Hannah hugged her arms and turned her face away.

The little witch of the forest had her pride, "You should be worried about them instead."

Archer fell silent.

There were quite a few people outside enjoying the show.

Even James, who had thought about taking Hannah out before, was waiting to watch the excitement unfold.

James was the man who had acquiesced during the last big brawl, brimming with brute strength and not too dull-witted.

He knew about the mantis stalking the cicada, with the oriole behind, and also knew how to stir up trouble.

"Stirring up trouble" was originally intended to target Hannah.

But now that there was a new target, that plan was temporarily put aside.

Waiting for the excitement was the present "urgent matter."

Outside the house, the woman’s shouting was so fierce it was as if smoke would billow from her throat.

They hadn’t really suffered much during their time fleeing, getting by on their wits the whole way.

So they weren’t the slightest bit afraid of the territory of Bree.

Inside the house, Archer softened his voice, "You stay inside the house; I’ll go have a look."

He was worried about Hannah, a young girl.

Although such concerns might be somewhat superfluous.

But he didn’t want it to be Hannah standing in front of him every time.

Hannah thought for a moment, nodded, "Alright."

She was still a bit angry, so she emphasized one more time, "If those people bully you, remember to call my name."

Archer smiled, reached out, and ruffled Hannah’s hair.

Hannah swatted his hand away, grumbling, "Rubbing my head will stunt my growth."

The young girl puffed her cheeks, soft and cute.

Like a snow dumpling.

Archer really wanted to rub her cheeks.

But men and women should keep their distance, and age was no excuse.

"I’m going out soon, remember to lock the door behind me."

Archer reached for the arrow placed to the side.

He only took one.

Hannah thought that wasn’t enough and gave him a dozen more.

"That’s enough," Archer smiled helplessly.

Hannah stuffed all these arrows into his bosom, "It’s not enough."

Archer accepted them, "Alright, as you say."

As he reached the door, Hannah still followed him.

The people outside were already discussing breaking down the door.

Archer turned around, squatting down, "Don’t run out."

Hannah agreed.

Archer then stood up with relief.

His hand was already on the doorknob.

The youth’s silhouette was lean, but in that moment, it emanated a reassuring feeling.

"Archer, this is Bree."

Hannah suddenly spoke up.

Still in her soft tone.

She smiled and waved at Archer, telling him to return quickly.

Archer withdrew his gaze, hiding the emotions in his eyes.

The door was opened and then shut again.

Hannah, as Archer had instructed earlier, locked the door.

Then she sat down on the lounge chair to one side, swinging her legs as she waited for Archer’s return.

Outside, the woman was demonstrating what it meant to argue with forceful nonsense.

Seeing Archer was just a kid, she became even more brazen, clamoring for him to give up the stone house.

Archer’s expression didn’t change, like a person sculpted from ice, exquisite yet indifferent, his words very succinct, "No."

The woman scoffed, "Child, you don’t have a say in this. Leave now, and we can still talk. But if we start taking action later, don’t say we’re bullying the young."

Archer remained silent.

Impatient, the bespectacled man by the side spoke up, "Enough, why say so much to a child."

The woman, displeased, pursed her lips, but immediately cozied up to the man’s side, hooking onto his arm, switching to a coquettishly sweet smile, "I’m also doing this so we can have a bit more private space tonight. That way it’s better..."

The rest of the woman’s words were whispered into the bespectacled man’s ear.