V2: Chapter 59: The Town Where Monsters Appeared
Thankfully, the sea was calm, and nothing had happened.
This was Liang Lin's first battle with a monster, and she was satisfied, feeling that her life had regained its meaning.
—Ferdinand Town—
Octaville, accompanied by several magicians and priest Bradrick, arrived in the town.
Ferdinand Town was nestled in a hilly area, surrounded by lush forests and winding rivers. Originally, the houses here were neatly arranged, their white walls and red tiles gleaming in the sunlight. The streets were wide and clean, lined with shops selling a wide variety of goods, and people came and went, their laughter echoing throughout the town. However, now, Ferdinand Town resembled a painting shrouded in gloom, having lost its former vitality.
In the early morning, a thin mist enveloped the town. Sunlight pierced through the clouds, casting shadows on the ground, but it couldn't dispel the chill. The streets were deserted, save for the occasional hurried pedestrian whose face was etched with fear and unease. Shop doors and windows were tightly shut; the once bustling market was now empty, save for the dust and fallen leaves stirred up by the wind.
Those once-thriving shops, now with their doors and windows closed, seemed to whisper tales of past glory and present decline.
An indescribable sense of oppression hung in the air, as if something lurked in the shadows, watching the town. People walking along couldn't help but look back, fearing something terrifying might suddenly leap from the darkness. Their steps were hurried, not daring to linger for a moment, lest they become the unfortunate prey.
The townspeople grew increasingly fearful. They huddled together, whispering tales and legends of monsters. Every night, every household kept their doors and windows tightly shut, not daring to relax their vigilance for a moment. Children were forbidden from going out, and adults avoided venturing out at night as much as possible.
That's to be expected.
Octaville and the magicians walked along the quiet streets. Though reluctant to speak of it, they had to go to the town's church.
Because most of the people here were believers in God, and only by going to the church could they learn more about the monster; surely there would be eyewitnesses praying there.
Deep within the town of Ferdinand stood an ancient church. This church had once been the spiritual anchor for the townspeople, but now it was their only place to pray for peace. Every nightfall, the church bells would ring, echoing through the town, bringing a sliver of comfort and hope.
The church's exterior was simple and elegant, its soaring spires seemingly displaying its sacredness and majesty to the world. The walls were covered with the marks of time, the mottled stone bricks and moss intertwining to form a unique picture. In the sunlight, the church's outline was exceptionally clear, like an ancient guardian, silently watching over this land.
Stepping into the church, a solemn and dignified atmosphere enveloped them. The spacious interior is supported by thick stone pillars, each carved with exquisite patterns that tell ancient stories. The church ceiling is adorned with vibrant murals depicting scenes of heaven and saints, evoking a sense of transcendent beauty and holiness.
At the center of the church stands a massive altar. On the altar are icons and crosses, exuding a mysterious and solemn atmosphere. A thick carpet, embroidered with intricate patterns, covers the floor before the altar, symbolizing steadfast and pure faith.
Pews and benches surround the church for worshippers to pray and worship. Whenever the bells ring, believers gather here to collectively pray for divine protection and guidance. Their faces are filled with piety and reverence, as if in this moment they have established an ineffable connection with God.
In a corner of the church are ancient musical instruments. During important religious ceremonies, musicians play these instruments, adding a touch of solemnity and sanctity to the rituals. The melody of the music echoed through the church, bringing a sense of purification and spiritual elevation.
“Bradrick, we’re here. Now it’s your turn to show your skills. You’re a priest too, go and talk to the priest in front of you.” Octaville was particularly annoyed by dealing with priests, so she urged Bradrick to go ahead.
Bradrick was actually a little unhappy. He had originally wanted to bring several members of his group with him. However, Octaville said that he was enough of a burden; she didn’t want to add any more. Otherwise, she would be conducting investigations with countless flaws, which would be dangerous.
“Really, she only remembered me at time like now,” Bradrick muttered.
He straightened his black robe, took a deep breath, and entered the church. Inside, the dim light shone on the ancient murals, adding a touch of mystery to the solemn space. Bradrick walked through the long corridor to the office of another priest.
