Chapter 69: Birthday

"It's alright, it's alright… I know anyone seeing me like this would be startled. You reacted far better than most – at least there was no contempt or fear in your eyes."

Glen didn't know how to respond. He remained silent.

Instead, Black Raven's wife chuckled softly, her voice frail. "You brought your cake a little early, though. My birthday is the day after tomorrow."

"Ah…" Glen was momentarily taken aback.

She continued to explain, "My husband originally intended to invite you to my birthday celebration then. But you weren't around when he went; he met an elven girl instead."

"I was still in Dud at that time," Glen replied. "But it's no matter. On your birthday itself, I will personally make you an even finer cake."

He spoke with confidence.

"You can make cakes? How wonderful…" Her voice carried a genuine warmth and amusement.

The conversation seemed to stall then, or perhaps Glen simply felt awkward. He could sense the figure on the bed studying him intently, a gaze devoid of any malice, only a profound, quiet observation.

Just as Glen contemplated whispering to Black Raven about the situation, the woman spoke again:

"Could you… come a little closer?"

Though puzzled, Glen took a few steps nearer to the bedside.

A limb, resembling wood yet not entirely wooden, emerged from the tangled mass of her body. It lifted towards her face, shrouded in darkness, and brushed aside a lock of hair falling over her forehead.

Whether it was a trick of the dim light or not, Glen felt the eyes watching him seemed to brighten perceptibly in that moment.

"I can see you are… different," she murmured. "We are honored to have met you, my husband and I."

Her words left Glen increasingly bewildered, but he maintained his courtesy. "The feeling is mutual, Madam."

"Well then… I grow tired now. Let my husband attend to you. My apologies…"

Her voice trailed off, growing fainter until Glen was certain she had truly fallen asleep.

"Come," Black Raven said simply, turning and exiting the room. Glen followed silently.

Back in the main room, they sat facing each other once more.

Almost as soon as he sat down, Black Raven spoke, his voice flat yet carrying an undercurrent of something deep. "My wife was once very beautiful. She was the dream of every man in her homeland."

"Why now…" Glen began, knowing it might be impolite, but sensing the invitation in Black Raven's words to ask.

"An evil force from beneath the earth attacked her," Black Raven stated, his tone unchanging. "I killed that force. And I will guard my beloved wife… forever."

Still so concise… Glen had grown accustomed to the man's manner. He offered sincerely, "You have my heartfelt wishes."

"Then…" Black Raven tilted his head slightly. "What did you want to ask?"

"Huh?" It took Glen a moment to catch up with the abrupt shift. He knew I came with questions today… good thing I think fast. Choosing his words carefully, he asked: "My question can be summarized as this – how much do you really know about this town?"

Black Raven gave a slow, almost imperceptible nod, as if expecting this. "My wife and I have lived here longer than most on the outskirts. Longer than many."

"When I first came, the houses were all in the oldest style. Many evil things roamed outside then. They dared not come near the deeper parts of the town, only fought over territory in the forests beyond its borders."

"Moving in, I witnessed them… fade away. Some killed each other. Others were slaughtered by new residents moving in. Until recently, the only creature I encountered near the town was a troll named Ab. It was skilled at hiding… that's how it survived so long…"

Glen interrupted here. "It's dead. I killed it…"

"Oh. Then there should be none left," Black Raven continued seamlessly. "The town is not entirely cut off from the outside world. Every four or five years, people dressed strangely come. They repair and alter the town's facilities. That is why this ancient place has modern-looking buildings on its outskirts."

That explains it, Glen thought. Miss Puppet mentioned living here over a hundred years and still being considered 'new'. How old is this place? And the houses don't look ancient… that huge villa next to mine… He nodded thoughtfully, gesturing for Black Raven to go on.

"Over all these years, even though I often go out, I only understand parts of this town."

"For instance: all the Old Residents are cursed. Whether by choice or against their will, they cannot leave their homes. They must stay here, keeping the Mayor company… forever."

"Also, the higher echelons of this kingdom know of this place. They tolerate its existence. There are even specific legal statutes… granting it special protection."

Listening intently, Glen pieced together his own observations with this information, forming a clearer, though unsettling, picture of Byek Town. Whatever the deal is with these Old Residents… as long as they don't interfere with me, I can ignore them.

Black Raven confirmed this implicitly, adding that as long as one avoided causing trouble deep within the town, encounters were unlikely.

Feeling he'd gained valuable insight, Glen prepared to take his leave. As he stood near the door, Black Raven pointed towards a three-story house visible not far from his own.

"That… is the home of one such Old Resident. It is… exceptionally talkative. It has often invited me to visit. I have always refused."

Glen's gaze followed the pointing finger to the house. Before he could formulate a response, a window on its second floor abruptly flew open. A head popped out – that of a girl who looked sixteen or seventeen. She waved enthusiastically, beaming with sudden delight.

"Hiii! New resident?! Welcome to Byek Town! I'm Sisly! Want to come visit my house?! I have so many interesting things! Will you?! Please?!"

Glen clicked his tongue softly. "Thank you for the invitation. Next time. Next time, for sure." He began swiftly walking away.

"See you soon, new friend! You promised! Next time!" Sisly called after him cheerfully, still waving.

As Glen disappeared into the mist that perpetually clung to the deeper streets, Sisly suddenly smacked her own forehead lightly. "Oh dear! I forgot to ask his name! Silly me. Ah well… next time then." Her form seemed to glide backwards into the room, and the window shut itself with an unseen force.

…

"Rayla, be careful on the road. Remember to say hello to him for me." "Okay, Mom."

Rayla called back the response even as she was already skipping down the path towards Bonnie.

Bonnie eyed her friend's attire with open curiosity. "Rayla… what are you wearing?"

Gone was Rayla's usual skirt. Instead, she wore a fitted, feminine blouse tucked neatly into high-waisted, dark brown trousers that emphasized her long legs and made her look remarkably tall and poised.

"Well? How do I look?" Rayla spun around slowly, a hopeful smile on her face.

Bonnie nodded emphatically. "You look… amazing! Really! But… why are you dressed like that?"

A sly, knowing grin spread across Rayla's face. "Well… if we run into trouble again, like yesterday… I'll be able to run much faster! Skirts are terribly inconvenient for running, you know?"

Bonnie's eyes widened in sudden understanding, followed by a look of dismay. "Oh! That's so clever! But… I don't have any trousers like that! Does that mean if there's danger… I'd be the first one caught?"

Rayla instantly linked her arm through Bonnie's, giving her a comforting, confident smile. "Don't worry about that at all. If trouble comes, I'll grab your hand, and we'll run together. Fast!"

The two girls looked at each other for a moment, the shared memory of their recent scare flickering between them. Then, simultaneously, laughter bubbled up, light and relieved, dispelling the momentary tension.