GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 27: Remote Occurrence

Whatever happened to this village, it wasn't going to stop here. Her thoughts raced back to Oakhaven, her own village that had faced destruction. The similarities were too striking to ignore—remote settlements falling victim to forces beyond their understanding. But Oakhaven's fate, terrible as it was, had at least left survivors. Here, an entire village had simply vanished, leaving only this one withered man behind.

"We need to check the mine," Landre said, her voice steadier than she felt. "If there's any chance of finding the villagers..."

"No, it's too dangerous," Sarvin cut in sharply, moving away from the window. "We don't know what's in there. It could be anything."

Landre felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on her shoulders. As a Saint of Shizka, she was bound to investigate darkness, to bring light where shadows loomed. But Sarvin wasn't wrong—they were woefully unprepared for whatever might await them in an abandoned mine.

Landre felt torn between her duty as a Saint and the practical reality of their situation. The weight of responsibility pressed down on her shoulders like a physical burden. She looked at the withered man on the bench, his aged face reflecting pain despite her healing light. If there were others like him, suffering somewhere in that mine...

"This was supposedly a visit, not an extermination," Sarvin said, his voice firm but respectful. "We came to investigate reports, not confront an unknown threat."

The crusader's practical assessment stung, but Landre knew there was wisdom in his caution. Still, the thought of abandoning potential survivors didn't sit well with her conscience.

Imelda spoke up, her quill finally stilling. "We should return to the nearby town, away from this village and plan our next move. Report what we've found and request reinforcements."

Landre's fingers tightened slightly on the withered man's arm. "But what about the villagers? What if they can still be saved? What if whatever did this brought everyone to the mine?"

Her voice remained steady, but Landre felt the Saint's mask slipping just slightly. These people—their faces unknown to her—had become her responsibility the moment the Church assigned her this mission. To leave now felt like abandonment.

Sarvin stepped closer, his expression softening just enough to show he understood her conflict. "Saint Landre, it is my duty to protect you against dangers. That includes stopping you from putting yourself in danger."

He knelt beside her, his voice lowering so only she could hear. "If you fall here, how many more villages will suffer without your light?"

Landre's heart ached at the thought of leaving without answers. Abandoning people who might still need her help felt like a betrayal of everything she stood for as a Saint.

"But we need to understand what happened," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "If retreating means losing the chance of saving these people..."

She let the thought hang in the air, meeting Sarvin's gaze with unwavering resolve. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the simple amulet at her throat.

"At least we should take a quick look," she continued. "There may be more signs near the mine."

Sarvin's expression remained stern, but something in his eyes softened. He recognized the determination in her voice—the same determination that had led her through the trials to become a Saint.

After a moment of silent consideration, he nodded once.

"Alright, a brief look only, Saint Landre," he conceded, his tone making it clear this was as far as he would bend. "At the first sign of danger, we retreat."