The named monster girls all moved to the prisoners. Cikata stood up from hers and yanked the cleric to his feet. Khur pulled Norso who stared at Halia with shock. She stood at my side, her hand on her pommel.
"He's not what you think," she told her former adventuring companion. "He's a good man."
Norso's eyes bulged. Then he snarled something through his gag. Khur spun him around and pushed him towards the exit. The rogue twisted his head around and kept snarling through his gag at Halia.
She wilted.
"Are you okay?" I asked my paladin. I put a comforting hand on her polished, golden pauldron. She wore less armor than I, a low-cut affair that showed off her large breasts.
"I knew there would be those who wouldn't understand, but Norso?" She glanced to the priest. He, too, stared at her in shock, but instead of being outraged, he sagged, his shoulders slumping. "He hates me."
"He's just pissed that you found a man to love and it's not him," said Maya. "He did that beta male thing of being the nice guy thinking he was earning brownie points. That you would have to fall in love if he kept doing nice things for you."
I blinked at that and glanced at Maya. When did she get so perceptive?
"It doesn't matter," Halia said, lifting her head. "I know I made the right choice when I chose to serve you. There are no stopping dungeon builders from coming to this world. You want to make peace with us. You want to stop the others from hurting and dominating us. And you want to understand why." Halia gave me a penetrating look. "I want to know why, too. What dark force keeps drawing you dungeon builders to this world.
"I want it to stop."
"We'll figure that out," I said. "Come on, we have a walk to Astovin."
Our guests struggled the entire walk there, especially the barbarian. He all but howled into his gag. It took Doodh, Gwyllt, and Zaibas to keep him moving while the other three only took a monster girl each. Marwo took the lead, the wildhound scouting.
Mom led the donkey and the cart. It seemed that the food I had been buying just wasn't good enough. She was off to shop in Astovin, of course. She seemed to think we were going to the farmer's market or something.
This wasn't that sort of place. The villagers... tolerated me. They were nervous when I was around even after I had defended them and rescued their kidnapped women, stolen by that sick pervert Jindag. He had stolen a harem of women to rape and breed.
I didn't feel bad at all about killing him.
We passed the farmlands. People watched us. Farm wives called their children in from the field while their men held scythes or sickles or mattocks, watching us with fear in their eyes. I sighed. What would it take to show the villagers I was here to protect them?
I would defend Astovin and keep them all safe.
The villagers were gathering at the edge of the village, mostly a collection of men. Many of them held their improvised weapons. I groaned, hoping this wouldn't be a fight. I marched out in front of the prisoners, Garnet and Halia at my side.
The village leader, Mayor Bevlin, pushed out of the crowd. He was an older human, his hair going gray. He folded his arms as he stared at the sight of us. He swallowed despite his bravado of standing straight.
"Lord Leo," he said.
"I caught a group of trespassers," I said, motioning to my monster girls.
"I see," the village leader said. His face paled. "Do you wish me to assemble the entire village?"
"Assemble?" I frowned at him. "What do you mean, assemble?"
"For the execution."
A dark murmur ran through the crowd. More than a few of the young men gave me angry glares. They looked about to unleash a mob on us. My monster girls tensed. Lightning crackled between the golden strands of Lana's hair.
"Oh, my," Mom said in shock.
"No, no, I'm turning them over to you, Mayor Bevlin," I said.
"M-me." The older man swallowed. "I... see."
"Not to execute them," I hastily added, shaking my head. "Hold them prisoner until tomorrow then you can let them go. Make them pay a fine or something that goes to the village coffers."
The mayor blinked. Confused murmurs rippled through the assembled crowd.
"I am Leo Baldwin," I told them, "and I am not an enemy to your people. I am here to help you. Defend you. I want to live in harmony with you. Astovin is under my protection. Any adventurers who come through Astovin should be advised about the consequences of attacking me. I won't let them kill me. I will defend myself. I have no problem with them attacking dangerous dungeon builders, but that's not me. I am your friend. I want us all to prosper together."
My mother nodded.
"He speaks truly," Halia said. "After all, he returned your stolen daughters. He is Astovin's greatest ally."
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