Reincarnated as the Lady Prodigy

Twenty-Six

Kalghaya, the Village of Smiles

ZAIRE LEVI'S POINT OF VIEW

"It's surprising that you do not know about Kalghaya village, Lady Jozine." Odalf commented while gobbling the food down.

We're now on the second day of our journey and decided to take a short break since we are expected to arrive this afternoon.

"Am I supposed to?" I asked munching the food.

"My lady...!" Elise's eyes widen while looking at me. They're all looking at me weirdly.

Ah! I'm munching the food rather loudly. I'm sure they think it's unladylike.

"Sor—"

"— you eat too little, my lady!" Elise cut me off and then placing a bigger piece of grilled meat.

"Agreed. Here, take mine too." Eufema put three pieces of her berries on my plate.

"Have mine too, Master," Blake handed me his plate.

"...hey..." I looked at them but the three just smiled at me. Should I be insulted that these three think I'm a glutton? Oh well, it's the truth anyway. I chuckle, "thanks, you three!" Aww! They're so sweet!

"So, what's with that village?" I turned to Odalf.

He blinked before he cleared his throat. "Would you like to have mine too?" He offered me his plate hesitantly. Oh, haha! Dang, he must have felt obligated seeing how the three acted.

I smirked, "thanks. No hard feelings?"

His face crumpled ever so slightly before he forced himself to nod. I laugh at that. "Odalf, it's fine. I have more than enough for myself. Please enjoy your meal."

His face brightens and he quickly secured his plate, scared that I might change my mind. Maybe I should? Odalf acting like a big puppy is adorable. I wonder how he and Ice act when it's just the two of them on a mission. Do they even talk? Because Ice sure lives up to his name. Cold and quiet.

"Well...? What's with that village?"

Odalf nodded his head, "That village is known for their festival every sixth of the seventh month. Even people from the capital visit that small village just to buy their blessed masks and their crops. The jewelry they make out of rocks, woods, and leaves is also famous amongst noble ladies. It's no wonder the guild master wanted us to take this mission since that village is important for this territory's economy but also it's been existing for generations now. They have an amazing affinity with earth and water magic too."

"Aren't they awesome?" I mumbled.

"They are!" Odalf said proudly.

"However, to think such village is suffering from this unfortunate incident, tsk, a pity..." Odalf shakes his head. I couldn't help but agree with what he said. I'm kind of looking forward to their festival when I heard Odalf talk about it but I don't think I'll be able to, not with what's currently happening.

"I guess we got to do what we have to do since their festival's at stake," I commented.

Odalf glanced at me then chuckles, "I could not agree more, Lady Jozine."

Sheesh! He keeps addressing me that even though I told him not to. Unlike Elise who I was able to coerce into talking me to casually easily, Odalf is a little difficult. I'll just take his stubbornness as a challenge instead. Isn't a hard rock is exciting to c***k?

We continued our journey without stopping and finally, we arrived at the walled village of Kalghaya. Like Griselda, the village, although small is protected by a towering wall, it may not be as gigantic as the ones in Griselda or as magnificent but it served its purpose.

"Halt!" The man shouted from the watchtower, "State your name and your reasons for coming!"

They must be on high alert because of what's happening since they can't be sure either the case for their missing village members is k********g or monsters doing — which they highly think is monsters doing but still, they're wary and it's completely understandable.

"We are hunters from Hunters Association Griselda Branch! I am Odalf! I'm this team's leader!" Odalf introduced himself.

The man in the watchtower did not answer, instead, a small box-shaped door opened from the gigantic metal door in front of us.

"Show us your ID," it's another man's voice.

Odalf handed out his ID with an unexplainable expression on his face. Wait, is this unusual? Odalf's expression looked as if he's confused about what's happening, it's like he didn't expect this or... at least this much strictness from the people of this village.

"You may enter," the man behind the door announced in his gruff voice.

A creaking sound soon followed as the big metal door slowly opened. Finally, we will be able to sleep in a comfortable and soft bed! Ah, I'm so looking forward to it.

Some of the villagers are outside but the majority seem to be inside or somewhere else. The air feels heavy, it's so obvious how scared and worried these villagers are. They're smiling but the ambiance around the village can be felt no matter how dense I person may be. It's just how obvious it is.

"Let me walk you to the village chief's house." A tall and muscled man said behind us and without saying anything, he walked ahead. That man must be busy, he's clearly in a hurry. Man, I feel sorry for the warriors and mercenaries because they must be super tired from watching over the village but they're still doing so because if they don't then the villagers might all disappear completely. That would be problematic since I'm looking forward to seeing their festival even just once.

"We're here." The man announced and then, "bye," he walked away without looking back.

Ah... All of us are looking at his retreating back.

