Outside the outskirts of the town, the three of them moved under the cover of night, walking through an empty alley.
This time, Enya took the lead, and the group remained silent the entire way.
To find the Source of the Curse, they first had to understand the Curse itself.
Enya found a gaunt figure lying on the ground, eyes vacant and spiritless.
It was hard to tell whether the person was male or female; their bones had shriveled away.
Enya approached and crouched down beside the figure.
Nina glanced over curiously, wanting to see what Enya would do next.
Sophia’s gaze was fixed on Enya.
No, her eyes hadn’t left Enya since they set out—occasionally sneaking looks at first, now openly watching this Dragon Tribe woman whom the Saintess forbade her to approach.
Certain Elven beliefs can’t be understood through human logic, especially their views on relationships. Though Elves tend to be exclusive, they are not incapable of accepting bonds that transcend species.
Of course, Sophia wasn’t thinking along those lines.
In her eyes, Elven Saintess Eliv was a revered figure among Elves, embodying pure devotion to the Nature God.
Looking at Enya’s back, Sophia thought to herself,
Why do I feel like the Saintess and Ain Lady have some sort of emotional connection?
It seemed a bit unrealistic.
So then, what kind of relationship could it be?
Friends?
But if they were close friends, why would the Saintess tell me not to approach Ain Lady?
If they were friends, wouldn’t it be natural to rely on each other?
Though the Saintess didn’t explicitly say to leave, she forbade her from getting close…
Could Ain Lady and the Saintess be tangled in some twisted relationship—part friend, part foe?
Very… very likely…
Since ending her call with Eliv, Sophia’s mind had been full of thoughts.
Elves could smell the scent of souls—bloodthirsty killers reeked of iron and death, jealous scoundrels gave off a sour stench, and those with great evil radiated an unbearable foulness.
With such an ability, one could discern a person’s true nature.
What Sophia smelled from Enya was a fresh, pure fragrance, indicating a soul of lawful good.
This was why, even though Nina never fully trusted Enya, she only rejected her in words and actions without ever drawing her sword.
Nina’s rejection of outsiders was essentially a form of protection for Sophia.
And over time, Nina and Enya’s relationship moved toward harmony. Elves would never associate with souls that gave off unpleasant odors.
Suddenly, Sophia’s eyes widened, her pale green veil fluttering as her cherry-pink lips parted.
Enya had pulled out a dagger and plunged it into the chest of the wasted man.
Immediately, he became a corpse.
Nina blinked her bright blue eyes calmly, seeing it as an ordinary event. She stayed focused on Enya, eager to see what she would do next.
Sophia was different. Watching the half-alive man die, she sighed deeply.
Her faith was in the Nature God.
The title “Nature God” was often preceded by “Mother of All Things”—literally the mother of everything in the world.
Whether Elf, human, magical beast, wild creature, bird, fish, insect, or tree—no matter how life was judged as good or evil—each was a child of the Nature God.
Sophia did not blame Enya but naturally felt a sadness at witnessing the passing of life.
Enya, showing no mercy, opened her palm above the corpse.
White smoke seeped from the body, condensing into a pale white slip of paper floating before her palm.
Enya reached out and grabbed it.
Several flickering images flashed through her mind.
“Hah.”
After reading, Enya let out a light sigh.
Sophia took a couple of steps forward, glanced at the corpse, then looked toward Enya and asked,
“Did you get any information?”
“Mm.”
Enya nodded, lowering her head.
“The smoke that appeared just now is a very sinister curse. To the soul, it’s like locusts devouring a field of grass.”
This man’s soul had been completely consumed.
The person Enya stabbed moments ago was essentially a living dead, an Empty Shell.
Hearing this, Sophia was startled.
She bit her thin lips lightly, her hatred for the Lord of Mist Church deepening.
Enya stood, turning toward Sophia, noticing her distracted expression.
She reached out to place a hand on Sophia’s shoulder.
But as soon as Enya’s hand landed, Nina pouted, jumped up, and slapped Enya’s hand away.
Sophia snapped back to attention because of their commotion.
She looked at Enya and asked,
“Is something wrong?”
“Nothing. I roughly know where to find it.”
Enya shook her head.
She had no intention of lecturing Sophia—every living being had unique thoughts, and it was unnecessary to impose her own views on others.
“Eh?!”
Nina cried out in surprise, her large eyes staring at Enya’s silver iron mask, her small fists pounding Enya’s waist in disbelief.
“Mother Dragon, you know?”
“Mother Dragon, how do you know?”
She had seen Enya stab the man, then smoke rising from his body, condensing into a paper.
Enya had held the paper for a moment before it disappeared.
And then Enya said she knew…
What exactly do you know?
How do you know?
Seeing such a miraculous ability, Nina wanted Enya to teach her the magic behind it.
Although there were many kinds of magic in the world, there was always a fundamental method to learning them—it depended on one’s comprehension and aptitude.
Nina considered herself very talented!
“Hey, Mother Dragon, ten Gold Coins if you tell me what magic you just used.”
Enya shrugged helplessly.
“Sorry, no money for you this time.”
“Ugh, why not?”
Nina almost lunged to bite Enya, but seeing her armored body, she thought biting would hurt her teeth, so she gave up.
She then caught sight of Enya’s tail swaying behind her and pounced, only to be dodged easily.
Enya wagged her tail teasingly, like playing with a kitten.
Nina huffed in frustration.
Sophia, however, was losing patience.
“We’re here to work, and you two are playing around again?”
Besides, since when did you two become so close behind my back?!
“Ahem…”
Sophia coughed twice, addressing the two carefree girls.
“Let’s hurry and find the source.”
“Okay.”
Hearing Sophia’s voice, Enya lowered her tail that had been held high.
But just then, Nina grabbed the tip of Enya’s tail.
Before the little Elf could rejoice, Sophia smacked Nina’s head.
Nina winced in pain but reluctantly let go, rubbing her head.
Seeing this, Enya smiled and said to Sophia,
“It’s fine to let her hold it. I’ll lead the way, you two follow behind me.”