A Village’s Impending Doom

“What do you mean, you ‘already knew’?”

Upon hearing Phini’s retort, Renard, who had been staring blankly at the sky, shifted his gaze to her.

“That this village is about to become a land of death.” Phini’s bright eyes met his, and she replied in a tone that challenged him to elaborate.

“?!”

After hearing Phini declare that the village would soon become a land of death, Renard’s face was completely overtaken by astonishment, leaving no room for any other expression.

“Are you surprised? Didn’t you already know?” Seeing Renard stare at her with such a horrified expression, Phini grew confused.

Hadn’t he just said that this village was beyond saving? Why did he look so shocked after hearing her words? Had she said something wrong?

“How do you know the village is going to become a land of death?!” After a prolonged moment of shock, Renard snapped back to his senses. He immediately pressed Phini for an answer, eager to learn how she had discovered that Kabi Village was on the brink of destruction.

“You don’t need to know where I heard it. I don’t trust you!” Phini shook her head, refusing to answer his question. She suspected there was something deeply amiss with him.

“Alas…”

Seeing that Phini had no intention of speaking with him, Renard looked at her deeply, then let out a slow sigh.

“If you won’t tell me, then goodbye.” Completely distrusting the village healer, Phini turned and prepared to leave.

“…”

Renard watched Phini depart, silently observing her retreating figure. Of course, as Phini walked away, he wanted to say something. Yet, as if constrained by some unspoken reservation, he ultimately couldn’t voice the words he wished to say, merely watching her leave.

“I truly am a useless man…”

As Phini’s silhouette vanished through Angela’s gate, Renard shook his head with a bitter smile, mocking himself with a self-deprecating remark. He stared blankly at Angela’s house for a long while.

It was only when the sun had fully risen and the birds began to chirp noisily that Renard slowly withdrew his gaze, turning around with a helpless expression to depart.

Inside Angela’s house…

“How was it, Phini? Did you find Magua and the others?”

Angela clearly hadn’t slept at all, waiting up for her throughout the night. As soon as Phini stepped through the door, she saw Angela standing not far away, anticipating her return. No sooner had Phini entered than Angela eagerly questioned her.

“Something like that.” Facing Angela’s inquiry, Phini scratched her chin and looked away as she replied.

“Are they alright, then?” Hearing Phini say that she had found Magua, Angela didn’t notice the evasive gesture. She asked again, her face alight with excitement.

“Yes, they should be fine. They’ll be back soon…” Phini paused, adding mentally, ‘If that ancient dragon wasn’t deceiving me…’

“Is that so? That’s good…” Angela still didn’t seem to notice Phini’s guilty expression. After hearing the reply, she sat down with a relieved sigh, patting her chest.

“So, Phini…” After sitting for a while and catching her breath, Angela called out again.

“Hmm?”

“How did you find Magua and the others last night?” Angela appeared very curious about the rescue.

“This…”

“Hmm?”

“Ugh…”

Faced with Angela’s question, Phini suddenly faltered, unable to answer. She couldn’t possibly tell her that she found those people trapped at the edge of the swamp as bloodthirsty monsters, could she? If she were to say that, even Angela might not believe her account. It would likely be dismissed as utter nonsense.

“Is there something you can’t say?” Seeing Phini remain silent for so long, Angela quickly realized that the matter was not as simple as she had initially thought.

“Regarding this, I think you’d be happier not knowing, Angela.”

Phini recalled the words the dragon had spoken to her. Although she wasn’t completely sure if they were true, deducing based on the dragon’s statements made many irrationalities suddenly find an explanation. Therefore, Phini was inclined to believe the beast. Moreover, the proverb ‘a dying man’s words are good’ wasn’t misleading; even an ancient dragon’s words right before its demise were surely trustworthy.

“Is that so? Then I won’t ask.” Seeing Phini’s reluctance, Angela sensed something grave and didn’t press further. She knew in her heart that Phini would never intentionally lie to harm her.

