"Devil!"
"The devil is here!"
The people seated on the ground screamed in horror at the sight of the devil, desperately scooting backward. The people behind them exaggeratedly cried out, "The devil is here!"
Crash! The weapons in their hands were discarded without a second thought, as they hastily fled.
The scene erupted into chaos. Many, unfortunate enough to trip over discarded weapons on the ground, fell and were trampled by the panicked crowd. Just as the worst seemed inevitable—
Bang!
A gunshot rang out, momentarily halting the mayhem. The crowd stilled, their panic subsiding. All eyes turned to the source of the gunshot, where Zhao Lun stood.
Zhao Lun remained unmoving, and the crowd, reassured, cautiously observed their surroundings. They noticed the people beneath their feet had cleared, and everyone kept a wary watch on Zhao Lun, ready to flee at the slightest provocation.
If the "devil" before them decided to strike again, they would flee without hesitation.
The person who had fired the shot did not make Zhao Lun wait long. Less than five seconds after the gunshot, someone appeared.
A figure emerged holding a torch. The farmers around them, now emboldened, swiftly gathered the weapons that had fallen to the ground and retreated in unison, clearing a path for the newcomer.
"Is it a witch?"
A cool, clear voice reached their ears. From the tone, it was clear that it belonged to a young woman, one who appeared to be from the town.
"Yes."
Zhao Lun shrugged, pocketing his wand as a sign of goodwill, before turning to face her.
In the dim night, illuminated by the torchlight, Zhao Lun discerned the newcomer clearly. It was indeed a woman, and one with an air of strength about her.
However, Zhao Lun was not impressed by her attire.
The tightly cinched waist emphasized her slender figure, while thigh-high heeled boots made her legs appear impossibly long. Her proud bust was constricted within the tight corset, and a crucifix pendant hung from her long, pale neck. Her curly hair cascaded around her, and in her hand, she gripped a longsword that gleamed sharply in the firelight. This ensemble elicited a raised eyebrow from Zhao Lun.
What he found particularly discomforting was the corset—its tightness seemed unbearably restrictive, and even he, an outsider, could feel an odd sense of sympathy for her plight.
Though it was uncomfortable to observe, Zhao Lun refrained from questioning her about it. A quick once-over was enough, and he returned to his composed demeanor, revealing no sign of discomfort.
As they regarded each other, Zhao Lun noticed that she, too, was appraising him. Her gaze was sharp, as if she sought to peer into the depths of his soul.
When she noticed his youthful face, her arched brows twitched in surprise.
"Boy, you shouldn't be here."
Zhao Lun, having taken in her appearance, met her gaze with equal intensity. His youthful features, the result of both parents' good genes and the invigorating influence of divine spring water, gave him a magnetic charm. He exuded a certain allure that made him seem more approachable despite his age.
Although he appeared young and somewhat innocent, there was no trace of immaturity in his demeanor. On the contrary, people instinctively treated him as an equal.
The charm worked its magic. Her previously cautious stance seemed to soften, and she reluctantly sheathed her sword, her posture still defensive, but noticeably less so.
"Hello, my name is Alan Zhao. Could you tell me where I am? Perhaps offer a bit of an introduction?"
With elegant grace, Zhao Lun offered her a wizard's salute.
"Anna Villeris," she replied, instinctively returning the gesture.
"Relax," she added, turning to the farmers. "He's no threat."
As her words spread through the crowd, the farmers, now visibly more at ease, collected their dropped tools and silently dispersed, eager to return to their homes. The day's embarrassment was enough for them—they longed to disappear.
"Follow me."
Without explaining the nature of the place, Anna led the way, her sword still in hand, guiding him towards the castle they had seen from the town.
"How did you arrive here?" she asked.
"Through a portal, then I walked down from a mountain."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
Without hesitation, Zhao Lun shared his story.
"You shouldn't have come here."
"Is it because I've caused panic among the locals?"
"No! This place is cursed. Anyone who comes here will suffer the wrath of hellish demons... vampires, werewolves! They're dangerous! You should leave tomorrow before they fix their sights on you!"
"...I see. That is indeed a concern, but to me, it's not an issue. I simply walked through a door and ended up here. If I wish to leave, I can do so at any time. As for demons, they won't stop me."
"When you encounter these demons, don't worry about me. You should be more concerned about them."
Zhao Lun spoke with quiet confidence, but then paused, realizing he might have overdone it in an attempt to showcase his power.
Anna's expression darkened, clearly thinking the young wizard was becoming a bit too arrogant.
"Could you tell me more about the vampires and werewolves?"
Realizing his mistake, Zhao Lun shifted his focus, asking about the creatures instead.
"Dracula..."
"...Four hundred years ago. A long time indeed."
She spoke quickly as they continued down the path, soon reaching the castle.
The castle was grand, though eerily empty. Not a single soul was in sight as they walked through its vast halls. The walls were adorned with ornate decorations, clearly the work of nobility, but time had ravaged much of it, leaving behind a sense of neglect.
"Mm?" Zhao Lun felt the strange aura emanating from the building. The furniture, the ornaments, the paintings—all seemed to pulse with an almost magical energy.
He noticed that the portraits on the walls seemed alive. Some appeared to watch him curiously, while others scrutinized him with a guarded gaze.
This energy was subtle, detectable only by someone with the sensitivity of a wizard. Anna, walking ahead, seemed oblivious to it.
Another distinct sensation reached him: an aura of wishful longing, a desire for a brighter future.
"Hey, kid! You better stay in line!"
Suddenly, a voice boomed from one of the paintings.
Zhao Lun looked toward the sound and saw a knight clad in full armor, astride a horse, holding a mighty sword.
"What's going on?" Anna, noticing Zhao Lun's pause, asked curiously.
"Nothing," he replied.
Clearly, Anna could not hear the voice.
Boom! The torches on the walls ignited, lighting up the entire room. The castle, once cold and dark, now felt alive with energy.
Zhao Lun, captivated by the sudden illumination, turned his attention to the room. They had arrived in the main hall.
The castle lacked any sense of life. The grand hall, though brightly lit, was eerily empty, save for the two of them.