Orrinshire shone in splendor that night, illuminated by thousands of lanterns hanging from every corner of the city. Folk music echoed, a low rumble of laughter and singing filling the air. Lucena smiled, clutching a tray of beer to her chest as she danced through the crowd. Her face radiated joy, even though her footsteps were beginning to feel heavy after hours of walking around.

  "Lucy! More beer here!"

  "No! Here first, Lucy!"

  The drunken exclamations of the locals made Lucena chuckle, even as fatigue began to settle on her body. This party was much bigger than she had imagined. This year, the harvest festival had become an event that drew migrants from surrounding villages, making Orrinshire the center of attention. She thought, how wonderful it would be to live in such a peaceful place.

  But her happiness was short-lived. When Lucena was about to take an extra beer, her hair stood on end for no reason. Like a cold wind sneaking in, a bad feeling crept into her heart. And then-

  BOOM!

  The sound of an explosion shook Orrinshire. The ground shook violently, making the lanterns fall and break. Screams echoed, replacing the laughter that had previously warmed the atmosphere. Lucena fell, her tray thrown, the beer she was carrying soaking the ground. She looked up at the sky, seeing black smoke rising from the city gates.

  "What's going on?! An attack? But who?! Where are the Imperial soldiers?" he thought in confusion.

  People started running around, bumping into each other without a care in the world. In the chaos, some accidentally stepped on Lucena. She groaned in pain, her body trembling, but she forced herself to crawl into a narrow alley. Her breath hitched as she reached the cold stone wall. A trembling hand held her head, and she was surprised to find blood flowing from her temple.

  "Calm down, Lucy. You can handle this," she whispered to herself.

  With bated breath, Lucena closed her eyes and invoked the blessings of Goddess Floryn. Soft light enveloped her body, the wound on her head slowly closed. But she knew this was only temporary. She must remain vigilant.

  Peeking out from behind the alley, the scene on the street made her stomach turn. The food that had been part of the feast was now scattered, mixed with blood. Then she saw them: a group of heavily armed Goblins, their bodies clad in leather armor, dragging human corpses like trophies of war.

  Lucena froze, her eyes widening. The Imperial Army lost? They were valiant guards, protectors of Orrinshire. How could they be destroyed by Goblins?

  One of the Goblins caught Lucena's eye. It pointed and shouted in a harsh language that sounded like an animal growl. In an instant, the other five Goblins also looked at Lucena and started chasing her.

  A panicked Lucena ran away, her breathing ragged. She ran as far as she could, but her small steps couldn't keep up with the speed of the more agile Goblins. Finally, she tripped and fell hard onto the rocky ground.

  The Goblins' laughter sounded like sharp scorn in her ears. They approached, a small circle forming around her. Lucena, with a trembling body, saw a short sword lying not far from her hand. She reached for it, gripping it tightly.

  "I won't give up so easily," she muttered, staring intently at the Goblins.

  Instead of being scared, the Goblins laughed even harder. One of them, who looked like the leader, came forward swinging his small axe casually.

  But Lucena knew one thing: she might not be a warrior, but she would not die without a fight. With the last bit of courage she had, she swung the short sword at her first enemy.

  Lucena held the short sword with both trembling hands. Cold sweat ran down her temples, mixing with the blood still dripping from the small wound on her head. She knew this was not a fight she could win. He was just a barmaid, not a soldier, not an adventurer. His hands even felt heavy just holding the sword.

  The six Goblins surrounded him, moving slowly like a predator playing with its prey. Their laughter was loud and harsh, their language sounding like mumbling that Lucena did not understand. One of the Goblins, apparently the leader, advanced closer, swinging a small rusty sword in a casual motion.

  "I'm not afraid." Lucena whispered to herself, though her voice trembled. But she knew it was a lie. Her whole body shivered, and her legs felt weak.

  The Goblin leader stopped a few steps in front of her, smiled smugly, and let out a growling sound that seemed like a taunt. He signaled his subordinates to retreat, as if to give Lucena a "chance" to attack him first.

  Reluctantly, Lucena stepped forward and swung her sword with what little force she had. Her slash missed, even before it reached the Goblin's skin. She was too slow and untrained. The Goblins' laughter broke out again, louder this time.

  The Goblin parried the next sword swing with ease, spinning his small sword to stop Lucena's attack. It then pushed Lucena roughly until she fell to the ground.

