Chapter Ten: Dancing with the Dark God

“This happened back in my grandfather’s time.”
Baron Glaiten leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands, his gaze fixed on the tea table as if his thoughts were drifting far into the past. “He was a knight of the kingdom’s army, sent to the border to eliminate a group of cultists who worshipped the dark god Bazathos.”

Ethan had read this story before; the public library of Creekwood Town held a book chronicling this tale, written with a fairy-tale flair, depicting three brave and fearless knights of the kingdom’s army and an evil witch who sacrificed the border town’s residents to the dark god.

It was one of the earliest books Ethan had come across when trying to understand the world he had somehow traversed into.

Like countless fairy tales, the three valiant knights endured countless hardships and finally defeated the wicked witch, bringing peace to the town. To honor them, the king granted each a title of nobility; two chose to stay in the area—one of whom was Baron Glaiten’s grandfather—while the other settled in Riverside Town, dedicating himself to the town’s growth and development.

The close relationship between the two towns was, in part, due to the friendship between these two noble families.

“I have read that book,” Ivy spoke up, conscious of the pressing time and unwilling to waste it on a story she already knew. “Are there any details the book left out? For instance, did the witch leave behind any offspring or apprentices?”

“All the cultists connected to the witch were executed. However, when they killed the witch, something strange happened…” Baron Glaiten’s face turned pale. After a moment of hesitation, he gritted his teeth and continued, “They cut off her head after defeating her, but the witch’s severed head stayed alive for a long time. She cursed the town, saying she would one day return and slaughter everyone.”

“No one was braver than my grandfather. He dared to venture alone into the forest, facing all beasts.”

Glaiten emphasized this, as if defending his family’s honor, but soon his clenched fists relaxed in defeat. “Yet he was terrified by nightmares, waking up screaming, swinging his sword at the air, shouting ‘She’s back!’ On several occasions, he even accidentally injured the servants who rushed to him. Before sleeping, he had to place his sword by the bedside, but even so, he couldn’t endure for long.”

His father kept this secret tightly under wraps, and few knew that the hero of Creekwood Town died in fear and madness.

The baron hung his head in despair. “But the witch’s curse continued. A few months later, my father was found drowned in a pond by the guards.”

This time, it was Riverside Town that suffered.

He couldn’t help but recall his grandfather’s clouded eyes—the town’s hero had lost his courage, left with only fear and despair, muttering, “She’s back… we’re all going to die.”

A thunderclap shattered the sky, dark storm clouds blotting out the light, enveloping the town in gloom.

Such a storm was truly fitting.

Ethan’s spine chilled; the sudden lightning strike startled him.

A witch risen from the dead, a town mysteriously destroyed—everything he saw seemed shrouded in darkness.

“Do you think the witch is responsible?”

Ivy pondered briefly, then turned to Ethan. “Ethan, what kind of magic did she use?”

“How should I know?”

Three question marks hovered above Ethan’s head.

The baron described the witch almost like a ghost—it was rather terrifying.

---

“Eh? Aren’t you an expert? There’s still occult knowledge you don’t know?”

“I’m just a clerk who’s read some books on the occult, never dealt with witches directly… But resurrection is not impossible. The book ‘Understanding 100 Dark Creatures’ mentions that Bazathos, the dark god worshipped by witches, symbolizes death. His followers have a profound understanding and study of death. The book also says high-level witches can summon monsters from the underworld through contracts.”

Ethan glanced at Baron Glaiten’s dejected demeanor and chose not to continue.

The book also mentioned that sacrificial rituals are a form of contract; Bazathos’s followers exchange the souls of sacrifices for power. The worst-case scenario was that the witch had already sacrificed all the residents of Riverside Town to the dark god.

With such an immense number of souls, she would now be nearly invincible.

Compared to a resurrected witch, Ethan would rather face a ghost. After all, the book said ghosts only look frightening but are not particularly harmful.

