I'M THE HERO

Chapter 4: Too Good of a Soul

ZANARIA POV:

As I patrolled the Sword Heart Plains, the vast territory that stretched between the human kingdoms and the dwarven strongholds, I sensed a faint pulse of mana.

It wasn't unusual for human scouts to infiltrate this region, especially with the rumors of an upcoming war. 

My duty, assigned by the regent, was to prevent any such incursions, so I flew with my staff strapped to my back, tracing the source of the mana.

When I reached the edge of the plains, I spotted her—a girl with long black hair, brown eyes, and fair skin. Her clothes were soaked, suggesting she had wandered through the rain or a river. 

Given the state of her attire, I activated my cloaking bracelet, rendering myself invisible to her sight. 

Humans were forbidden in these lands, no matter how lost they might be. 

It was my duty to guard this territory, and I needed to assess the threat before taking action.

From a distance, I watched as she continued to walk, her steps slow and uncertain. She seemed disoriented, perhaps confused about where she was. 

However, appearances could be deceiving, so I remained cautious, ready to act if needed.

Hours passed, and she eventually reached the Survein Tree, one of the last ancient trees in this part of the region. 

The tree was massive, its branches stretching far and wide, offering shade and a moment of respite from the sun.

 The girl sat beneath the tree, pulling something from her pocket.

I adjusted my position to get a better view, then used my spyglass to focus on her. What she took out was small and rectangular—a wallet, unlike any I'd seen before. 

It appeared to be made of some sort of synthetic material, not the leather or cloth typical of human crafts.

 She opened it, retrieving a small portrait that looked almost like a photograph, though that was impossible in this world. 

The level of detail was uncanny, as if the image had been captured with technology unknown to me.

The more I watched, the more I realized this girl might not be a scout or warrior, but rather someone who had somehow stumbled into the Sword Heart Plains by accident, Yet, the rules were clear: no humans allowed. 

If I reported her presence, the regent's forces would likely treat her as a spy, and her fate would be sealed.

I hesitated, torn between my duty and my curiosity. Who was this girl, and how had she ended up here? Should I confront her, or report her to the regent?

 The more I observed, the more I questioned whether the usual protocol was the right course of action.

She had closed her eyes, perhaps from sheer exhaustion after walking for hours across the Sword Heart Plains. 

It was odd for a human to tire so quickly; most warriors could endure a full day of walking without showing any signs of fatigue but this girl didn't seem like a fighter, not with her pace or her lack of combat gear.

When she appeared to be asleep, her guard completely down, I remained cautious, humans were forbidden here, and my duty was to ensure the security of this territory. 

The regent had placed a heavy emphasis on surveillance and swift action against any incursions. 

Still, the girl seemed harmless, even pitiful.