Get ready!

To be completely honest, when the test examiner read aloud the quest's content Mikaela already expected to find a certain degree of damage in the village.

It did not require a silver ranker to take a guess something adverse might had happened there. Anyone with enough intelligent knew losing contact for weeks definitely far from what considered to be normal. That being said, the female adventurer earnestly, strongly hoped the whole situation was only brought upon by silly mistake, a kind of harmless mistake where everybody could laugh it all off together at the end of the day.

"…As predicted…"

Upon witnessing the destruction of the village before her eyes, Mikaela's mind stayed undaunted, based on personal experiences this scenario was very likely to happen considering its remote location and circumstance. However, no matter how much her mind remained resolute, grief inhabited the woman's heart, as she reminded once more how unkind this world could be to its inhabitants.

"Mikaela, we are clear"

At the same time, Mikaela and Alana became more on the qui vive to their surrounding for potential hazard. Fortunately, the two did not sense any suspicious gaze or movement around them. Nonetheless, they remained on high alert.

Getting ready after a happening occurred was already too late because in battle anything could progress within seconds, or even less. To avoid such possibility, no choice but to be ready all the time. An unpopular, yet necessary course of action, since being in a state of continuous vigilance put strain on one's mind and body.

To relieve those fatigue, Mikaela and Alana already planned to have a nice relaxation in a hot spring and heavenly massage in their previous hotel after this quest ended.

"Let's walk from here"

Afterward, the two adventurers descended from their strong war horses with graceful movement. Mounting the trained animals allowed them to have superior mobility and impact. But, unless they underwent rigorous training, evading projectiles while being on top of them was difficult, not to mention the danger if they fell. Thus, Mikaela and Alana preferred to be on their feet.

Regardless, Alana knew a couple of beast masters able to make horses like the extension of their own bodies naturally, seeing them in action was spectacular experience. At the same time, it dawned on her the skill was beyond what she could accomplish in a life time.

"Proceed slowly"

"Agree"

Alana unsheathed her perfectly re-sharpened sword and Mikaela conjured a compact magic circle on her hand capable of shooting lightning arrows at a moment notice. Then, accompanied by the horses on their sides acting no different than living shields, the group strode slowly toward their destination.

-------

Inside the vicinity of what used to be a growing village, the extent of the damage became more apparent.

The monumental main gate supposedly protecting the settlement received a devastating unrepairable damage, and laid feebly on the dirty ground, forcefully taken away from its intended place. It was indeed not the best gate ever existed, nonetheless constructed from special woods with durability similar to steel and designed to be able to withstand considerable amount of clobbering from day-to-day hostile parties.

Similarly, nothing left of the residents' humble abodes beside countless rubbles and wreckage. Only a handful still retained their shape, and even the remaining houses looked like it could crumble from the lightest of powerless touch. Imagining numerous actual families with colorful emotions and dreams used to live there was heart wrenching.

Even more so after Mikaela found a severed plushie and red shoe that were seperated from their little owner among the debris.

"May you all rest in peace"

The departed would never, ever come back. Thus, Mikaela made time to close her eyes for a brief moment and put a hand on her chest, prayed their souls were now in a better place.

"…Alana, do you think the cause were bandits?"

"...No, not a chance"

Mikaela's voice lack energy and trace of falling tears could be noticed on her cheeks. Normally, Alana would not miss this chance to make fun of her miserable state, not today.

Sometime, this silver ranker in front of her, which she had known for years, was too soft, easily swayed by emotion which hindered her thinking process. But, that quality to emphatize with people what made possible for them to be good friends until now. Well, sometime rivals.

Alana scratched her head to calm the sudden burst of embarrassment after acknowledging that fact, then the athletic and buxom lady decisively replied the question and pointed out three reasons to justify her answer.

First, the gate. From how inwardly curved the broken block of wood was and clean from any burnt, something possessing tremendous strength might had caused this. Alana had a hard time imagining mere bandits had the necessary power to accomplish such feat. Though, there was also the possibility of a gifted individual turned to banditry recently. But, she had never heard of such report.

Second, the ruination of the buildings. The despicable bandits' common mode of operandi revolved around pillaging. They savagely broke through a settlement's parameter, greedily took what they needed or wanted, mercilessly killed anyone standing in their way, and swiftly retreated. Despite of this, those villains actually ensured the victims had the bare minimum to recover. In order for them to be robbed again in the future. Therefore, spreading destruction of this caliber was out of the norm.

Mikaela also reached identical conclusion. That being said, she could not see another reason to emphasize this was not the work of bandits.

"…What's the third reason?"

"…How do I say this, did you, by any chance, stumble upon any remains of the people?"

Mikaela's eyes widened upon hearing that absurd question, such thing was unthinkable.

She started to look around to confirm the reality around her. Blood easily visible, as they were splattered everywhere. Yet, no matter how much she observed, there was no body of the deceased anywhere. Additionally, no rotten odor usually accompanying unattended corpses.

"…What's the meaning of this?"

"Honestly, I don't have the faintest idea. It's weird, for sure, I even felt goosebumps" said Alana while hugging herself tightly to warm herself.

Despite wanting nothing more than to leave the site, Mikaela -reluctantly- continued to look around at her surrounding, giving her best to find anything that could serve as clue to solve this mystery. Several minutes passed, and nothing came to mind.

Be that as it may, a thought materialized in her mind when she was looking down on her own feet, forming a possible answer.

"…Alana, did you analyze the footprints near the gate?"

"Yeah, I did"

The emerald ranker informed from the shape and condition of the traces on the soil, no one managed to flee from this village. It was like every footstep was abruptly stopped before they reached the exit by unexplained phenomenon.

"So, from your observation none leave this village?"

"Yes, none, I would know if…damn it!"

The two just realized whatever led this village to its current state was still here, possibly had been observing them the entire time.

As if acknowledging their smart conclusion, the atmosphere drastically changed. The air became cold, and sinister aura enveloped the whole area. Not even the war horses famed for its bravery able to stay quiet.

Worse, a shining magic formula started to appear on the ground.

"We have to get out of here!!"

In a hurry, Mikaela and Alana mounted their restless horses, commanded them to run as fast as possible toward the exit. Sharing the same intention, the horses heed the order and frantically moved their legs

Alas, before they could get near the exit, ominous magic rose from the village's border and formed a dome, blocking anyone who wished to enter and preventing the two adventurers from escaping.

Slashes nor magic were unsuccessful in opening a space for them, no wonder the people could not escape.

"...This doesn't look good, does it?"

"No, it's not... So, are you ready?"

"Always, I have to work hard to earn my share anyway"

Mikaela and Alana once again descended from their horses, and turned their body to face the figure that definitely the source of all this madness.

There was only one way to get out from this area restriction magic; defeat the caster!