirty-eight."
I was about to ask more when she cut me off. "Enough about age. Let's practice."
---
Twang.
Thud.
"Wait. Your form is off. Keep your elbow right below your left ear. And don't squint your left eye."
Dymas corrected my stance as I adjusted my bow. We continued practicing until the sun began to set. Then, we headed toward the water hole.
As we approached, voices drifted through the air.
"They did it last night. So tonight is our turn. What do you think?"
I peeked through the foliage. About ten people stood near the water, washing themselves with makeshift soap.
"We'll throw rocks to decide who goes first!" one suggested.
"Let's do it!" another shouted.
"We shouldn't," a voice in the middle said firmly. It was Siasha.
"I agree," another chimed in. "She's not the strongest among us, but her words are always right."
"But we won't—"
"We will get our chance. Just wait," Siasha interrupted.
After that, the group dropped the subject, moving on to more casual conversation.
Dymas and I waited until they left before stepping forward for our turn.
As i clean myself with the soap my mind was thinking about how to fulfil my duties.
Is there anything which can makes my life's easier?
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