Chapter 32: Drawn to Her (Joseph Pov)
Chapter 32: Drawn to Her (Joseph Pov)
A few days ago, while the village head announced new laws, I, as a villager since birth, had no choice but to attend the gathering.
I loved this village and agreed with his decision to accept more civilians.
Doing so would only strengthen the village.
I also did not want to see this place abandoned because of false rumors about a B-rank monster.
Those rumors had probably been spread only to scare us, which was why the previous village head ran away without even confirming the monster’s existence.
“Really, so stupid,” I muttered, shaking my head with disappointment.
Fortunately, the current village head had inherited the role and surprised everyone by stabilizing the village quickly.
He had proven the rumors false, and I respected him for that. He thought as I did.
“Grandma, I will go for now.”
“Oh… then go. But do not forget to share some news about the village head’s announcement.”
“Yeah, I will share it with you. Just take some rest, you are already tired from planting.”
“I know, so stop nagging and get out already.”
“Hahaha, okay.”
Still chuckling at her playful grumbling, I stepped out of the house, closed the door behind me, and walked slowly, greeting some neighbors along the way.
Moments later, I arrived at my childhood friend’s house.
We had planned to go together, so I waited until she opened the door.
“Ah… it is Joseph. G-good evening.”
“Yeah, good evening, Emily. Come on, it is already night. We should go before we regret not being able to see the way properly.”
“Y-yeah… let’s go,” Emily answered softly, lowering her gaze with a shy smile.
She was always like this, shy around everyone, including me. I had long since grown used to it, so we set off before the village head began.
Minutes passed until we finally arrived. Many villagers had already gathered, and a few outsiders stood among them, likely seeking shelter.
“Let’s go, Emily. We should pay our respects to our village’s savior.”
“Y-yes… let’s go, Joseph.”
I gently took her hand, and together we hurried toward a wooden statue carved in the image of a towering man holding a sword proudly raised toward the sky.
The sight pulled me back to that day when monsters attacked our village.
I remembered the terror, the chaos, and then his sudden arrival. Without hesitation and without asking for anything in return, he cut down every monster and saved us all.
He had called himself Audrey, the fifth disciple of the Sword King. Many doubted his claim, but no one could deny his strength.
Out of gratitude, the villagers built this statue so his name would never be forgotten.
It stood as a reminder of the man who had saved us in our darkest time, an inspiration for the village to grow stronger and carry his memory.
“Let’s go, the village head is about to start.”
“Um…”
After nodding to each other, we left the statue and moved closer to the crowd.
We hurried, but all the seats were already occupied.
Those who could not find seats were standing, making it even harder for us to settle down.
“What should we do, Joseph!?”
Seeing Emily grow uneasy, I realized this would not work.
“Wait!”
I studied the crowd and then noticed a large tree nearby.
Its branch was broad and not too high, the perfect place.
“Let’s go!”
“H-huh… J-Joseph, w-wait…”
I ignored her protests and took her hand, making her blush even deeper. I knew she was still shy, especially in crowded places, but I also knew she would not resist for long.
When we reached the tree, I realized its trunk was thicker than I expected. Climbing it would be impossible under normal circumstances.
But I had a secret.
Divine energy.
It was my power alone, hidden from everyone. Not even my grandmother or Emily knew. If the church discovered it, they would take me away, and I refused to live that kind of life.
This power belonged only to saintesses and heroes, yet I possessed it.
Luckily, no ordinary person could perceive it, so I was safe to use it here.
To activate it, I needed the belief of others. Belief was everywhere in the village, and most of it centered around Audrey’s statue.
The villagers treated him like a god, their faith overflowing.
For me, that faith was fuel.
I borrowed it, converted it into divine energy, and used it for myself.
–
A surge of refreshing power coursed through my veins, strengthening my body.
Climbing was no longer necessary.
I could jump.
Smiling, I scooped Emily into my arms, making her flustered and embarrassed.
She struggled at first but soon stopped. She always did.
“Ahn… J-Joseph, you idiot.”
As soon as she stilled, I took a deep breath and jumped with all my strength.
Emily shut her eyes, already guessing what I intended.
My body, enhanced with divine energy, moved with perfect smoothness as I landed on the branch.
“Hahaha, success. It seems we found the best spot here.”
Emily slowly opened her eyes. Realizing how close we were to the stage, she gasped in awe.
“Y-yeah… thank you, Joseph.”
I chuckled and replied warmly.
“You are welcome. Now let’s listen to what the village head has to say.”
She nodded, and together we turned our attention to the old man at the front as he began to speak.
An hour passed as he announced the new laws.
He spoke of unity, forbidding harm against one another, encouraging kindness, and promising resources to help the new civilians adapt.
If they chose to stay, they would receive benefits, but if not, that was their choice.
He reminded everyone that we had our own will and should not be intimidated by the rumors of a B-rank monster.
I was convinced.
This man was wise, kind, and truly the leader we needed.
“Joseph!”
