Chapter 129 Friendly Stranger

Chapter 129 Friendly Stranger
My decision was made. Unable to wait around in the room any longer, I stepped outside to find him. The sun was dipping below the horizon, and the torches around the village were beginning to flicker to life.

I wrapped my arms around myself as a chilly breeze swept through the air.

The village was vibrant, brimming with a serene sense of warmth and security. Even though the villagers didn't know who I was, they offered gentle smiles as I passed by.

Azi was nowhere in sight. Did he already go to the hall to meet with Leader Austin? If so, I hoped everything was going smoothly.

"Are you lost?"

I turned toward the voice. Standing there was a man with a build similar to Azi’s. His arms were covered in tattoos, exposed by the loose straps of his green tunic. A soft, welcoming smile rested on his lips.

He reminded me of Peter Pan.

"No, I'm just looking for someone," I answered softly, intimidated by how calm his presence was.

He nodded, placing his hands behind his back. "If I'm not mistaken... you're the guests who arrived earlier, right? I rushed over from the fields just to welcome you."

"Ah, yes. But... we're only staying temporarily," I clarified quickly.

I noticed dried patches of mud clinging to his clothes.

"Oh, these? I just came back from the farm," he said, noticing where my eyes were directed. Even his chuckle sounded gentle. "I haven't had a chance to change yet. I apologize."

"No, it's completely fine."

"Ah, where are my manners? I'm Yorick." He wiped his hand against his shirt to make sure it was clean before offering it to me. "If you don't mind?"

I accepted his hand with a smile. "Kina."

"Welcome to Vlanchard Clan." He offered another warm smile. "Mind if I keep you company while you look for your companion?"

"Not at all."

Yorick and I walked side-by-side. Every villager we passed stopped to greet him, and I couldn't miss the faint blush on the young women's faces whenever he smiled at them.

"The food here is amazing," I offered, breaking the silence. "Your cooks must be incredibly skilled."

"Ah," he chuckled. "That's true. But it's also because almost all our ingredients are harvested fresh from our farms. Our clan is well-known for producing quality ingredients. I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"Are you a farmer as well?" I asked.

"Yes, I help out," he replied. "If you'd like, I can show you around the farm tomorrow. By the way, who was it you were looking for again?"

"Ah, Max."

"Oh. A man?"

I nodded. "He said he was going to get some fresh air. I'm just not sure where he went."

We were interrupted when a young woman approached us, her face flushed red, barely able to look Yorick in the eye. I immediately noticed the bright red rose held tightly in her hand.

"This is for you, Yorick..."

The woman looked like she was about to burst with excitement when Yorick accepted the flower.

"Whoa, thank you for this," Yorick said softly.

He placed a gentle hand on her arm, leaving her completely dazed. She was so stunned she couldn't even manage a response. I felt embarrassed on her behalf.

"Alright then. Thanks again for the flower," Yorick said as we resumed walking. He let out a light laugh. "It's always a surprise how often people give me flowers."

Seriously? Does he not realize he looks like an angel? It wasn't hard to see why most of the women here were smitten with him.

"Here, for you," he offered, extending the rose toward me.

Feeling too awkward to refuse, I took it. "Thank you. But... isn't this disrespectful to her? She gave it to you, and now you're handing it to me."

He shook his head gently. "Not at all, Kina. Besides... I just realized the rose suits you. It matches the color of your lips."

Oh, God.

I stood there, momentarily speechless. He said it so effortlessly, as if it were nothing, but the weight of those words hit hard.

I felt an absurd urge to print a massive banner that read. Protect Yorick at all costs. Honestly, hurting a guy like him felt like a crime.

We stopped near a large bonfire where families had gathered. Children chased each other around the perimeter, and plates of food were passed around. The air was filled with laughter.

"This is fascinating," I couldn't help but remark aloud.

In Ravencrest Clan, everything revolved around power, hierarchy, and rank. Here, none of that seemed to matter. Everyone was equal, free from envy or hostility.

"This is what happens when a leader opens his heart to everyone. No matter how heavy a problem is, it becomes lighter when shared. Leader Austin is truly remarkable," Yorick said, his voice laced with genuine admiration. "I want to be like him someday."

I watched a few men perform fire-breathing tricks near the flames. Despite the freezing cold, the atmosphere was warm and alive. Vlanchard Clan really was incredible.

"Do you want to try some of our local wine?" Yorick asked eagerly.

I agreed, and he led me toward a massive barn. Inside, several workers were busy preparing barrels of wine. True to his nature, Yorick greeted nearly everyone we ran into.

"Here..." He handed me a glass.

We walked over to several massive earthenware jars.

"All these wines are infused with blood, so they can satisfy a vampire's thirst," he explained. "But they're still potent. Want a taste?"

"Sure."

I walked up to one of the jars and poured a small amount into my glass before taking a sip. Yorick watched closely, eager to see my reaction.

"Grapes..." I noted. "This is delicious!"

"Told you." He laughed. "Go ahead, try the others if you'd like. But fair warning, Kina, they're strong. The alcohol content is higher than the blood content."

Taking his warning to heart, I stuck to small sips. But in my excitement, I bumped into one of the jars, cracking its base. Wine began spurting out, splashing directly onto Yorick.

"S-sorry!" I panicked.

The nearby workers rushed over to seal the leak. In a single instant, I had ruined their smooth workflow.

I winced as I looked at Yorick, whose clothes were soaked, wine trickling down his exposed chest.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do that," I apologized profusely.

Yorick simply laughed it off. "It's fine, Kina. I was planning on washing up soon anyway. Do you still want to try more?"

I quickly declined, setting the glass down before I managed to break anything else. Feeling thoroughly embarrassed, I decided it was best to head back outside.

"I'm really sorry, Yorick..." I repeated.

He just chuckled again.

As I looked up, I spotted Azi in the distance, walking alongside an older man wearing a woven sunhat. The old man was laughing warmly, while Azi’s gaze was locked dead onto me.

I swallowed hard. His expression was dangerously stern. What? Did something go wrong?

"That's Leader Austin," Yorick whispered. "Come on, Kina. Let's greet them..."

Left with no choice, I followed Yorick over to meet them. Azi’s eyes never left mine as we closed the distance.

"Father..."