The town was still in chaos. Some townspeople walked in groups toward the edge of the mountain, seemingly eager to see the outside world for themselves, while others held the bodies of their deceased relatives and wept bitterly.
Flocks of crows flew over the town, bringing with them harsh, hoarse cries.
"How is it?" Phil Gray asked as Eli walked toward him.
“More than a hundred townspeople died last night, but thankfully the disease has been contained.” Eli breathed a sigh of relief, stood beside him, and quietly handed him a space stone.
"I don't know if our arrival is good or bad for them."
Those were one hundred vibrant lives, nearly one-tenth of the town's population—not just a simple number.
They paused and sighed for a moment, and were about to pack up and leave when they saw Jack, the little boy-like old man they had rescued earlier, running towards them, carrying something in his arms.
"Hello, outsiders, do you know what's going on?" His tone was full of anxiety and worry. The thing in his arms was revealed, accompanied by crying sounds. It was a pink baby, a real baby.
"Why is my grandson born looking so old? What should I do?"
Eli laughed and explained to him how life in the outside world grows.
Phil Gray smiled, as if the whisper of fate echoed in his ears, "They shouldn't have this fate; the reversal of destiny has finally been corrected."
A faint divine light emanated from his body, which Eli noticed even though it was only for a moment.
"You've broken through?" He raised an eyebrow.
“Yes.” Phil Gray nodded happily. He had finally reached the Blessing level. He had just learned that the second skill bestowed upon him by the God of Fate was called “Fate Blade,” which could manifest divine power as a blade and throw it out. It would not only cause physical damage to the enemy, but also make the enemy extremely unlucky for a period of time.
It's a very rare attack-type skill, since most of the skills bestowed by the God of Fate are more support-oriented.
This pleased him greatly.
“Cousin, you’ve reached the same level as me so quickly? How come the god of fate is so biased towards you?” Patrick muttered from the side.
"So you'd better hurry up and fulfill the divine prophecy, for your god of fate surely dislikes lazy people," Eli mocked.
Patrick raised his hands, challenging him to a duel.
Mrs. Dean helped Mr. Allen over. "Judging from this, this space has already entered the real world?"
She had been helping Mr. Allen treat patients, but she didn't know what had happened.
Phil Gray then reiterated his previous remarks and explained them to them.
"Is that all?" Mr. Allen asked weakly.
It seems that he came to this site solely to treat the sick and save lives?
“Yes, the core of the space has disappeared. I don’t know if ‘Dwyer’ took it away.” Phil Gray said in a heavy tone, then looked at Allen. “In any case, thanks to you this time, the town’s residents were not killed by the Plague Controllers.”
Mr. Allen smiled, his emerald green eyes filled with satisfaction.
Phil Gray recalled what he had seen with the Eye of Fate, and his expression turned strange for a moment. "Ahem, the leader went to check on the space core. I don't know when he'll be back."
They waited a while, and then the leader returned, holding a piece of white paper. He looked at Phil Gray with some surprise, as if he could tell that he had just broken through to the Blessing Level, but then he continued, "The cave collapsed, but I still found a piece of text. I made a copy of it. You translate it."
“Okay.” Phil Gray took the white paper; it was indeed the inscription from under the mural, and he read it truthfully.
"So that's why the town was trapped in this space a thousand years ago."
The others suddenly realized.
"The God of Time and Space and the God of Fate are friends?" The leader frowned.
This is the only piece of information related to the god of fate, but it seems to be of little use.
“Since things have come to this, shall we head back as soon as possible?” Mrs. Dean asked.
"I just went to check. The mountain peak to the south is connected to the cave we first entered. The carriage is parked over there. You all go back first. I'll stay here and take another look, trying to track down the person who escaped." After saying this, the leader left somewhat sullenly.
"The leader stayed in Duer City solely to find this ruin, but we didn't expect to find nothing and instead be deceived by that plague maker. He must be very frustrated," Mrs. Dean said, watching his retreating figure.
"Hmm." Phil Gray nodded absentmindedly, wondering if the leader would discover anything else.
After a day and a night, the horses that had stopped at the cave entrance were both thirsty and hungry. After feeding the horses, they began their journey back.
“We should report this to the Church of Life when we get back. After all, it’s quite a big deal that a small town has suddenly appeared in their parish,” Patrick said, watching the town gradually disappear from sight.
“Of course, I’ll also take care of that village matter while I’m at it. I don’t want to be accused of murder,” Eli said lazily, leaning back in his seat.
Phil Gray smiled. The gains from this relic were truly beyond his expectations. Not only did he obtain a sacred object, but he also broke through to a higher level. He just didn't know when he would be able to hear the words of wisdom that would allow him to reach the level of the "Observer".
After a two-day, two-night journey, they finally returned to the Dortz Hotel.
The tavern was still bustling with activity, and the owner served fine wine and dinner, which helped the tired group regain some of their energy.
Until a guard knocked on the tavern door and went straight to their table.
"Gentlemen, we have been waiting for you for a long time." The leading knight's eyes were cold and indifferent.
The patrons in the tavern fell silent and turned to look in their direction.
"Is it because of Miss Ella's death a few days ago?" Phil Gray asked.
“The villagers say you fled after committing the murder. According to our investigation, you are temporarily staying at this tavern.” A man who looked like an official came out from behind, seemingly the sheriff of Duer City, and said with a smile.
"As for whether you killed the person, further investigation is needed. Please come with us to the Investigation Bureau."
"The Investigation Bureau? Shouldn't they have gone to the church? I remember the villagers reported it to the Life Church."
"Oh, this murder violates the laws of the Kingdom of Puna, so the church naturally handed it over to us," the sheriff patiently explained.
Phil Gray stood up helplessly and whispered in his ear, "But it may still need the Church to handle this, because this matter involves the Chosen Ones. You should know what the Chosen Ones are."
The sheriff looked disappointed. "As you say, that's true. Go and inform the church." He pointed to the knight.
He sat down and complained, "Oh, the church, the church, it's all the church, can't they even let us people have anything to do?"
"Are you guys very free?" Phil Gray asked.
“Yes, people go to the church whenever they have a problem. The church priests and knights are too busy to keep up. But they forget that they not only live in the parish, but are also members of the Kingdom of Puna.” The sheriff picked up the wine in front of him and drank it all in one gulp.
Soon after, the church members arrived. They recognized them—the knight under Morey's command, a member of the Tulip Squad.
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