  "Stop playing with me!" Lucena shouted in desperation, but her voice sounded more like a plea.

  Another goblin came forward, kicking the short sword out of Lucena's hand. The sword was flung away, leaving her unprotected. One of the Goblins approached, swinging its blunt weapon, hitting Lucena hard in the shoulder until she winced in pain.

  Lucena tried to crawl away, but one of the Goblins stomped hard on her back, knocking her back to the ground. She twisted her body, kicking weakly, but the Goblins only laughed at her futile efforts.

  One after another, the Goblins began to whip him with the blunt side of their swords. The slashes were not deep, but enough to leave wounds that made Lucena wince and scream. Her clothes were torn in several places, and blood began to flow from small wounds on her arms.

  "Goddess Floryn... help me." Lucena whispered softly, barely audible amidst the Goblins' jeers. She felt her body weaken, her every movement slow, and consciousness begin to fade.

  When one of the Goblins raised his weapon, seemingly ready to end the game, suddenly a loud voice broke the air.

  "Hey, you lowly creature! Fight someone who's worth it!"

  A figure emerged from the shadows of the alley, her braided hair waving as she jumped into the middle of the Goblins. A woman in a simple leather outfit, carrying a long sword that looked sharp and was wielded confidently.

  "Delilah..." Lucena whispered, almost in disbelief. She recognized the woman, an adventurer who had stopped by her bar just moments ago. Lucena had even given her a free loaf of bread, not expecting her simple gesture to be reciprocated under these circumstances.

  "Stay away from her." Delilah said in a cold voice, her gaze fixed on the Goblins.

  The Goblins stopped laughing, seemingly realizing the real threat before them. Delilah wasted no time. She moved quickly, slashing at one Goblin that was too slow to dodge. Her body moved like the wind, each strike accurate and deadly.

  The six Goblins tried to fight back, but they didn't stand a chance against someone so experienced. In no time, all the Goblins were lying lifeless on the ground.

  Delilah immediately knelt beside Lucena, examining her wounds. "You're hurt badly." She said, her tone softening. She took out a cloth from her bag, bandaging Lucena's wounds as best she could.

  Lucena smiled weakly, tears running down her cheeks. "Thank you..." She whispered, before collapsing from exhaustion and pain.

  Delilah let out a long breath, then carefully lifted Lucena's body. "You were brave, Lucy." She said softly, even though she knew the woman couldn't hear her. "But now, let someone else do the fighting."

  The Orrinshire sky was red with smoke and fire, human screams mixed with the thunderous steps of wild creatures in the distance. Delilah carried Lucena's frail body on her back. Her breathing was heavy, but she kept walking relentlessly towards the city center, the last place that was still safe.

  "Don't die, Lucy." She murmured softly. "You've lost too much blood. Just hold on a little longer."

  Orrinshire's city center had now turned into a makeshift fortress. High walls of logs were hastily erected, reinforced with makeshift ropes and nails. The remaining city guards stood guard on top of the wall with arrows ready to fire, while a few Imperial soldiers, wounded but still able to stand, led the defense effort. On the other side, adventurers from the Guild worked together, some helping to contain the Goblin horde outside, while others took care of the wounded refugees.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Delilah walked through the wooden gate that had just been opened by a guard. "Open the way! He needs treatment!" She shouted, and the two soldiers standing guard there immediately helped lead her to the medical tent in the center of the fort.

  Inside the medical tent, the stench of blood mixed with the scent of herbal medicine. The healers were busy treating dozens of wounded people, mostly civilians who had managed to escape. Delilah carefully placed Lucena on one of the empty mats.

  "She fainted." She said to an old healer who quickly approached. "Her wounds aren't deep, but she's lost a lot of blood. Take care of her."

  The healer nodded, then began an examination of Lucena's body. His old hands moved skillfully, cleaning the dirty wounds, applying ointment, and wrapping her in a clean cloth. "She's lucky to be alive." The healer muttered as he continued his work.

  Delilah sat by the mat, letting out a long sigh. Her back was sore, and her mind was tired, but she couldn't rest for too long. "How long can we last?" She asked a guard standing by the tent door.

  The guard shook his head slowly. "No idea. Those goblins are getting more and more numerous. But as long as this wall stands, we have a chance. Reinforcements will also arrive soon."

