“Master, there is indeed a village up ahead.”

Since Evelyn was capable of scouting ahead without attracting anyone’s attention, Arthur instructed her to make sure the road they were traversing do lead to a village and not an abandoned settlement.

The maid barely took a couple of minutes before returning, though she wasn’t sure why the scouting was necessary. After all, the village was much safer than outside, where monsters and beasts lurk.

“Mort! Wake up!”

The master slapped the zombie’s bald head, snapping him out of his long daze.

“Maaster?”

“It’s time for you to have some fun.”

“Yees! Fun!”

The zombie nodded and happily agreed. Much to his confusion, he was handed some food but, as an undead, he does not necessarily have to eat to sustain himself.

“Find the closest swamp and locate a monster. Bait it to the village… you can do that, right?”

“Yeees!”

“Good good.”

“Master?”

Evelyn frowned and looked at him, demanding immediate answers.

“I need to make sure of something.”

“Which is? I don’t like being always excluded, Master. As your maid… and friend, I deserve to know.”

“It’s not something ingenious or the like.” Arthur chuckled then explained, “We’ve been walking for two hours now and this is the only inhabited settlement we found. The other two were devoid of humans and had long since been abandoned or attacked. Tell me, my dear Evelyn, does that not strike you as strange?”

She shook her head once and responded, “The Hollow Creek Region is notorious for the scarcity of safe villages and towns. Untimely beast attacks are not that uncommon.”

“Yes, that’s also a plausible possibility. Nevertheless, I want to be sure of everything. This village still stands and I want to know how. I mean, it wasn’t even an hour ago that we passed that small hamlet, no? You mean to tell me it was purely a stroke of luck that the hamlet had fallen and this village did not?”

“You are overthinking it, Master.”

“I’m applying a logical analysis on known facts to reach a realistic assumption. Mort, don’t play around too much and try to not bring a big one, alright? Go on now, swiftly!”

The zombie, excited, wriggled its body in a weird way then darted toward a random direction.

“...”

Evelyn stood there, arms crossed, clearly not convinced by Arthur’s reckless instructions.

“It’s piecing two and two together. A note about a witch hunt and a solitary village, it’s obvious. Then again, I might be wrong… but I usually am not, hahaha…”

“Please do not laugh like that, it makes you look evil.”

“But I am excited and intrigued! I wonder what we will find! Quick quick, let’s head to the village!”

….

“Welcome to the Maga Venari Village!”

The moment Arthur and Evelyn entered the unguarded entrance of the settlement, they were greeted by a cheerful girl with short and strikingly orange curly hair, one which was half-covered by an old beige round hat.

“Hello, you are…?”

“I am Ami! A professional guide! I saw new faces and wanted to help, if possible!”

With one hand under his chin and a soft smile, Arthur scrutinized Ami for a couple of moments.

“I can offer you the Standard package or the Full Package!”

Ami was energetic and happy to finally have customers, so she wasn’t going to give up just yet. Furthermore, the interest in Arthur’s face pushed her to continue talking,

“The first is 50 Blakin coppers and the second is 1 Blakin silver! Would you like a guide? I know all the good places.”

Hearing her voice, brimming with enthusiasm, Arthur chuckled and scanned Venari Village.

“I spot only eleven buildings. I doubt there’s nothing we can’t do alone… however, I will buy the Full Package. Show me what you can do, Ami.”

“Yes! At your service!”

The girl bowed her head and stretched both hands as she waited to be paid. Evelyn stood behind Arthur with a frown on her face: She still found his actions inexplicable, to say the least.

“I am Alexander. This is Despoina. We are travelers and we will be in your care. Here you go! Do lead the way.”

He handed her a shiny silver coin and, with a simple gesture, motioned for her to walk ahead.

Surprisingly, Ami was good at her job despite the small size of the village. She described each building and the local stores as well as how many people actually lived there. Meanwhile, Arthur was content with listening and sometimes asking a question or two.

“This is the main hub of our lovely village! The Tavern of Gods.”

“A grand name for a shabby building, though.”

