The Guardian’s Secret

Phini had explicitly stated she’d seen Magua and the others by the swamp. Yet, upon their return, Angela learned that the men hadn’t seen Phini at all. This revelation struck Angela as incredibly peculiar.

“Don’t worry about such minor details,” Phini said to her earlier. “Isn’t it enough that they’ve returned?”

Though those men were beyond saving, with one foot already in the realm of death, the ancient dragon’s power had not yet vanished. It was this lingering protection that allowed Magua and the others to temporarily shed their blight-stricken forms and return to the village at sunrise.

As for when the guards might transform into ghouls again, Phini had no way of knowing. Perhaps it would be tonight, or perhaps during the peak of the next Moon of Malice.

Phini, of course, knew what the Moon of Malice was. While aware that its terrifying onset was triggered by a certain individual, she had to admit that her tormentor possessed a vast amount of dark knowledge. Indeed, the intricate details of the twin moons and their curse had been revealed to her by Altorias himself during her imprisonment.

‘If not for that tragedy,’ she mused, ‘would I not have become this way? Perhaps I would have lived a life filled with laughter alongside my sister…’

However, that idyllic vision of life was now unattainable, relegated to the realm of her own deluded fantasies. A self-deprecating smile touched her lips, and she said nothing further.

“I’ll go prepare dinner now, Phini. You should quickly go wash yourself as well.”

Seeing that Phini remained silent, Angela glanced at the sky outside the window. Noticing that night was fast approaching, she suddenly remembered their meals. She informed Phini before turning and leaving the room.

Prompted by Angela’s words, Phini instinctively sniffed the air. Immediately, she was assailed by an overpowering, sour stench of sweat and dried swamp mud that was utterly repulsive.

“…”

Realizing the offensive odor emanated from her own body, she fell silent for a moment. After a brief pause, she gathered a change of clothes and exited the house.

Angela’s home was remarkably well-equipped. It boasted a kitchen, a washroom, and multiple bedrooms—everything one could possibly need. It was truly worthy of being the largest house in the village.

Perhaps because night was falling, the wails of ghouls echoed outside once more. This time, however, the howls were far more tumultuous than before, as if several new monsters had joined their ranks.

Listening to the roars, Phini calmly removed her clothes in the washroom. She touched the white bandages wrapped around her chest, shook her head slightly, and began to unfasten them.

As the bandages were slowly unwound, they gradually revealed the pristine, frost-like skin hidden beneath. Due to Angela’s diligent care, Phini’s wounds had nearly all healed; even the large gash that had once marred her side was now reduced to a scar the length of a single finger. It would not be long before all her injuries were completely mended.

Half an hour later, Phini emerged from the washroom, rubbing her wet hair with a towel.

“Finished washing?”

The moment Phini stepped out, she saw Angela exiting the guest room. Noticing the bedding in Angela’s arms, Phini nodded and replied, “Yes.”

“These sheets were smelly, so I’m taking them to be washed tomorrow. Of course, I’ve already put on fresh ones for you,” Angela explained. She likely wished to prevent any misunderstanding.

“I understand. Thank you for your trouble.”

“Oh, right! I made a fur coat for you. See if it fits well?” Angela stopped a few steps away, turning back with a bright smile.

“A fur coat?” Phini tilted her head in confusion.

“It’s from the fox you brought back last time! Although it was quite small, I managed to make a suitable outer garment for you. So I went ahead and made it.”

“Oh…”

Phini had initially thought Angela would use the pelt for herself, yet the other woman had fashioned it into a coat for her.

“I hope you don’t dislike it, Phini!” Seeing Phini’s usual lack of expression, Angela playfully stuck out her tongue, then turned and left with the bedsheets.

Shortly after Angela departed, the ghouls’ roars once again echoed from outside.

“There are more and more of them…”

From the layers of sound, Phini could discern just how many monsters were howling. She turned her head to gaze at the path beyond the fence. Hordes of ghouls wandered through the dirt streets in groups, as if searching for something.

After observing them for a while, she slowly withdrew her gaze and returned to her room.

“Is everything ready?”

As she entered, Phini immediately noticed food laid out on the table. This must be the dinner Angela had prepared for her. Perhaps Angela had noticed the foul smell from the bedsheets when she brought the food in, prompting her to carry them out.

With no further questions, Phini sat down and began to eat the roasted meat. This was undoubtedly a portion of the fox she had hunted a few days prior. Since neither Phini nor Angela had large appetites, the meat had lasted until today. However, this portion was likely the last of their supply. Phini efficiently finished the meat, then quickly drank the corn soup that sat nearby.

“You finished eating so fast?”

The very second Phini set her bowl down, Angela re-entered the house.

“Yes. Have you finished eating?” Phini turned to face her.

“I’m all done!” Angela replied cheerfully. “By the way, Phini, are you going out tonight?”

“Perhaps?” Phini replied, scratching her chin, sounding uncertain.

“Oh… if you’re going out, please be careful.” Although the answer was not definitive, Angela remembered the terrifying wails outside and urged caution.

“I’ll take care of myself. Angela, you should go to bed now.” Since Phini had slept all day, she didn’t feel particularly tired. Angela, on the other hand, had been up all night waiting for her.

“Mm, now that you mention it, I am rather sleepy. If you’re going out, Phini, don’t come back too late.” Prompted by the suggestion, Angela yawned instantly and rubbed her eyes.

“I won’t.”

Seeing that the girl was truly tired, Phini nodded slightly and gestured for Angela to leave. Having received her answer, Angela stood up and left the room for bed.

After Angela departed, a small stone suddenly flew through the open window and landed on the floorboards with a soft clatter.

“Hmm?”

Noticing the noise, Phini’s attention immediately shifted to the window. A flicker of caution sparked within her. She stood up and silently approached the sill.

Looking out, she saw someone waving at her from under a nearby tree beyond the fence.

“Hmph.”

Though it was already night and the moonlight was dim, Phini immediately recognized the figure. It was none other than Renard, the village healer she had encountered that morning.

Perhaps realizing Phini was disinclined to acknowledge him, Renard threw another object through the window. Only after the object landed did Phini realize it was a crumpled ball of paper.

Confused, she glanced at Renard. Seeing her gaze upon him, he quickly gestured for her to open it.

Phini unfolded the paper ball.

“I have something to tell you. —Renard.”

‘What trick is this guy trying to pull now?’ she thought, staring at him skeptically after reading the brief message.

After confirming that he was truly sincere and unarmed, Phini promptly climbed out the window. Since the ghouls ignored her, she easily crossed the ash-lined fence and quickly ran to Renard’s side under the tree.

“You really can do that!” Renard watched Phini’s fluid movements among the wandering monsters, utterly dumbfounded and astonished.

“What do you want to say?” Phini asked, ignoring his surprise. Her lips curled in an unfriendly grimace.

“I am the guardian of a secret.”

“I figured as much. If you’re just here to tell me such nonsense, then please leave!”

“There are some things I can only tell you. I’ve been observing you for many days now…”

“Thank you for your concern, but I don’t trust you.”

“In the past, my ancestors committed an unforgivable transgression,” Renard continued, ignoring her hostility. “We were originally meant to protect that Great One’s secret, but our ancestors divulged it to an outsider.”