  Delilah looked at Lucena, who was now lying quietly with her breathing slowly stabilizing. There was a sense of relief that the young woman was safe, at least for now.

  However, outside the walls, the sounds of the wild creatures continued to echo, reminding them all that the danger was not over. Orrinshire might survive tonight, but would they make it through tomorrow? Delilah gripped the hilt of her sword tightly, preparing herself for the next battle.

  The dark smoke-filled sky of Orrinshire was suddenly echoed by a heart-stirring sound. From afar, a siren screech sliced through the air. Everyone-guards, soldiers, adventurers, even refugees-turned their heads toward the sound. Delilah, who was standing near the mat where Lucena was lying, looked out of the tent with her eyebrows raised in hope.

  From behind the thick clouds came the silhouettes of planes with their signature broken wings, darting gracefully yet menacingly. These were the hatchling bombers of the Eisenblut Imperial Air Force, the Sturmschwinge. The sirens they carried were not just tools of war; they were symbols of terror designed to break the enemy's morale, and this time, the monsters outside Orrinshire were the target.

  Suddenly, a loud explosion shook the ground. The first bomb fell right in the middle of the Orc and Goblin hordes, devastating them in an instant. Flames raged high, and the surrounding land turned into a crater. The next explosion followed, ravaging the enemy ranks that had once seemed unstoppable.

  The horde of monsters that had previously moved with blind faith was now in chaos. Some tried to flee, while others just stood rooted, not knowing what to do. Sirens continued to howl, making them panic and lose focus.

  Outside the walls of Orrinshire, the roar of engines grew closer. Out of the fog, a line of tanks stood proudly. These tanks had names: Donnerschlag Mk.IV, a symbol of the splendor of the Eisenblut Empire's war technology. Beside them, half-tracks filled with Imperial infantry sped by at high speed, while the soldiers inside aimed machine guns at the hordes of monsters.

  "There you go..." Delilah muttered with a faint smile. She knew that Orrinshire now had a real hope of survival.

  The tanks stopped at strategic positions, their barrels spinning with precision towards the remaining Orcs. Explosion after explosion echoed out, destroying the remaining enemies mercilessly. The Imperial infantry dismounted from the halftrack, spreading out in disciplined formation, their machine guns hurling bullets like metal rain.

  From the wooden fortress wall, one of the young Adventurers called out. "They're coming! We're safe!"

  Under the protection of the wall, Delilah approached one of the guards who seemed transfixed by the incredible sight. "We must open the gate and let them in." She said firmly.

  The guard nodded quickly and gave the signal. The great wooden gates of Orrinshire began to open slowly, wide enough to let the Imperial reinforcements in. Tanks and half-tracks rolled in, followed by the infantry.

  An officer in a neat blue-black uniform jumped down from the first halftrack, saluting sternly. "By order of the Emperor, we come to protect the Empire's loyal subjects. Orrinshire will survive!" He said loudly, his voice full of conviction.

  Delilah smiled slightly. "You're just in time." She said. She looked at Lucena who was still lying in the infirmary tent, then back at the officer. "We'll survive the night."

  Now Orrinshire had more than just its wooden walls and the courage of its people. With the power of the Eisenblut Empire on their side, the small town had a great chance of overcoming the coming threat. Airplane sirens continued to howl in the distance, a triumphant melody that marked the end of this first attack.

  The morning sky in Orrinshire had returned to calm, though the air was still filled with the metallic scent of blood and black smoke from the corpses of monsters burned outside the walls. The flames from the Imperial army's flame throwers created a somber shadow dance along the land that had previously been the battlefield. Hundreds of dead monsters were now ashes, marking the end of the threat that nearly destroyed this small town.

  Delilah sat on a small wooden bench inside the maintenance tent. Beside her, Lucena still lay, her breathing slow and regular despite her pale face. Delilah looked at the young girl, then lowered her head while supporting her chin with her hand. Her heart felt heavy, heavier than usual after the battle was over.

  She spoke, more to herself than anyone around her. "Look at this... All the blood and sweat we shed over the years, all the risks we took, for what? Now we are nothing more than shadows of the past. Adventurers like me are irrelevant."

  Delilah's voice sounded bitter. Her eyes glanced outside the tent, looking at the Imperial troops who were tidying up their equipment with discipline. "Look at them. Trained, organized, loyal. They don't hesitate, they don't fear. And their weapons... they can kill a horde of Goblins without even touching their swords. While I... I almost lost my life just to save a young girl."