"Well," I waved at him even though he's not looking. "Bye then," Thank you for letting me view such a magnificent sexy back. Our time was worthwhile.

Odalf cleared his throat, only then I realized that there's an old man in front of us. His hair's brown and white and his eye bags are the proof that sleep and rest abandoned him.

Problems never really cared for age huh. It strikes when it wants to.

"Please come in," the old man ushered us inside.

The village chief who introduced himself as Norman explained to us what's happening even though we already know. His explanation is more informative and detailed of what is recently happening since there are changes during our two-days travel.

"I can't have the warriors and mercenaries leave the village since we can be attacked by the monsters from the nearby forest or the possible kidnappers. No one has ever left this village ever since this incident started happening." Explained the village chief. I pity him. He's already old but to think he has to be this problematic. Hays... I feel bad for him.

"I understand. We'll do our best to help. We may be lacking but please bear with us."

Once done with the formalities, the village chief ushered us to the house we will be staying at. Compared to the other houses, this one is fairly larger.

We had our own room but Elise and Eufema insisted on staying together while Blake asked to stay in a room across from mine. Eufema and Elise's room are on the left side of mine. Obviously, I am well protected.

Instead of stopping them, I chose to let them be since there's no point in stopping them. They're too stubborn especially Blake. Oh, Blake, he's as stubborn as a rock borne from the beginning of the world. Seriously.

"I'll be keeping watch, Master. Please rest well." He said from outside.

Once again, the three of them pushed me to my room and insisted, ordered for me to rest. Like hello, I wasn't that tired and besides it's just late in the afternoon. Shouldn't we be doing something instead of sleeping? Ah, I'll just let them be for today. Just for today.

THIRD PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW

Blake kept his senses sharp. He can hear Lady Elise and Lady Eufema's soft breathing, his Master, Lady Jozine is also fast asleep. The hunter named Odalf is also in a deep sleep but the man with him, the hunter named Ice who always wears a mask, his breathing indicates that he's meditating rather than sleeping.

That man is someone Blake cannot underestimate. He witnessed how sharp that man is during their time on guard together. That man's senses are keen, more so than he expected out of hunters whose mainly commoners. Commoners are often expected to have less magic power and weaker compared to people with proud birth.

The hunter, Ice, he's different. Whenever Blake sees him he can't find an opening to that man. Even though he acts simple or ordinary, Blake's eyes can tell otherwise. Surprise attacks won't work on that man who always keeps his guard up.

Blake shakes his head and stared at the ceiling. It's now time for dinner.

'What should I cook for Master?' He thought to himself while considering all the dishes that he knows one by one.

Chicken barbecue. Master Jozine seemed to love that dish based on his observation.

Blake, finally decided to stoop up and left his room. He stared at the closed door of his Master's room before he continued walking. When he reached the door outside, someone called him.

"Excuse me."

He turned around to face the Ice. He nodded his head. "I'll get Master something to eat."

"I see. I don't think I can stop you but don't let your guard down." The hunter said before he walked away.

'So he noticed too.' Blake thought.

Blake closed the door relieved that Ice will keep the house guarded. Blake is now assured of Jozine's safety and he also won't let his guard down even though they're inside the village. He can't, especially not when he knows someone is performing dark magic. He too possesses shadow magic and shadow magic is considered dark magic in this kingdom but the faint essence of dark magic is not ordinary magic. It was faint, very faint that when Blake entered the village that essence only lasted for a second or so that Blake would also think he was just hallucinating and tired but his intuition tells him otherwise. Someone is using dark magic, no, it's evil magic.

As Blake walks towards the village chief's house, he can feel two, three, no, five pairs of eyes following his every move. There is no killing intent but there is clearly wariness on the way they eye him.

Wary. They're wary of him? Why?

Blake knocked on the village chief's house, instantly, the door opened with the village chief smiling.

"Mister Hunter! How can I help you?"

Blake stared at the old man before he answered. "Chicken. I need chicken to cook."

The village chief's expression morphed into curiosity before he lightly laughs. "Is that so? Please follow me, Mister Hunter. We have some chicken over here." Without saying anything, Blake followed when he suddenly heard glass breaking inside the village chief's house.

Blake did not turn to look back at the house, instead, his eyes stared intently at the old village chief. He witnessed how the old man's face crumpled slightly and how his expression darkens for a moment and then when he finally faced Blake, he's already wearing a smile. Gone is the face he was making a few seconds ago. As if his face didn't darken in hatred and annoyance, the village chief's face is now bright and has a warm smile.

"I hope you don't mind that. It must be my cats playing around."

Blake didn't say anything but simply nodded and followed the village.

'Cat...' He thought, 'Surely, it's not a magical beast that possesses magic power.' Because as far as Blake can tell, the village chief's house emitted magic energy when the glass broke.

