Rosie's Games
Chapter 543 543: Awakening 5

"This is where we nurse the wounded, the ones who feel ill, and the villagers who survived the attacks of the demons," Belisarius said as he walked around inside what appeared to be a small village hidden deep within the forest.

Each house was either underground or created inside a large tree, covered by greenery and grass to conceal it from the prying eyes of the demons.

Rosalind followed them. From where she stood, she could clearly see humans and some who did not appear to be entirely human.

"Those are not humans," the young goddess remarked.

"No, they are not. Some were Elves, Dwarves, Werewolves, Lycans, and somewhere here is another vampire," Belisarius replied. "He does not like walking around, especially during the daytime. But don't worry, he does not drink human blood."

"A vampire that does not drink human blood?" the young goddess frowned. "That sounds absurd."

"What you knew in that small village is different from the things that happened outside, young one," Belisarius said.

"Please do not call me young one."

"Are you not a young one?"

The young goddess glared at him. "I am not, and please give me men's clothing; it is more comfortable that way."

"Hmmmm… I will ask someone to arrange those things for you."

"I am planning to leave very soon," the young goddess said.

"May I know where you are going?"

"I believe that is none of your concern."

"I apologize," Belisarius said as they arrived in front of another large tree. "Please feel free to stay here until you fully recuperate. Going outside of this place when you are not at your best can be… a death sentence."

Without waiting for the goddess's response, Belisarius left her alone.

Soon, the seasons started changing. Rosalind did not know why the young goddess chose to stay. However, she saw the goddess slowly warming up to everyone inside that small village in the forest. She would occasionally just look out of the window, and stare at the children playing. Sometimes, she would come out and say nothing as she stared into nothing.

This became a routine.

Rosalind did not know if the goddess stayed in this place because she had yet to heal or if it was because of something else. Either way, she kept on watching, observing the goddess from afar.

"Do you want to fight?" Belisarius asked the goddess one day.

"Fight?"

"The demons," Belisarius said. "We are going to start training children and women your age to fight. It does not necessarily mean that you would go out into the field and hunt demons. Learning how to fight would be good for everyone these days."

The goddess said nothing. She just stared at the white-haired man before nodding.

So, Rosalind watched the goddess train. This was when she discovered the vampire named Maximilian or Cillian. Apparently, he was someone who never liked interacting with anyone. So, he stayed in his house, choosing only to come out when he pleased.

He did not consume blood, and no one actually knew what he used to survive.

Rosalind also saw a few other interesting creatures such as a descendant of a dragon who could wield elements. She was known as the village witch, not because she would curse people to death, but because of magic.

In this place, being able to use magic or elements was not considered unique, as there were many others who could do so. Surprisingly, some people had the same traits as the members of the four great pillars.

Rosalind continued watching until the goddess started training with children. This time, the goddess began working as a healer and would perform menial tasks like bandaging wounds and cuts and helping the wounded with their basic needs. Because of this, the goddess was exposed to the brutality of the demons towards the humans.

At this point, Rosalind heard a few things.

First, the demons had long enslaved humans, and second, the demons were now fighting against dragons. Apparently, this world was simply full of creatures from other races, and most of them had their own abilities.

"You wanted to fight?" Belisarius stared at the goddess. "Outside?"

She nodded, her face cold.

"But you are a— "

"A what?" the teenager looked at Belisarius. "A woman? A child?"

"I— you do not understand the horrors of fighting demons," Belisarius uttered. "One mistake and you will become the demon's meal."

"That is not enough reason for me not to fight," the teenager said stubbornly.

"I would not be able to stop you," Belisarius said. "Even if I decline your request, I know you would not change your mind, so… please prepare yourself. You will come with a group of people that will raid a nearby village of demons. However, since this is the first time you are going outside of the village, I want you to observe and act as the healer. Focus on saving people instead of killing demons.

Do you understand?"

"I do," the goddess said.

Belisarius nodded, and soon enough, Rosalind's vision changed. This time, the goddess was walking with a group of people. Again, her vision changed, and Rosalind found herself in the middle of a burning village.

She turned, and no matter where she looked, the village before her was... burning. The smell of fire and burned flesh was all over the place. This scene felt so realistic that Rosalind found it hard to believe this was a mere dream.

And that was when she saw him.

A familiar silhouette of a man she was very familiar with.

Lucas... Lucas Benjamen Rothley.

Rosalind stared at the man standing in the middle of the village. She stared at him in astonishment. The Lucas before her looked so different, so regal and good-looking.

He had long black hair and piercing blue eyes. He was wearing an all-black leather suit that immediately reminded her of the villains in the stories she had read in the past. However, the warmth that usually surrounded him was nowhere to be seen. In fact, his face was devoid of any expression as he stared at the carnage before him.

For some unknown reason, he turned towards Rosalind, and then... he smirked.

Rosalind's heart skipped a beat; her eyes widened. Was it possible that he could see her?

"Are you here to end my life?" he asked, the smirk still apparent on his face.

"What are you doing here?"

Surprisingly, another voice echoed behind Rosalind. She turned and immediately saw Belisarius walking towards Lucas.

"I was a bit bored."

"So, you burned... a village," Belisarius nodded. "Of course... that is something bored people would do."

"Demons lived in this village..."

"Your kind... lived in this village," Belisarius corrected. "Or are you still trying to deny the fact that you... are one of them?"

Lucas snorted. "It seems that you have become even... more rude since the last time I saw you." Lucas snorted. He looked at Belisarius from head to toe. "And uglier too. They say that people with unpleasant appearances tend to act rudely towards others.

I can see that those were not mere

rumors."

Belisarius looked at him, his hand was behind his back. "If the demons knew that you came here, they would hunt you down."

"They have been hunting me for years..." Lucas answered. "And yet here I am..."

Belisarius pursed his lips. The two men stood side by side, staring at the fire. Then out of nowhere, the goddess arrived, a short sword was in her hand.

She did not ask any questions nor even attempt to listen to anyone as she ran towards Lucas and stabbed him in the chest.

....

A/N: So, Maximilian the male lead of Eve's Gambit was in this chapter. Just his name though. He won't make any appearance whatsoever. hehehe...