章 57: Chapter 57: The Silent Springs
The village was not big, constructed along a river flowing down from the mountain. The structures were basic, primarily made of wood, and the moment Light and his squad set foot into the village, it felt as if they had gone back in time. There was no sign of the Magic Technology that had developed over the past century. No streetlights, no electrical wires, and even the mobile reception here was close to zero.
The village felt ancient, untouched by time. Yet, the craftsmanship was impeccable. Even though the village was old, the wooden logs were skillfully constructed to withstand the wet and icy winds that swept down from the mountain. Each structure, whether it was a large compound with a front yard or a small single-room dwelling, had a certain warmth once the furnace inside was lit. It was as though the village had learned the art of survival in the harshest conditions.
At the entrance stood a wooden barrier made of Ash Wood—a natural deterrent against the undead. The creatures that lurked in the surrounding wilds were said to despise it, keeping their distance from the village. It was an unusual sight in a world where magic was often the first line of defense, but it was clear that this village had ancient methods of its own. Light couldn't help but feel that he had stepped into a place that had resisted the world's relentless march toward modernity.
The village was extraordinarily quiet at night. Not a single lamp was lit, and the only source of light came from the dull yellow moon that hung high in the sky, casting long, eerie shadows over the empty streets. The stillness was unsettling, especially for someone like Light, who had spent his life surrounded by the hum of modern magic cities.
"Who are you?" said an aged voice from the guard tower at the entrance of the village.
Light looked up to see an old man, bent with age but sharp-eyed, staring down at him from the shadows of the tower. His voice carried the weight of someone who had lived a lifetime of vigilance, guarding something precious.
"My name is Light," he replied, his voice steady. "I'm here to retrieve some useful information about something special."
The old man's eyes narrowed for a moment, scrutinizing him. After what felt like a long pause, he nodded. "Alright, come in. The journey here looked tough, judging by your looks. Clean yourself up at the river…oh, and try not to go upstream. We still want to drink the water," said the old man with a gruff chuckle.
Light thanked him and followed the old man as they walked further into the village. It was a small settlement, possibly smaller than the villas owned by wealthy individuals in the cities. The old man led Light along narrow paths between the wooden structures, none of which were large enough to house more than a few people at a time. The village was silent, and Light had yet to see anyone apart from the old man. The entire place felt as if it was holding its breath, waiting for something.
"There's no empty hut for you," the old man finally said when they reached the back of the village. "You'll have to stay in the shed for the night."
Light didn't mind. He had slept in far worse conditions on his travels. He simply nodded, grateful for any shelter at all.
As he settled into the small shed, Little Loach Pendant, which hung around his neck, began to vibrate softly. It had been doing so since they arrived in the village, a steady pulse that seemed to resonate with something nearby. Light had already roamed around the village earlier, following the sensation, until he had found the source—a well hidden behind one of the larger wooden structures.
It wasn't just any well. As Light approached it, he could smell something faint but familiar. He leaned over the edge, inhaling the scent of the water within. He was certain now—it was an Underground Holy Spring. The very thing he had come here for.
Light's heart raced. He had come to the right place, but there was no way he would let Little Loach absorb the spring water just yet. There was too much at stake, and too many unanswered questions. He needed to speak with the village chief first, to understand why such a powerful source of magic was hidden away in this quiet, isolated place.
The night passed in silence, the village as still as a tomb. But when morning came, the place transformed. The quiet of the previous night was replaced by the sounds of villagers going about their daily routines. Children played in the streets, and the smell of cooking fires filled the air. It was as though Light had awoken in an entirely different world.
The old man who had stood guard the night before seemed no worse for wear. He greeted Light with the same gruff demeanor, though there was a trace of warmth in his eyes now.
"Come on, let's get you some breakfast," the old man said, leading him to a small hut where a simple meal was prepared. After they ate, the old man took Light to the village hall.
