Chapter 1180: Night at the Fishing Village

When it’s dark, we’re still resting in the house prepared for us. But there are people surrounding us. The villagers here. All of them except for the children.

They must be thinking that we’re sleeping. But unfortunately for them, we’re not sleeping.

...Well, other than Daniel. Candy and I are not sleeping.

I can stay awake for weeks if I have to. And Candy is master level mage and a former agent. She knew that this place is suspicious.

"Daniel, wake up," I shook Daniel’s body to wake him up.

"Hmm? What is it, Bro?"

"They are surrounding us," I said.

Daniel instantly ready to fight. Although we’re on land, the beach is not far from here. So Daniel’s water magic can be helpful.

So, seems like this village is our enemy. But why?

I was pretty sure that we didn’t do anything suspicious. Or maybe they just want to force us to join the cult?

"What do you think, Candy?" I asked.

"We can only know if we talk with them. They’re the one preparing for the feast for us before, right? And there are some herbs that will make you sleepy but no dangerous substance like poison. Let’s try to talk with them. Once they get closer, we will leave the house. No need to hold back your strength if we end up using force," Candy said.

If we have to, then we will kill everyone. But maybe we don’t.

They are getting closer and closer. Some of them are preparing to cast their magic at us.

But why all of them? It seems like they are experienced as well. Maybe this is not their first time.

From the look of it, it seems like they are working together trying to defeat someone stronger than them. They have done that before. Maybe to the previous owner of this house.

"They’re close. Let’s go out right away. I’ll go and take the Village Chief as hostage so we can talk," I said.

"Alright. We will move quickly so that the beach is behind us. Then Daniel can fight however he wishes if we have to. Come to us as soon as you take the Village Chief. But since it’s you, it seems like you will reach there before us. Try not to kill anyone yet," Candy said.

I’ll try. I make no promise though.

Then when the villagers get even closer, I kicked the door open. Candy and Daniel quickly run toward the beach while protecting themselves. Then I rushed toward the Village Chief.

I didn’t use my full speed so everyone can see me and will focus their attack on me instead. And they really ignored Daniel and Candy. They safely run toward the beach.

"Die!"

The Village Chief attacked me with his ice magic. But it’s too weak for me so I continued rushing toward him and grabbed him.

"Thank you for readily be our hostage, Village Chief," I said as I run toward the beach while grabbing his neck.

"Kill me! Don’t hesitate and kill me as well!" the Village Chief said as I run to the beach.

But even though he said that, the others hesitated to attack. Seems like the Chief is the most important person in this village.

Now we’re at the beach with the sea behind us. Daniel can use his full power here. Though both Candy and I are still much stronger than him.

"Now, tell me why you surrounded us," I asked the Village Chief with all the villagers watching us.

"Why should I? You should tell us why you’re hiding your identity!" the Village Chief asked back.

"I didn’t. My name was the real one. I’m really a doctor," I said.

"As if! You must be lying!"

Should I bring a centaur here? That will help convince him.

But the situation is weird. Like they are extremely confident that we are their enemies. Even though we don’t know what conflict they have and with whom.

So instead, I should just ask him directly about it. This way, it will be clear. We can easily kill all of them within seconds if we want to.

But I didn’t expect that the Village Chief also has the same thought. He also asked us directly what he thinks. So we spoke at the same time.

""Are you with the Evil Cult? Huh? What?""

Both the Village Chief and I asked the same question. What?

He asked me if I’m with the cult. Obviously that’s not the case. But why is he asking us that? Is the cult their enemy?

""You’re not with the cult?""

We spoke at the same time again. Asking the same question to each other.

At least I know that they are not with the one they called the Evil Cult. But I don’t know if the Evil Cult they’re talking about is the same Evil Cult we’re fighting.

Even so, everyone is confused. Candy, Daniel, and all the villagers watching us are confused.

I’m also confused. So I just let him go. But he didn’t run and just stood there in front of me looking confused.

"Wait, before that, we need some clarification. Is the one you called as the Evil Cult is a cult where the people worship an Evil God? And the people of the cult calling themselves as the True God Cult?" I asked.

"Yes. You’re not them? And they are your enemies?" the old Village Chief asked.

"...Seems like we can be allies if you are hostile toward them," I said.

"Maybe so. But we just met in the weirdest situation ever. But are you really fighting them?" the Village Chief asked.

"We plan to find them and destroy them completely. That’s the truth. Though I want to hear more from you. In fact, we need to have a proper discussion. If the one we call as the Evil Cult is one and the same, then we might be ally. Unless you don’t plan on destroying them and only want to stay here so you can survive," I said.

"Survival is more important. But if we can destroy the cult, there’s no one in this village who wouldn’t help you," the Village Chief said.

Just like that and we both agree to have discussion right away. But we’re not ready. Because I won’t be the one talking. It should be Fabio.

So I contacted Victoria who is with Fabio and told her to relay the information.

And once he’s ready, I opened a portal in front of all the villagers. From there, Fabio, Carmen, Kayla, Angela, and some other people entered.

"These are my friends. That one over there is the King of Arturo," I said.

"No one will believe you if you introduce me so casually like that. Anyway, you’re the Village Chief of this village, huh? I heard what happened from Roy. Let’s discuss it right away if you don’t mind," Fabio said.

"Sure, we don’t mind. But it’s too sudden so we can’t receive you well," the Village Chief said.

"We can just discuss things here under the stars. By the way, we brought a centaur here. Do you know the reason why?" Fabio asked.

"Centaurs have the ability to detect lies and truths. Though it’s the first time I have ever seen one. But it’s too one-sided. That’s your centaur. We will never know if you speak the truth or not since he’s with you," the Village Chief said.

"That might be so. We have instructed all the centaurs to never tell any lie in a situation like this. But in the end, they are still with us. So, is there anything you’d like to suggest?" Fabio asked.

"Can you prove us that you are really the enemy of the cult?" the Village Chief asked.

"Hmm... that seems hard. Even if we throw curses at them, it’s not like you will trust us. What to do?" Fabio started thinking of what to do in this situation. How to tell them that we are really the enemy of the cult.

"How much do you know about the cult?" I asked the Village Chief.

"My late wife was a believer of the cult. Back when she was alive, she would speak all the teachings of the cult to me," the old Village Chief said.

"Everything?" I asked for confirmation.

"Everything."

I see. Then there’s nothing to worry about.

I grabbed my walking cane that I brought here. Then I revealed the hidden sword.

I pour my Aura into the sword and I slash the sea right in front of us. With my power, it was strong enough to split the sea for a while.

"I’m an Aura user. The one that they hate the most," I said.

"...Aura user. I never thought they would be real. My late wife always said that they are the real nemesis of the cult. Seems like it’s true that you are not in a friendly relation with the cult. I apologize for that. I trust you now. Because as long as you’re an Aura user, whatever you do, the cult will hunt you down," the Village Chief said.

Now he can trust that we are the cult’s enemy. I hope the discussion will progress smoothly.