Blake knew it ever since he set foot inside the village. He has to investigate the village itself.

EUFEMA'S POINT OF VIEW

I glanced at Elise and then shake my head. "I told you, didn't I? If you want to practice your healing magic you need someone wounded."

Elise looked at my wounded arm and then with a teary eye, she looked up at me. "Hic... B-But you didn't have to cut your arm and put some poison on it!" She exclaimed while crying.

All right, I might have gone overboard with helping her in training. I sometimes forget that this girl isn't as fearless as Lady Jozine. If anything, she's the complete opposite of her.

I sighed. "I'm sorry. But, I know that you can heal me, Elise, that's why I'm not worried. Besides, the poison is not as strong as you thought it is. Not all poisons are deadly."

She's still sniffling but when she finally calmed down, she started to heal my arm. My arm glowed green and white before maroon-colored liquid rose from my injured arm and then it slowly dissipates. My arm felt warm, very warm and from the upper part, it started to close.

"Phew...!" Elise heaved a sigh of relief.

"Good job! Told you, didn't I? You're a strong healer."

Elise smiled at me and nodded to herself. I continued giving her advice and cheer her up when Lady Jozine and Blake descended from the stairs, the two of them are wearing protective gear since we will be starting the mission.

Hunter Odalf and Hunter Ice came out of the kitchen all geared up too. Their equipment and gear are better than the other hunter I saw in the Hunters Association once. I don't mean to insult but the equipment and gears they were wearing can't be considered used for protection at all! The servants of Faceless have far better clothing, weapons, and equipment. Well, it's also because Lady Jozine is a capable lady who's able to perform the unexpected.

"Two of the mercenaries in the village will accompany us to the site but they can't stay for too long since they need to guard the village." Hunter Odalf informed while we are walking to the location of the supposed lake that ate the villagers.

Now that we are on our way to that lake, I think I can understand why that lake is a man-eating lake and is the supposed reason behind the villagers' disappearance. The road is creepy and eerie!

Hunter Odalf and Lady Jozine are on the front as vanguard while Hunter Ice and I are on the rear, Elise, as our only healer is in the middle while Blake is out to scout. He's scouting the area for any monsters and possible dangers.

Hunter Ice sure lives up to his name, we slightly bumped into each other a while back. l and he is literally cold. Both of us possess ice magic but even so I can feel that he's ten times stronger than I am.

As an ice elf, although disguised as a human right now, I can tell that the coldness of his body is not normal for a human, he's even colder than the elders back in the mountain.

Blake appeared in front of us all of a sudden. "Master, there's a pack of wolf-bears ahead, 12 of them."

Wolf-bears. I think they are the monsters that we expected since this little forest is their habitat. I might be able to use the new ice spell I learned! Ah, I'm so excited!

"Wolf-bears? No matter how much I imagine how they look, I just can't." Lady Jozine complained while rubbing her temple. Lady Jozine, of course, she's an odd one. She sometimes acts as if it's her first time hearing and encountering things. She's strong, yes, but, her common sense is a little off.

"We'll attack the wolf bears, Ice and Eufema will keep our back safe." Hunter Odalf ordered. He's a pretty reliable leader I must.

"Okay. I'll keep Elise safe."

"All right."

"And oh, don't forget the fur! Don't damage the bear-wolf too much! I want the fur!" Lady Jozine reminded.

Seriously. Her love for money and profits is concerning, and to think she was so anxious about this mission because she can't swim.

Speaking of which, I should keep her safe since I practically forced her to join. I feel a tinge of guilt but she was still funny regardless.

ZAIRE LEVI'S POINT OF VIEW

... and done.

I watch Blake collect the body of the wolf-bear that they just defeated. We decided to divide all the spoils of this quest once we're done and mind you, it is really a wolf-bear monster. It has a face of a bear with a body of a wolf. To say it was weird would be a little understatement, I was shook. I wasn't as surprised when I saw those monsters often mentioned in books like ogres, giant snakes, just like anaconda movies, you know what I mean? I am more surprised seeing the mixture of animals that I know back on earth. I mean, I have never seen a wolf with a bear head before. Just when I thought I finally got used to life here, man, I was wrong!

We walk a bit further but this time, the mercenaries are not with us anymore, they only instructed us which direction to go. It seems that the village chief found out that the supposed cursed lake reacts to the villagers, it includes the mercenaries that were there for a long time. It's like they were marked by the lake as its prey and since we're new faces, the village chief believes that we won't be attacked indiscriminately. Yeah, reassuring, if only it's a monster on and I won't be this scared.

Yes! I am scared! The heck, it's under the water and I don't even know how to swim, I asked for help through magic but f**k, I'm still scared. I'm a hopeless case, I know.

Finally, ...

