Dang son, give it to us straight Jake! Let's push further on this line of conversation because that probably makes Sarah feel awful.

Sarah stood before the council, her eyes flickering with the reflected light of the moon goddess's gift. She laid the pure gold coins out on the table, watching as the councilors' eyes widened in surprise.

"We ask for your permission to purchase the abandoned farmland and buildings on the outskirts of the city," she said. "We intend to build a new community for the villagers who lost their homes in the mountain's destruction."

The councilors murmured among themselves, exchanging glances.

"Very well," one of them said at last. "But I must warn you, that area is known to be infested with thieves and bandits. You'll have to clear them out before it will be safe."

Sarah's face grew grim. "I understand. We will take care of them."

Jake snorted. "Just point us in the right direction."

The councilors exchanged another glance, and the speaker nodded. "Very well. We wish you success in your endeavors."

Sarah and Jake left the council chambers, deep in thought. As they walked through the streets, Sarah turned to Jake.

"Jake, I know that you don't value the lives of mere humans, but we can't just go in and massacre them. They're people too, just like us. They may have lost everything, just like the villagers we're helping."

Jake looks at Sarah, unimpressed. "I don't care what anyone does for a living, Sarah. Bandits, farmers, it's all the same to me. I don't care what humans do to other humans."

Sarah takes a deep breath and continues, "But Jake, these bandits are an opportunity for us to help more people and to redeem ourselves. We can't just let them terrorize innocent people. We need to find a peaceful solution."

Jake scoffs, "Peaceful solution? That's not my style, I get along just fine ignoring, and what I can’t ignore I destroy.”