Threads of Fate

We followed the woman who looked like a maid through the tall trees and bushes until a blinding light appeared. Before us stood a village bustling with life, more like a city. It reminded me of Gravendor.

“Welcome to Mikaor Village.”

“Looks more like a city to me.”

“Wow!”

We walked through the crowd, and many people greeted the maid, calling her “Miss Sally.”

“Who are you, really?”

“Oh, my apologies, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Sally, Baba Laurence’s personal maid.”

Her eyes glanced at Rin.

“Is she your daughter?”

“Didn’t Baba Laurence tell you as well?”

“Baba Laurence is a seer, not a god. She only sees glimpses of what lies ahead, such as your arrival here.”

“Hm… makes sense. Then the reason this village is hidden by illusion magic must also be connected to Baba Laurence, right?”

“Correct. You will learn the details when you meet her.”

Sally continued explaining Mikaor as if she were a tour guide. When we passed through the market, we were forced to stop because Rin and Wufy were drooling at the chicken skewers from a stall across the street. After that, we kept walking until we reached a large residence guarded by soldiers.

The guards opened the gate once they saw Sally with us. Inside, the residence was not very luxurious compared to noble houses. There was little gold, but plenty of flower vases and paintings along the halls. We climbed the stairs and stopped in front of a room.

*Knock! Knock! Knock!*

“Baba Laurence, it’s Sally.”

A frail voice of an elderly woman answered from inside.

“Come in…”

When Sally opened the door, I saw an old woman lying in bed. Her hair was white, her face wrinkled, her frail body wrapped in blankets. Sitting on a wooden chair beside her was the crazy witch who attacked us in the forest earlier.

“Sally… why is this crazy woman here?”

The witch grew furious at my words.

“Who are you calling crazy, huh?”

Sally quickly held her back to prevent her from attacking me.

“Sir Ronin, Miss Silva is Baba Laurence’s granddaughter.”

“What?”

I did not expect that.

Amidst our quarrel, a small laugh broke the tension.

“Hahaha… so, you have already met each other.”

“Grandmother! I won’t allow you to divine again! Your body cannot withstand the side effects anymore!”

“What do you mean?”

Silva glared at me.

“Miss, allow me to explain.” Sally tried to calm Silva, who looked as if she wanted to crush me.

“Sir Ronin, as you just heard, every time Baba Laurence performs divination, her frail body suffers terribly. On top of that, a black curse has been placed on her from afar. If she forces herself to divine, she will die.”

I froze for a moment, then looked at Silva, whose expression was filled with hatred toward me.

“So that’s why you despised me so much even though we just met. Relax, I’m not some lunatic who will use any means to get what I want.”

“Then you understand. Now leave this city at once!”

“Cough… cough…”

“Grandmother!”

Baba Laurence struggled to sit up.

“May I speak privately with Sir Ronin?”

Hearing her weak voice, both Silva and Sally could do nothing but obey.

“Wufy, protect Rin from that crazy woman.”

“Woof!”

“What did you say?!”

“Miss Silva, we must leave.”

Rin and Wufy followed Sally, who had to drag Silva out of the room. The door closed.

“I’m sorry… you came while I am in this condition.”

“No. If I had known you were gravely ill, I would not have disturbed you by coming here. Forgive me.”

“Hahaha… you truly are a kind child. But it was fate that you came here to meet me. I will tell you all I know from my last divination.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

She began to tell her story. When she was young, she had once heard about a Ronin who mysteriously appeared in this world and defeated evil men and raging monsters. A month ago, she dreamed of me arriving in this village to seek a divination. After awakening, she tried to divine who I was. She saw a vision of me standing on a battlefield alongside the Empire against the Alphenian Domain. But then, another vision clashed with it, pulling her into a void outside of time where she encountered a mysterious black-haired prophetess with her eyes covered by cloth. The prophetess cursed her with dark magic and told her not to interfere, then disappeared.

Even so, Baba Laurence attempted to divine once more. This time, she saw Green Valley destroyed, and Alphenia’s forces retreating to their lands. Afterward, the curse spread through her body, leaving her bedridden as she was now.

“Alphenia… that cursed land again.”

I felt relieved knowing they had stopped chasing me, but at the same time, I had no idea what madness they were planning. From this vision, did it mean I had to go to the Empire?

“I’m sorry for what happened to you, Baba Laurence.”

“No… it was only because I was stubborn, hahaha…”

Even though she smiled and laughed, the curse was clearly tormenting her. I could see her hands trembling constantly as she spoke.

“Is there any way I can help break your curse?”

“No need… I am old already.”

“That’s not an excuse! Please tell me how I can help you!”

“Ah… you really are like Silva.”

“Me? Like that crazy woman? You must be joking.”

“Hahaha… there is only one way… to kill the witch who cursed me. But that will be impossible for you right now…”

“Then what can I do?”

“The curse’s effects can be slowed with an Eternal Flower… but that flower is incredibly rare.”

“This might sound harsh, but… how long can you last?”

“Hahaha… I will hold on as long as I can…”

Her time was running out. I had to hurry.