''You guys were amazing back there. I didn't get to see much, but to hold them back by yourself like that is truly an incredible feat.''
''Right...''
I turned towards Fiorella, who tightly clung to me shaking in fear.
Shit, this is awkward.
After being saved by this unknown person, I convinced Fiorella to follow him. This isn't just a matter of my own naivety, I'm not so stupid, but rather a feeling of curiosity and wariness. And the reason for that is the weapon this man is holding.
A Winchester 1897, a shotgun developed by America in 1897, as the name would have you believe. That gives me a rough estimate of the era we're currently in. And it also posed another problem: We're not alone, and they have shotguns, while we don't.
I don't doubt the capacity of mithril armor of deflecting bullets, but still.
And the other problem was only a problem for me: This man spoke English, and we spoke Latvarian. And so I was the only one who could understand him, so I had to convince Fiorella to trust me in this matter and that I'll explain everything later.
''Still, it's the first time we've had otherworldly visitors back to back in such a short period of time, and it's the first time one of them has spoken our language.''
I raised my eyebrows at his words. So that's why he hasn't asked why we were wearing armor. It also means that there were people before us who entered this place but never came out.
''Well, it's surprising to me that a language from our world is also a commonly spoken tongue here, too. So, this isn't a rare sight to see people from other worlds?''
I lied so smoothly that even I felt a little disgusted at myself.
''I wouldn't say that, but it happens enough to not weird us out too much. Ah, right, I haven't introduced myself; I'm Arthur, nice to meet you.''
The man turned to face me and extended his hand, to which I introduced myself as well and shook it. Fiorella seemed anything but thrilled, refusing to even get close to him.
''W-W-What's that weapon you're using...?''
Instead, she asked him that question and pointed at the shotgun.
I could see that the man's expression shifted to confusion even through the bandages on his face.
''She's asking you what's that weapon that you're using.''
''Ah, this? Don't worry too much, it's a simple gun, I guess you could think of it like a very advanced crossbow. It works against gargoyles and other small enemies, but beyond that, it doesn't have a lot of uses besides making a lot of noise.''
He lifted the weapon in his hands and examined it with care, his eyes and voice showing just a tinge of pity and sadness in them. I turned to Fiorella and explained what he said.
Fiorella didn't seem convinced by the man's words, especially since she just saw the gargoyle's head explode in less than a second. But she still shook his hand and introduced herself by saying her name, though she made sure to keep a safe distance.
We continued walking through the dark alleys. I wasn't so sure where he was leading us, but I assumed that even if it was dangerous we could make it out safely.
Eventually, we reached another large street, where a massive church stood in front of us. It wasn't as massive as the buildings back in Belica, but it stretched high enough for me to have to bend my neck to fully see it.
The stained glass of the tall windows reflected the moonlight beautifully, and it made me feel a slight sense of unease. At the top of the church, there was a stained window with a detailed and complex carving of a woman praying.
We approached the large wooden doors. The bandaged man, Arthur, pushed the heavy doors open with all of his body, his hands apparently too weak to do so.
''Come in, it's safe here..''
We stepped into the church's insides, which betrayed the elegance outside.
The air inside was thick and stagnant, creating a heavy warm air that made the large space feel cramped. The typical rows of seats that were a trademark in churches were instead replaced by a few empty tables, and pots scattered about were stained with rotten food, the stench of decay thick in the air.
''Sorry for the unsightly look, but the situation hasn't been very good lately, and some people have lost their minds a bit.''
I frowned again at what he said. Although he spoke in plural, I didn't really see any other people here, other than the loud sound of flies there wasn't any other sign that there were people.
I tried to take another step in but was stopped by Fiorella's grip on my arm, refusing to let go.
''What is it?''
I turned to her in confusion, but her eyes were fixed somewhere else. Specifically, something on the roof.
''L-Look, th-they're.... bglh!''
''F-Fiorella?!''
She tried to say something, but suddenly doubled over to the ground, bile and yellow liquids flowing violently out of her mouth.
''They're up there.... on the r-r-r-roof...''
As I tried to console her, I heard her say that. I didn't know what she meant, so I turned towards the roof, high in the sky and completely dark.
It took me a while to notice it, but I eventually did, and I felt like doubling over and vomiting too.
Clinging onto the roof, were men and women, their figures and appearances deformed and completely alien to how a human should look. Wings sprouted from their back, much like the Gargoyle's they were made of twisted sinew and bone, webbed and intertwined with a pulsing slimy glow. They twitched, and I heard the distinct sound of a fly fluttering its wings. And its face, I didn't even wanna talk about it.
Flattened noses and sunken red eyes on their gray face, with their torn skin exposing the flesh and muscle below, that was slowly rotting away and melting. Their bodies were deformed too, arms protruding from places they shouldn't, or having only one leg to support their bodies on the roof.
It wasn't the only revolting sight, though. Some had their heads replaced by that of a wolf with their maw half-rotten, pus dripping down from their exposed jaw, and yet even though they shared the canine face their bodies were lanky to an unnatural degree, the collarbone and ribs threatening to burst out at any second, with scales covering the lower half of their bodies.
Others had human faces and bodies but with twisted and writhed tentacles sprouting out of their mouth, their jaws twitching trying to close the giant maw but unable to.
''W-W-What is...''
I couldn't help but stutter. The twisted forms hovered over us, looking at us not with maddened rage, not with a crazed rage, but with completely sane and sentient eyes, begging us to save them. And that was probably the worst part.
''---Welcome to Dreadhaven.''
I heard Arthur's voice call out, and even though he spoke with the same softness and friendliness as before, I couldn't help but flinch.
''I hope you guys can be saved.''
The man bowed towards us, removing his top hat and revealing the hairless, rotten skin at the crown of his head.