Chapter 105: The Truth of the Village
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
In front of them, the silhouette rising from the coffin was not some ghost or ghostly apparition. It was Frank, recognized as the inaugural City Head of Spear City.
Frank’s mysterious disappearance had been tied to the eerie events that transpired in Yellow Hill Village. Based on the timeline they pieced together, he had been unaccounted for over a quarter of a year. It was nothing short of a miracle that Frank was still amongst the living after vanishing for such an extended period.
The very notion that he had endured in this spine-chilling, spirit-laden village all by himself was beyond comprehension. By all accounts, any other person in his shoes should have perished ages ago. While Miles burned with curiosity regarding Frank’s survival, there were more pressing issues to address.
As Miles confronted him, Frank replied with an even tone, “I had duly informed HQ about the goings-on in this place. If you heeded that intelligence, you’d have the corresponding document. Anyone familiar with that dossier should be clued into my predicament. Candidly, considering my precarious condition, I can’t delineate the entire scenario for you. My attempts have been to discreetly influence the villagers to provide you with clues. This influence, though, is tenuous, given the dire straits I’m in.”
“At first, I was uncertain about the true motives of your team of ghost tamers when you descended upon this village. Regarding the elderly lady, yes, I orchestrated her presence there. The coughing wasn’t a decoy. It was meant as a beacon, a subtle hint that there’s someone on your side, and I’m not an adversary. I wanted your focus on the spirit, not on me. Regrettably, my intentions got lost in translation.”
Miles retorted, his voice laced with frustration, “Don’t pretend to be the innocent party here. Had it not been for your cryptic clues, I would have been oblivious to someone like you even being in this place. I’ve perused the file you alluded to. Crucial details had been expunged. While you portray a façade of assistance, you’ve, in fact, muddied the waters. At the outset, I was dealing with a singular spirit. Your involvement has added layers of complexity to this already perplexing supernatural challenge.”
Offering an apology, Frank said, “I regret the unforeseen consequences.” Yet, his face was as impassive as stone, betraying no trace of genuine regret.
Undeterred, Miles pressed on, “Was it an oversight? Or was there a malevolent intent to lead us to our doom? I ventured into this hall previously and attempted to unlatch the coffin, only to be thwarted by you. What were you hiding from? Did you fear the wrath of the vindictive spirit? I gather the sole sanctuary in this haunted village is within that very coffin, isn’t it?”