With an obvious expression of surprise, Kael had to force some words out of his mouth.
- "So... So you are..."
- "Yes. I am one of the descendants of the 'traitor'."
-"... The bar clients too?"
- "Yes, unfortunately so."
There was a moment of silence, as Kael seemed to mull over the information, Seamus merely watched him silently.
- "I understand the story. What I don't understand is why you decided to share something so important. We're almost complete strangers."
-"...I understand your suspicion, young man. But the truth is, I haven't told you everything yet."
- "By any chance, does it have to do with the state of the people in the village?"
- "Jo... You are more perceptive than I thought. You're right, it has to do with the curse and my people."
Taking a moment to think, Seamus seemed to have difficulty speaking.
- "Mhmm... Well, let's just say that that 'God' wasn't the only one to visit my ancestor. In his final moments, another divine being is said to have visited him. As if it was customary, that 'God', or rather, 'Goddess' offered him a 'deal'. When the time came, she would send a 'Chosen One' to save us, and in return, she would keep the souls of those who perished before that time."
- "S-So, the villagers who looked lifeless, was it really because they had no souls?"
-"..."
Seamus didn't answer, but to Kael that silence was proof enough to prove that what he said was true.
- "And what about Ciara and the rest! How could they possibly be okay?"
- "That was what I was getting at. Ciara is most likely the 'Chosen One' you mention. Everyone she comes in contact with seems to be unaffected by the 'deal'."
- "To think of such a little girl being the savior of the village... I don't know whether to feel relieved or sad for her."
- "I understand what you mean, it hurts me too to be burdened with something as heavy as this."
- "Look, Mr. Seamus... I'm sorry to be so insistent, but if you already have your savior, what are you looking for by telling me all this?"
-"...Mmm, sorry not to be direct. When my father taught me about this, I hated the idea of standing by and doing nothing while my friends, acquaintances and family died, so I decided to research on my own a way to undo the enslavement curse and the mark on my back. After decades of research, I was able to find a solution, unfortunately, my age and body won't allow me to get what I need. That's where you come in, young man."
- "Me? I don't think I'm much help to you, I didn't even know where I was until you told me."
- "No need, you just have to help me get what I tell you. That way, by combining Ciara's... 'power', I'll be able to save the village and its people."
Despite not having been in the village for long, Kael had developed an attachment to the place and to Ciara, whom he regarded as a little sister with a lot of energy.
-"..." However, Kael's goal remained unchanged: to find his mother. And he couldn't waste any more time in the village... (Or so I'd like to say... But I know that if I leave without having done anything, I'll regret it. Besides, I want to help them and, if possible, eliminate 'slavery'.)
- "Okay, I'll help you. What do I have to do?"
- "Jo, Jo! I knew you would, young man! Thank you so much!"
Seamus walked over to Kael and hugged him very tightly, knocking the wind out of him.
When he finally let go, Kael was out of breath.
- "Jo, Jo, I'm sorry young man, I got a little excited."
- "D-Don't worry, I'm fine. You've got more strength than you look ha, ha..." Once he caught his breath, he asked:
- "What do you need me to get? I think the sooner I go get it, the better."
- "Oh, that's right. It's not much really, so you should be able to finish it easily. The first thing I need is a couple of forest herbs; then I'll tell you which ones. And lastly, Undead Beast corpses."
- "Beasts...? What do you need that for?"
- "Trust me, they are necessary. And since you had said you survived the Cursed Forest, it means you're strong enough to defeat those monsters."
- "I defeated some of them, but..." There was a problem: the black smoke. No matter how many Beasts he defeat, they're just going to disappear.
- "But? Is there a problem?"
- "Oh! If I go to the forest, I think it would be better to go with someone. That way I wouldn't get lost trying to get back." (Good! I can leave the final blow to the one who goes with me, keeping the black smoke from devouring him. Heh, heh, I'm a genius...)
- "I'll talk to one of the men in the tavern, they should be strong enough to help you."
- "Thank you."
- "Jo, Jo. Thanks to you for helping me. With nothing to add, I'd like you to go tonight, so that no one in the village sees the corpses, is that okay with you?"
- "No problem, I'll go tonight."
- "Perfect, then let's go down now, I'm sure Sile will have cooked something delicious."
As they walked down the stairs, they were dumbfounded at what they saw:
The customers were kneeling with their heads down, while a sign around their necks read 'Culprit'. Standing in front of them, Sile held a frying pan as he shouted at them - "Do you understand!? I don't want you to act like that in front of Ciara again!"
- "YES, MA'AM!" they shouted at the same time.
- "Good, you are dismissed."
- "THANK YOU, MA'AM!" One by one they fled the inn.
Noticing Kael and Seamus, Sile smiled at them in a 'sweet' way and asked - "Did you manage to settle your differences?
They both looked at each other and answered at the same time:
- "Yes, ma'am!"