Seven hours had passed and by the time dawn had arrived, the invasion was finally over and the invaders were already purged. The casualty accounts wasn’t all that high. In fact, only a few deaths could be counted for collateral damage and were given proper burials after the ordeal had ended while the remains of the undead were thrown on large pyres of fire with the townspeople opening kegs of ale and throwing a victory party. Even some of them began pissing on the bonfires, as well. The blacksmiths began forging the nails and bolts for the foundations while the woodsmen went out to harvest the lumber needed. The healers had set up infirmary tents to provide more room to tend to the injured. Lastly, the carpenters started mending the damages on the buildings that were decimated in the aftermath. It took me an hour to realize the battle came to an end, as there weren’t any of the dead in sight. Grimhilda, Keya, and I separated to help put the town back together, with Hilda and I taking up carpentry while Keya went somewhere else. I wasn’t worried. She could take care of herself.

I was standing on top of a hill, staring at the whole thing while also lending a hand in the reconstruction.

“Akio! We need a hand with this rooftop!” shouted Grimhilda irately.

“I’m on it!”

I climbed up with an arm full of planks on my right shoulder. I handed them to her and she quickly hammered them in before adding the tiles.

Wiping the sweat off of her brow, she sighed, “Woo! That took all day, but it’s finally finished! Thanks for bringing all of those planks, Akio.”

“Don’t mention it. I’m just happy to help,” I replied.

She handed me a water skin. “Here…drink this. You need to keep yourself hydrated,” Grimhilda asserted, avoiding eye contact while her cheeks turned red.

“Thanks, Grimhilda,” I said. I took a sip before handing it back.

“I-it’s not I’m concerned, or anything! N-nobody wants to see a man die of thirst!” she retorted in a shrill tone. I guessed it was difficult for a proud girl like Hilda to express such worry.

I smiled. I never noticed it before, but Grimhilda looked so cute when she’s embarrassed.

“By the way, you’re really good with that hammer and nails,” I commented.

She twirled the hammer between her fingers and smiled proudly before tossing it into the air and catching it like a baton. She replied, “Of course, I am. We dwarves are gifted craftsmen, training since birth to be able to work faster and sturdier to meet our quota. That’s what makes us dwarves the most hardworking race in all of Gaia.” I could believe that she trained a lot to be that skillful. However, the rest of it just sounded like she was just bragging.

I asked, “So, can I do anything else, besides carrying wood and nails. I want to feel more useful than being just a pack mule.”

Snapping out of her fluster, she turned around and stared blankly. Her lips pursed as she pointed out, “I don’t know. We’re almost done with the repairs. Unless you want to help round up every remaining undead corpse around the city, we pretty much have everything settled.” She chuckled at the end.

I didn’t say a word and just shook my head. Then a thought came to me. “What about Keya? I’m probably sure she needs help attending to the injured.” Anything was better than walking around carrying carpentry supplies, except cleaning up dead body parts and cremating them.

She scratched under chin and pondered.

“Okay, fine. Do whatever you want. If you want to hang out with your elven girlfriend, I don’t really care,” she stated passively.

I was a little annoyed at that remark. Narrowing my brow, I fumed as my face flushed. “S-she’s not my girlfriend! We’re just acquaintances, that’s all!”

It’s true, though. I’ve only known the elf girl for only five days, which isn’t really enough time to pursue a relationship…n-not that I want to, that is. However, I’ve noticed Grimhilda’s cheeks turned red, yet again, but I didn’t take it seriously and just brushed it off. With that settled, I climbed down and dashed east, heading towards the infirmary facility.

Along the way through the ruined town, I passed by all the recently marked graves as I heard the crackling of the pyres. I held my breath, trying my best to avoid the miasma of the roasted dead, but holding my breath made it harder to run and I had to stop to inhale.

I stopped in my tracks and stood on top of a hill. Before me was a large tanned tent with a red cross on its’ roof. At the front was a long line waiting patiently for their injuries to be treated. I didn’t have time to wait. So, I started cutting through, ignoring the constant complaints behind me.

“Hey! No cutting!”

“Wait your turn!”

“We were here first!”

When I got to the front, I saw Keya sitting on a stool while nursing a badly injured man with her hands. The man was covered in bandages from head to toe and was unable to move. The elf girl caressed her fingers against his arms with her hands glowing white. Then she stopped and pulled away.

“There you go. Your injuries have healed and you’ll be able to walk again. However, you might want rest for a few days before moving around, first,” stated Keya.

Although she was smiling, she was shaking like a leaf. Her whole body slouched from fatigue as she had trouble raising her arms again.

“Now, get well soon,” she said.

“T-thank you! You’re such an angel!” said the man in a painful moan.

Keya turned around and slowly stood up. She noticed and walked up to me, grinning happily while her eyes were half-opened.

“Keya, are you okay?” I asked.

She rubbed her eyes and sighed, saying, “oh, yes. I’m just a little tired. I’ve used up so much of my mana to treat all these people and it’s taking so much out of me.”

“Excuse me, doctor! The back of my head hurts! Can you take a look at it?!” the elf girl turned around and sauntered over to the bedside of a sickly old man. She felt the back of his head as her left hand glowed, arching a brow while looking puzzled.

“I’m sorry, but there doesn’t seem like there’s anything wrong with your head, sir.” My face fell deadpanned. While Keya was trying to find the problem, that old man was having the tie of his life. The old man’s face leaned in with a smile on his face, taking in the view of the elf girl’s breasts.

“Umm…Keya. Why don’t you take a break? I’ll be sure to treat the patient,” I suggested.

Keya’s face brightened. Standing up, she bowed. “Oh, thank you, Akio! You’re such a true gentleman!” she stepped out of the tent with a cheerful grin. She continued, “I’ll be sure to bring you some tea when I get back!” everyone outside groaned in disappointed. Their “angel” had just disappeared and won’t be back for a while.

Even the old man was sad also. “So…tell where, one your head, does it hurt?” I grabbed the back of his head and squeezed it hard, causing him to gasp in pain as my genuine smile morphed into a devious one. That’s what you get for being a dirty old man