When Black ViSage vanished, silence fell over the village.
Soon after, Walker, Zak, and Liriya entered the village square.
Walker stepped forward and spoke calmly, his voice steady.
Walker said:
"Listen to me. I will explain everything.
The Ghost Dragon became angry at Mr. Robert because he lied to all of us.
Robert claimed that next week the Dragon would demand ten more villagers.
That was a lie.
The Dragon's true demand was already fulfilled.
He no longer wanted to eat anyone.
He no longer wanted human sacrifices.
Because of Robert's lie, the Ghost Dragon punished him.
His punishment was death.
That is why my son Zak was forgiven."
Walker placed his hand on Zak's shoulder.
"Look at him.
My son is alive.
The Ghost Dragon did not eat him."
The villagers whispered among themselves.
Walker continued:
"The Ghost Dragon also declared that from that night onward,
no humans would be sacrificed.
He does not want blood anymore."
One villager stepped forward and asked suspiciously:
Villager:
"How do you know all this?"
Walker replied without hesitation:
"Because my son was the last person who saw the Ghost Dragon.
The Dragon spoke to him directly."
The villagers looked at Zak.
Zak stood quietly, unharmed.
The Ghost Dragon did not return.
No roar.
No shadow.
No presence.
Seeing Walker's confidence—and Zak's survival—the villagers slowly accepted the truth.
Fear turned into belief.
That night, the village was finally silent.
The Questions
1st Why didn't the villagers ask any extra questions?
Because the villagers are not logical thinkers.
These villagers are:
Old-culture
Fear-driven
Deeply religious
Conditioned by years of sacrifice
Used to blind belief, not reasoning
They don't analyze events.
They accept authority + fear + symbols.
So Walker's lie does not need modern logic.
2nd. Why the villagers didn't question the fight?
Because it was late at night."
Deep night
Heavy fog / mist
A Ghost Dragon present
Villagers stayed inside (their belief forbids going out)
Fear overrides curiosity
From their point of view:
They heard screams
They felt presence
They saw shadows
Then everything stopped
That is exactly how myths are born.
3rd. Why did they so easily believe Walker's lie?
Walker didn't say:
"I fought a monster."
He said:
"The Dragon punished the liar."
This fits perfectly with:
Their religion
Their expectations
Their fear
Their past experiences
To them:
Zak surviving = divine sign
Robert dying = divine punishment
Dragon disappearing = ritual complete
No investigation needed.
The Next Day
Morning light slowly touched the village.
The fog had faded, but fear still lingered in the air.
Walker stood before Black ViSage, his head lowered in gratitude.
Walker:
"Thank you… for everything you've done."
(He holds out a small pouch of money.)
"Please accept this. It's not much, but it's all I have."
Black ViSage:
(Does not take it.)
"No."
Walker:
"…Please. You saved my children. You saved our lives."
Black ViSage:
"I didn't help you for money."
(His voice remains calm, emotionless.)
"I helped you because, when I was a child, you cared for me."
"That debt is worth more than gold."
Walker slowly lowers his hand. He bows deeply.
Walker:
"…I understand."
Black ViSage then turns his gaze toward Liriya.
Black ViSage:
"Liriya. I want to speak with you alone."
Walker looks at her with concern.
Walker:
"Is that alright with you?"
Liriya:
(Nods.)
"Yes, Father. I'm fine."
Walker steps away with Zak, leaving the two alone.
Private Conversation
Black ViSage studies Liriya carefully, his presence heavy but not hostile.
Black ViSage:
"So… tell me."
"Are you two hundred years old?"
"Or three hundred?"
Liriya:
(Raises an eyebrow.)
"Hey."
"Don't ask a girl about her age."
Black ViSage:
"You're a mage."
"Common mages live seven hundred to twelve hundred years."
"Royal or high-blood mages are often immortal."
"You know this."
Liriya:
"…Yes. I know."
"But my age isn't two hundred."
"And it isn't three hundred."
"I'm twenty-seven."
Black ViSage pauses.
Black ViSage:
"Hm."
"Are you trying to fool me?"
Liriya:
"That's the truth."
Black ViSage:
"…No."
"Your age is fifty-six."
"Am I right?"
Liriya freezes. Her eyes widen.
Liriya:
"…No—"
Black ViSage:
"Your expression already answered."
"Don't lie now."
She exhales slowly.
Liriya:
"…Huh."
"How did you know?"
Black ViSage:
"That isn't important."
Liriya:
"…I see."
"Yes. I'm fifty-six years old."
"I'm a mage."
Black ViSage:
"And not a common one."
Liriya:
"You're right."
"My real father and mother were royalty."
"I'm a royal-blood mage."
Black ViSage:
"Where is your true homeland?"
Liriya lowers her gaze.
Liriya:
"I'm sorry."
"I don't want to tell you."
Black ViSage:
(Nods once.)
"Good."
Liriya looks up, surprised.
Black ViSage:
"You understand something important."
"Walker and Zak know you're a mage."
Liriya:
"Yes. They do."
Final Warning
They return to where Walker and Zak are waiting.
Black ViSage speaks clearly, his tone firm.
Black ViSage:
"Mr. Walker. Zak."
"I have one suggestion."
"And you must follow it."
Walker listens carefully.
Black ViSage:
"Never tell anyone that Liriya is a mage."
"Not villagers."
"Not adventurers."
"Not priests."
"No one."
Walker nods immediately.
Walker:
"I swear it."
Zak nods as well, serious for once.
Zak:
"I won't tell anyone."
Liriya hesitates, then asks:
Liriya:
"…Mr. Black ViSage."
"Are you a mage too?"
Black ViSage does not answer.
He turns away.
Black ViSage:
"It's time for me to go."
"Goodbye, Mr. Walker."
Black ViSage walks away without looking back.
Epilogue Hint
As he disappears into the distance, his thoughts remain sharp.
"Someone is searching for me…"
His next destination is clear.
Nightglass Covenant.
Nightglass Covenant
Black ViSage steps into the headquarters of Nightglass Covenant.
The air turns heavy.
Several members stop what they are doing.
Their eyes follow him—not with respect, but fear… and suspicion.
Whispers spread.
"Isn't that him?"
"The masked one…"
"He looks like a killer."
Black ViSage halts and turns toward them.
Black ViSage:
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
No one answers.
No one dares to.
He exhales slowly and walks forward, his footsteps echoing through the hall.
Liriya's Decision
Far away, in the quiet countryside, Liriya stands before her family.
Her decision is already made.
Liriya (thinking):
I am a mage.
And if the wrong people learn that…
Father and Zak will suffer.
She remembers Black ViSage—his calm, his experience, his strength.
Liriya (thinking):
Strength isn't just power.
It's experience.
She turns toward Walker and Zak.
Walker:
"Please… don't go."
"My heart won't bear it."
Zak:
"You're my little sister."
"Please don't leave."
Liriya clenches her fists.
Liriya:
"No."
"I have to go."
They freeze.
Liriya:
"I'm a mage."
"And if anyone finds out, you'll be the first ones they hurt."
"So… I'm sorry."
Walker steps forward.
Walker:
"You don't have to carry this alone."
Liriya:
"I do."
"But I promise—"
She looks directly at them.
Liriya:
"I'll come back."
"After one year."
"In New York City."
Zak bites his lip, holding back tears.