Chapter 47 : The Truth of the Matter
As if seeing something, Lonis's head ached.
That elusive, hazy feeling made the silver-haired girl's body sway unsteadily, as if about to fall.
But just then, Elucia came to her side and supported her in time.
Looking closely, this black-haired little loli seemed to have sensed danger and had already transformed into her teenage form... A pitch-black long sword was gripped tightly in her hands, her crimson eyes alertly watching the surroundings.
"That guy came to this area again."
"That... guy?"
"The vengeful spirit, the one that's been scaring you every night."
"Ah!"
Lonis's body trembled as she looked around.
The vicinity was still empty. Besides the house burned to ashes and the dense forest, there was no trace of any ghost.
"Stop looking, she's already been scared away by me."
"Eh?"
"Hmph, after all, I'm also a princess of a fallen kingdom? I'm also a ghost that's lasted over a hundred years. Ordinary enemies naturally don't dare confront me directly."
Elucia's gaze was sharp as she slowly surveyed the nearby forest... After confirming the area was safe, she nodded and said:
"Mm, Lonis, come with me."
"Elucia, where are we going?"
"To directly confront the villagers. This matter can't be delayed any longer."
......
Elucia was a girl who was very decisive once she decided on something.
Never dragging things out, just gazing into her eyes seemed to convey a courage to forge ahead.
(Is this... a system setting?)
(No, perhaps this is Elucia's true personality?)
Although somewhat different from her ideal girl, Lonis didn't dislike Elucia's behavior.
Never confused no matter when—this person might be more suited to being a hero than herself.
......
Before the two could return to the village, they encountered that bearded uncle—Old Hu—halfway.
The uncle wasn't even holding an umbrella. Pattering rainwater slid down his beard, and his hair had also congealed into strands.
"You... you... oh, have you found the caravan already?"
The uncle seemed to mistake Elucia for the little loli's sister... After all, they had the same eye and hair color, and both had Lonis accompanying them.
But Elucia, as if seeing through something, said seriously:
"I advise you to stop pretending."
"Uh..."
"It was you last night who led all the villagers to that ruined house, wasn't it?"
"!"
Hearing Elucia's questioning, the man instinctively stepped back.
His pupils widened, but his mouth was twitching as he still tried to explain:
"No... what strange things are you talking about? What ruined house... oh, you must be listening to this silver-haired girl's nonsense, right? Isn't she an idiot? So don't take it seriously."
"Seven years ago, a female magician was burned to death here. Her power was very strong, probably reaching Level 6."
"!"
"Originally? I wouldn't meddle in your village's affairs, but that female magician's vengeful spirit has latched onto my maid."
Elucia pointed at Lonis. Although she usually seemed to look down on this "slave maid," today she unprecedentedly seemed to treat Lonis like a treasure, saying very seriously:
"You need to reveal whatever inside information you know! Otherwise, if my maid gets hurt, don't blame me for being ruthless."
"You..."
Perhaps Elucia's sadistic aura was too captivating?
Or perhaps Old Hu knew the matter had been exposed and could no longer be concealed.
This weathered man smiled bitterly and said frankly:
"Yes, you're right... Last night, I did lead the villagers into the ruined house. But please believe me, I had no malicious intent."
"Oh?"
"I was just protecting your maid and your sister, because this village has been cursed."
......
......
Slowly, Old Hu began his narration:
......
Where should I start?
Well, let me start from the day she came to the village.
I had never seen such a beautiful girl... She had light pink hair, bright teeth, and was lovely as a flower and moon. Every smile and frown was so perfect that just one look could make you fall in love with her.
Ah...
Speaking of which, she was very much like you, Miss, and your maid? All beautiful girls.
But she wasn't just beautiful in appearance—her temperament was also very gentle and kind. On the very first day she came to the village, she helped villagers treat illnesses and solved many problems.
At that time, I was still a young hothead, naturally lacking the courage to confess to her... I would just sit on the rooftop, watching her walk down the road, watching her greet the villagers.
Speaking of which, at first, the villagers didn't know why this female magician had come to the village.
But after getting along with everyone for a long time, she told us the purpose of her trip.
"I want to explore a nearby 'ruin' to complete my thesis."
......
Although I knew she was only staying in the village temporarily, when I thought about having a place where I could help, I felt my opportunity had come.
『Miss Magician, do you need a guide to find the ruins?』
『Eh...』
『I know the nearby area like the back of my hand. If you need it, I can help you with exploration.』
『I'm called Suna. I'll be counting on you from now on.』
"For me, that was truly a nostalgic time. Suna and I became partners, using that forester's hut to the north as our base camp, searching the surroundings..."
Although Old Hu had an expression of reminiscence, Elucia coughed lightly and said: "Please get to the point."
"Uh?"
"What's past is past, isn't it? I know you want to keep time frozen at that moment forever, but what's most important is now."
"You... you're right."
Old Hu froze for a moment. Looking at Elucia again, there was actually a hint of relief in his eyes: "After that, Suna and I spent a week pinpointing the ruins' location, but just after Suna entered those ruins, terrible things happened."
"Terrible things?"
"Yes, a strange priest wearing yellow clothes came to the village. She directly said that Suna was an envoy sent by demons, with the purpose of releasing terrible disasters."
(Yellow clothes?!)
Lonis's body trembled. She remembered that in her dream, the one who abused her was a priest in yellow clothes.
Old Hu gently closed his eyes and continued:
"Although everyone in the village didn't believe it at first, that priest was extremely good at persuasion and provided many seemingly plausible pieces of evidence. This caused most villagers to become suspicious of Susan too."
"Eh?"
"Even so, it was just suspicion. But ever since Suna entered the ruins, all sorts of inexplicable things started happening one after another."