Fantasy Family Simulator (FFS)

"This... this lord, my name is Omor. I'm just an ordinary bandit." "We only wanted to steal something; we really shouldn't have targeted you. Please, allow me to return and pay a ransom. If you're worried, you can come with me. All our looted wealth is stored there!" Omor lay prostrate on the ground, his face wet with tears and snot as he begged for mercy.

"Tell us, where is all your wealth hidden?" Kurth's eyes lit up as he urged the bandit to speak.

"It's to the west..." A glint of cunning flashed in Omor's eyes.

"Hold on," Rhett interrupted Kurth's questioning in a stern voice. "First, tell me the identities of the two people you were chasing."

"Huh?" Omor's face displayed confusion.

Rhett sneered and shook his head. "Never mind, I'll go ask them myself. If I find out you withheld anything, you should know the consequences will be dire." He turned to leave.

Omor's face turned pale, his heart pounding. He shouted, "Lord! I'll tell you! I have important information!"

Rhett paused his steps and slowly returned, smiling coldly. "Then you better make sure it's something worth my time. Otherwise... the consequences of deceiving me will be ten times worse than what your comrades faced."

Omor swallowed hard, a chill running down his spine as he stammered, "I shouldn't have hidden it... actually, we joined an organization called Dark Blood Cult. But we only joined about a month ago, and we only communicate with a small leader. His base is in a deserted mine to the west. Since we joined late, we don't know much about the organization. We just follow the leader's orders and do whatever he tells us to. Lately, he's had us plundering money and other things. We don't know anything beyond that."

"Then what benefit did you gain from joining?" Rhett interjected.

"Isn't it all for profit? The Dark Blood Cult has a Dou Qi potion, similar to the Boiling Potion, but it's much cheaper if exchanged for contribution points instead of gold coins!" Omor's eyes gleamed with excitement. Then he added, "Our leader showed us the portraits of those two. He said not to leave any survivors and that we'd receive a bounty for their heads. When we ran into them tonight, we just..."

Tack and Kurth, overhearing the mention of the Dark Blood Cult, furrowed their brows, trying to recall any relevant details. But after a few minutes, they came up with nothing.

Rhett waved his hand. "Keep an eye on him. I'll be back shortly."

"Lord, I can take you to our leader. With your strength, you can definitely take him down! I'll even act as bait. He has a lot of good stuff!" Omor shouted desperately at Rhett's retreating figure.

"One more word, and I'll make you regret it," Rhett turned back, his gaze icy cold. His disdain for the Dark Blood Cult had reached its peak. In previous simulations, both Tack and Reilly had suffered because of this cult. If given the chance... he wouldn't hesitate to thoroughly investigate and dismantle this organization.

At the rear of the caravan, inside one of the wagons, Frano comforted his wife. "It's okay, Lauren. Look, we've been untied. The leader of this caravan means us no harm. They were just being cautious."

Lauren leaned against Frano's shoulder. "Yes, this group looks like a noble's caravan. I saw a family crest... I think it's from Falcon Town? I'm not sure; my memory is hazy."

"Frano."

"Yes?"

"I'm so tired... suddenly, I feel so tired."

Frano fell silent, holding his wife close as they sat in the darkness of the wagon. "If you're tired, then rest. I'll be right here with you."

"I'm not talking about my body," Lauren bit her lip.

"I know... neither was I..."

Years of wandering had worn them down, and now, all that accumulated exhaustion and weariness came crashing down. They were both tired, and at that moment, they quietly embraced the tranquility of the night.

Their peace was short-lived.

The sound of approaching footsteps made them sit up straight, tension returning to their bodies.

Rhett entered, holding a candle. He smiled at them. "No need to be nervous. I'm the person in charge here. How was the food I sent earlier? If it wasn't enough, I can have more brought over."

Frano breathed a sigh of relief, a smile spreading across his face. "The food was excellent. To receive a meal in such a situation... you're truly kind and generous, my lord."

"You're too kind. How are your injuries? It seems your wife is more seriously hurt than you are," Rhett said, glancing at the female ranger's abdomen, which was soaked in blood, even down to her legs.

"Thank you for your concern, my lord," Lauren's weak voice replied. "I wasn't hit in any vital areas, but I've lost a lot of blood. I'll need several days to recover."

Frano hesitated for a moment, then asked, "My lord, could we possibly trouble you for some clean towels? And if you have any spare clothes, that would be even better."

Rhett noticed their tattered, filthy clothing, which could easily lead to infection. He nodded. "Consider it done. Please wait a moment."

...

Rhett soon returned with fresh clothes and towels, earning more sincere thanks from the couple. After some more friendly conversation, Rhett learned more about their situation. The couple had fled from their hometown after it was destroyed by marauding monsters years ago, leading them to a life of wandering.

Sensing the right moment, Rhett thoughtfully suggested, "As you've likely gathered, I'm the lord of Falcon Town. To be frank, my territory is in need of archery instructors. Since you're both skilled rangers, your archery skills are undoubtedly top-notch. If you're willing, I'd like to invite you to join my territory. In the Falcon Town family, you won't have to wander aimlessly anymore, nor will you have to face life-threatening situations like today."

After extending the invitation, Rhett watched the couple closely.

Rangers were essentially knights skilled in archery, trap setting, and surviving in harsh environments. Agility and speed were crucial to being a ranger; without them, one would merely be an archer...

"To no longer wander... to no longer fear for our lives..."

Those key phrases struck a chord in the couple's hearts. After a long moment of thought, they exchanged a glance, sensing each other's heartbeat.

They smiled at each other.

Even the lightest feather eventually finds its way to the ground.

The wind had ceased, and they were ready to settle.

"My lord, we are willing to follow you!" Frano and Lauren said in unison.