Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe C.482: Townsfolk

The town of Stratford lay under a thick blanket of white as the snow continued to fall. Narrow cobblestone streets weaved between cottages of thatched roofs where their chimneys puffed out gentle plumes of smoke.

Snowflakes fell silently, muffling the sounds of the two young Magi's footsteps as they walked through the town, their thick cloaks wrapped tightly around them, protecting them from the harsh cold.

"What are we even doing here?" Art grumbled under his breath. "Isn't Professor's mission over already? I can't wait to go back home. I don't like it here one bit."

"You're always complaining," Aiden harrumphed. "We need to complete the task before he arrives."

"Where do you think he's gone?" Art asked curiously as he walked with his hands clasped behind his head.

"Who knows?" Aiden shrugged. "He seemed to be in a hurry when he left a few days ago."

The pair continued to walk through the snow-laden streets, cheerfully greeted by the townsfolk wherever they passed by.

"If an outsider teleported here this instance, they wouldn't be able to tell that the town just survived a wolf tide a few days ago," said Art, gazing at the townsfolk going about their day. "I know, right?" Aiden nodded. "Aren't these people strangely optimistic?"

"Yeah... anyway, let's just interrogate as many people as we can," Art replied. He then thought of something and asked, "Is Eleiney still buried in the library?"

"It seems so-" Aiden began, but was soon interrupted when a woman approached them.

"Thank you, esteemed Magi, for protecting us!" Said the middle-aged woman with an unnaturally bright smile.

"Madam, if I may ask." Art stepped forward with a polite smile. "Why is it that the townsfolk seem so hopeful? I mean, I'm sure a lot of people have lost loved ones in the last wolf tide. Plus, there's going to be another wolf tide this month, so shouldn't they-"

The woman interrupted him, her voice carrying with it a melodious tone, "Oh, it was a terrible night, but we made it through, didn't we? The wolves are gone, and all is well!"

Aiden asked with slight unease, "Did you lose someone a few days ago?"

The woman's smile faltered for a moment, but soon she beamed again. However, this time, the smile didn't reach her eyes.

"No, no, I was fortunate. No losses at all. Isn't that wonderful?"

Art and Aiden glanced at each other, seeing the discomfort in each other's eyes. They bid farewell to the woman and moved on.

...

An elderly man shoveling the snow around his doorstep asked with a raised eyebrow, "A wolf tide, you say?"

He then burst into a loud peal of laughter, "Hahaha, it was like a bad dream, nothing more! Come spring, it will just be another memory."

Hearing his answer, the boys shivered. However, it wasn't from the cold.

As they moved away from the old man, Aiden whispered to his friend, "Art, there's something very wrong with these people."

"M-Maybe this is just their way to cope with the losses and the constant attacks of the wolf tide," said Art, but even he couldn't believe his words.

The pair arrived at the town square, where a large statue of the founder stood. The square was deserted, except for a single child who was building a snowman.

Hearing footsteps, the young girl glanced in the direction of the pair with a vacant look in her eyes.

"Why are you alone?" Aiden asked the little girl with a gentle voice. "Where are your friends?"

The girl's lips quivered and she lowered her head, gazing at her feet. "They're dead."

Art and Aiden's hearts twisted into a knot, hearing her reply. But the next moment, they were taken aback by what she said.

"But it's okay!" The little girl forced a smile. "My grandma says they've returned to the embrace of Lord Stratford. So they must be very happy there!"

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

It took a long while for Art to digest the words she had just spoken. He then asked softly, "Did you see the wolves?"

The little girl tilted her head and spoke with a blank expression, "The wolves are gone. We are safe."

Her lips curled up into a brilliant smile as she started running around the founder's statue in a joyful manner. "Everything is perfect now!"

The two young Magi turned silent and reached a common conclusion. The true horror of the wolf tide lay not in the beasts' attacks but in whatever force that had twisted the townsfolk's

reality.

Art and Aiden decided to escort the little girl to her house before making their way toward the town wall. This was where most of the mercenaries and hired Magi had gathered.

...

"Have you noticed how the townsfolk are reacting?" Aiden asked a female Magus. "They don't seem to be... affected by the attack."

The blonde Magus looked at the youth, wondering who he was. She then recalled him fighting the beasts from atop the wall a few days ago.

Realizing that he was also a Magus, the woman nodded amicably. "We've noticed. We've been here far longer than you both showed up."

She paused for a moment before adding, "It's strange, alright. The residents keep talking about how it's their duty and whatnot, but as long as they pay us for our services, what do we care? We're here to protect them, not solve their mysteries." freewebnσvel.cѳm

"But don't you think they're hiding something?" Art pressed further. "Every time we ask them something, we get the same cheerful answers. And what do you mean by 'their duty?""

"That's for someone else to worry about." The woman shrugged. "If you care so much about it, then take it to the mayor or the town council."

With that said, she turned around and walked away.

Aiden and Art gazed at her departing back as the air grew colder and the snow fell heavier around them. The unease in their hearts grew with each passing second.

They had a feeling that the resident's cheerfulness wasn't a coping mechanism at all. Perhaps

it was a mask that hid something dark and sinister.

"We need to talk."

A familiar voice broke the silence. However, the two boys couldn't help but scream in fear and

draw back.

"Eeekk! S-Stay away!"

"Don't come close!"

But the boys realized that it was none other than Eleiney, who was standing behind them and

looking at them strangely.

Realizing this, their faces couldn't help but turn red from embarrassment.

"Ahem!" Art coughed awkwardly and asked, "Don't scare us like that. Anyway, what did you

want to talk about?"

Eleiney had a solemn expression on her face as she began, "I've found something about the

Howlett-"

But suddenly she paused when she saw a shadow looming over her. She turned around to see who it was, and when she did, her eyes widened in shock and even fear.

The old man smiled kindly at the three kids and asked in a gentle voice, "I wonder what

you've found about the Howlett Family?"

Art, Aiden, and Eleiney blurted out simultaneously.

"Mayor Hobbs!"