The hills were strangely silent.
Even now, under the sunlight, this area seemed to reject the light.
A chilling, biting wind raged through the area.
The jagged, steep mountaintops were covered in a desolate mass of sand, rocks, and mud, even the earth itself taking on a dark hue.
Beneath the soil, various bones could be seen protruding; they had not been completely buried.
The exposed limbs and bones piled here, combined with the earth, formed an eerie landscape.
A pure, white moonlight streamed down, and beneath this shroud, Alka and the others walked through the area.
Circles of silvery light spread from the ground to the surroundings.
"This is simply a mass grave," Sofia couldn't help but exclaim as he continued walking forward.
"Our feet are practically covered with all sorts of dead bones, and not a single one is intact."
Hearing this, Alka, who was following Sofia, looked at the bones that had emerged from the ground below.
Perhaps due to the vast passage of time, the remains of these corpses had long since merged with the earth, becoming part of the hill.
"Not just humans... there are also many demonic corpses here," Sofia continued as they walked.
Hearing this, Alka thought for a moment and said, "This must be where the Cloud Sage made his final stand against the demons. It seems far more civilians were forced here than we imagined.
Those who escaped are probably only a small fraction of those gathered here."
As far as they knew, only about 10,000 or 20,000 civilians managed to escape thanks to the Cloud Sage's resistance.
At the time, they had thought there might only be around 20,000 or 30,000 civilians in total, and that 10,000 or 20,000 who escaped thanks to the Cloud Sage's resistance and assistance was already a significant number. But now it seems the number of residents forced here was likely staggering.
As they walked, they found scattered corpses at intervals, though those scattered bones pale in comparison to the piles of bones piled high in the area.
This meant that those who had fled had ultimately been cornered here.
The two walked and talked.
Around them, a multitude of bizarre, terrifying, and terrifying evil spirits swarmed.
Beyond the pure moonlight.
Their bizarre faces and blood-red eyes stared at the two men in the moonlight. As soon as the moonlight faded, they would swarm over them, attempting to tear them to pieces.
However, Alka and the others acted as if nothing had happened, oblivious to the evil spirits, completely oblivious to them, minding their own business and chatting away.
Among the throng of evil spirits, some seemed to possess a different mindset than their companions. Their appearances also appeared less terrifying. Their blood-red eyes revealed them to be more intelligent, seemingly contemplating.
Watching Alka and the other two slowly depart.
These evil spirits left their surrounding companions and gathered behind a rock.
"How could anyone have gotten this deep inside?"
"I don't know. They have some people on the periphery."
"And they look very strong. The moonlight keeps me from getting close."
"What should we do? What should we do?"
"Don't provoke them. He'll kill us like he did those lunatics."
"Yes, yes. Kekla doesn't want to die."
"Don't worry. I won't kill you."
"Really? That's great. Thank you."
"You're so kind... Why are you here?"
A ghost figure resembling a little girl suddenly screamed. With a single bound, it leaped three meters into the air and remained there.
The other ghosts turned around and saw that Alka, whom they had seen leave before their eyes, was squatting beside them and had just exchanged a few words with them.
"Don't be surprised. Let's talk."
Alka looked at the ghosts, who had suddenly retreated a long way. Crouching nearby, he waved his hands to show he meant no harm.
He then pointed behind the stone: "You look different from your kind. They only want to tear us apart, which isn't good.
If I could communicate with you, I'd certainly prefer it."
As he spoke, Alka blinked, gazing at the intelligent spirits before him with eyes that could see through secrets.
He could tell the difference between these souls and the evil spirits outside through their gaze.
Is this why he noticed the problems of these evil spirits during their casual conversation? "How did you manage to resist the abyss's invasion? Your companions were all invaded by it, transformed into true evil monsters."
Arka stood up, patted himself, and said with a smile, "Don't be so cautious. You were once human, and so was I. Our enemies are demons and the invading abyss, right?
If you don't attack us intentionally, we won't attack you, right?"
As he spoke, a strange evil spirit slithered over from the stone.
