Although he didn’t care much for these spoils, the dirty fabric was still a considerable gain for the villagers.
After cleaning and re-sewing, it could become some new clothing.
"Alright, Sir." Bruno’s face flashed with a hint of joy.
"Aaliyah, you all take care of things in the village for me; I’ll be back soon."
Although not stated explicitly, Aaliyah already knew what he intended to do.
"Gauss, I’ll go with you," Aaliyah said. "I’m a woman; it’s not convenient for you to go alone."
Gauss exchanged a glance with her.
Thinking of the women imprisoned on the mountain, having Aaliyah along indeed would be more convenient.
So he nodded.
"Captain, I’ll go too." Serdur raised his hand in indication. "I’m a healer."
"You can come along as well."
Gauss turned to look at Ying, his expression apologetic.
"Ying, I’ll need you to stay behind."
"Don’t worry, you all can go with peace of mind." Ying nodded.
Seeing her agree, Gauss also relaxed.
Ying was the strongest member of this team, besides him.
With her staying behind, Gauss felt at ease.
The reason for leaving someone was because the village’s heavy scent of blood had a significant chance of attracting monsters.
Though Ulfen, the raven, and even his clay creatures could remain, having a person there is always better.
After a brief arrangement.
Gauss took Aaliyah and Serdur and quickly sprinted away from the village.
"Call me if there’s danger."
Ying glanced at the busy villagers and spoke.
"Alright, Sir, you go ahead and take care of things."
Village chief Bruno responded respectfully.
When Gauss and others hadn’t put away their badges, he noticed this adventurer was five-star level.
Although he also didn’t understand what level of strength a five-star adventurer represented, it didn’t stop him from realizing the terrifying nature of the adventurer before him.
Moreover, compared to the cruel yet gentle Gauss, he found the icy woman before him somewhat difficult to deal with.
Until Ying’s body suddenly vanished into thin air, everyone present collectively sighed in relief.
Indeed, this adventurer team was incredibly strong.
As if they were monsters.
....
The stench of blood filled the mountain top.
Bodies lay at Gauss’s feet.
Gauss looked at these heads that had already lost signs of life, faces still marked with extreme terror, without changing his expression.
He sighed.
He couldn’t understand.
Why were these people so brutal to their own kind.
Looking at the imprisoned men and women, bodies naked, bruised, purple, and even missing parts, his heart felt heavy.
Aaliyah and Serdur were treating everyone.
But severed hands and fingers that had been lost long ago couldn’t be regenerated.
Or rather, Serdur’s healing abilities hadn’t reached the level of limb regeneration.
"Please bear it."
"It might hurt a bit."
"Okay... alright."
The captive, trembling all over and avoiding eye contact, fearfully looked at everyone.
The long-term experience of slavery, imprisonment, and even torture had caused them to reflexively fear other humans.
It might take a long time to recover from this tragic ordeal.
After Aaliyah fed them Magic Power Berries, their condition greatly improved.
Gauss then gathered up all the supplies on the mountain top.
Other than the captives present, he spared no one.
After Serdur completed basic treatment, Gauss also crafted several simple carts.
The people, now clothed, sat onto the carts under Gauss’s gentle command, and then the clay creatures and mounts pulled them along the mountain paths downwards.
The carts exited the forest.
As they reached the open space, the first brilliant rays of afternoon sun shone upon them.
Some "slaves" finally lifted their heads, their expressions dazed.
It seemed as if they were welcoming a rebirth.
It’s simply... like they had gone through a nightmare.