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n?Jelia’s progress was cautious and slow, with each step taken carefully.

nAlthough she lacked experience in exploring ruins, her companion Ali was different.

nAli, who had spent years adventuring outdoors, had explored numerous ruins both large and small.

nThis was among her most prideful experiences, and she never missed an opportunity to boast about it, especially in front of Jelia.

nWhile Jelia might not have looked up to her with admiration, she had still gleaned considerable knowledge about exploring ruins and the details to watch out for from Ali’s stories.

nNever be too hasty!

nThis was a key point Ali reiterated repeatedly.

nSlowing down, meticulously considering every detail.

nMost ruins lack related documentation, and those that do are usually so thoroughly explored that they hold little value left to discover.

nWithout detailed information, every detail within the ruins becomes a critical source of information.

nCarefully pondering these details, using what is known to infer the unknown, is the essence of ruins exploration.

nAlthough this process is time-consuming, exploring a ruin is not something that can be accomplished in a day or two.

nThe passage was long and eerily quiet, with only the sound of Jelia’s heartbeat and footsteps echoing, which made her tense up again.

nFortunately, before she could succumb to panic, a new sound emerged.

nThe sound of water.

nMore precisely, the sound of water droplets falling.

nPausing for a moment, Jelia quickened her pace.

nThe sound didn’t seem to echo as it would in a small space, suggesting there might be an exit ahead.

n…

nRushing out of the wooden house, Ali made a quick round of the village.

nWith a stern expression, she inquired among the subhumans and finally found Monka in his own wooden dwelling, accompanied by another subhuman.

nThis one also appeared to be a Werewolf but much younger than Monka.

nOn her way here, Ali noticed that the village seemed to have a significantly higher number of half-orcs compared to other subhumans.

nWas there some sort of hidden criterion for joining this community? But these thoughts were not her current priority.

n“Respected guest, what brings you here? Is there something wrong with the house, or is there an issue we can help with?”

nAli couldn’t shake off the feeling that Monka’s demeanor had somewhat improved.

nWas it because of the presence of the younger Werewolf?

nAli observed that the other Werewolf in the room seemed indifferent to Monka’s posturing, merely sizing her up coldly, much like a hunter appraising his prey.

nA name came to mind.

nThis was the only hunter’s name she knew from this place.

n“Elder Monka, who is this?”

nWhile the young Werewolf scrutinized her, she paid him equal attention.

nThe young Werewolf appeared strong and emitted a barely concealed aura of hostility and resistance, seemingly harboring no fondness for humans.

n“I forgot to introduce him,” Elder Monka smacked his forehead and gestured for the young Werewolf to stand, “Introduce yourself.”

nThe young Werewolf glanced at Monka, didn’t resist, but stood up and nodded as a form of greeting, “Rudo, a hunter in the village.”

n“Rudo? Are you the one who brought the humans back? I thought you despised humans.”

nNearly every subhuman detests humans, yet humans remain the dominant species on the continent.

n“I just don’t trust strangers,” Rudo replied bluntly, without a hint of cordiality.

nAli shook her head, deciding not to continue with Rudo’s line of conversation, and shifted her focus.

n“Elder Monka, has something happened in the house you gave us?”

nElder Monka’s expression darkened considerably, “Has someone disappeared again? Your companion?!”

n“There’s no immediate danger to her life, but who can say about the next moment?” Ali could still sense Jelia’s condition, which allowed her the calmness to seek solutions from Monka.

n“I see,” Elder Monka nodded.

n“That house was once a fine place, but about two years ago, someone suddenly disappeared within its walls!”

n“There were no signs of an attack; the person just vanished into thin air.”

n“This phenomenon occurred intermittently several times, sometimes months apart, sometimes just days. We’ve thoroughly inspected the entire house, short of dismantling it piece by piece. Yet, we found nothing, so it has remained vacant.”

n“No one would willingly stay in a house where danger could occur at any moment.”