  He let out a long sigh. "What's the point of being adventurers? We're just expendable tools. Soon, no one will need us anymore. No one will call us heroes."

  Lucena, who had been asleep, began to stir slowly. Her brown eyes opened weakly, and she looked up at Delilah. Her voice was hoarse, but she managed to whisper. "You're wrong, Delilah."

  Delilah turned her head, surprised to find Lucena awake. "Lucy? Are you awake? How are you?"

  "I'm... still a little dizzy." Lucena replied quietly, then smiled slightly. "But I heard everything you said. You're being too hard on yourself."

  Delilah snorted. "I'm just telling the truth. I know the reality of what this world is like now. We, adventurers, are just a shadow of the past. We're not needed anymore."

  Lucena tried to sit up, though her body still felt weak. "No, Delilah. You're wrong. The world may change, technology may advance, but that doesn't mean you're not important. You saved me. You fought those Goblins, even though you knew you might lose. You gave hope to someone you didn't even know. That's more than what the Imperial troops with all their strange weapons could have done."

  Delilah paused, looking at Lucena with a doubtful expression.

  Lucena continued, her voice now stronger. "Maybe the role of the adventurer is changing. Maybe you're no longer on the front lines like you used to be. But as long as there are people like me-people who need you, people who can't fight-you'll always have a place. You are more than a weapon, Delilah. You are a symbol of courage and hope."

  Lucena's words pierced Delilah's heart. For the first time in a long time, she felt something warm inside her chest. She sighed, then smiled slightly. "You know, Lucy... maybe you're right. I was too hard on myself. But I don't know if the world will see it the same way."

  Lucena smiled weakly. "The world always needs heroes, Delilah. Sometimes, they just don't know how to express it."

  Delilah nodded slowly, her heart a little lighter. She looked at Lucena, who despite her weakness, still radiated spirit. Outside the tent, the last gunshot echoed, marking the end of a long and bloody night. The world may have changed, but Delilah knew that as long as she could help, she still had a place in it.

  ..

  ...

  The next morning, the warm sun began to rise over Orrinshire, chasing away the dark shadows of last night's battle. Although the situation in the city began to stabilize, the damage and trauma were still felt everywhere. Lucena, although her body was still weak and some of her wounds had not fully healed, decided to search for her parents whom she had not found since the attack.

  Delilah, who now had no duties as the Imperial troops had taken over the security of the city, volunteered to accompany Lucena. With her sword hanging from her waist and a small backpack on her back, Delilah walked beside Lucena who looked nervous but excited.

  "Are you sure they went out of town?" Delilah asked as she looked at the debris-strewn street.

  Lucena nodded. "My father works in the mines not far from here. Usually, my mom visits him every few days to bring him supplies. If they're not in town, they're probably hiding there."

  They traveled along a path littered with the remnants of destruction. Some residents were seen clearing the debris, while Imperial soldiers stood guard at various corners to make sure there were no further threats. Lucena greeted a few people she knew, hoping they had news of her parents, but most could only shake their heads or offer prayers.

  Delilah, who walked quietly at Lucena's side, occasionally scanned the surroundings with a sharp gaze. "I know you're worried, but don't worry too much. If they're in the mines, they're most likely safe. Last night's monster attack was more focused on the city."

  "I hope so." Lucena replied, though her voice remained filled with anxiety.

  As they approached the mine on the outskirts of Orrinshire, Lucena began to jog, her fatigue temporarily forgotten by hope. The mine was hidden behind a small hill, with the entrance sheltered by large boulders. When they arrived, Lucena called out in a hopeful voice.

  "Dad! Mom! It's me, Lucena!"

  There was silence for a moment, only the sound of the wind blowing through the trees. Lucena felt her chest begin to tighten with worry. Soon, however, a heavy, familiar voice broke the silence.

  "Lucena, it's you, kid!"

  From behind the shadow of the mine, a middle-aged man with greying hair appeared. His face was full of dust, but his eyes radiated happiness when he saw Lucena. It was her father.

  "Dad!" Lucena immediately ran over and hugged the man tightly. Happy tears broke out, the relief that flooded her heart could not be hidden.

  Behind her father, a woman in a tattered apron appeared. It was her mother. She was carrying a lunch basket that was almost empty. When she saw Lucena, she covered her mouth with her hand, tears immediately flowing.