The hall was unassuming, with a small front yard and a pond filled with clear water. Inside, seated in the center, was a middle-aged man who looked far older than his years. His forehead was lined with deep wrinkles, and though he smiled warmly, it was clear that the weight of the world rested on his shoulders.
"I'm the chief of this village. You can call me Fang Gu," the man said, introducing himself.
"Our chief is impressive," the old man who had stood guard chimed in, "he's an Intermediate Magician."
Light's gaze shifted between the two men. He had a feeling this village held far more secrets than they were willing to admit.
"Chief," Light began, choosing his words carefully, "it looks like the undead have been peaceful during this winter season. Your village seems to be completely safe, despite being deep in the Land of the Undead. I've even heard rumors that your villagers can travel safely in the wild at night. Surely, you must have some kind of secret passed down through the generations?"
Fang Gu's smile tightened, and the old man standing beside him instantly shook his head.
"No," the old man said firmly. "That's a secret of our village. We can't tell outsiders."
Light's expression didn't change, but his mind was already racing. There was something here, something they weren't telling him.
"What about the spring water?" Light asked, deciding to change tactics. "My city has a similar spring, and it was said to be over 2,000 years old, protected by our ancestors. The spring water was entrusted to us by an Ancient King."
Chief Fang Gu's eyes narrowed, his calm demeanor faltering for the first time.
"I assure you," Fang Gu said, his voice steady but cold, "our spring is nothing more than a source of clean water."
Light's gaze was unwavering. "You don't understand. This spring is similar to the Underground Holy Spring in Bo City. If there's even a chance that your spring has similar properties, it's crucial that I learn more about it."
The chief's expression grew troubled, though he maintained his composure. "The spring here is safeguarded for generations. Its history is known only to a few, and it's a matter of great sensitivity."
Light's frustration mounted. "Bo City was destroyed by the Black Vatican, using an enraged Wolf Horde. They released a special spring water into the clouds during a rainstorm, causing the wolves to go berserk and attack the city. It was later discovered that the spring water they used was identical to the Underground Holy Spring."
The old man who had been standing guard shifted nervously. "The chief has already said too much. The spring's secrets are not for outsiders."
"Then I need to know if your spring water was used by the Black Vatican," Light pressed, his tone growing sterner. "Did someone from your village unknowingly give it to them? Or was it stolen?"
Chief Fang Gu's face hardened at the directness of Light's accusations. "You're making serious allegations," he said sharply. "We have always kept our spring water secure and have never allowed it to fall into the hands of outsiders. We certainly did not give it to anyone, nor has it ever been stolen."
Light's frustration was evident. The pieces were too close to ignore. "The connection between this spring and the destruction of Bo City is too significant. If your spring's water was used for such purposes, we need to address it."
The old man guarding the door couldn't hold his anger any longer. "How dare you accuse us of such an atrocity! We've protected this village and our spring for generations. Your accusations are baseless and offensive."
Light's tone remained cold. "I'm not accusing you without reason. The spring water used in Bo City matches the properties of this one. I need to know the full truth, or this suggests you have something to hide."
The chief's expression darkened further. "We had nothing to do with Bo City's destruction. Our spring water has been guarded carefully. I won't stand for these baseless accusations."
"Then explain why there's a trace of your spring water in Bo City," Light pressed, his eyes narrowing. "The Black Vatican used it to annihilate thousands of lives. You're saying there's no connection?"
The old chief looked ready to throw Light out, but his resolve cracked ever so slightly. "You're making enemies with the wrong people, boy. But you're right about one thing. Our village isn't the only one with a spring like this."
Light straightened, the weight of his mission sinking in. "Other villages?"
Fang Gu hesitated before answering, "There are six other villages in this region, each with a similar spring. We've all guarded our secrets for generations."
"Seven villages in total." Light's voice
was measured. "And you all share the same history?"
The chief nodded slowly. "But none of us have ever compromised our spring water."
Light wasn't convinced. Too many secrets were still hidden in the dark, but now he knew his next move. The springs were key, and he would find out who had used them for nefarious purposes.
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