n“Yet, you assigned it to us.”

nAli’s gaze upon Monka was ominous; had Howard been here, knives might already have been drawn.

n“It’s because nothing strange has happened in that little house since it was vacated,” Monka explained somewhat frantically.

n“We’ve inspected the house and confirmed there are no mechanisms within. Those who disappeared might have just left on their own!”

nAli remained silent, simply staring coldly at Monka.

nAfter a few seconds, she took a deep breath and spoke, “Elder, you’d better hope things are as you believe, because if something happens to my companion, not one subhuman in this village will survive.”

n“This isn’t a threat but a potential reality.”

nThe room fell silent for a moment as those present understood Ali’s words weren’t mere bluster.

nShe wouldn’t even need to act directly; merely reporting their existence to the nearest Lord’s Manor would lead to nobles arriving with their armies to exterminate them.

nSuch is the inherent inequality faced by subhumans within human society.

nYet, ironically, pureblooded beings of other species often hold a status in human society that most humans could never achieve.

n“I will mobilize everyone in the village to help, not overlooking any clue,” Monka said, looking into Ali’s eyes, a hidden emotion flickering deep within.

n“That’s all we can do.”

nAlthough the village was populated by subhumans, there was no presence of magi.

nWithout a formal legacy, the odds of becoming a magus were virtually nil.

nTo truly uncover the mystery behind Jelia’s disappearance, Ali knew she would have to rely on herself, an expectation she had from the start.

n“I need you to recall anything you can, every detail matters,” Ali commanded without any pleasantries.

n“Additionally, I want the villagers to help me search the area for any caves, secret passages, or hidden places. Though that room is a sealed chamber, I suspect foul play is the most plausible explanation.”

nSomeone, using some unknown method, might have entered the room and taken Jelia.

nThis could be a reasonable explanation, but until the final answer is revealed, every possibility remains just that—a possibility.

n“I’ll arrange for it immediately,” Monka nodded, fully aware of the situation’s gravity.

nA mishandling of the affair could very well lead to the village’s destruction!

nAs Ali turned to leave without a further word, intending to re-

nexamine the room—this time not sparing any corner and exploring every nook without disturbing the overall structure.

nPerhaps in one of those corners lay the clue to Jelia’s disappearance.

nIn the moment Ali turned, she didn’t see Monka’s expression darken.

nRudo, on the other hand, showed no reaction to Monka’s grimace but watched Ali’s retreating figure with interest.

nWatching her leave the house without hesitation, her steps brisk as she vanished outside, underscored the urgency and determination marking her every move.

n“Who do you think is behind this?”

nRudo glanced at Monka, whose face was shadowed with concern, yet there seemed to be a hint of amusement on his lips, as if he wasn’t worried about the village being destroyed under Ali’s wrath.

n“Who else could it be? It must be him! He’s come for revenge. Apart from him, no one could silently break through the barriers left by the Great Elder.”

nWith fists clenched, a fierce flame burned in the depths of Monka’s eyes.

n“He wants to destroy us using Ali’s hands! Just like he did before, hiding in the shadows, making fools of us all!” .

nRudo clicked his tongue, stroking his chin thoughtfully, “He’s the only one I can think of too. So, what should we do? If it’s really him who hid the girl, we have no chance of finding her.”

n“We might not, but that doesn’t mean everyone can’t!” Monka scoffed coldly.

n“If he’s chosen this moment to strike, then he won’t stop until he’s completely destroyed us,” Monka stated with a determination that matched the gravity of their situation.

n“He wants all of our lives. Fine, if he’s so ruthless, then let him know we’re not to be trifled with!”

n“Let’s gather everyone in the village. We shouldn’t reveal the truth just yet, just have them search within the barriers!”

nMonka continued, plotting their next steps.

n“We might not be able to find the girl directly, but we’re bound to uncover some clue. At times like this, that’s enough.”

n“You must realize, whether in our story or his plan, we’re not the main characters.”

n…

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