  "Lucena! Thank goodness you're safe!" Her mother joined in their embrace, holding her daughter tightly.

  Delilah, who watched the reunion from a distance, just stood with her hands on her waist, a small smile etched on her face. "Thankfully, they're fine." She muttered to herself.

  After a while, Lucena finally introduced Delilah to her parents. "This is Delilah. She saved me when the attack happened."

  Lucena's father extended a warm hand. "Thank you, Miss Delilah. We don't know how to repay you for what you've done for our daughter."

  Delilah just shrugged casually. "That's my duty... even though I'm just a useless adventurer now." She said, half-joking.

  Her mother smiled. "You saved our daughter. How could that not mean anything?"

  Delilah didn't answer, but her smile grew wider. She felt a little more appreciated than before.

  After making sure it was safe, they all returned to the city together. Lucena, who now felt that a heavy burden on her heart had been lifted, walked lighter. Although Orrinshire was still recovering, this small happiness was a sign that life, although difficult, could still continue.

  The sun was already high when Lucena and her family finally returned to Orrinshire, which was slowly recovering from the devastation. The townspeople were busy repairing their destroyed homes, while Imperial soldiers kept watch at various corners, making sure there were no further threats. Lucena, though tired, was relieved to have found her parents safe. However, there was one thought that still haunted her: her childhood friend, Gustaaf.

  After saying goodbye to her mother and father, who were now helping others in the shelter, Lucena decided to find out how Gustaaf was doing. She remembers that the last time she saw him, he was preparing to leave for the capital to pursue his dream of becoming a great adventurer. But yesterday's attack may have changed everything.

  Lucena walked through the streets of the city that were still full of debris. Every now and then she would ask the people she met, hoping to hear some good news about Gustaaf. However, most people just shook their heads or looked at her with a sad expression.

  As Lucena walked further into the more devastated parts of the city, she saw two familiar figures sitting in front of a nearly collapsed house. Eva and Eric, Gustaaf's parents, were crying silently. Eva hugged Eric tightly, while he bowed his head, his face full of sadness.

  Lucena felt her heart sink. Cautiously, she approached them. "Aunt Eva? Uncle Eric? What happened?" She asked, her voice trembling.

  Eva looked up with wet, puffy eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. Instead, she pointed to a cloth lying on the ground, not far from where they were sitting.

  Lucena followed the direction of Eva's finger, and her eyes fell on the cloth, which had turned dark red with blood. Her legs felt weak. She knew what was underneath the cloth, but her heart refused to accept the reality. With trembling steps, she approached the cloth.

  Eric finally spoke up, his voice heavy and broken. "Gustaaf... he tried to protect the citizens during the attack yesterday. He fought the Goblins and Orcs alone to give the others time to escape."

  Eva cried harder, clasping Eric's hand tightly. "He always said he wanted to be a hero, wanted to protect the people he cared about. But... he was too young... too young to leave..."

  Lucena knelt beside the cloth, her hands trembling as she touched the edge. Slowly, she pulled the cloth aside, revealing Gustaaf's pale face. The face that was once full of passion and dreams was now lifeless. The wounds on his body told of the battles he had fought, of the courage that had led to his tragic end.

  Tears welled up in Lucena's eyes. She was speechless, just looking at the face of her friend who was now gone. She remembered the times they played together as children, when Gustaaf spoke passionately about his dreams of becoming an adventurer who would bring pride to Orrinshire.

  "Why...?" She whispered softly. "Why him?"

  Eva hugged Eric tighter, her voice sounding weak. "He saved a lot of people, Lucy. He did what he believed was right. But that doesn't take away this pain..."

  Delilah, who was not far away, stood in silence. She watched everything with a somber gaze, understanding the pain not only Gustaaf's family, but Lucena's as well. Slowly, she approached Lucena, placing a hand on her shoulder.

  "He's a hero, Lucy." Delilah said softly. "But I know that won't lessen your loss."

  Lucena nodded slowly, her hands clenched on the cloth that now covered Gustaaf's body. "He was a hero." She said, her voice full of pain. "But I wish he were still here..."

  That day, Lucena learned that courage and sacrifice often come at an unimaginable price. Gustaaf may be gone, but his spirit and dreams will live on in the memories of all those he saved.

  TBC.