The sight of this evil spirit startled the intelligent ghosts, who quickly looked at Arka, signaling him to hide with their eyes.
Arka simply smiled and waved his hand. He stood there, and the evil spirit passed by him without paying any attention.
"See, I'm actually quite powerful, aren't I?" Arka said with a smile.
The ghosts watching this scene weren't fools. Alka could have remained hidden in the distance. His willingness to reveal himself and communicate with them was a gesture of goodwill.
The ghosts exchanged glances. One, seemingly about fifteen or sixteen years old, a relatively normal-looking ghost, aside from a strange tentacle sprouting from one arm, stepped forward.
"Well, you don't look too bad."
Hearing this, Alka smiled and nodded, then observed them.
"It seems you haven't made up your mind yet. You probably have other companions, right?" Alka said.
Without waiting for the ghosts to speak, he clapped his hands gently. "You should know where our camp is. If you're willing to communicate and show goodwill, come find me at camp.
Before that, you can talk to someone truly in charge.
Goodbye."
With that, Alka clapped his hands gently and disappeared, leaving only a faint pink mist behind.
The ghosts stood there, staring at each other.
"What now?"
"Of course, go back and ask the general and the others."
With that, the ghosts vanished.
Sofia continued circling around, scanning the surrounding terrain, watching the sudden smile on Alka's face.
"Did you go over and talk to them?"
Since Alka had already told her about the problem, Sofia knew Alka had sent an illusion to test it.
Alka nodded. "Looks like there'll be some unexpected gains tonight."
The two continued walking, scanning the surrounding terrain.
Soon, they returned to camp as night fell.
Inside the camp, a warm fire had already been lit in a stone hut nestled in the corner of the rock.
Julia smiled and waved at the two returning.
Pororo stood on a rock not far away, observing the surroundings. A security circle formed by the puppet girls was spread out around them.
"How's it going? Any unexpected gains?" Lucilia asked, jumping onto Alka's shoulders.
"Yes, but you'll find out when tonight."
As soon as she finished speaking, a dark curtain covered the bright sky.
Instantly, darkness descended.
The night sky was densely covered with stars, and several unprecedented stars floated in the sky. "Okay, it's already evening," Lucilia said, gazing at the sky.
Hearing this, Alka gave a helpless smile: "Don't worry."
Sofia smiled and walked into the stone hut. She found a spot near the campfire and prepared her tools and canvas.
With her immense strength and the blessing of the Pale Moon, her exploration range was already vast. Today, simply wandering around the center, she was able to map the entire area.
Her efficiency had increased several times compared to before.
Two puppet girls sat by the campfire, grilling the ingredients they had brought on the grill above.
These two puppet girls could be considered Juanlu's apprentices, often serving as his kitchen assistants.
Since Juanlu would be staying in the town of Return, the two puppet girls naturally followed Alka and the others.
A small stone bench stood outside the stone house. Julia sat on it, picked up her harp, and began to play softly.
The phonograph box rested before her, not playing any sound, but recording the music Julia played and recording it for later playback.
The phonograph box didn't amplify the sound, so Julia had to play it at a wider range so that the sound would have the same effect when played back later.
The elegant and tranquil music, like the surface of a calm lake, echoed, like a faint green mist enveloping the group, penetrating their souls.
Amidst this music, they felt as if they were walking on the surface of a tranquil lake, resting quietly.
The music was so tranquil, and in the late night, it was impossible not to sit quietly and close their eyes.
The sound of the music spread outward, amplified by the music.
It spread far and wide.
The evil spirits lingering nearby, hearing the music, couldn't help but pause, remaining silent where they were.
No longer wandering aimlessly, no longer screaming.
Until the sound gradually faded.
"What song is this?"
"Requiem," Julia said, gently setting down her harp and looking at the spirit before her.
This spirit appeared in the middle of her performance, its eyes not blood-red.
It was the spirit of a woman, her face barely blurred, presumably in her thirties.
From her spirit's attire and her posture, it was clear she must have been an elegant and beautiful woman in life.