“We’re doomed…”

Baron Glaiten trembled uncontrollably. Ethan thought he was about to turn into a mushroom, much like a traveling merchant he had once met.

The knowledgeable Ethan analyzed the town’s plight and made a difficult decision.

Two years had passed—it was time to leave the town and embark on a new adventure!

From his observations, Miss Chloe could fly, and with her strength, carrying him on her travels should be no problem.

As for Creekwood Town, he wished its people all the best.

Suddenly, Ivy spoke. “I know about your grandfather. He was a second-tier knight certified by the empire. When he received orders, they went to the empire’s border without hesitation.”

Ethan guessed Ivy was trying to encourage Baron Glaiten, but her calm tone came across more like sarcasm, further depressing the baron. He painfully covered his face, muttering, “Yes, if only I could be as brave and strong as my grandfather… He taught me swordsmanship, left me the knight’s manual, but no matter what, I could never become like him.”

“What do you plan to do then?”

The sudden question left the baron stunned. He stammered for a long time but couldn’t form a complete sentence.

“You are the descendant of the town’s hero. The witch will never forgive you. If you intend to do nothing and just sit here waiting to be killed, I won’t waste any more time on you.”

With that, Ivy turned to Ethan seriously. “Three second-tier knights managed it—why can’t we? Prepare in advance, set traps, mobilize the guild’s hunters. Miss Chloe can help a lot… Ethan, go and bring her back to the town.”

Ethan noticed Ivy’s gaze drift beyond him, toward the storm outside the window. She seemed already contemplating the town’s defenses.

At least Creekwood Town still had a trustworthy sheriff, which meant Ethan could embark on his adventure without worry.

Moreover, Ivy had just created a perfect opportunity for him.

If he were attacked and killed by the witch on the way to fetch Miss Chloe, even if he never returned to town, he wouldn’t carry the blame.

Thinking this, Ethan turned away.

“Wait.”

Ivy suddenly called after him, making Ethan’s heart race. This girl was clever—could she have seen through his plan to slip away?

---

He began self-reflection, realizing he had agreed far too quickly. In the face of such a life-and-death crisis, he should have shown inner conflict, adopting the appearance of a man who had summoned great courage to make his decision—for it was more likely to earn trust.

Lost in thought, Ivy approached him and, in front of him, unclipped a revolver from her waist and placed it in his hand.

“Don’t die on the way.”

The heavy weight made him dazed as he examined the revolver up close for the first time.

It was finely crafted, with a family crest engraved on the grip that he had never seen before.

Ethan hadn’t expected to be caught in such a dilemma. He wanted to run, but if he took Ivy’s only possible weapon before leaving, that would be utterly ungrateful.

Not wanting to get involved in others’ grudges or cause harm, he tried to refuse. “There’s no need for this.”

Ivy was resolute, frowning as she urged him, “Stop talking. Go quickly and come back quickly.”

In theory, Ivy was intelligent.

Being accepted into the Enlightenment Society was itself a recognition of her wisdom, but Ethan had recently noticed that in some ways, she was surprisingly naïve—handing over her weapon so easily to a stranger was one example.

He believed many in the guild would easily take the gun, sell it on the black market for a hefty sum, change their identity, and live carefree lives.

He could only guess Ivy had rarely dealt with real villains growing up—a rarity in these times.

The same opportunity now lay before Ethan.

Before departing, Ivy even generously gave him some startup funds for his adventure.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll run off with your gun?”

As he asked, Ethan immediately regretted it. He suspected Ivy had just leveled herself with him without realizing it.

Upon the hint, Ivy’s expression brightened. “Oh, right, that’s possible.”

“I was just joking…”

“If you’re going to run, run far—go to a big city. Once there, find an officer, show him this gun, and say Ivy Margaret sent you. Tell him about Riverside and Creekwood Towns and have him dispatch the royal army to exterminate the witch.”

Ethan could hardly believe his ears.

“Also,”

Ivy cast him a look of disdain once more, “Next time you run, don’t tell anyone—you’ll get tied up.”