Chapter 43: The Calm Before the Storm

“It seems you’ve been guided by the spirits.”

“Spirits?”

The woman nodded in response to my question.

Could she possibly be referring to that massive tree as a spirit?

As I stared at the giant tree in confusion, she spoke again.

“In any case, welcome to our village.”

With that, the woman welcomed me and began walking ahead, as if to lead the way.

When I hesitated, standing still, she turned back and asked,

“Are you planning to stay here all day?”

“Are you asking me to follow you?”

“You’re a guest guided by the spirits. Of course, we must treat you properly.”

After days of traveling and sleeping outdoors, my body was worn out.

The idea of resting briefly in this village seemed like a reasonable choice.

With a glance up at the giant tree, I followed the woman.

The sight of a small girl alongside a large horse seemed to attract attention in the village.

As we walked, villagers peeked out from their homes to watch me.

Interestingly, there were no children among them.

The residents consisted entirely of adult men and women, numbering about 20 in total at first glance.

“You can rest here,” the woman said, leading me to a small cabin.

The cabin showed signs of past occupancy but seemed to be abandoned now.

After showing me the empty house, the woman turned on her heel to leave, as if her role was done.

Hurriedly, I called out to her, “Ah, excuse me…”

“What is it?”

“What’s your name?”

“Hm…”

For a moment, she seemed taken aback by the simple question.

After a brief pause of contemplation, she finally answered.

“Galad. You can call me that.”

With that, the woman—no, Galad—left, walking on air just as she had arrived.

Her graceful, floating steps made her look almost like a fairy.

Prrruk!

Nightmare nudged me, resting its head against mine. It seemed to be asking for its bridle and saddle to be removed.

“You’re not going to cause trouble, right?”

In response, Nightmare wagged its tail vigorously and nodded.

A horse that understood human speech—what a peculiar creature.

“Is everyone in Hyland this intelligent?”

I tilted my head in curiosity as I removed Nightmare’s bridle and saddle.

Freed from its restraints, the creature pranced happily around me before darting off to explore the lakeside with light, playful steps.

What a peculiar village this was.

After taking a moment to survey my surroundings, I entered the cabin.

True to her word, Galad brought food at regular intervals—fresh fruit, washed clean in the lake’s water.

“Don’t you eat meat here?”

It might have been a bit bold to ask, given that I was being fed for free, but I couldn’t help craving some savory, hearty meat.

If it came down to it, I was even willing to pay in gold.

Galad, however, shook her head.

“Apologies, but the people of this village don’t eat meat.”

“Oh… Then would it be alright if I hunted nearby animals for meat myself?”

“You’re free to do as you wish.”

With that curt response, Galad disappeared again, leaping lightly into the air as before.

I strolled toward the lakeside, where the crystal-clear water reflected the bottom of the lake perfectly.

Mesmerized, I watched the fish swimming lazily beneath the surface.

Nightmare approached me, and the faint scent of blood wafted from its body.

It seemed it had wandered outside the village to hunt and devour monsters or animals on its own.

“Did you enjoy your meal?”

Prrruk!

As if responding, Nightmare snorted and lay down beside me.

I began practicing my swordsmanship next to the creature.

The serene and spacious area, devoid of monster attacks, provided the perfect environment to concentrate on honing my skills.

The stars engraved on the blade taught me the movements—simple but precise.

However, determining the exact force to apply to each motion and maintaining the proper breathing rhythm was entirely up to me.

“Whew…”

Exhaling deeply, I focused my mana into the blade, causing seven stars to light up along its surface.

I swung the sword, following the path of the starlight.

How to move, how to transition seamlessly between movements—I contemplated these endlessly while keeping my body in motion.

The tip of the sword sliced through the air, releasing a burst of radiant starlight that led into the next motion.

By the second day of my stay in the village, I found myself splashing my feet in the cool lake water when Galad appeared.

She carried a small basket woven from wood, filled to the brim with fruit, as expected.

Taking the basket from her, I asked,

“Galad,” I called out.

“What is it?”

“How long can I stay here?”

At my question, Galad shifted her gaze toward the massive tree.

Every time I asked her something, she would glance at that tree—as if she were waiting for an answer from it.

“For as long as you wish,” she replied simply, then walked away, stepping on the air as lightly as the wind itself.

I watched her go, tilting my head in wonder.

How could she fly like that?

She had no wings and wasn’t using visible mana.

I slapped the water’s surface, spreading mana across the calm lake.

My mana, infused with the tranquil yet majestic essence of the sea, rippled against the water, creating a faint resistance.

It felt familiar, yet different. I pondered the sensation while recalling Galad’s movements over and over.

Three days had passed since I arrived in this village. I stood watching Nightmare sprawled out on the grass.

Lying on its side, it snored softly—a rare sight for a creature that only ever took light naps to stay alert.

The fact that it was sleeping so deeply, snoring and all, indicated how safe it deemed this place to be.

I chuckled quietly and walked past it.

As usual, I was practicing my swordsmanship when I noticed something off.

The serene atmosphere of the forest had become agitated.

The gentle wind that always caressed the trees now howled fiercely, shaking the branches violently.

The sound of the rustling leaves resembled a wailing cry.

The forest was screaming.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who sensed it.

Galad, who usually guarded the area near the giant tree, moved with urgency, and villagers who never stepped outside their homes came rushing out.

Then, Galad, leaping from tree to tree on the air, approached me.

Her expression was graver than I had ever seen.

“Leave this place immediately,” she urged.

“What’s going on?” I asked, my hand instinctively tightening around my sword.

“Something terrible is about to happen.”

Before her words fully registered, an ominous wind swept through the village.

Unlike the gentle breeze from before, this wind carried mana tinged with a sickly purple hue.

It was unsettlingly similar to the dark magic I had encountered in the forests of Kalvaine.

Clatter—

My fears were confirmed.

The malevolent mana dissipated, and from the edge of the forest emerged figures made entirely of white bones.

Their eyes glowed with a menacing red light, and their hostile intent was unmistakable as they advanced toward the peaceful lakeside village.

Skeleton soldiers had appeared.