“However, there’s one thing I want to ask you.” Phini considered for a moment, looking at the exhausted girl.

“What is it?” Angela’s curiosity was piqued.

“Will you leave this place with me?” Phini made her request without hesitation. She hoped Angela would accompany her in leaving Kabi Village before it became a true land of death.

“Eh?” Clearly unprepared, Angela was immediately startled.

“This village is no longer safe, and with such dangerous things lurking around, I think leaving here is a very good suggestion, don’t you think?” Phini attempted to persuade her.

“Indeed, Phini is right.”

“Then…”

“But I’m sorry, I don’t really want to leave here.”

“Why?”

“This is the place where I was born and raised. I grew up drinking its water and eating the food from this land. To ask me to leave the place that raised me… it’s impossible! Besides, I’ve also promised Gawain that we would work together to change the anomalies in this village!”

“Gawain?”

“Oh, I guess I haven’t told you about him?” Seeing Phini look at her in confusion, Angela smiled brightly.

“Is Gawain your childhood friend?” Phini had heard snippets from others about Angela having a fiancé. Apparently, he was an outstanding young man.

“Yes, Gawain is very reliable. He said that once he returns, he will begin to address the anomalies in the village!” As she spoke of Gawain, Angela grew increasingly cheerful, like a maiden deeply in love, filled with yearning and admiration. She firmly believed that her childhood friend, upon his return, would surely resolve the ‘ghost’ issue that had plagued Kabi Village for centuries.

“…”

Hearing Angela speak like this, Phini suddenly found herself unable to utter the words she held in her heart. She couldn’t possibly reveal the truth about the ‘ghosts,’ could she? Even if she did, how much of it would Angela believe? How could she tell this girl that her friends and neighbors were the very monsters plaguing them?

“If Phini wants to leave, I won’t stop you, but only after your injuries have healed!”

Perhaps Angela thought Phini wanted to leave the village immediately because she was trying to pull her away. If she agreed to Phini’s suggestion, Phini wouldn’t have to wait for her wounds to fully heal before leaving; with Angela’s care on the road, it wouldn’t be impossible to travel.

However, Angela had her reasons for staying, so she could only refuse.

“Is that so? Alright then.” Feeling that she couldn’t convince Angela, Phini opened her mouth but ultimately didn’t reveal the truth.

“Now, I’m tired. Once I wake up, I’ll make you lunch, Phini!” Angela yawned slightly, finally feeling her immense fatigue catching up to her. She turned and left for her bedroom.

“Alas…” Watching Angela’s retreating back, Phini let out a deep sigh.

She had truly tried her best, yet her influence apparently wasn’t significant enough for Angela to take her warning seriously. With this thought, Phini could only return to her own bed and lie down. When faced with difficulties, sleep it off.

So, Phini went to sleep.

She didn’t know how long she had slept. When she opened her eyes again, dusk was fast approaching.

“Phini, you’re finally awake?” Just as she awoke, Angela’s voice suddenly appeared from the doorway. “You were sleeping so soundly, I didn’t have the heart to wake you. My apologies~”

Seeing Phini’s gaze fall upon her, Angela playfully stuck out her tongue.

“How long did I sleep?” Phini immediately sat up and rubbed her eyes.

“Probably from morning until now?”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, I thought you must be very tired, so I didn’t dare wake you.”

“That’s fine. So, have Magua and the others returned?” Phini waved her hand, indicating that it was no bother, and immediately asked about the guards.

“They really did return, just as you said, but they look a little strange,” Angela replied without a moment’s thought.

“Strange?” Hearing a word that piqued her interest, Phini lowered her head, thoughtfully stroking her chin.

“Yes, they don’t have any memories of being in the forest, and they don’t remember seeing you either!” Seeing Phini lost in thought, Angela tilted her head in confusion, explaining what she found so bizarre.