88. Deserted Village

A thick fog enveloped the small village at the foot of the Clementine Mountains as Bai Suzhen, Pierre d'Arc, and Virginia Maria arrived via teleportation. They materialized at a hidden corner of the village, the usual spot where transfers from the flying castle took place. Yet, there was no sound of footsteps, no cheerful children's laughter, nor any signs of life. Only silence blanketed the area.

Pierre surveyed the surroundings, his brows furrowed. "This village feels... dead," he murmured, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly.

Virginia clutched her prayer book, her expression reflecting unease. "I don't hear anything," she said softly, her eyes flitting nervously from one house to another.

Bai Suzhen folded her arms across her chest, her posture calm, though her eyes swept the area with sharp vigilance. "This fog is unnatural," she stated flatly. "It's too dense to be a natural occurrence. Something is here."