Under everyone’s gaze, Yuda tilted his head. Why were they all staring at him so blankly? He glanced at the wall riddled with holes where the sound of rain was leaking through. Was that the reason? Did they expect him to take responsibility? Since no one spoke up first, Yuda broke the silence.
“Is there a problem? If you have something to say, go ahead. Anyone.”
Then an elderly man, perhaps the village chief, rose from among the crowd. For some reason, he looked at Yuda with fearful eyes.
“Um… is it actually true that you defeated all the wraiths outside?”
“Yes. Why? Did you see one?”
The old man cautiously glanced around as if weighing the mood, then looked up at Yuda from his half-bowed posture and spoke.
“No, it’s nothing like that. It’s just… I worry some wraiths might still be hiding in houses or corners of the village.”
Hmm. He couldn’t exactly tell them about the “quest,” and there was no sure way to ease their doubts. A quick glance around showed that fear clouded every face, men and women alike. Well, after ten days of torment, trauma was inevitable. Yuda scratched his head.
“Then there’s no helping it. Stay here a few days and keep watch outside. Still, since you all barely escaped death, maybe trust me just this once and rest at home in peace.”
If Yuda and Jeanne hadn’t arrived when they did, these people would’ve become the wraiths’ meal right here. Do they ever realized that?
“We didn’t mean to anger you, please don’t misunderstand. We also knew that the priest couldn’t last much longer, and we also know you’re our savior. It's just that, since we lack the strength, we were worried about what to do if any wraiths remained in the village, so we spoke out of concern."
The elder bowed deeply as he spoke, overly polite for someone his age which was enough to make Yuda feel awkward. Most elders dropped honorifics with someone so young, but this man didn’t.
“My apologies for the late introduction. I am the village chief of Cheriu Village.”
“Ah, I’m Yuda Arche, and this is—”
“Jeanne Atruare.”
She, who’d been quietly silent, dipped her head in a polite nod as she introduced herself.
“We’re both adventurers.”
“Once again, thank you sincerely for your help. If you have time, we’d like to offer compensation. Could you stay for a while and observe things until we’re sure the danger has passed?”
“I’d like to, but we’re adventurers ourselves so we have a mission to carry out. You’d be better off asking the other adventurers over there.”
“Ah, I see… I just hope my needless words didn’t offend our benefactor.”
Yuda smiled gently, trying his best to show that it didn’t bother him.
“It’s fine. But if you really feel sorry, there’s something I’d like to ask. Would you answer it?”
“If it’s something we can answer, by all means.”
“I heard a copper badge adventurer named Edron stayed here. Do you know where he went last?”
At that, a middle-aged woman among the villagers who’d been eavesdropping shot her hand up. The sudden movement drew every eye; when Yuda’s gaze met hers, she flinched.
It's not as if he'll do anything to them, why are they trembling like that?
“Um… I know.”
She gulped audibly and stood up.
“He stayed at the inn I run. It’s the only inn in the village, so I remember him well.”
“Ah, good. When did you last see him?”
“I’d have to check the guest log, but roughly a day before it rained. About eleven days ago.”
“Did he say where he was going?”
“Yes. He usually helped with odd jobs around the village, and that day was the end of his contract. We were going to hold a thank-you party for him, but he said he had somewhere to go and headed to the northern forest in the morning. He said he’d be back by evening. If no one stole his stuff, his luggage should still be at the inn.”
When she finished, the crowd began murmuring.
“Come to think of it, didn’t he say he was looking for that young man, ‘Chercerian’?”
“Right. I’m the one who told him about the forest up north.”
Yuda nodded in thanks for the information. He already knew it, of course. He had only asked so Jeanne who was next to him could hear it firsthand.
But thinking carefully, these people weren’t supposed to be alive. In the game, this village was a ruin. Just another wraith-spawn zone.
Yet those who should have died were alive, and now a mysterious priest and clueless adventurers were here.
He didn’t wish for anyone’s death, but neither did he want the future he knew to change.
“So, we’re heading to the northern forest.”
“Right. He might still be alive there, so let’s check. If we can’t find him, we’ll retrieve the luggage he left at the inn.”
Jeanne nodded at Yuda’s words.
“That… is that all you wished to ask?”
“Yes, well… nothing else, really.”
As Jeanne hurriedly put her robe and coat back on, Yuda was about to head for the northern forest when something struck him.
“Ah, wait. What’s that priest’s name?”
“The priest? She called herself ‘Arhil’. I don’t know her full name, though.”
Arhil?
At first he wondered, who was that again? Then his eyes widened in shock. Arhil?!
What the hell?
The name he remembered belonged to Asmodeus’s apostle, one of the Seven Deadly Sins under a Lord representing Lust. Yet here she was, human, serving as a priest?
No, wait. Wasn’t Arhil’s class Fallen Priest?
His memory was hazy. He might’ve written the game’s story and lore himself, but that didn’t mean he remembered every character perfectly. He’d lived in this world for years and remembering every scrap of data would’ve been stranger.
Of course, there were things he’d taken notes of and he clearly remembered the Lords, Holy Kings, and those tied to the Fragments or main plot. There was that one time he’d failed to recognize Count 〈Zenuer de Lava〉, but that was only because the man’s appearance and aura were utterly different from his in-game illustration.
But Arhil had been a minor character, barely connected to the story. In fact, many of the late-game characters, those appearing on the second continent, had been designed by external contributors whose settings he’d simply copy-pasted into the game.
He had adjusted skills, traits, and stats for balance, but if the lore seemed fine at a glance, he’d left it untouched.
Damn it, I can’t remember.
Of course he couldn’t. There were dozens, hundreds of recruitable companions; remembering them all was impossible. But for one to completely slip his memory like this…
‘Maybe I didn’t make her.’
A sigh escaped him. He didn’t recall her lore, but if he saw her traits or skills, it might come back. She seemed like a capable priest, he’d even considered recruiting her, but what if she was really Asmodeus’s apostle?
Asmodeus served under the Seventh Lord, 〈Altemia〉.
And Altemia was a Lord not on good terms with Fernlern.
Nowait, that means she’s still human. So this must be before she became an apostle. A high demon’s envoy wouldn’t be wandering the mortal realm protecting people.
Besides, Asmodeus was sealed in the Labyrinth. Recruiting her shouldn’t be an issue. Actually, it might be a stroke of luck. Characters destined to become apostles had immense potential, much like hidden ones such as Jeanne. If he bound her with the power of a Fragment, even the sealed Asmodeus couldn’t reclaim her. He would gain a trustworthy companion, which was a win-win.
After we return from the dungeon, if she’s still in the village, I’ll make her an offer.
As Yuda composed himself and nodded, the village chief asked carefully,
“Do you… know her?”
“No, of course not. I was just surprised because the name matched someone I once knew. Anyway, we’ll head to the northern forest before night falls. There shouldn’t be much danger, but if you’re uneasy, stay here until we return—or until the priest recovers. You’ve waited ten days already; one more won’t hurt. Besides, I’m sure aid will come from Caora Castle soon. You’ll all return to normal life before long.”
As the villagers sighed in relief, Yuda asked for directions to the northern forest. Then he and Jeanne exited through the same hole they’d entered from.
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