Chapter 393 392. Cult
On the northern outskirts of Mushroom City, Solarin led his team into a deserted village.
There was thick dust everywhere, and spider webs fluttered in the breeze under the eaves, but the structures of most of the wooden houses were still intact.
After all, the villagers left in just a few months.
As the new city rose, the surrounding villages were naturally the first to be affected. Entire villages moved away, leaving only empty houses to decay quietly.
According to the clue "ruins in the north" provided by the blacksmith, this is the place that meets the requirements.
Places that fit the description further away are beyond the reach of an average person on foot in a day.
The team members searched the entire village carefully but found nothing.
This place is indeed deserted and there is no trace of any human activity.
The several cellars that were discovered were ordinary cellars where villagers used to store grain, and they had long been emptied.
It seemed like another futile search.
Everyone was mentally prepared for this. After all, the clue came from the drunken words heard by the blacksmith. They couldn't even be sure whether the missing person had really been here. It was normal not to find any clues.
But Solarin dutifully checked every cellar herself.
Just as the team was about to evacuate, she suddenly raised her hand to signal a pause, turned around and went back into one of the cellars.
Standing in this seemingly ordinary underground space, Soralin always felt that something was wrong.
When she noticed the solitary mushroom in the corner, she suddenly realized, "Mushroom! Yes! This place has been abandoned for so long, why aren't mushrooms growing everywhere like in other cellars? There's only this one!"
She carefully checked every corner and confirmed that there were no hidden fungal mats, and finally stopped hesitating.
"Everywhere you go, you leave a trace!"
As the [Vision of Truth] opened, Soralin's eyes were stained with silver.
What came into view were messy footprints all over the ground and a dark blue ritual circle that had faded but was still recognizable!
Solarin immediately called the assistant sent by Fal: "Go tell Fal that I need reinforcements. I will also request support from the church."
"Lord Solarin, what did you find?" asked the assistant.
"I've seen this color before. It's a cult," she said in a serious voice, "Hand of Death!"
…
On the other side, seeing that Vera and his four companions had entered the farm first, Aidin and Norris could only stay put, hiding in the woods outside the farm and watching what would happen.
The Vera team was entrusted by a tall and thin man named Patton.
Patton and his team had collaborated several times before, and it was quite pleasant. This time, the other party took the initiative to find Vera and his team.
Barton was a close friend of the farm's original owner. He worriedly told Vera, "My friend has longed to own his own farm. Now that his wish has finally come true, it doesn't make sense for him to suddenly sell it off without losing money! Besides, I can't contact him at all. I've tried to contact the new owner several times, but they've rudely kicked me out. Please, come with me. I just want to ask you face to face. I promise I won't ask you to do anything illegal."
The task was not difficult, and the pay was not low. It was also a commission from an old employer, so Vera had no reason to refuse.
The group walked into the farm and everything seemed normal.
Many "mushroom farmers" are busy on the farm, moving the picked mushrooms into the warehouse.
In the big house on the farm, they met a well-dressed middle-aged man, who was the new farmer Gavin.
Gavin had a stern face and obviously did not welcome Vera and the others.
"What can I do for you? We are very busy here and do not accept any outsiders." Gavin's tone was calm, but his words were full of the meaning of leaving.
Barton immediately stepped forward and said excitedly, "Mr. Gavin! I just want to ask, why did my friend sell the farm? Where is he now? Why can't I contact him?"
Gavin remained polite. "Mr. Barton, the transaction procedures are clearly documented in the City Lord's Mansion. If you have any questions, you can apply to see them yourself. As for where your friend went afterwards, it has nothing to do with me. Please go back."
As Barton and Gavin were arguing, the elf Xilian from the team quietly approached Vera and whispered in a very low voice, "Vera, something's wrong. I sense the vitality in those mushroom farmers around here. It definitely exceeds that of an ordinary person."
Vera looked around, thought for a moment, then put on a helpless expression. She pulled the agitated Barton aside, trying to ease the atmosphere: "Mr. Barton, look, Mr. Gavin also said that the procedures are complete. Maybe your friend just doesn't want to be disturbed? It's really not appropriate for us to ask like this. Why don't we go back first?"
Gavin also said: "Yeah, maybe he has already gone to the islands to live a life of luxury. I am also very troubled that you have been bothering me all the time instead of looking for him!"
Barton, who was being pulled by Vera, didn't understand the look Vera gave him. Instead, he asked, "Go to the islands? Why do you say that?"
"It's just a random example. I don't know whether he actually went there or not," Gavin explained casually.
Barton suddenly shook off Vera's hand, pointed at Gavin and shouted, "Impossible! He can't stand the sea breeze at all. He breaks out in red spots the moment he gets close to the sea. There's no way he's planning to go to the islands! He's such a big mouth that he loves to talk about this to everyone he meets. Since you bought the farm he cherishes like his life from him, how could you not have heard him talk about this?"
Vera: "Pig..."
After Patton yelled, the atmosphere in the farm froze instantly.
The evidence was not sufficient, but the smile on Gavin's face had completely disappeared, replaced by a sinister look.
He had already seen that this Patton would not give up easily.
"You're being unreasonable. It seems that a gentle request to leave won't work." Gavin said coldly, taking a step back and making a gesture at the same time.
The mushroom farmers who were originally busy or watching the fun immediately stood up straight, their eyes became fierce, and they quickly drew out hidden swords from various corners of the room. With swift and unified movements, they surrounded Vera and Patton in the middle in an instant, blocking all their retreat routes.
Not only that, there were also magical fluctuations coming from the mushroom farmers. It was obvious that there were even mages among these people. They were not ordinary people at all!
Gavin, who had already donned a pair of grappling claws, said, "Since you refuse to leave, let me take you away... forever."
Patton opened his mouth wide. He thought it was just a forced sale, but the situation seemed to be bigger than he had imagined?
Patton was at a loss and stood there in a daze, forgetting to dodge even when Gavin's hook was slashing towards him.
Vera pulled Patton behind him and no longer had time to complain to this scumbag employer.
Vera quickly ordered, "Feiyin, use the buff magic! Feiling, use the explosive arrows to blow this place down! Xilian, help hold the rear while I break through!"
…
In the distance, Norris, who noticed the outbreak of battle, jumped out of the woods immediately, but stopped abruptly.
In the fungus network, after obtaining the boss's consent, he put aside his worries and rushed forward, accompanied by Aidin.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
