The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

Chapter 280 - 280: 280 - The Cursed Meadow Of Roses [2]

Raye, Jerusha, Lycus, along with Zephyrus and Pyro, headed straight to the center of the meadow of roses.They slowly made their way there, moving carefully between the flowers and doing their best to avoid all the black roses as much as possible. Zephyrus and Pyro kept guiding them, pointing out spots where the cursed energy felt thicker so the three could step around them without taking unnecessary risks.

Although it's little, there's still a chance of them being cursed after all, and nobody here wanted to test just how risky that chance actually was.

The meadow of roses was bigger than the group had expected, and the farther they walked, the more overwhelming it became. They've been walking for a few minutes now, but they still haven't reached the middle of it. The endless sea of roses stretched in every direction, making it feel like they weren't even moving at all.

Even still, they continued at the same pace, pushing through the uneasy feeling growing in their chests, and so eventually— they got there.

*****

(Raye's POV)

After getting in the middle of the meadow, me and the others immediately started investigating the area, spreading out a bit but not straying too far from each other. We wanted to cover ground fast, and at the same time, we didn't want any of us getting caught alone in case something happened.

It immediately became clear to us that what's happening in this village is really a curse done by the demon worshippers. Everything about the atmosphere felt wrong. The air felt heavier, the energy felt hostile, and the roses looked like they were purposely guarding something.

The middle was full of black roses, much darker than the others that we had seen on our way here. These ones seemed more corrupted, almost as if they were made from pure curse energy instead of actual petals.

We can also feel a thick demonic energy coming at the middle of the meadow, and it's sucking in the energy coming from the black roses. Zephyrus and Pyro said so as they can sense it and we can't, and their reactions alone were enough to confirm it. Even without seeing anything, the two spirits were visibly tense.

So with that, we searched for the medium that started the curse.

...

Minutes passed, but we didn't see anything. Not a single object, not a strange item hidden between the roses, not even a faint trace of something unnatural aside from the roses themselves.

Minutes turned into hours, but still nothing came out of it... Nevertheless, we didn't stop. We kept checking every gap, every patch of grass, every cluster of black roses, hoping that something would stand out.

Until it became dark and we still haven't found anything.

...

...

...

"Let's head back to our lodging, we'll continue the search tomorrow."

I said as I looked at the others.

Jerusha and Lycus stopped moving and looked at me. They didn't look tired physically, but they definitely looked frustrated, and honestly, I felt exactly the same.

Zephyrus and Pyro were the same.

The two of them suggested if they could just burn the middle of the meadow to destroy the medium, in which I gave them a go signal... But it turned out that the black roses were fire proof. The flames didn't even leave a scorch mark.

Not only that, if you pluck out one of it— another normal rose nearby will turn into an infected one as a replacement. It was like the curse was repairing itself instantly.

'The ones who did this are way more prepared than I initially thought.'

I expected this whole thing to be lousily executed seeing how the demon worshippers made it obvious that they're the ones responsible for this mess. But I was proven wrong.

And so, feeling just as disappointed and angry as the others... I started heading back.

Jerusha, Lycus, Pyro, and Zephyrus silently followed behind me.

All of us are still looking around on our way out of the meadow, hoping we'll find some clue how to stop the curse plaguing the whole village.

But still nothing.

*****

After arriving at the inn we're staying at—

"We skipped lunch, let's eat dinner first before we headed back to our room."

I suggested that to the group.

"Sounds good." -Jerusha

"Mnm, let's do that." -Lycus

-meep...

-...

The four of them nodded and agreed, they couldn't hide the fact that they were blaming themselves for being unable to do something. Their shoulders were slumped, their expressions down, and even their voices lacked strength.

I want to say something to them, but honestly... I can't think of anything. And so, I just opened the door and entered the lobby.

"Hmm?"

Upon getting inside, we were greeted by a familiar face.

It was Sofia.

"Oh, hello guys."

She greeted us when she noticed us. She was as unenergetic as we were.

'Guess she encountered a problem on her side as well.'

I thought, then I invited her to join us. She agreed and went with us to the dining area of the inn.

After getting there, we found ourselves an empty table and settled there.

We already ordered something from the receptionist and we're waiting for our food.

"..."

Nobody spoke as we all seated. We're all stuck on our own thoughts.

Even me.

By the way this is going, more villagers are going to die one by one.

And ultimately— we're not going to be able to stop the worshippers in summoning the demons.

"Seven new villagers got infected today... And it seems like mass producing the potion Sir Justo is taking to slow down the disease will be harder than I thought."

Just then, Sofia mumbled that, head looking down.

We all looked at her but didn't say anything...

I opened my mouth and was about to console her, the same with Lycus and Jerusha. But before we could even try to—

"But don't worry, I'll find a way. You guys can count on me."

Sofia suddenly looked at us and declared that with a resolute look on her face.

We were speechless.

Looks like she has more spirit than the rest of us.

"Huh? Why do you guys look surprised?"

Sofia asked after seeing our reaction.

A smile appeared on our faces, contaminated with her determination.

"Nothing, we'll also do our best."

Lycus then responded to Sofia, a wide smile on his face. He looks really proud of her.

"Focus on your side, we'll figure things out on ours!"

Jerusha added, her energy back.

-Meep!

-...

Pyro and Zephyrus agreed.

'Fuuu... That's right. All we can do right now is try our best.'

I thought to myself.

No use in beating ourselves on things we can't control, that will just affect our performance and we'll do even more badly.

'Instead, we should try and find a solution.'

I nodded my head, regaining my calm.

I looked at Jerusha and the others, they look fine now.

Then, letting out a tired sigh—

"Haaa... This first side quest is hard, huh."

I muttered that with a small smile on my face.

*****

After that, our dinner was brought by the same waiter this morning. He greeted us and we greeted him back.

And so, we started eating after he excused himself.

We all felt tired... Mentally.

So we ate a lot to recover our energies.

And once we all finished, we all got back to our respective room to rest.

So currently, right now...

I'm on my bed, lying and staring at the ceiling. Zephyrus and Pyro are beside me, already sleeping.

"..."

I'm thinking of a solution about the curse and demon summoning. I just know finding the medium in the meadow of roses is a lost cause, we don't have enough time and there are millions of roses there that could be the medium.

'We have to try a different approach.'

And so, instead of sleeping... I stayed up all night thinking of a plan.

...

...

...

The next morning... I immediately finished preparing and was ready to set out for the day.

In the end, I didn't get even a wink of sleep.

Well, I'm already used to staying up for a whole day from time to time, so it's no big deal.

I woke up Pyro and Zephyrus before leaving the room, they told me that they want to sleep more, so I let them be. They're probably like in their hibernating season or something... If that's a thing for spirits.

Anyway, I'll just have someone bring them breakfast again.

And so, I got down on the dining area on my own.

"Good morning, Raye!"

"Good morning."

"Good morning, leader."

Jerusha, Sofia, and Lycus were already there. They greeted me and I greeted them back before joining them on their table.

We ordered a simple meat and egg breakfast meal.

It was brought to us not long, and we immediately started eating after that.

Then, as we were having breakfast—

"Jerusha, Lycus, we'll do things differently today."

I suddenly muttered that.

"Hmm?"

The two immediately looked at me, the same with Sofia. They all look a bit tired as well, looks like they all stayed up just like me.

Anyway, I opened my mouth, and when my lips parted—

"From now on, instead of searching for the medium—"

"We're going to hunt the demon worshippers."

I declared that.