Chapter 7: Valerie

Fulade also looked toward the direction the sound came from, keenly sensing a dark, violent aura lurking in the air—just a fleeting flash.

Let's go see.

As soon as the words fell, the two dashed forward, instantly turning into phantoms, whooping as they stirred up a large flock of bats and flew toward the source of the sound.

Creak~

Two figures suddenly flickered onto the tree branches like phantoms.

Master, look what that is.

Weiluona pointed in surprise at the distant cliff face, where several huge claw marks lay, and said.

Whoosh— Fulade's figure flickered, and in the next instant he appeared before the tall rock wall.

The huge claw marks kept extending upward along the rock wall until they vanished.

Looking at Weiluona beside him, Fulade said:

It seems the other party went to the other side of the valley.

Do you know what place that is?

Weiluona stared at the huge claw marks on the rock wall, secretly sighing that this power was probably slightly superior to hers.

Um—ah, Master, I seem to recall there's a remote village over there." Weiluona blinked at Fulade's question, then quickly replied.

A village?

Because it's on the other side of the mountain, so each time taxes are collected, that place is the last to hand them in, which is why I have a slight impression of it." Weiluona affirmed.

Why would the werewolf go there? Could that village have something special?

This was Fulade's first encounter with the legendary werewolf, naturally stirring his desire to investigate.

He gave Weiluona a slight upward glance, and the two flickered along the traces toward the village.

After crossing the valley, the opposite side was also a vast, lush forest.

Upon arriving here, Fulade felt the dark elements in the air grow denser.

"Something's not right." Fulade muttered.

Weiluona obviously also sensed the dark energy in the air, her expression turning grave.

Weiluona's expression suddenly shifted, and she said to Fulade:

"Right, Master, I just remembered a rumor about this village!"

"Oh, what rumor? Tell me." Fulade's expression shifted as he said.

"For over a hundred years, this village has had an ancient custom: each year on the day of the full moon, they sacrifice livestock and other beings to pray for the village's peace."

"And on that day they always shut their doors and stay inside; it's said to have been this way for over a hundred years."

"When our father told us this, we took it as a joke, after all that village had never experienced any incident."

"We always thought it was just a backward habit of those ignorant villagers."

Fulade nodded in understanding; similar rumors and crude customs actually exist in many countries and regions.

But it's hard to tell which are true and which are false.

Without further delay, Fulade and Weiluona quickly followed the traces and arrived at the village Weiluona had mentioned.

Fulade and Weiluona stood on the lofty tree branches, gazing intently ahead.

Before them lay the village, with cooking smoke curling gently, laughter and chatter unceasing—truly a picture of tranquility.

The two exchanged a glance, descended, and walked toward the village.

This village is not small, likely several hundred households, making it one of the larger villages in Transylvania.

As the two entered the village, the locals kept staring curiously at them, seemingly very curious about their sudden arrival.

"Whose daughter is that? She's really pretty—I've never seen her before."

"She probably isn't from our village."

"."

"Hey hey~ sis, look at that guy, he's so handsome!" "Don't be silly, he's not that great either. Henry isn't any worse than him!"

"Yo, sis actually likes Henry—this time you've let it slip."

Hearing the constant whispers around him, Fulade realized this village probably sees few outsiders.

Their arrival quickly attracted a crowd of villagers.

Weiluona seemed never to have encountered such a scene; although a bit nervous, her expression showed no fear.

She quickly adapted, openly presenting herself to the crowd.

No matter what, she is a princess of a country, and her adaptability is still strong.

"May I ask where you two are from?"

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself—I'm the village chief here; you can call me Old Ward."

A white-haired, still fairly vigorous old man walked toward them, the elder politely bowed and said.

"Village chief, we are travelers passing through; we merely lost our way along the road, so we came to bother you, hoping to lodge for a night."

Fulade stepped forward, expressing his purpose in a gentlemanly manner.

"We, Jianjiaocun, certainly welcome your arrival."

"Just—" the village chief's lips twitched a few times, wanting to speak but stopping.

"Village chief, is there some difficulty?" Fulade asked.

"Oh, it's nothing much; you can stay if you wish, but going out at night is forbidden." The village chief said.

Fulade immediately nodded, indicating his willingness to follow the village's rules.

But when he tried to ask the reason, the village chief shook his head, remaining silent and unwilling to answer.

Seeing this, Fulade also stopped pressing, knowing he would have ways to find out later.

In the curious gazes of the villagers, village elder Wode asked the villagers whose house still had a spare room, when a girl jumped out.

"Will you pay the room fee?" the little girl giggled.

"Ahaha, Wailali, don't cause trouble!" At that moment, another slightly older girl ran out, gave an embarrassed smile, and quickly covered the girl's mouth and said.

The girl's action instantly drew a round of good-natured laughter from the surrounding villagers.

Watching the girl's antics in front of him, Fulade couldn't help but laugh.

"Don't worry, we will pay you the room fee, little sister." Weiluona interfaced said.

Obviously, the little girl's antics were very much to Weiluona's liking.

The girl broke free from her sister's restraint and said to the two: "Big brother, sister, I'm Wailali."

"This is my sister, Luxi, only a year older than me." The girl appeared very enthusiastic.

Looking at this innocent girl of only thirteen or fourteen years old in front of him, Fulade was slightly taken aback, and with a gentlemanly demeanor revealed a smile:

"This beautiful lady, you can call me Fulade."

"I am Weiluona, little sister." Weiluona said.

"Come with me, I still have a room at my house."

The girl said, and then pulled her sister as they walked home.

"Wailali, why didn't you communicate with the family first before bringing outsiders home?" Sister Luxi complained in a low voice.

"Don't worry, leave it to me." Wailali said softly, occasionally turning back to smile at the two, appearing quite clever and playful.

Although the two sisters spoke softly, with Fulade's keen senses, naturally he heard every word.

"Master, I didn't expect the people here to be so enthusiastic." Weiluona whispered in Fulade's ear.

Fulade nodded, but when he looked at Wailali, his eyes flickered, unknown what he was thinking.

Weiluona obviously also noticed Fulade's oddness, and thus also looked toward the enthusiastic little girl ahead, but she didn't discover any mystery.

The girl hopped about, looking very happy, her golden hair continually fluttering, giving off a pure, cute sweetness.

(End of chapter)