Chapter 482: Townsfolk

Chapter 482: Townsfolk



The town of Stratford lay under a thick blanket of white as the snow continued to fall. Narrow cobblestone streets weaved between cottages of thatched roofs where their chimneys puffed out gentle plumes of smoke.

Snowflakes fell silently, muffling the sounds of the two young Magi's footsteps as they walked through the town, their thick cloaks wrapped tightly around them, protecting them from the harsh cold.

"What are we even doing here?" Art grumbled under his breath. "Isn't Professor's mission over already? I can't wait to go back home. I don't like it here one bit."

"You're always complaining," Aiden harrumphed. "We need to complete the task before he arrives."

"Where do you think he's gone?" Art asked curiously as he walked with his hands clasped behind his head.

"Who knows?" Aiden shrugged. "He seemed to be in a hurry when he left a few days ago."

The pair continued to walk through the snow-laden streets, cheerfully greeted by the townsfolk wherever they passed by.

"If an outsider teleported here this instance, they wouldn't be able to tell that the town just survived a wolf tide a few days ago," said Art, gazing at the townsfolk going about their day. "I know, right?" Aiden nodded. "Aren't these people strangely optimistic?"

"Yeah... anyway, let's just interrogate as many people as we can," Art replied. He then thought of something and asked, "Is Eleiney still buried in the library?"

"It seems so-" Aiden began, but was soon interrupted when a woman approached them.

"Thank you, esteemed Magi, for protecting us!" Said the middle-aged woman with an unnaturally bright smile.

"Madam, if I may ask." Art stepped forward with a polite smile. "Why is it that the townsfolk seem so hopeful? I mean, I'm sure a lot of people have lost loved ones in the last wolf tide. Plus, there's going to be another wolf tide this month, so shouldn't they-"

The woman interrupted him, her voice carrying with it a melodious tone, "Oh, it was a terrible night, but we made it through, didn't we? The wolves are gone, and all is well!"

Aiden asked with slight unease, "Did you lose someone a few days ago?"

The woman's smile faltered for a moment, but soon she beamed again. However, this time, the smile didn't reach her eyes.

"No, no, I was fortunate. No losses at all. Isn't that wonderful?"

Art and Aiden glanced at each other, seeing the discomfort in each other's eyes. They bid farewell to the woman and moved on.

...

An elderly man shoveling the snow around his doorstep asked with a raised eyebrow, "A wolf tide, you say?"

He then burst into a loud peal of laughter, "Hahaha, it was like a bad dream, nothing more! Come spring, it will just be another memory."

With that said, she turned around and walked away.

Aiden and Art gazed at her departing back as the air grew colder and the snow fell heavier around them. The unease in their hearts grew with each passing second.

They had a feeling that the resident's cheerfulness wasn't a coping mechanism at all. Perhaps

it was a mask that hid something dark and sinister.

"We need to talk."

A familiar voice broke the silence. However, the two boys couldn't help but scream in fear and

draw back.

"Eeekk! S-Stay away!"

"Don't come close!"

But the boys realized that it was none other than Eleiney, who was standing behind them and

looking at them strangely.

Realizing this, their faces couldn't help but turn red from embarrassment.

"Ahem!" Art coughed awkwardly and asked, "Don't scare us like that. Anyway, what did you

want to talk about?"

Eleiney had a solemn expression on her face as she began, "I've found something about the

Howlett-"

But suddenly she paused when she saw a shadow looming over her. She turned around to see who it was, and when she did, her eyes widened in shock and even fear.

The old man smiled kindly at the three kids and asked in a gentle voice, "I wonder what

you've found about the Howlett Family?"

Art, Aiden, and Eleiney blurted out simultaneously.

"Mayor Hobbs!"