Adventures beyond the void

Chapter 21: The Nachtsen Village And an Ambush

3RD POV

It didn't take long for the four magic knights to reach their destination. Just beyond the winding dirt path below, the village of Nachtsen came into view, small and unassuming, nestled quietly at the edge of the kingdom like a forgotten whisper. There were no grand towers or ornate spires here, no polished stone roads or glowing lanterns to light the night. Instead, the village was built from weathered wood and rough-cut stone, its buildings humble and worn, shaped more by necessity than style.

Life here was hard. Situated on the outskirts, Nachtsen was often overlooked by the capital's eyes and aid, labeled as a poor settlement mostly inhabited by commoners. The villagers lived day by day, relying on modest crops, what little magic they could use and whatever trade they could manage. Luxuries were rare, and on more days than they cared to count, many families went to sleep with empty stomachs.

But weather wasn't their only enemy. Bandits occasionally swept through, exploiting the village's isolation and lack of defenses. When that happened, it wasn't just food or coin that was taken, but hope too seemed to be stripped away, bit by bit. Still, the people endured. And as the knights approached, a few villagers glanced up from their chores, their eyes widened at the sight. The arrival of magic knights was not a common sight here, and it could only mean one thing, something was wrong. And the villagers knew why they had come.

Many had already gathered near the entrance of the village, drawn by a mix of curiosity and quiet desperation. Eyes filled with weariness watched the horizon, waiting, hoping for some sign of relief. When the figures finally arrived, the murmurs turned into a hushed silence. Selin descended from above, dropping from mid-air with effortless grace. Her boots touched the earth without a sound, and her staff spun once in the air before returning neatly to her outstretched hand. With a practiced motion, she strapped it firmly to her back and took a moment to scan the crowd with sharp, discerning eyes.

Behind her, Zana landed the carriage in quick succession, with Airos and Ronan jumping out, their presence calm but alert. The moment they saw the village up close, their expressions darkened. Things were worse than they'd expected. They'd heard the rumors, how life on the kingdom's fringes had grown harsher, especially for those without mana. Now, the truth lay in front of them: dilapidated homes, brittle fences held together with rope, and people who looked like they carried the weight of their entire world on their shoulders.

Children peeked out from behind their mothers' skirts, staring wide-eyed at the armored figures before them. There was awe in their gazes... but also something else: hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe, today would be different. At the front of the gathered crowd stood a weathered mage, his posture proud despite the visible toll the years had taken. His hair was streaked with grey, and deep lines creased his face like carved stone. His mustard-colored eyes, though dulled by exhaustion, still held a spark of strength.
The chief, Selin deduced, stepping forward as she looked at the man. The king wasn't wrong about the village's condition, the situation was far more severe than just a few bandit raids.

      Selin: - You must be the chief, I presume.

The grey-haired mage nodded his head before bowing slightly in respect.

      Raine: - Greeting's magic warriors. I am the chief of Nachtsen village, Raine Roe. Thank you very much for coming here. My people and I were losing hope.

      Selin: - Everything will be alright. We are here now.

The chief offered a faint, weary smile before turning on his heel and gesturing for them to follow. His sharp, mustard-colored eyes scanned each of the four knights carefully, taking in their posture and weapons, but his gaze lingered on Zana for just a second longer, a flicker of hope in his eyes but....it felt off. As they moved deeper into the village, the crowd parted to let them through. Soft murmurs followed in their wake, some hopeful, some desperate. Whispers turned to quiet pleas.