This was the leader I had been searching for, the one I would follow without hesitation.
“Joseph…”
If anything happened to him, I would do whatever it took to protect him.
“Sniff… Joseph, you idiot…”
“Ahh, Emily, what is the matter?”
I had almost forgotten she was with me.
“Sniff… sniff… Joseph… I am thirsty. Please get me some water…” she whispered, her voice trembling like a child seeking comfort.
“Yes, I will get it for you. Wait here.”
She nodded, her teary eyes clinging to me for a moment before she let go.
Seeing her like this filled me with guilt, so I quickly leapt down from the tree, determined to bring her water.
Swish...
After landing safely, I rushed into the nearest house where I could find water.
The place was crowded, making it difficult to pass through.
Their mixed odors pressed against me, and the smell alone made me hesitate.
It felt rude to think this way, but the stench was unbearable.
Still, I had no choice.
If I delayed any longer, Emily’s throat would dry out completely.
Reluctant or not, I forced myself to push through.
Minutes later, I finally obtained a bottle of water.
On the way back, I chose not to struggle through the crowd again.
Instead, I leapt above them, aiming to land in a wide area that seemed reserved for the disabled or the severely overweight.
Since the space was less crowded, I thought it was safe.
*_*
I was wrong.
The moment I landed, my foot slipped. I had forgotten to use divine energy to steady myself.
In my inexperience, my eyes shut on reflex as my head tilted forward.
I braced for impact until I hit something soft, like a cushion catching me.
•••
"I cannot believe it. You almost hit a pregnant woman, you brat. What are you doing?"
That voice did not belong to a villager. Could it be an outsider? But did he just say I had fallen on a pregnant woman?
I opened my eyes slowly and saw the face of a beautiful woman. Not a single wrinkle marked her skin, and her glow was unlike any poor villager I had ever met.
A faint milky fragrance filled the air around her.
Her long lashes framed radiant eyes, and her smooth hair shone as if touched by light.
Her elegance was unmatched, like someone from wealth.
Was she a noble? Or perhaps a merchant’s daughter?
The thought barely formed before I noticed her expression.
Her eyes were full of disgust, heavy with rejection, as though my very presence stained her. Yet her voice, when she spoke, was gentle.
"Kind sir, can you please get off me."
Get off? Wait.
I suddenly realized I had fallen onto her lap, resting against her as if we were lovers.
Embarrassment struck me, and I immediately pulled back, bowing low.
"I am sorry. I did not mean to bump into you. Please forgive me."
"Hahaha, you are finished now, you rude blonde brat. That is what you get for disrespecting a lady," one of the migrants sneered, jealousy burning in his voice.
~_~
"Yes, he is right. Please punish me according to the village head’s law. Young lady, it was entirely my fault for being careless," I said.
I dropped to my knees and bowed deeper, begging for forgiveness.
My chest ached with shame.
For the first time since my childhood in this village, my heart trembled so strongly that I humiliated myself, desperate for mercy, even though it had been an accident.
"It is fine. You may leave. You did not touch my belly, so there is no harm. I forgive you."
Forgive?
Her voice was polite, much like Emily’s, but unlike Emily’s genuine warmth, this woman’s kindness was only in her words. Her eyes told the truth.
They still burned with disgust.
Yet strangely, that contrast stirred my curiosity.
She was unlike any woman I had ever known.
"You are lucky, brat. This lady has forgiven you. Now get out. Old guard, remove him," another villager said.
"There is no need for that," the old guard interrupted firmly.
"I will report this to the village head. His reckless behavior was dangerous, and the young lady deserves compensation. We will see this through."
"Ah, there is no need to go so far," the pregnant woman said quickly.
"Lynn, please agree with me. We came here for peace."
I turned to the mature woman beside her. She had long black hair and a graceful figure that mirrored the pregnant woman’s, yet her calm expression remained steady.
"The young miss is right. We will let this matter go," she said.
"Thank you, Lynn," the pregnant woman answered, relief softening her face.
Her decision not to press charges confused me, but I felt grateful. I had little money, and compensation would have left me ruined.
"Now, young man, you may go," she said firmly.
"Thank you. Thank you for forgiving me," I replied with another bow.
But as I lifted my head, my eyes lingered on her face.
She was breathtaking, an unparalleled beauty.
The longer I looked, the stronger my heart pulled toward her. She seemed distant, unapproachable, as though she belonged to a world I could never reach.
And yet, something in me longed for her.
I could not understand the emotion. Was it jealousy? No. It was deeper than that. A yearning that left me restless.
With a heavy heart and a complicated gaze, I returned to Emily with the water.
Her smile as she accepted it lifted my spirits, and without meaning to, I smiled back.
I thought her joy would help me forget what had just happened.
I thought her smile would erase that encounter.
But I was wrong.
From that moment onward, my thoughts belonged to the pregnant woman.
Her face haunted me day after day, refusing to fade.
And before I realized it, I had fallen in love.
•••
Readers be like, "What the hell, author."
