Time flew by—Lanafit had already been staying in Stat Village for three whole days.
After spending too many nights sleeping in trees in the forest, she decided to stay in the village a few more days to recuperate.
After all, she had ended up lost and stuck sleeping in trees because of the village chief’s “wonderful” son, so freeloading a bed and meals from his house should have carried no guilt.
Yes, should have…
Lanafit originally thought that excuse alone would be enough to relieve any shame she felt about freeloading.
But alas…The village chief’s hospitality was just too much.
Not only was her room cleaned thoroughly every single day, but even the bedding and blankets were replaced with brand-new ones at the chief’s insistence.
At mealtimes, several dishes made from forest game were always laid out, along with fruit.
What’s more, they insisted she be the first to eat every time.
This wasn’t a meal—it was practically a ritual offering.
Faced with a level of hospitality that bordered on worship, Lanafit couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.
As for the rest of the villagers, their attitudes toward her were more mixed.
Some believed she hadn’t contributed much in the forest, that the lives saved were just a stroke of luck brought about by divine punishment from a goddess—Lanafit just happened to be there to benefit.
These villagers thought she got all the credit for nothing.
But Lanafit didn’t care what they thought.
This view was common in the village—especially held by the village chief’s “wonderful” son.
But that kid couldn’t even look her in the eyes.
If their gazes met for more than two seconds, he’d blush and lower his head.
The other men in the village were the same.
Every time Lanafit stepped outside the chief’s house, she’d attract a swarm of stares, making her sigh inwardly—her face really was too stunning.
At the same time, she worried a bit.
Being too beautiful might lead to trouble during her travels.
Unfortunately, among the tens of thousands of pages in the white room’s magical tomes, she hadn’t yet found any spells that could alter her appearance.
There might not even be such a spell at all.
She had, however, heard of a bizarre “ugly potion” that permanently made one uglier.
Even though she still hadn’t fully accepted becoming a woman, that didn’t mean she was willing to become ugly.
With no good options, Lanafit simply gave up on the idea.
If her beauty had a “damaging effect” on men, so be it.
Over the past few days, Lanafit had often gone into the forest with a female hunter from the village to gather herbs.
In return, she used magic to help with hunting.
Since she could never tell which way was north in the forest and always got lost, having a local hunter with her was the best choice.
The hunter knew where medicinal herbs were likely to grow.
Originally, Lanafit thought she’d never set foot again in the damn forest that got her lost for three whole days.
But with its abundance of medicinal plants that could be used for potion-making—or sold for a decent profit—she couldn’t resist.
After all, who turns down easy money?
The imperial soldiers had retreated from the forest overnight after discovering the Holy Sword, so Lanafit no longer had to worry about running into them.
This female hunter was one of the few villagers who didn’t think Lanafit profited unfairly.
She had a bold and easygoing personality.
But she was massive—at least two meters tall.
When Lanafit stood next to her, she had to practically tilt her head back 180 degrees just to make eye contact.
As a result, the hunter—already 25 or 26—still hadn’t married.
During their walks to the forest, she often mentioned how jealous she was of Lanafit’s looks.
But today, Lanafit gave her a potion she had brewed the night before: a Beauty Elixir.
The name was straightforward—it permanently made the drinker more beautiful, essentially the opposite of that strange ugly potion.
Yet, even though the hunter received it in the morning, she returned it that afternoon.
Lanafit was puzzled.
One would think she’d be desperate to become more beautiful—why the sudden change of heart?
The answer came when the hunter shyly explained: after taking the potion home, she ran into a young man six years her junior who lived next door.
That young man had always followed her around since childhood and even learned hunting from her.
A few years ago, he’d also become one of the village hunters.
Excited about the potion’s effects, she’d eagerly started telling him about it.
But…He objected.
He was so emotional he confessed to her on the spot—he said he loved her just the way she was, begged her not to take the potion, and declared that he had already saved up enough to start a family and had planned to propose this year.
And so, the hunter—with a face full of happiness and embarrassment—returned the potion to Lanafit.
Lanafit accepted it blankly, but silently wished her happiness in her heart.
She also couldn’t help but admire that young man—in more ways than one.
During these three days in the village, aside from receiving the village chief’s “offerings” and helping the hunter in the forest, Lanafit’s happiest moments were spent playing with Annie.
Annie had been ecstatic lately.
She constantly ran through the village, showing off the braided pigtails Lanafit had styled for her.
At the end of each braid was a deep blue ribbon, and tied to it was a delicate, transparent rose.
The rose that Lanafit had used to make the hair ties for her had indeed earned a compliment from Nuohette once she wore her ponytails.
It seemed that even though the village chief’s son was clumsy and impulsive, he wasn’t a bad person at heart.
All in all, Lanafit’s days in Stat Village had been fulfilling—so much so that she even began to entertain the thought of settling down here for a while after traveling the world.
That said, if the village chief continued feeding her in a way that bordered on ritualistic worship every day, that might be a bit too much to accept.
Tonight, as moonlight streamed through the window, Lanafit lay down on a bed that wasn’t exactly soft or comfortable, slowly closing her eyes.
Soon, the sound of steady breathing filled the room—she had fallen into a deep, peaceful sleep.
…
“Witch of Curses and Calamities, I now convey to you the will of the Dark God.”
A sudden, emotionless voice rang out, cold and abrupt—just like last time—ripping apart Lanafit’s dream without mercy.
“The nation once blessed by divine grace has lost its piety.
The teachings of the gods have been forsaken by the ignorant masses.
The foolish mortals now dare to trample on our dignity.
It is time they paid the price for their arrogance.
Visit divine wrath upon the Haid Empire—bring destruction and despair.
First, let fire consume Stat Village.
Leave no one alive.”
The voice was calm, as though it were simply stating an everyday fact.
But Lanafit, now sitting up in bed and drenched in cold sweat, could only stare wide-eyed in horror, her entire body trembling.
That voice echoed endlessly in her mind.
She clutched her head tightly, as if trying to rip the presence out of her thoughts—but it wouldn’t leave.
Only when the voice gradually faded did Lanafit’s arms fall limply to her sides.
She slowly looked up at the moonlight outside the window, her pale green eyes filled with terror.
Just a moment ago, she had found the night sky so beautiful.
But now, all the moonlight brought her was bone-deep chill.
Her body curled up on the bed.
She hugged her knees tightly, as if trying to stop her shivering.
And in a trembling whisper, she muttered—
“…Why?”