Synthetic Survivor: Machine Age

The elf was unknown to One. He was thus far only been exposed to humans and no more. He was also yet to meet any beastmen which hampered his knowledge on both races.

One stood guard throughout the rest of the night. There were bound to be other parties that would be dispatched in search of the party of knights that had failed to return.

Wog himself was exhausted. Despite this, however, he would regularly check on the elf's vitals and apply further healing magic for maximum effect. 

"You can heal people with your magic?" One asked.

"Yes, my boy. You see, my magic is special. I inherited it from my father and I have been using it for many years to heal the sick, it's a wondrous gift," Wog said.

"But a wondrous gift will always attract envious eyes," One said.

Wog faced the ceiling upon hearing One's words and sighed.

"Indeed, you speak the truth. You may be wondering, why I'm all alone in this land that I claim to own," Wog asked.

"At first, I did. But now, I have an idea," One said.

"Which is?" Wog asked.

"You've been exiled. As simple as that," One answered.

"Hm, you're a smart boy. Indeed, I have been exiled by the very own emperor I had sworn allegiance to. Just because I refused to heal his son," Wog said.

One was surprised by his answer. 

"Why did you refuse to heal the emperor's son?" One asked.

"Simple, he proved himself to be unworthy of healing. Not after he killed my daughter, no," Wog said.

Wog was level-headed even after telling his newfound vassal the death of his daughter. One knew he had stepped into murky waters but there was no turning back, he needed as much information as he could get from Wog.

"Where is this place?" One asked. One walked to a window and leaned over. The rain had become weaker than before. 

"We're in the Eastern Region, more specifically, in the Forest of Death," Wog said. 

"Forest of Death?" One asked.

"This forest is infested with magical beasts. They have overrun the native wildlife, only the fish in the lake remain," Wog explained.

This explain to One why there weren't any animals around the lake. Since this body of fresh water would surely attract animals from kilometers away. 

So, magical beasts don't need water, only magic? One thought.

That meant he couldn't just thirst the monsters to death if he wanted to. 

Judging by how magic is deeply engraved into this world's structure, it wasn't really that unheard of that magical beasts only needed magic instead of the usual.

The night ended without further intrusions. There were no other parties looking for the runaway elf maid and so everything was clear, for now.

When the morning sun finally started rising over the horizon, the elf was waking up.

Wog was fast asleep against the wall while One was keeping an eye on her. 

The elf slowly opened her eyes and the first thing she saw was the ceiling above her. Her eyes traveled around the room until they came across One, standing by a window. 

At first, she was scared. But One gave her a nod as a way of telling her that he meant no harm.

"Milord, the elf is awake," One said.

Wog coughed himself awake after hearing One and stood up.

"My goodness! You are awake," He stumbled to her side. 

"Tell me, how do you feel?" Wog asked her.

The elf then looked at her body.

"I feel.. alright.." The elf said. 

"Thank goodness, those knights did a number on you but my retainer over there took care of them so you don't have to worry," Wog said.

The elf then looked at both of them simultaneously.

Soon after, her eyes were engulfed with her tears and she started crying.

"Shh," Wog gently grabbed the back of her head and she cried on his ċhėst.

"The nightmare is over, the nightmare is over," Wog said over and over.

"My liege, I believe she is hungry," One said. He had noticed a few hours prior that she was slightly malnourished. Her body was thinner than what would be considered normal.

"Ah yes, young lady. I will go fetch you something to eat, you must rest further," Wog said. The elf nodded and let go of Wog. Wog then stood up but before walking out, he asked the elf.

"What is your name?" 

"Patricia.. I'm Patricia.." The elf answered.

Her voice is nice, One thought.

Wait..

That name is too earthlike, He also thought. 

He raised his right eyebrow unintentionally, a move that the elf noticed. Her eyes gleamed with fear.

One then gave her another nod to show that he in fact did not have any I'll intentions or anything against elves.

Yet.

Wog went away to get her some food, probably some more mushroom soup.

"I am Ben. I am Milord's retainer and mind you, I just got hired yesterday," One said.

"Oh.. uh.. pleased to meet you, Ben," Patricia said.

And with that, the conversation died.

Okay, communicating with this woman is going to take a while, One thought.

They both started staring at each other for another good minute before Patricia started to somewhat blush which utterly confused One.

Am I being insulted right now? Is there something funny? One thought. He mistook her blushing as someone holding up her immense laughter.

In reality, however, Patricia was remembering what happened last night.

Although the memory was fuzzy and chaotic, she also saw those eyes that shined in the darkness amid the rain. The screams of her pursuers the moment his blades went through their ċhėsts and the muffled shrieks they exuded before Wog carried her away.

She never felt happier than that night, when she was saved.