“I know, right?” Ami covered her mouth and giggled, “It was named ten years ago, by the current Village Chief when he was drunk. The villagers went along with the joke and continued to use that name till this very day.”

“I believe we have covered the entirety of the village. Shall we go inside the tavern?”

Ami joyfully hopped toward the tavern, which was the biggest building in here, though its size was unremarkable compared to the one in Wilsden.

Arthur, who was in a particularly good mood, followed the female guide. As he stepped inside, he was welcomed by the scent of alcohol, roasted chicken and meat, and garlic.

There were only a handful of customers, all heartily laughing and enjoying their time. When the two new faces appeared, they were met with amicable gazes and friendly waves, to which Arthur reciprocated properly but Evelyn opted to behave in the same cold and usual manner.

“Sit sit! I’ll bring you the best dish available!”

Ami took them to one of the empty tables and once they were seated and comfortable, she went to the counter and chatted with the bar man.

Before she even returned, however, Arthur saw three muscular and thick-bearded man head his way.

“Heyo there! New faces, I gather? Welcome to our village!”

The left one talked with a deep but non-hostile voice, which was a welcome sight as Arthur kind of expected the cliché bullying case.

“Indeed we are.”

“We are always happy to welcome new visitors. Our village may be small, but there’s lots of fun to be had! Whether it’s hunting, the annual Lamb Festival, or the late-night drinking parties. I am Greg, a humble hunter.”

“Vanraz, a former soldier and now a hunter.” The middle one, with a bald head and a scar on his cheek smiled and politely introduced himself.

The last person- the one on the right- was shorter than his company but he had two abnormally large swords sheathed on his waist.

“This is Adam… a boring but kind soul, don’t mind him, hahaha”-Greg

“I see… I am Alexander. Pleased to meet you.”

Greg did not force a conversation or linger there for more than necessary, as to not make things awkward. He looked at Evelyn, expecting for her to talk, but she paid him no attention whatsoever, which still did not annoy him.

The three returned to their table after kindly offering Arthur, during his stay in the village, to join once or twice in their regular hunts… if he was interested, that is.

After they were gone, Arthur turned to look at the maid and mockingly said,

“A bunch of warm villagers, would you not agree?”

“...”

“Oh, Ami is back! And with food!”

Their guide put a bunch of well-cooked food on the table and clapped her hands. She was accompanied by a middle-aged plump woman in a dirty apron.

“Greetings! I am Rebecca, the wife of the Tavern’s owner. All of this is on the house, and the ale was paid by dear Ami! I hope it’s to your liking!”

“Much appreciated.”-Arthur

Rebecca retreated to her kitchen and Ami took a seat across Arthur and Evelyn. Although she was salivating, she did not touch the food and kept smiling while sitting straight.

Arthur did not hesitate to stretch his hands and try the food.

“Don’t just sit there, Ami. You can eat with us.”

“Oh? I can?! Thank you!”

With his permission, the girl began gobbling up food like a vacuum. She ate so fast that her cheeks were puffed up and lips oily.

Only Evelyn refrained from eating, saying she wasn’t ‘hungry’. Thus it fell to Arthur and Ami to empty all the dishes and fill their stomachs.

“Ahh! It was really delicious!”

“I know right? If I could, I would eat here everyday.”

Ami licked her fingers and wiped her mouth with her sleeve as she leaned back and made herself comfortable.

“I noticed that all the villagers are very kind. I was honestly not expecting that.” Remarked Arthur as he glanced at the quiet bar man and the rest of the customers.

“It’s because we don’t get many visitors. Our village is deep within the Hollow Creek and people are fearful to come here.”

“I suppose it’s because of the swamps and the monsters in the creek, yes?”

Ami shrugged her shoulders and nodded once, “Yes… but there are beautiful and safe places even here. If one is careful, they won’t fall into danger.”

Ami comically squinted her eyes and looked at Arthur and Evelyn.

“You two look frail and weak but you still reached our village unscathed and healthy. People outside believe the rumors too much, unfortunately.”

“You’re right about that, Ami. For us, we followed the main road and weren’t attacked... not even once, mind you. Perhaps it’s the hibernation period of the beasts and monsters, who knows?”