But she was wearing a form-fitting, lightweight chainmail, its flexible metal frame draping into a skirt that covered her legs.
"It's been a long time since I've heard such peaceful music."
The sound of horse hooves echoed.
A figure wearing heavy armor and a completely obscuring helmet wielded a two-handed sword.
This was a ghost knight, riding a ghostly horse, who appeared before the crowd.
Julia didn't seem particularly surprised by the two figures before them.
Alka walked over and looked at the two.
He could see that both ghosts were at the fifth level of strength.
"You're the powerful stranger Kekla mentioned, right?" the ghost knight asked, looking at Alka.
Alka nodded.
The female ghost in lightly armored armor surveyed the surroundings and said, "Are you here for the Cloud Staff?"
It seemed they knew exactly what the strangers were coming for.
Faced with this question, Alka nodded without hesitation. Clearly, there was nothing to hide.
"Yes, we are treasure hunters, following a clue that brought us here."
"Then let's be frank. We can't let you take the Cloud Staff. It's very important to us, to the spirits who still have their own wills, and even to these evil spirits," the female ghost said without hesitation.
Alka nodded.
In this situation, the Cloud Staff's presence speaks volumes.
Without further comment, he waved his hand, and a stool made of mud and stone appeared from the ground.
"Sit down. If you don't mind, let's talk about what's going on here. I'm very curious."
With this, Alka sat down.
Sofia and the others also sat down. Seeing this, the two ghosts who had come over exchanged glances. After a moment's thought, they each found a seat, while the ghost horse stood quietly behind them.
"Meet me, my name is Alka, leader of the Compass Treasure Hunting Group, and these are my companions."
"Henges, leader of the Assault Knights, Third Legion, Saralan Empire."
"Lunami, Soul Scholar, National Spellcasting Corps, Saralan Empire."
After hearing the two's introductions, Lucelia spoke directly, "I remember these two names. Like the Cloud Sage, they were among the heroes who ultimately resisted the demons and allowed the others to escape."
"And Henges, he should also be a member of the Cursed Sword Family."
The two ghosts weren't surprised by Lucelia's words. Clearly, this wasn't their first time interacting with outsiders.
Perhaps they even knew quite a bit about the outside world.
Alka nodded, looking at the two and saying, "Nice to meet you."
"If you don't mind, could you tell me why the Cloud Staff is so important to you?"
As he spoke, Alka folded his arms, a faint golden light glimmering on his forehead.
This was the first time he had so openly revealed his identity as a Saint.
But it had to be said that such a straightforward revelation was indeed very effective.
Especially in this situation, where neither side trusted each other, and Alka's questions were quite personal.
The two ghosts observed this situation.
Lunami thought for a moment and said, "He's so important because he anchors all the evil spirits here, including us... and even some demonic spirits."
Hearing this, everyone present fell into deep thought. This had clearly reached a critical point.
"What would happen if... it was taken away?" Sofia asked.
Hearing this, Lunami looked at her and said, "You'd better not have such thoughts. If you take it away, the aura of the Abyss will infect us, the ghosts who still retain our individual wills.
And all the evil spirits already imbued with the abyss's aura will spread out, unrestrained and wreaking havoc in the surroundings.
And the demonic souls that are also anchored here will return to the Abyss and come back again."
"Hmm... sounds like all bad news," Pororo said.
"Although it may be presumptuous to ask, I'd like to ask. You must have done something to cause this situation and the state of this place.
Did you perform some kind of necromancy ritual that bound the souls to this area, causing them to be invaded by the abyss and transformed into evil spirits?"
Lucille asked, sitting on Alka's shoulder.
Lunami nodded without hesitation.
"Yes, I did all of this. Our current state and the existence of those evil spirits are all the result of my actions back then."
"No, it wasn't your actions. It was the direction we chose. You simply helped us fulfill our request."
Henges, who had been silent until then, suddenly spoke up.
"If you don't mind, could we talk about what happened back then? This is an unknown part of history, and we're curious," Alka said.