A few meters away from the inn, Lucelle and the owner arrived at the small, yet clean wooden house; the village chief's house. There was only an elderly man watering plants.
"Village Chief!" the owner called the elderly man.
The elderly man's gaze that was on the plants turned to us. After seeing us, he immediately let go the water receptacle and walked toward our direction.
"Hohoho! What a pure and scorching aura you have there," uttered by the village chief at Lucelle.
"H-how did you...!" Lucelle was shocked knowing that the village chief could recognize her magic aura.
"I meant no harm, girl. I'm just an ordinary old man."
"But still..." Lucelle sighed, "Nevermind. Anyway, you can just call me Celle, Village Chief."
She used Celle from her name Lucelle in order not reveal herself and because she trusted the villag chief and the inn owner.
"Call me Chief Domino, then," the Village Chief Domino smiled and looked at Marchell, the inn owner, "Thank you for your help, Marchell. I can't keep you here as I know you're busy running your inn alone."
"I'm glad that I'm able to help you, Village Chief," Marchell responded as she understood his indirect words, "Then, I shall now excuse myself as I have to continue serving the customers." then walked away from them.
"Let's enter first," Chief Domino guided Lucelle to his humble house and when they arrived at his cramped living room, he added, "Make yourself at home while I prepare a tea for you."
Lucelle just nodded and sat down at the long chair made of bamboo. Shortly after, Chief Domino came out from the kitchen as he brought two cups of tea, while he handed one cup of tea to Lucelle.
"Thanks," Lucelle thanked him and took a sip of tea.
Chief Domino also sat down and uttered, "Miss Celle, can you listen to this old man's blabbering?"
She nodded as a reply as she faced the chief head-on.
Chief Domino exhaled before speaking, "As you have know, we are all ordinary people living in this village. We aren't able to learn magic or learn how to wield a sword just like famous warriors. We may able to wield knives or any sharp weapon for self-defense, but we aren't completely safe from harm."
"I already know that," Lucelle said when she remembered the ruckus she made at the inn. Those five men were just ordinary people, not able to use magic, aside from their bodily strength and knives.
"And even though I didn't have magic power, I got the opportunity to learn from a humble magician who just passed by this village many years ago. So feeling the aura of some people who are able to use magic is not strange to me." he added.
"Ah! That's why the first time we met, you noticed my scorching aura."
The Chief nodded, "You are correct with that. Mind if I ask you? Are you a fire magician?"
"Yes." she simply answered.
"Anyway, regarding the reason why I wanted to meet you... Can you do me a favor?"
"Hmmm..." Lucelle touched her temple, "What is it?"
The Chief Domino's face that was dark earlier gleamed, "I want you to rescue some children of this village."
Lucelle's interest rose up, "What?! What happened to them?!"
The Chief took a heavy sigh, "Well, it started a month ago. First, some animals of the village were killed or became missing. But after that, children became missing. They are kidnapped by some unknown beings."
"Where are they now?"
"All I know is that, the chidren are located at the mountain near this village. We couldn't save them as we are too weak to fight. So I'm asking you to save them. I can give you anything, so please..." then the Chief Domino begged as he immediately kneeled down.
Lucelle stood up and helped the Chief to stand up, "You don't need to kneel, Chief Domino. So please stand up. I understand your feelings as you are the father of this village."
He reminded me of my dad whose love for me was beyond the sky. And those children, I need to save them. I don't want them to experience the feelings of helpnessness and loneliness, just like me.
"You are a blessing to us, Miss Celle!" Chief Domino exclaimed as he stood up.
Lucelle just smiled.
Chief Domino went to his cabinet and grabbed the wooden box, "Then, please accept this old man's gift of thanks for you."
She quickly refused, "No, no. I don't you to repay me, Chief"
"That's not right, Miss. I asked you for a favor and it is understandable that I have to pay for it." he insisted.
"But..." Lucelle sighed, "Fine. I shall gladly accept that. I may be bad if I will choose to refuse further."
Chief Domino smiled, "That's good. I feel at ease now. By the way, the inside of that box is the one I found at that mountain many years ago and before that kidnapping happened."
She didn't bother opening the box. The children's lives are the most priority right now.
"Guide me to the mountain," Lucelle declared.
"Yes!"