DU~DUUUN~

The lake is wide and from where I stand, the water is dark. It's creepy! It's so dark that's why we can't identify how deep it really is, we also can't trust the information given to us by the village chief since the possibility of an underwater monster exists. With how dark and creepy the lake is, I knew I had to turn my back and buh-bye this mission but...

"As planned, Ice, Blake, Elise and I will check underwater while Lady Jozine and Eufema will stay on land. If, after two hours we're still not back, the two of you are expected to follow."

Kyak! That's the scariest thing I've ever heard in my entire life! I'm scared and they know but... I just can't turn away even though I badly want to. These people traveled with me, eats with me and for that very reason, as we are doing a mission together we must return back to Griselda together.

All of us possess a small holy water orb that protects them underwater from danger and also lets me know if they're safe with their location underwater once it's triggered. It also serves as a protective diving suit since the water ball is too consuming to cast in this lake with unknown dangers. Odalf asked me where I got such a valuable orb but I brushed his question off by diverting the topic elsewhere. I don't want to stand out as Jozine who has countless treasures but our safety is at risk in this mission and I can't worry about myself only. Hays...

"Always be alert, especially you Elise. Don't wander away from Ice." Ice will serve us Elise's guard underwater while Blake and Odalf are the vanguards. As much as I want Blake to use his shadow magic, since it's forbidden I can't risk it. But, I gave my order that if, if he's in a situation where his life, their life is in grave danger and his shadow magic is the only way to save them he can do so. I will take responsibility.

I watch them jump to the lake with a splashing sound, anxiously fidgeting my fingers. Dang. I hope we won't need to follow them because if we do, it only means that they're in danger.

~

I turned around to return to the place where Eufema and I are supposed to meet when we decided to patrol the area around the lake. It's been approximately thirty minutes since they checked the lake underwater, so far there isn't any sign of danger from the lake or the orb which I'm very thankful.

As I continued to walk, I stilled. I stopped walking and heaved a deep sigh. I look down but the soil is still the same, the grass and trees did not change. Nothing has changed, this is still the same path that I took. It is, then what is this unknown sensation? Why are my goosebumps rising and my senses heightened on their own?

A warning.

Just like before, I can't connect to Aya and Kierra, I noticed it when I tried to reach for her last night but it's all to no avail. I don't know what's wrong but I'm sure as heck that this is not good. Eufema is also not here, I just hope that she's safe.

SWOOOSH

I tilted my head to the side just as an arrow flew from behind me and almost grazed my cheek. s**t! I jumped away from my former location and casted a barrier around me made of light magic. 

[Earth Perception]

This is an earth magic-based basic spell that lets me identify the location of people, monsters, or animals within 500 meters radius from me as long as they're not using concealing magic or flying. If they're on land I can detect them.

None. There is no one around me. I detected nothing, not even a small animal. So where the heck did that arrow came from? 

Flight spell? Concealing magic?

This is getting troublesome.

I heaved a deep sigh before I gather the magic energy around me, slowly, these magic particles traveled from my nose as I breathed to my muscles, to the tip of my finger, and unto the last strand of my hair and finally reached my magic base.

I have to gather trice the amount of magic energy that I need externally and send it to my magic base than to casually cast spells using my own magic power since these will be multiple spells. This will no doubt exhaust me if I rely on my magic power alone.

[Hurrican's Breathe] [Clarity Blast] [Hymn of God of Light]

Hurrican's Breathe is a Divine level spell. The wind gathered around me forming a swirling violent ball, to protect myself from the violent wind I casted a small barrier to protect my eyes. Once the first spell activated, the gathered wind exploded around me at the same [Clarity Blast] followed. I assimilated the two spells so the moment the wind spell is released, the spell of concealment will be dispelled and disrupts the flight spell if ever.

The violent ball of gigantic wind released and flew in different directions around me in a knife-like shape with another spell inside, it's the [Clarity Blast] spell. 

Because I am protected of the light barrier I casted in case of a sneak attack, I am able to witness how the [Hurrican's Breathe] literally pierced and cut off the proud trees and small grasses from all direction,s and finally, behind me an explosion occurred.

Bingo.

It's the reaction of the [Clarity Blast], meaning, the concealment is dispelled. I watched as the tree disappeared as if it's burned, the path made of lively green colors turned to that of a cave. A cave, so dark and eerie that reeks of danger, and in that cave's entrance is a man, no, he's no longer a man. He is holding his arrow and is pointing at me, his red eyes flaring. The skeleton took a step forward when a rattling sound from inside the cave echoed. The skeleton, without looking back at me hurriedly entered the cave, a few moments later, it returned, only this time, it's carrying someone. 

The skeleton placed that someone and helped her... no, him, stand. When the new man finally raised his head, my eyes widen.

… what the hell...?

"... you are... village chief?!"

To be continued