The door was ajar. Bradrick knocked gently, and a soft voice came from inside.
"Come in."
He pushed the door open and went in.
Another priest, named Joseph, was sitting at his desk, holding a thick scripture.
He looked up, saw Bradrick, sized him up for a couple of seconds, and then smiled warmly. “Hello, Father, is there anything I can help you with?”
“Hello, Father Joseph, my name is Bradrick.”
“Hello, Bradrick.”
Bradrick sat down in the chair opposite Joseph, his expression grave. “Father Joseph,” he said, “I’ve come to ask you about some details of the monster attack last week.”
Joseph frowned slightly, putting down his book. “That incident was indeed disturbing. I heard the victim was a young villager who was attacked by an unknown monster on his way home at night.”
“Yes, I heard the monster looked terrifying and was incredibly strong. I’d like to know if you’ve heard any more descriptions of this monster?” Bradrick nodded and asked.
Joseph pondered for a moment.
“I heard the monster had a huge body, its skin was an unnatural green, and its eyes were like burning flames. Its claws were sharp and powerful, capable of easily tearing flesh apart.”
Huh?
This doesn't look like tentacle monsters at all.
"Are you sure that's what the monster looks like?" Bradrick asked again.
Joseph gave him a strange look. "That's what the injured villager said. As a witness, he couldn't possibly be wrong about the monster's appearance."
"Hmm..."
Bradrick continued, "So, have you heard where this monster came from? Ferdinand is a peaceful town; why would such a monster suddenly appear?"
Joseph sighed.
"I've thought about that too. Some speculate that the monster escaped from the nearby deep forests, while others believe it was summoned by some evil force. But these are all just speculations; there's no concrete evidence."
After asking a few random questions, Bradrick realized he couldn't seem to get any useful information from the priest.
Bradrick stood up, ready to leave.
“Okay, I understand. Thank you for the information, Father Joseph.”
“Wait!” Joseph called out to him. “Bradrick, I still don’t know why you’re here, or what you’re trying to find out.”
Bradrick’s heart skipped a beat when Father Joseph called him, but he tried to remain calm.
He turned around, smiled, and said to Father Joseph, “Oh, Father Joseph, I’m just curious about what’s been happening in the village lately and wanted to find out more. You know, as a priest, I naturally care about the town and everyone’s safety. I think you, as a fellow priest, can understand.”
“Hmm… is that so?” Joseph cast another suspicious glance at him.
Bradrick had already pushed the door open by then. He gave an awkward laugh, “Absolutely.”
After saying that, he immediately closed the door and slipped out.
He couldn’t stay any longer; if he stayed any longer, he wouldn’t know how to lie anymore.
As soon as he stepped out of the church, he saw Octaville.
"Hey, how did it go? Got anything out?" Octaville put her arm around Bradrick's shoulder, their bodies clasped together.
Bradrick slapped her hand away.
"Don't even mention it. Nothing came of it. The monster that priest described didn't look like tentacle monster at all." Bradrick scoffed. "I think he knows nothing and was just spouting nonsense."
"Huh? How did he describe the monster?"
Bradrick repeated Joseph's words.
Octaville laughed.
"What the hell, hahahahaha! He's probably describing the devil from their books about God, right? It's so exaggerated! I've never seen such a colorful monster."
Bradrick and the other magicians laughed along.
“Alright, let’s move on to another place and continue our investigation. Let’s go catch a few… no, let’s find a few normal people and ask them.”
“Isn’t this like looking for a needle in a haystack? There are so many residents in Ferdinand, where are we supposed to find any real informants?” Bradrick rubbed his temples, his head aching.
“Well, there’s no other way. We have to look. If we have any clues, we won't be like headless flies, wandering around this town aimlessly, unable to deal with the monsters that have infiltrated.”
Octaville grabbed Bradrick by the back of the collar.
“Let’s go, don’t waste time. We don’t even know what kind of monsters they have yet.”
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