Chapter 13: Clear truth and memories

Mud houses could be seen spread around the terrain. Of them, the most easily distinguishable ones, were those with banners hanging. There were roads connecting to most of the houses, with all the roads eventually connecting to a big circular junction.

The group of five were seated around a circular wooden table. The Sun had risen a couple hours ago. The sandy scenery could be seen outside the window.

"They looked like… chimeras. Men who had experiments performed on them, making them akin to a beast." Tidlen's said with a sombre voice.

"Chimeras…huh? That explains their intelligence. But to perform such inhumane experiments on living kin…"

"Also, Kyle, what that dragon said…The story, the book and now chimeras. None of this makes sense."

"That dragon, hmm? Ray and I think that it was all nonsense. There is no way that all the dragon ministers and elders were all killed and nobody noticed?"

"Well Matt, I am pretty sure that all of us are of the same opinion on that. Moreover Ray, what was that at the end? What I felt back then..."

"I don't know…it just kind of happened. Just as I struggled to stand, I suddenly just felt it. I knew that they would listen to me. I think that I awakened a gift."

"A gift! But a gift is received from one's experiences of their whole life. Did you use to frighten people a lot?"

"Lily, don't forget that though very rare, there are cases when gifts are awakened unrelated to one's experiences. We were taught this in the adventurer orientation."

"Ah that…um I just kind of skipped the whole thing…"

"Is that something you should be saying as an A-rank?!"

"Well calm down, Kyle. Ray I am more interested as to why you hide your horns. You must be proud of your own race. Don't listen to anyone say otherwise. We must—"

"I know, Tidlen. I know. Its not that. Actually, when I was still a week porter, one of my clients cursed me, making my horns invisible. It took me four years to save enough money to get it dispelled at a temple. So, I got used to it being invisible. Also, the curse, used my own mana as fuel, so even after the dispelling, I can freely control its visibility as I please. And I keep it invisible unconsciously."

"I see. But still—"

"Leave that. Ray, it's the first time, you have talked so much of your past!"

"Oh, is that so?"

As they finish their breakfast,

"Now that we finished eating, let's go ask around. We need to learn how to get back to Bani."

While Kyle and Lily asked around the inn and Tidlen went to town hall. Matt and Ray went to one of the big buildings with a huge shovel banner at the front.

"This looks like the chief's house."

'Hmm… The chief of the people living in a place, that I cursed…let's see.'

Knock! knock!

The door was opened by a female elf, a bit shorter than Ray. She was wearing cotton clothes, the top having a mix of white and blue while her pants were completely white. Her attire was modest for a town chief.

To describe her appearance in one word, was 'beautiful.'

Looking at the men at her door, she asked

"How can I help you?"

"Ah. Yes ma'am. We are adventurers from Bani. You see, we were stranded in the desert, and reached this place. So, we wanted to ask you about this place and how we can return."

Matt explained, though was mesmerised by her beauty.

She stared at Matt and Ray for a second, before inviting them in.

"I see, please enter."

The inside of the building was, in a word elegant. The inner walls and stairs were made from mud. There were beautiful paintings of plants and birds on the walls. From the inside the building looked bigger.

Plenty of rooms, could be seen from the entrance. It looked like, this was the place where most of the activities happened.

The elf guided them to the conference room, taking sitting opposite to them.

"I am Artina. Pleased to meet you."

"I am Ray, and this is Matt. Nice to meet you."

Matt and Ray told the whole story and that they needed help to head back, before Matt asking,

"I wanted to ask you, what is this place? Aren't we in the cursed haven?"

"Yes. That's what it's called nowadays. This place is the home of us Elves. After the demon lord's curse, the once bountiful land withered into a desert. We all decided to revitalize our land. My brother is the chief and I am the vice-chief. About your request, a few vans with resources are to arrive in 2 days. I'll request them to give you a ride, on their way back."

"Thank you very much."

As they had fulfilled their purpose, Matt and Ray turned to leave, when

"Excuse me, Ray, could you please wait."

"Hmm?"

'I knew it. She recognised me.'

Matt stared at Ray in confusion and surprise for a second before excusing himself.

'He must be curious.'

With a serious face, Artina, slowly closed the door to the conference room.

"Could I ask what you wanted to talk about?"

"Uncle…you can drop the disguise." Artina's voice was strict.

"Um…what do you mean?" asked Ray in a slightly quivery tone.

"I said to drop the disguise." She glared at him fiercely.

"Huu…" Calming down, she asked

"Why have you come here?"

"I told you. We were stranded. It was all a coincidence. Must be fate." Ray's voice calmed immediately and he smiled warmly with a hint of mischief.