NOVEL NEXT Chapter 37: The Hidden Village
The little girl held my hand, guiding me toward a distant cave nestled in the stone cliffs.
The massive stone cliffs stretched inland from the seaside, with the cave protruding from within the rock. The triangular entrance was covered in vines and moss, blending seamlessly into the sandy ground.
The figures who had peeked out earlier were nowhere to be seen now, leaving me to face nothing but a pitch-black void.
"By the way, why did you choose me?"
"Because we saw your group's battle earlier. It's rare to encounter travelers as strong as you, even once in a century. You're our last hope."
"Is that so... Well, the other two are busy at the moment, so only I have the time."
"That's fine! I think you alone will be enough."
The girl motioned for me to stop near the entrance. She pulled out a rusted copper coin and started performing intricate hand gestures.
"All set! From here on, please try not to make too much noise. The guardian spirit inside the cave doesn't like loud sounds."
I followed her into the cave, navigating a labyrinth of ever-changing, dizzying paths. I carefully kept my footsteps quiet until we stopped in front of a large steel door. When the girl pushed it open, a fantastical portal emitting colorful light appeared beyond it.
She began chanting a spell in a low voice, one I couldn't understand. In her hand, she now held a wooden token etched with red runes. As I glanced upward, I noticed a large recessed space in the cave wall, from which wisps of green smoke occasionally emerged.
"That's our village's guardian deity. Don't wake it up..."
The girl whispered this with a barely audible voice.
"Alright, please come in."
The portal glowed even brighter than before. The little girl took my hand again, and together, we stepped into the unknown beyond.
After a blinding flash of light, my vision was flooded with dazzling colors. A picturesque, serene village unfolded before me.
"We're here! This is our village. Isn't it beautiful?"
I found myself standing on elevated ground, offering a panoramic view of the area below.
I cast my gaze into the distance, surveying the entire village. Beyond the warmly lit homes, only a few armed guards patrolled the streets.
The guards wore gleaming purple armor. Their breastplates and backplates bore polished circular shields that resembled mirrors. Their pauldrons were shaped like dragon heads, adorned with protruding six-pointed star designs. From their belts hung triangular abdominal guards, while three pieces of leg armor extended down their thighs and over the front of their groin. Black capes flowed behind them.
"The armor those people are wearing... It looks familiar."
"Oh, that's a type of armor called 'Mingguang Armor.' It was introduced about 309 years ago by an official from a foreign land... Um, what was their name again? I can't remember..."
"How many times do I have to tell you? It was [Changlong Kingdom]'s Jiulongqing, the second-ranked 'Cizhao,' Lord Jianyan. Your memory is always terrible."
The voice from behind belonged to a black-haired boy who emerged from the rocky wall.
I had noticed him earlier, but since he showed no hostility, I hadn't gone into a combat stance.
"You're slacking off again! Hurry up and help the village chief set up the altar for the ritual!"
The girl swung her fists at the boy's head repeatedly, but he dodged them effortlessly.
"No way! Besides, aren't you the one keeping our guest waiting?"
The boy pointed at me, and the girl immediately realized.
"Ah! I completely forgot Big Brother is here! Quickly, follow me!"