Capítulo 18: A cult named Naix
The woman led us through a path concealed within the dense kelp forest, the air growing heavy with the scent of hot water and damp earth.
It was a small village, its huts constructed from driftwood, shells.
I can smell the muddy water and a lot of humidity in the atmosphere.
"Welcome to Tranquil Cove," the woman said, her voice soft and welcoming. "Our home."
"It is a newly formed village, by refugees who took shelter and gathered here together" The woman replied
"It's like a group of people forming a town by settling here with normal huts "
Tranquil Cove, is a village situated between Driftwood Village and the coastal haven. The place is built with wooden materials and lots of handicrafts. Infrastructure is low even by medieval standards.
The cove is filled with Young people working on farms and older people making handicrafts, their faces filled with hope and satisfaction.
Children are playing among themselves near the ponds, laughing through the cove.
The cove is situated with its huts around the water area and is surrounded by dense forest. The cove is hard to track down and locate, making it invisible in the map.
I need to update my map, but I don't want to inform the mage association about this village. This village has weak protection.
And I remembered the reason we came inside the village is to talk. And I have left the prisoners with Seraphina and the maid, they are strong enough to hold and interrogate them.
"You said the Naix tried to take your daughter?" I asked the older woman, pointing out the obvious. "How did they even find this hidden place?"
If it is hidden as she says, people would normally find the cove easily. They might have some kind of spy here.
The woman hesitated for a while, and soon a warm expression filled her eyes as she gazed into my eyes, she did a bow and introduced herself as Elara.
And her daughter as Marina. She recounted how, a few months ago, a villager had stumbled upon a stranger lurking near the kelp forest. The stranger wore the dark robes of the Naix and has the telltale crescent moon symbol on their chest.
The villagers had questioned the stranger, who claimed to be a lost traveler seeking refuge. At first, the villagers didn't pay much attention to it, since they thought it was some kind of fashion and welcomed him.
Days later, the Naix returned, this time with dozens of armed men. They raided the village, pillaging their homes and terrorizing the villagers.
They have tried to kidnap their children and went for them.
"How do you know these are naix members and not bandits? " I asked her. Normally
"Well, most bandits we encountered would... take advantage with the women," Elara explained, her voice laced with disgust.
"But these men... they showed no interest in that. They killed anyone who resisted, and they seemed to specifically target the children. It was chilling to even think what they would do to them."
"Mama" Marina tried to console her mother with weak and tiny hands.
. "Brainwashing," I muttered.
Elara nodded grimly. "We believe so. They spoke of taking the children to their 'Mother,' to be 'cleansed and reborn.' It was... horrifying."
These people seemed to have their code, despite sounding creepy and maniacs. They seem to be controlled by 'the mother'
Of course my deductions are based on how Elara understands about naix. I never met them directly.
Speaking of which Seraphina is currently interrogating along with mother's maid. Seraphina is a great interrogator.
Her eyes welled up with tears as she recalled the horror "We were outnumbered and outmatched. We thought it was the end for us... But then..."
"Just when all hope seemed lost, a young woman appeared. IThe face is printed in my mind, her eyes... they shone with a fierce light, a determination I had never seen in anyone before."
Determination, I have heard that word last from a Shounen manga.
She wielded a sword, its tip glowing with an ethereal blue light. Her movements were graceful yet deadly.
Holy magic! shit!
"She revealed herself to be Lyra," Elara said, her voice filled with gratefulness.
Thank god she is alive! This was good news, wasn't it? But why do I have a somewhat complicated feeling inside me?
"She stayed with us for a few days, healing our wounds, protecting us, and teaching us how to defend ourselves. She was with us in our darkest hour."
Elara paused, her gaze drifting. "Then, just as suddenly as she had arrived, she was gone. But her spirit remains with us, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope."
"Elara," I said, lifting from my chair with a firm voice, "this village is in danger. Your daughter's life is at risk."
"I know," she whispered, "but what can we do? We're just simple folk, no match for those monsters."
"I am Ethan Blackwood, heir to House Blackwood. I can do something about them."
Elara's eyes widened in alarm. "Blackwood?" she gasped. "But... they say your family is ruthless, power-hungry..."
Oh Shit! I should have known my family will let me down.
"Those are just rumors spread by our enemies," I said, my voice calm and reassuring. "I am not like them. I am here to help."
That was a creative response.
"But you're just a boy," she protested, her voice trembling. "How can you possibly protect us?"
Shouldn't you use that logic earlier and said since I am boy how can I be power hungry.
"I am more than just a boy," I replied, my voice hardening. "I am a mage, a conjurer with a master of water magic. And I have resources and allies that you can't even imagine."
The first three parts is true, last parts are partially true but I have to find more anime and have more resources in the future.
Elara remained unconvinced. "I... I can't trust you. I can't risk losing my daughter too."
Woman! Who is the person that saved your ass earlier! Shit I am almost lost my composure.
A surge of frustration welled up inside me. "Your daughter is already at risk!" I retorted.
"The Naix won't stop until they get what they want. You're not protecting her by hiding here. You're just making her an easier target."
My words hit their mark. Elara's face crumpled, and tears streamed down her cheeks. "I know," she sobbed. "But I'm so afraid. I don't know what to do."
I moved to closer to her and held her arm "I understand your fear, Elara. But trust me, It will be good for Marina's future. We can take her to Hightide Haven, where she'll be safe. She can learn and grow in the care of the Blackwood mages, and you can visit her whenever you wish."
Elara looked up at me, with an innocent voice. "You promise?"
How can she turn from being skeptical to the most innocent expression in her face?
"I promise," I said, holding her gaze.
"Mama " Marina tugged at her mother's blouse in fear.
I came forward and showed her magic and she quickly became interested.
"Don't worry, Marina," I said gently. "We're going on an adventure. You'll see amazing things, meet new people, and learn so much."
She nodded shyly, her fingers reaching out to touch the water sprite.
REFLEXIONES DE LOS CREADORES 
DaoistXslFRK
DaoistXslFRK Please comment and share how you find the mc
Too soft or cruel?
Villianous or herioc.
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