“Mister Alexander!” Shouted Ami out of the sudden as she jumped to her feet.

“I hope my tour was to your satisfaction. If you require my assistance, you need only call! I need to leave to attend to other affairs. If you’re going to stay, the Velvet Inn next door has available and cozy rooms at low prices! Have a good day.”

She bowed one final time then darted out of the Tavern of the Gods.

“Got anything to comment about, Evelyn? I would like to hear your opinion.”

“I’m still not too sure, Master. However, I find it odd and unsettling that they are so friendly to strangers.”

“That much is easily noticeable, but it could be genuine.”

“Or it could be a trap. I’ve heard tales of secluded settlements that house cannibalistic and twisted individuals. Sometimes even cults.”-Evelyn

“You’re letting your mind wander off.”

“What do you think, Master?”

Arthur pulled his gaze from her face and looked at the chatting hunters and farmers and the warm atmosphere of the small yet clean tavern.

“My thoughts are still not filtered, I confess. I’m curious about the name as I do not recognize the language used, though that may be due to my lacking knowledge. Apart from that, I share your thoughts. Their hospitality irks me just a little bit.”

Just as he finished talking, there were shouts coming from outside. All the men in the tavern rushed out with arms in hand.

Interested to see how things will unfold, Arthur and Evelyn followed them and saw a rather unique spectacle: At the entrance of the village, there was a Hollow Alligator thrashing around and crawling on the dirt.

Before it could travel far, it was quickly surrounded by the villagers.

“Notice how they are not afraid?”

“Yes. Their movements too… some are experienced fighters, it would seem.”

“Which means they are used to one of two things; Frequent beast attacks or joint cooperation to eliminate a common foe.”

“Aren’t these the same thing?”

“Definitely not, my dear Evelyn. A hunter or an ex-soldier might not be frightened by that alligator, but a common villager? I bet he or she would.”

A middle-aged woman bravely rushed at the alligator and stabbed the pitchfork right inside its mouth, causing a fountain of blood to gush out.

“Yet… no one seems afraid. Surprised would be the right word, no?”

He chuckled and stared at the villagers, who grouped around the alligator’s corpse and talked with low voices. They looked genuinely startled by its appearance.

“Hello hello!”

An elderly man with a well-shaped healthy body and impressively loud and clarion voice approached the master and maid from the other side. He had a wide and warm smile on slightly wrinkled face, “You must be the new arrivals! I am Dominus, the Chief of this humble village.”

“Greetings.”-Arthur

“Please excuse the gruesome display. It’s not everyday that a beast attacks our home but it still happens. I hope this did not deter you from staying.”

“Not at all. It was a refreshing sight of camaraderie and cooperation.”

“Hahahaha, is that so? We do try to train ourselves to be able to fend off any danger.”

“I am impressed, Chief Dominus. You are doing a great job at keeping this village safe and hospitable. I believe our stay here will be peaceful and entertaining.”

Dominus heartily laughed and after exchanging a few pleasantries with Arthur, excused himself and entered the tavern.

As for Evelyn and Arthur, they headed to the Velvet Inn, as per Ami’s advice, and rented a spacious room for their needs.

Arthur tested the bed then laid down whereas Evelyn was inspecting every inch of the place as if trying to find something suspicious.

“You’ll find a rat before spotting aught of interest.”

“It’s better to try than laze around… like you, Master.”

“Ever with the swift retorts, I see. Days of traveling did not make you lose your touch. Anywho, do you still think the bottle and piece of paper were nothing? Just random things found coincidentally?”

“I don’t know. They could be unrelated to this village. Nevertheless, there is something strange transpiring here.”

“Wow! My friend is so sharp-minded!”

Evelyn finally ceased looking around and sat on her own bed. She sighed and looked at Arthur,

“What is the plan, Master? Are we to feign ignorance or…”

“It’s way too early to formulate a cohesive and fail-proof plan. There are pieces left unexposed, places still hidden, secrets yet untold. We will take this one step at a time: two travelers, kind and helpful, trying to make a living.”