The Master of the Tower Dreaming of the Beyond (5)
Elodi Village lay about two hours north of Schlessi on horseback. In truth, two hours on horseback was well beyond the typical jurisdiction of any ordinary city. But this was the borderlands, where cities were few and far between, so their territories stretched much wider than those inland. It was like comparing the operational zone of a rear division to several times that of a front-line unit.
That was why, as Captain Bibian had explained, the border guards outnumbered the city watch elsewhere, with dozens of patrol squads to boot.
"I'm lucky to be in investigations. Operations officers spend a full week pulling overtime every month just drafting patrol orders."
"Still, don't you have to deploy every time something happens in your jurisdiction, like today?"
"I rarely go out myself, actually. I usually just send my investigators. But I judged this incident serious enough to handle personally."
"If it's definitely a demon's doing, you and your men need to pull back outside the village. We can't guarantee your safety in a fight."
"Don't worry about that. But..."
Captain Bibian glanced back at Celestine, who was riding behind me. Celestine had flattened her upper body against the saddle and was munching on sugar-dusted roasted potatoes. That was already her third one.
"She's a healer, right?"
"Yeah. Doesn't look the part, but she is."
I'd kept my promise and stopped by the market for snacks when we left the guild. I'd planned to grab some basic rations too, but the border guards had already set up a camp to protect the village, so we could eat there. Celestine got all excited, darting around and buying a pile of stuff: honey-glazed apples, black bread, cheese cream potatoes, lemon pie, and bacon brie cheese sandwiches. She claimed she'd considered the guards' meals too, but it was obviously just whatever she wanted to try.
She sure could eat while riding, though.
"There it is."
Captain Bibian pointed ahead. Way off in the distance, a small village nestled against the low foothills of the Lumiere Mountains came into view. Houses clustered like mushrooms on gentle hills, surrounded by vineyards just like in Schlessi. But something was off—not a single soul in sight. Late summer meant harvest time; it should have been bustling with workers.
"Highly suspicious."
"Right? If we drag our feet much longer, the whole grape crop for the year is toast."
"Let's hurry and check it out."
We spurred our horses faster, cutting through the vineyards into the village.
"Gasp!"
The moment we entered the outskirts, Celestine sucked in a sharp breath. Border guards were carrying bodies.
"Captain! You're here."
The guards saluted Captain Bibian when they spotted us.
"Casualties?"
"No, survivors. Moving them to the shade to escape the summer sun."
"Set them down. I need to check something."
The guards gently lowered the people to the ground. We all dismounted and approached. Even with several of us closing in, the villagers lying there didn't so much as glance our way. I knelt on one knee and checked a pulse at the neck. Steady.
"Not dead."
"Most are like this. Just lying or leaning wherever, staring into nothing."
"Celestine, give it a try. Holy Heal or Purification might work."
Celestine knelt beside me, her hands glowing golden.
"Ooh..."
The guards murmured in awe at the radiant holy power. Celestine gently ran her glowing hands over the villager's head, neck, and chest.
"Guild master."
"What do you think?"
"No good."
She extinguished the holy power and shook her head.
"Nothing reacts to it at all."
"What does that mean, healer? No souls or something?"
At Captain Bibian's question, Celestine hesitated, then nodded slowly.
"Like empty shells. Normally, holy power connects with something, but these people... it's like stepping into a void."
"That confirms it's a demon, then."
Captain Bibian gripped her sword hilt with a resolute expression.
"Leonar. Let's catch that demon and make it pay right now."
The word "demon" brought naked fear to the guards' faces.
"Let's look around more first. We haven't even gone into the village proper."
Inside was even worse. Not a soul stirred, not even making eye contact. Everyone just sat or lay blankly. Guards moved among them, carrying the weak ones and trying to drip water into the mouths of those who looked healthier. But it all spilled out the sides—they wouldn't swallow.
Celestine tried her holy power here and there, but no change.
"This one's gone."
Captain Bibian straightened a body that had slumped forward, her voice heavy.
"Starved to death. No eating, no drinking... A few more days, and they'll start dropping like flies."
This was bad. If we didn't fix it fast, the whole village was done for.
"Alright, time to hunt for traces. Everyone, sorry, but keep quiet."
I knelt, closed my eyes, and activated Blind Vision. My already dark field of view plunged into pitch black, sucking in light, while my other senses sharpened to extremes. Information flooded in indiscriminately.
First came the low, steady breathing of the villagers—consistent, mechanical, like life-support machines in an ICU. Then the clink of guards' gear, the scent of ripe grapes wafting from outside the village, and Celestine's thick perfume. Body scent now, maybe? Smells amazing. Anyway, not the point.
I swept the area, but no demon traces. I extended my senses underground, still nothing. But there had to be something. Soul extraction always left a mark. Draining human souls took massive energy; the waves lingered. A week, two at most—there should be residue.
Not a demon? Then I might need to move and try again...
Suddenly, an alien sensation hit. Air twisted and tangled into clumps. Waves...! But not quite like soul extraction. Something else?
I expanded my senses, tracking it. Three points within range. Connecting them drew a line in a specific direction.
"Found something."
"Really?!"
Captain Bibian shouted as I spoke with eyes still shut.
"Waves. Not plague—something artificial interfered."
"Lead on!"
"Hold up. Can't see right now."
I groped my way up slowly, and suddenly her perfume overwhelmed me.
"Guild master. Grab my hand."
"Thanks, Celestine."
I reached out and felt something I'd never touched before. Like squeezing a silicone stress ball, but worlds apart. Soft, warm, mysterious. Maybe like a plush balloon or a ripe apricot. But words failed to capture its subtle yield and bounce. It held the unique softness and heat of human skin, an endless generosity and abundance. A touch you could avoid forever, but never just once—an addictive sensation.
Celestine's breasts were incredible. Nothing like the accidental grope of Clemence's—totally different league.
"Guild master..."
"Sorry. Eyes are out with Blind Vision—trades sight for boosted other senses. Totally not on purpose."
Just facts, but it sounded like an excuse.
"Ah, okay..."
She trailed off, guiding my wrist down. Clemence had screamed on contact, but Celestine took it in stride. Guess bigger chests mean less sensitivity—science checks out.
Vision returned; I blinked open to see Celestine a step away, face flushed crimson, and Captain Bibian eyeing me suspiciously.
"It's not like that."
"I didn't say anything, Leonar."
"Good, then. Found something suspicious. Not demon-related, but nothing else fits. Let's check it out."
We mounted up and rode fast in the direction of the waves.