"The palace you are visiting now is called Samu Palace. This is the place that pioneered the villages under the abyss."
Amyas promised to explain Samu Village, but Aqua seemed to have told him first. I don't know why it's called Samu Village and Samu Palace, but I will expand my chest so I can listen to this story until it's finished.
"Once upon a time, the King lived a glorious life in the Samu Palace with the villagers. The King had a very beautiful appearance because he came down from Heaven."
I covered my mouth, couldn't bear to ask but still knew that the story wasn't over yet. "The king has a very noble goal, namely to expand his territory and form new villages under his leadership. This was well received by the people until finally, the king began to reach the northern area, the territory of the Northern Community." Aqua said in a lowered voice. Her eyes darted this way and that nervously. "But the Northerners didn't want to join the Samu Palace, even though the King had made offers to them many times. The King finally sent his troops to colonize the North. At that time, the North was very fertile and rich, that's what made the King do this. "
Aqua spoke again. "The people of the North finally died one by one, and that created a grudge that lingered on the King for years. Finally, the Goddess of the North appeared and took her revenge on the King. The power of the Northern Goddess was able to invite Samu Palace until half a building remained, paralyzing the troops until nothing was left. Even the King was injured. The King's soul disappeared, but several village leaders claimed to be able to communicate with the King. The village leaders said that the King would show his imperfect form later when the time came."
"When?"
"Later when the King succeeds in awakening the Northern Goddess' power."
"Then, how could the King seal it so easily while it took years to resurrect it?"
Aqua sighed. "The King asked for the Sky Realm's help to seal it, and maybe that would be easier. In raising it, the King didn't ask for anyone's help, because he wanted to have that power for himself."
I can deduce that this King is an obscure person with strange ambitions. Looks like the King here is also a bad person. I'll pretend I'm on the side of the King, at least until I can get home safely. But, wait a minute. Mr. The fake Gray said not to go North. Did he mean the North area? Actually, who should be wary of now?
"That's a good story, but I want to eat some more," I said. She took a deep breath. "I'll take you."
We left the room in silence. I was still analyzing and researching the story Aqua was telling. I may be stupid, but this time I don't want to be stupid. I could have died in vain here before I could return to my house.
—Ordinary Visage—
My stomach is full. The food served is amazingly good, it makes me unable to stop. If I'm being honest, the food here is ten times better than the million meals I've eaten before. But Aqua wasn't like that. She kept her diet by tasting a spoonful of cake and then just left. It was the first time I saw someone being so mean to food.
It's already night. She said the revival would start at midnight. I still managed to pocket some snacks even though I was full. Amyas had not been seen since earlier, nor had the rest of his flock. Aqua left after saying goodbye to me, saying she wanted to use the restroom. All I saw was Shiloh sitting on a wooden bench under a tree with her eyes fixed on the yellow lights that hung sparsely. In contrast to the lively and luxurious contents of the hall, outside the courtyard, it was lonely and cold.
"Have you tried the meat?"
Shiloh turned around. He didn't answer. Both hands intertwined. I took over in a spot beside him, looking at him questioningly.
"I wonder why you ignored me in Amyas Village?" I said. Flashbacks of Shiloh's obnoxious nature suddenly flashed. I felt my fists clenched with annoyance. "You don't want to be friends with me anymore?"
Shiloh looked at me blankly. I don't know what he was thinking, because he was silent like a mute human. "If you don't want to be friends with me from the first time I brought Mr. Gray to base camp, you can just leave me."
Silence. Shiloh was silent. He's not the kind of person that looks like a rock like this. He's been pretty chatty for as long as I've known him. Sitting alone with him like this made me think that actually, the one beside me wasn't Shiloh.
"I'd love to pull your silent tongue," I said angrily. "Or could it be that your tongue is cut so you can't speak anymore?"
"I'm scared."
One word left his mouth. I rolled my eyes when I realized what he said. I looked around, making sure no one heard our conversation. I put my ear near him. "What are you afraid of?" I whispered. Shiloh bit her lower lip, looking at me strangely. "We can't leave here."
"Why can not?" I asked. Shiloh froze. He was silent again with pursed lips. I repeated my question just now, but Shiloh was reluctant to answer. "If you don't want to talk, you can write it."
I took a stick and gave it to Shiloh. The man held his branch doubtfully, looking at the ground he stepped on with fear. I made sure it was just the two of us here. No one. I'm sure of that. Shiloh took a deep breath. He slowly scratched his branch on the ground. I waited for the sentence he wrote to finish until I finally choked with thoughts that were no longer clear.
"We will also be part of them. We can't go home."
—Ordinary Visage—
Okay. Let's first analyze the chronology. One day I met Mr. Crazy Gray, then I brought him to my base camp with Shiloh, talking about this weirdness. Two days were fine until finally Mr. Gray escaped and broke through the basecamp wall. Then a monster or some obscure creature came chasing us. We fall down the abyss and meet Amyas. The first time I came, this place was strange. I'm pretty sure there's nothing under the abyss. If you think about it what happened to me is like a coincidence. Shiloh and I were driven to get here. Even up to this moment, oddities still occur. People prostrated silently on an altar with a hole in the roof, showing the moonlight. The majestic throne inlaid with gold reflects the glorious moonlight. Fragrant floral fragrance. Silence, quiet. I stared at the line of people who were prostrating by sitting down occasionally prostrating. I watched the throne where suddenly a fine white air was struggling, then slowly the air formed a male figure about two meters tall. The blinding light made me kneel unconsciously, but I still peeked curiously. The air disappeared, replaced by the figure of a handsome man whose hair was red with blood. Her skin was as bright as a cloud. His eyes were sharp as copper. I can clearly see his muscular body covered in high-quality silk. There was a long cross-sectional wound from his forehead to his lips. Suddenly he looked at me. I immediately prostrated quickly. I wish I could still breathe even for a second.
The air grew cold as ice. I bet I could shiver with cold at this rate. Shiloh who was beside me glanced over, prostrating with eyes that looked up at me expectantly. I didn't know what that look meant, but suddenly the sound of heavenly music sounded in my ears. The people stood up, looking up rather low to see the King on the high altar. They greeted me, I said nothing. Shiloh bowed too, I didn't want to die alone so I joined in.
The king didn't say much. Amyas came to give a ball that looked like pearls to the King. The ball immediately glowed when the King held it. Several village heads stood obediently forming a complete line. I could feel my chest ache as the King raised the strange orb high. My chest felt squeezed, squeezed in so much pain that I couldn't breathe. I held my chest, holding back the pain until I bit my lip until it bled. Shiloh had my body with a panicked face, he even ignored people who told him to keep bowing. I can't say anything. My throat is dry and heavy. My heart was beating abnormally as if someone wanted to pull it out. Congested. Scorching hot. I felt my soul lift up into the sky, along with my dark vision. I can still see Shiloh crying like a child, a stark contrast to the flat-faced people around me. Amyas grabbed my body, he pushed me away from the trembling Shiloh. I can't think of anything else, other than hoping that even if I die today, then let Shiloh come home safely. []