Leah's expression shifted, yet his steps did not falter. He continued walking straight ahead, firmly holding Aleeora's hand.
The candle flames that had been accompanying their path flickered out one by one as Leah passed them, as if erasing their trail entirely.
"Uncle, where are we going?" Aleeora asked, trying to steady her breathing. The air here felt somewhat suffocating for her.
"I'm actually going to visit a friend at the end of this corridor," Leah glanced at her, a gentle smile on his face. "He said he wanted to see you."
"Really?"
Leah nodded immediately, making Aleeora believe him without question.
Meanwhile, Merry was still praying before the statue of the god.
The statue, carved from ancient sturdy wood, depicted a perfectly sculpted human figure with two wings on its back, and a flowing cloth that appeared almost real as it draped around the god's body.
Children's laughter echoed from outside the church, cheerful and bright. Merry smiled faintly. It felt as though the prayers she offered every day were always answered.
As long as laughter still existed in this fleeting world, that was more than enough. She opened her eyes and walked out to greet the children.
"Mrs. Merry!" They all ran toward her at once, hugging the old woman tightly.
"Mrs. Merry, come play with us!" they begged. Merry simply smiled and gently stroked the cheek of a red-haired boy.
"Maybe another time, Cesar."
The children immediately let out disappointed sighs. They clearly wanted to play with her badly.
"Oh right, have you seen Leah? He should've returned after taking our guest to the resting room."
"We haven't seen him since Uncle Leah left earlier," a girl holding a doll replied.
"Is that so?" Merry sighed. "Why does he always disappear whenever guests arrive? That foolish child…"
"Come play with us!" they insisted again, this time tugging at her more forcefully.
"I'm sorry, children, I need to find that troublemaker first."
The moment Merry tried to take a step, small hands grabbed at her—not only her clothes, but her arms and legs as well.
"Children, I told you—" her words stopped abruptly. Her eyes widened in shock.
The children… looked different.
They were no longer the adorable children she knew.
Their eyes—something was wrong with their eyes. Their heads moved in unnatural, jerky motions as they continued reaching for her.
"Children…" her voice trembled, unable to form words.
Their faces darkened, their eyes and mouths empty, hollow and void.
"Come play…" they whispered in unison, repeating the phrase with a slow yet forceful tone.
"Children, what happened to you?" Merry looked toward the church, glancing around desperately, searching for Leah.
But her head was forcibly turned back toward the children.
"Come play! Come play!"
Cold sweat ran down her wrinkled cheeks. Fear shone in her gentle eyes as the children smiled.
not their usual innocent smiles. This smile felt… wrong.
"Please, don't…"
Suddenly, a loud sound from the church drew their attention. The atmosphere changed instantly.
It was Harres. His steps were unsteady, each one nearly making him fall.
His hand lifted, and in the blink of an eye, Harres vanished, reappearing in the middle of the children, his hand wrapped tightly around one of their necks.
"Sir, I beg you," Merry dropped to the ground, clinging to Harres' leg. "Please don't hurt the children."
"They are not human, ma'am." His voice was deep, staring sharply at the child.
Merry's eyes widened. She tried to reject his words, but when she turned back to the children…
Harres' statement felt painfully real. The aura around them was unnatural. They looked like completely different beings.
Just as Harres was about to snap the child's neck, Merry cried out, stopping him instantly.
"I don't care whether they're human or not, I don't want them to die! Please, sir… I beg you!"
Harres exhaled heavily. The woman's determination was overwhelming—nothing could stop her now, not even him.
"They could endanger the villagers," Harres turned slowly to Merry, "if something happens, will you take responsibility?"
Merry's hand slowly loosened its grip on Harres' leg, and was about to let go. However, he hugged her leg again tightly.
"If something bad happens because of these children's actions, I... I will take full responsibility for my life."
Merry quickly put her head to the ground, prostrating herself asking for forgiveness, her face lifted again, revealing her bleeding forehead.
"I beg you...." Merry's voice was soft, sounding so weak amidst her sobs.
Harres sighed again heavily, with a swift movement the children could not even perceive, Harres struck the back of their necks, rendering them unconscious.
Merry rushed forward in panic, hugging the children tightly while checking their pulses.
"Don't worry. I merely knocked them out—they're still alive."
Relief washed over her. She wouldn't have been able to bear seeing them die before her eyes.
"Thank you, sir. Thank you for your mercy."
"Where is that man?" Harres asked, looking around, but Leah was nowhere to be found.
"The kids said he was going out," Merry paused, realizing something. "Where is your daughter?"
"She's with him." Harres' fists clenched tightly. He turned and headed into the church. Although it was faint, he still felt Aleeora's magical energy around here.
"Sir! Where are you going?" Merry shouted, but Harres neither answered nor looked back. His instincts screamed that something was terribly wrong.
Deep in the basement, at the end of a dim corridor, stood a cloaked figure.
Leah.
His expression was blank, dust swirling as he blew it off the ancient book in his hands. His eyes shifted toward the girl ahead. Aleeora looked weak, unconscious.
'This is all for them.'
'For their sake.'
His mind echoed with voices—voices only he could hear. He shook his head violently, trying to drive them out.
He flipped through the pages, wetting his thumb slightly with his tongue to make it easier.
"Arberion…" he muttered, his voice heavy. The filthy stone wall suddenly emitted a bright purple glow, forming a magic circle.
A low roar echoed from within the dark circle.
A black hand with sharp claws emerged, clawing its way out.
The creature revealed itself—wolf-like in form, but twice the size of an ordinary wolf.
Drool dripped from its jaws, its fangs razor-sharp. Slowly, its clawed hand reached toward Aleeora's body.
The creature froze, staring past Leah into the darkness. Leah remained unaware, focused entirely on the cryptic characters in the book.
But then he felt it—something terrifying approaching. Suddenly, a silver blade flashed past him.
It struck the creature, making it howl in pain. It released the sword and retreated into the circle.
Leah spun around, seeing a tall man with a terrifying gaze.
Harres.
He approached with heavy steps, his expression far from friendly.
Leah trembled, overwhelmed by fear. His legs refused to move.
Sweat trickled down his pale skin as Harres walked past him without even glancing his way.
With a firm grip, Harres removed the chains restraining Aleeora—around her arms, neck, and stomach.
"Everything's fine now," he whispered. Then he turned his gaze to Leah. Harres was at the peak of his fury.