28: The Situation is not good- Part 2

"W-Water,"

The kid croaked out, reaching for the pitcher filled with water lying on the table. But the water smelled murky and would only make the kid sicker if he drank it.

Auriel used her divine magic to purify the water and infused it with her divine power before handing it to the child.

As soon as the water touched the boy's lips, his complexion began to improve. The more he drank, the better he felt until he could stand and take in his surroundings.

"Hey! Are you feeling better? Finish your water, and you'll feel even stronger. I infused it with some medicine," Auriel assured the boy as she watched him gulp it down.

The kid looked startled to see someone else in his home, but he quickly realized Auriel wasn't a threat and was there to help. Blinking at the golden-tinted water, realization flashed across his face.

"I-Is this medicine? Are you a sister sent by the goddess to help us? W-Wait! I need to take this water to my mother. She needs it more than I do."

The boy spoke hurriedly, his thoughts scattered as he tried to decide what to do next.

Auriel was about to correct him about her role as a goddess but paused.

'Isn't being seen as a priestess rather than a goddess better? It might make people less hesitant to approach me.'

Auriel sighed and gave the boy a small nod of acknowledgment.

"That's right. I'm from the temple. As for this water… you finish it first. I'll prepare some for your mother later."

Her words didn't reassure him. He quickly carried the pitcher to the next room, where his mother lay bedridden. She appeared to be in even worse condition than her son.

The mother reached out weakly to touch her child, confirming he was alright. The boy eagerly extended the water to her.

"Mother, please drink this. It will make you feel better—"

The boy tried, but his mother was too weak to lift the cup. At this rate, she wouldn't make it.

Auriel knew it wasn't fair to interfere, but she couldn't help herself.

She placed her hand on the mother's arm, letting her divine aura flow through. The energy gave the woman just enough strength to drink a sip of the water.

Like her son, the mother improved instantly, her pallor lightening as she regained strength. Both mother and child looked up at Auriel with grateful eyes.

"T-Thank you for your help, Sister… but do you think you can help the others as well? My friends, and my uncle… they're..."

The boy trailed off, and Auriel felt the weight of his request. But since helping the village was her mission, she agreed.

"I'm here to help the village, so don't worry. If you can, gather everyone strong enough to move. I'll bless the local water supply so everyone can drink from it and recover."

Auriel's promise filled the boy with hope, though a flicker of worry crossed his face.

"Priestess, are you really here to help us? The doctor said no one would come because we're 'poor and backward.' Did he lie? And why did it take so long for help to come when he sent a message weeks ago?"

The boy's tired voice carried an edge of suspicion, and Auriel narrowed her eyes.

"You sent the temple a letter for help? This is the first I'm hearing of it. I'll look into it once I return. For now, let's focus on helping everyone."

The boy hesitated, but the memory of Auriel's help encouraged him to trust her.

Within minutes, he gathered ten other children, all frail but mobile.

Auriel blessed the village well, channeling her divine energy into it. The task drained her strength, and she wavered slightly, her body feeling the strain of her efforts.

"P-Priestess, is it true that you can help us? W-What do we need to do?"

One child stammered, their eyes filled with hope. Auriel gestured to the well behind her.

"I've blessed this water. As long as you drink from it, you'll recover. But make sure to share it and take care of it."

The children listened, their excitement outweighing their fear.

They quickly drank from the well, and as expected, the results were immediate.

"Wow! I feel better! I'll take this water to other houses."

"Me too!"

"I'll help as well!"

The children scattered, eager to assist others. Auriel sighed with relief and sat on a bench near the well, closing her eyes to rest.

When she opened them, Lady Sophia and Carol were approaching. Carol opened her mouth, but a single look from Auriel silenced her.

"My Lady, are you alright? Did you already help this village?" Lady Sophia asked, her tone a mix of admiration and surprise.

Lady Sophia looked impressed and startled at the same time.

Auriel was about to reply when the kid whom she helped first did it for her.

"That's right. The priestess here helped us all out and even blessed our water. I have never felt this better before."

The kid reassured as he flexed his non-existing muscles in front of Auriel and the other ladies. It only served to make the three laugh and Auriel tried to ignore the expression that bloomed on Carol's face.

The young female clearly had questions to ask her, but now was not the time.

"You should go and help the others out with the water situation. I need some time with my companions."

Auriel urged the kid to leave and he did not even suspect anything before he left. Once he was gone, Auriel decided to explain what happened.

"For now, this village believes that I am a priestess here to help them out and that is the identity I will keep. It will make things easier to handle. Carol, you don't have to look so annoyed with me."

Carol pouted but finally calmed down once she realized that Auriel was not playing around.

Lady Sophia's curious eyes sparkled as she leaned closer to Auriel, hands clasped behind her back. Her posture exuded a playful curiosity, but the weight of her words was unmistakable.

"So, did you find anything unusual, My Lady? Any leads?" 

Sophia asked, tilting her head slightly.

Auriel took a deep breath, her gaze drifting toward the blessed well. The aura of dark magic lingered in the air, faint but persistent, reminding her of the unsettling situation they were in.

"I have one lead - The village doctor"

 Auriel spoke, her voice steady. 

Sophia's brows rose, her expression turning serious for a change. Carol, standing a few paces behind them, stepped closer.

"The doctor? What about him? Would you like me to take care of him?" 

Carol's tone was sharp, her posture tense.

Auriel folded her arms, her divine aura flickering faintly around her as she explained.

"The children mentioned that the doctor told them no one from the temple would help because they were 'poor and backward.' That, by itself, is strange. But what's even more concerning is the fact that the temple never received any request for help—despite the doctor supposedly sending one weeks ago."

Lady Sophia frowned, a rare flicker of concern passing over her face.

"Sounds like someone is either lying or interfering with the messages. It's possible the doctor has something to hide. What do you propose we do, My Lady?"

Auriel's eyes narrowed slightly as she looked toward the modest homes of the village.

"We investigate him. Subtly. But this situation might take time. I suggest we spend the night here to keep an eye on things. The dark magic around this village isn't something that can be resolved in a single day" 

She added, glancing at Sophia to emphasize the need for discretion. 

Carol's face darkened at the suggestion.

"Spend the night? My Lady, surely that's not necessary. This village is no place for a goddess. The dark magic alone makes it unsafe for you. Let me handle the investigation while you return to the temple where it's safe" 

Carol protested. 

Auriel shook her head firmly.

"No, Carol. The source of this dark magic has to be eliminated, and I can't risk leaving before we find it. Besides, I'm immune to human illnesses. This is my responsibility as a goddess. I'll be fine." 

Auriel added, her tone softening. Carol bit her lip, her reluctance evident, but she didn't argue further.

Lady Sophia, on the other hand, grinned broadly.

"A sleepover in a cursed village? How thrilling! I've always wanted to test my endurance against dark magic. Don't worry, My Lady, I'll protect you if things get too scary."

Auriel sighed, already anticipating the headache Sophia's enthusiasm would cause.

"Let's find somewhere to rest and gather information. We'll need to observe carefully tonight."

With their plans set, the three companions prepared themselves for a long night in the mysterious, cursed village.

Auriel had no doubt that the person who casted this dark magic would be back to check on it, and that was when she could catch them and bring them to justice.