138: Past History

Chapter 137: Past History

After getting dressed again, Varana picked up the boiling kettle and poured a pot of hot tea.

She motioned for Arthur to sit at the table and asked, “Have you heard of the Dark Lord Marcus?”

“I’ve heard many rumors about him.”

“Before he led his army to conquer this land, our people had lived here for generations,” Varana slowly said. “Our history has been passed down orally to this day.”

“I am this generation’s witness and record-keeper for the tribe.”

“You must be curious why Mist Town is the least polluted?”

“Why is Mist Town the only one that can continuously resist?”

“I can sense the power beneath this land.”

Varana raised her eyebrows, a look of relief on her face: “The Wolf Pack’s prophecy was not wrong; it has noticed you and foretold your arrival to me.”

This was the second time Arthur had heard the term “Wolf Pack”; the last time was on the bark papers he found in the mayor’s study.

“Long, long ago, Druids from the Emerald Enclave came to this place,” Varana continued to recount the past. “They taught the local people how to channel the power of the gods.”

“We worship the Wolf Pack, and according to legend, those were beautiful times.”

At this point, Varana closed her eyes, as if immersed in memories of bygone years.

Seeing her remain silent for a long time, Arthur took the initiative to speak: “Then why did you turn to believe in Balador and Ferric?”

Balador and Ferric, in D&D lore, are gods of the dark races.

The former is the god of bear-folk, and the latter is the goddess of tiger-folk.

They are siblings, and there are also claims that they are sisters and brothers.

Due to differences in beliefs across regions, the genders of the two deities also change accordingly.

But this does not prevent them from being among the few dark-race gods who lean towards the lawful alignment.

Varana came back to her senses and replied, “Marcus sent his minions, those Beastmen, to infect and assimilate us, thereby controlling us.”

“He succeeded; most of us became bloodthirsty beasts like the Black Blood People.”

“And some of them pledged allegiance to the Dark Lord, becoming his new minions.”

“To avoid losing ourselves, we had to abandon our original faith and seek help from Balador and Ferric.”

“They generously accepted us and guided us to transform this curse into strength.”

Arthur nodded and asked, “Since that’s the case, why do you still maintain your belief in the Wolf Pack?”

“To one day be able to return to a normal life,” the girl explained. “I am the only remaining priest in the tribe who can sense the Wolf Pack.”

So that’s it, Arthur thought to himself. No wonder this girl seemed so different from the other Beastmen outside.

“Now you understand why I need you to give me a child, right?”

Arthur’s face showed bitterness, and he changed the subject: “Are the Black Blood People also here for the Wolf Pack?”

“Yes, but they don’t want to save it; they’re trying to seize its power,” Varana said.

“How can mere mortals seize the power of a god?”

Arthur expressed his confusion about this.

“Just kill him.”

Varana’s expression was very serious; she certainly wasn’t joking.

“The Lord of Beasts they worship is also the God of the Hunt.”

“There are rumors that Rage Claw, the leader of the Black Blood People, received a divine revelation and wants to hunt the Wolf Pack.”

“So you came here to stop them,” Arthur said. “If that’s the case, then our goals are the same.”

“I came here to save the Wolf Pack.”

“If you know what to do, please tell me.”

“I’m sorry, I can’t help you,” Varana shook her head. “For a long time, our tribe has been doing the same thing.”

“We’ve tried sacrifices, prayers, and all sorts of witchcraft, but not once have we succeeded.”

After hearing this, Arthur couldn’t help but sigh.

He had originally thought he would at least find some relevant clues.

“Alright, alright, young Baron, don’t sigh,” Varana waved her hand. “Everything I’ve told you is ancient history.”

“No one can confirm its truth, and even the elders of our tribe skip these old stories.”

“Now, let me tell you some of the latest news.”

A silence fell over the tent, with only Arthur’s steady breathing echoing.

He frowned, looking at the girl in front of him, and couldn’t help but remind her, “I’m waiting for your latest news.”

“Oh, this news isn’t free,” Varana extended a finger and lightly tapped a wooden basin on the table. “One silver coin.”

Arthur smiled, took a silver coin from his pocket, and dropped it into the wooden basin.

The silver coin clinked against the other coins in the basin, making a crisp sound.

“This isn’t for me,” Varana nodded with satisfaction. “This is a silver coin offered to the gods.”

“Marcus Vandr, that terrible monster, has ruled Qingfeng Valley for over five hundred years.”

The young Baron pondered the words he had just heard, combining them with the various pieces of information he had previously gathered.

He gradually understood what he was about to face.

“He’s truly long-lived,” Arthur exclaimed.

He isn’t long-lived, but has transcended death.

“The power of darkness has turned him into the most terrifying monster; as long as he lives, Qingfeng Valley will never escape his corruption.”

Arthur guessed, “He’s not just a vampire, is he?”

“I’ve never heard of any vampire being able to do something like this.”

“That’s right, young Baron. He is an evil being, existing for far longer than we can imagine, and his power is comparable to the gods.”

Arthur cursed silently.

“So, what are your plans now, Baron?”

“Are you going to fight Marcus like those ignorant fools before, or run away with your tail between your legs like a stray dog?” Varana asked.

“Heh,” Arthur spread his hands. “Where else can I go?”

“I bet that as soon as I leave Qingfeng Valley, the higher-ups in Amn will find a way to get rid of me.”

“It sounds like you’re at a dead end.”

“Well, madam, besides hitting me with that terrible truth, you must have also found a way to help me out of this predicament, right?” Arthur asked.

“One silver coin,” Varana named her price directly.

“Clink!” Another silver coin fell into the wooden basin.

“I don’t know,” Varana replied.

The young Baron’s face twitched upon hearing this answer.

He took a deep breath and said, “Varana, the guards forgot to search me earlier.”

“I still have a dagger on my waist.”

Varana’s face showed a mischievous expression: “You want to use that little dagger to cut my throat.”

“And then use it to break through the encirclement of over thirty Beastmen outside?”

“That’s not a good deal, you know.”

“So, I can only sit here and wait to die now?”

“Just wait for that Dark Lord to wake up, come to my door, twist my neck, and drain my blood?”

“Damn it, should I prepare a set of tableware for him in advance?” Arthur said helplessly.