Exiled Villainess Becomes Ruler (Republished/Edited)

Sudden Coldness

Once Eve was sure that the creature was dead, she jumped off the corpse and rushed toward Julia, who was still lying unconscious on the ground.

"Zeke! Julia is in critical condition! Come quickly and help!" She shouted over her shoulder as she knelt beside the girl.

"Right!" Zeke responded, followed by the other kids and adults who quickly gathered around.

Zeke and Eve knelt beside Julia, who lay motionless. The others crowded around them, their concern palpable as they watched in silence.

"What's wrong with her?" Zeke asked, his voice filled with urgency.

"Her breathing is still unstable," Eve replied, her voice trembling slightly.

"She needs to be in a more comfortable position," Zeke said.

"What should I do?" Eve asked, her eyes never leaving Julia's pale face.

"Gently lay her on your lap. I have a potion that will help open her airways and heal any internal injuries." Zeke pulled a purple vial from his pouch and uncapped it. Eve carefully laid Julia's head in her lap and nodded.

"I'll need to pry her mouth open so she can drink," Zeke said. He carefully opened Julia's mouth and tipped the potion into her mouth. Once he finished, he put the empty vial back in his pouch.

"Will Julia be okay?" Kyle asked, his face lined with worry.

"She will be," Eve replied with a determination that she hoped would be reassuring, though she didn't look up.

"So what do we do now?" Melody asked, her voice breaking the tense silence.

Jon stood up, scanning the area for any signs of further danger. "I think it's best if we don't move on until Julia wakes up. It'll be dark soon. We should set up camp."

---

Night had fallen, and the group had set up camp in a relatively safe spot. They sat around a crackling bonfire, eating what little food they had: unseasoned rabbit and squirrel. Eve found the taste bland, but assumed the others were accustomed to it. She resolved to forage for seasoning the next day.

The only sounds were the crackling of the fire and the distant chirping of crickets. The group ate in silence until Jon broke it.

"Eve, I think you owe us an explanation," Jon said, breaking the silence.

"An explanation?" Eve echoed after swallowing the last bite of her rabbit meat. She declined the squirrel, finding it unappetizing.

"Yes. How is it that you and the kids can wield swords so well? How do you fight so effectively?" Jon asked, still incredulous.

Kyle and Mason exchanged nervous glances, holding sticks of roasted meat. Zeke and Melody also paused their eating, listening intently.

Eve sighed and tossed her stick aside. "I know how to fight. It's a technique called martial arts. I've been teaching the kids for the past three years."

"Martial arts? I've never heard of it," Jon said, raising an eyebrow.

"Neither have I," Zeke and Melody chimed in simultaneously.

"You were so strong that you chopped off its limbs with one slice!" Melody exclaimed.

"The way you fought that monster was incredible!" Zeke added.

Eve stiffened slightly at Zeke's comment, realizing how close he was to the truth.

"Martial arts encompasses various combat practices for self-defense," Eve explained, trying to sound as informative as possible.