2-68 - How Could the Villainous Young Master Be a Saintess?

**Volume 2, Chapter 68 ~ Strange Villagers** "Hey, what did you go to town for earlier? Are you visiting relatives here or something?" Vinny changed the topic. "I'm not like Vinny, always goofing off," Aisaphys said, hands behind her back, leaning forward slightly, raising her elegant eyebrows. "So, what did you do? Don't tell me you were checking out new girls again?" Vinny clicked his tongue in mock annoyance. "That's unfair! Can't Vinny think better of me? Do I only seem to do that in Vinny's eyes?" Aisaphys pouted playfully, looking like a cute fluffy white bun. "Isn't it true?" Vinny tilted his head with a teasing glint in his eyes. "Not at all. I'm not like Vinny, running around aimlessly without any plan or thought," Aisaphys laughed lightly. "Hey, what's that supposed to mean? I've got courage and wisdom, I'm talented and handsome! Are you saying I have no brains?" Vinny replied, feigning indignation. "Then do you know what I went to do just now?" Aisaphys asked. "Does it matter if I know or not?" Vinny was puzzled. "Vinny, when you arrived at the task site, you were like a headless fly, completely lost on what to do first," Aisaphys playfully twirled her fingers. "And you know what to do? Then go ahead and do it," Vinny sulked. "What do you think I was doing earlier?" Aisaphys glanced at Vinny. "Oh? So, what was it you were doing?" "Isn't the first step to investigate if the situation matches our intel, and learn from the locals about the place?" Aisaphys explained. "After all, no matter how much we know, it's not as much as the townsfolk near Lake Village," she analyzed. "So you went to gather information?" Vinny looked curious. "But from what I've observed, the people here aren't very friendly. You probably got nothing." He knew well how the townsfolk ignored someone as charming as himself, indicating they didn't welcome outsiders. "On the contrary, they were quite welcoming," Aisaphys laughed softly. "I got most of the information I needed." "What? I barely got a nod from them!" Vinny exclaimed in disbelief. "Did you hit a wall? Poor thing," Aisaphys giggled, a hint of mockery in her tone. "Is it my face? It's their fault for not appreciating a blooming youth like me." "I'm taller than you, little white coconut," Vinny fired back, clearly frustrated but without much choice. "Anyway, I gathered some info on Lake Village. Shall we discuss it while we walk?" Aisaphys suggested. The two soon left the town, heading towards the vast countryside. "Lake Village has been dealing with a snake problem for a while. Initially, the ruling city sent guards and even brought in a high priest to control it. It's said to be under control now." "If it's under control, why did they call us?" Vinny frowned. "Is this some oversight from the task-giver?" "I'm not sure, but how do you think we should report this?" Aisaphys asked calmly. "Just say it's resolved, right? The high priest's got it covered, what can we add to that?" Vinny shrugged. "Or are you planning to spice up the report with some drama?" he joked. "We need to see it for ourselves before drawing conclusions, don't we?" Aisaphys said with a gentle reminder. "We are already here." "I really think you should stay out of trouble," Vinny said with a suggestive tone. Everyone knew that the protagonist seemed to attract misfortune. If Aisaphys was near, something was bound to happen. "Honestly, Aisaphys, haven't you noticed you're a disaster magnet? Trouble follows you everywhere," Vinny remarked. "Really? It feels like trouble finds me only when I'm with you, Vinny," she quipped, hinting at his influence on their unpredictable journey. This left Vinny speechless, reflecting on recent events that deviated from their expected path. "But I sense something off this time," Aisaphys interrupted his thoughts. "Seriously?" Vinny's expression shifted, knowing her instincts often hinted at oncoming trouble. "Don't you feel it? There's a certain tension in the air here," Aisaphys spoke with a mysterious tone. "What do you mean by tension?" Vinny asked, uncertain of her remarks. "When you asked the townsfolk earlier, how did they respond?" "Why are you so interested in that?" Vinny glanced at her, suspecting another mockery. "They didn't say a word, almost ignoring me," Vinny shook his head, offended by their rudeness. Aisaphys fell silent, seemingly deep in thought. By the evening, they arrived at Lake Village. This small, modest settlement was about the size of a training field at Carrivilian Academy. As dinner time approached, the village was lively with cooking smells, and villagers could be seen moving around. "Everything seems normal here, doesn't it?" Vinny said as he observed the village with a raised brow. "There's no sign of any snake trouble at all." Aisaphys didn't respond, silently leading him into the village. "Excuse me, dear sir, may I trouble you for just a minute?" Aisaphys approached a middle-aged passerby, executing a graceful curtsy with a voice full of politeness and elegance, unmistakably that of a noble lady. This was a stark contrast to her usual tone with Vinny, which was far less formal. Vinny felt somewhat slighted, noticing how this petite acquaintance treated strangers with more sweetness than him. However, the middle-aged man she addressed seemed completely oblivious to her inquiry, walking past without acknowledging her, leaving Aisaphys momentarily speechless. "Haha, look at this!" Vinny couldn't help but laugh, rushing over to tease her. "Oh dear, our self-proclaimed heartthrob, Miss Aisaphys, has seen her charm completely bypassed! You mocked me earlier about being ignored, and now it's your turn. Does this mean it's your face that people are avoiding now?" Aisaphys remained silent, focusing intently on the departing villager, her analytical gaze unwavering. Vinny assumed her silence was just an attempt to cover her embarrassment and continued his jibes. "Ah, he didn’t even give you a glance, Aisaphys. Don't be discouraged, maybe he thought he heard a ghost and that's why he ignored you," Vinny chuckled. "I detect a faint scent of alchemical potions," Aisaphys murmured to herself, completely disregarding Vinny's banter, seemingly lost in thought. "What? Alchemical potions? I don't smell anything like that," Vinny sniffed the air deeply, unable to catch any unusual scent. "But, seriously, isn't there something wrong with both the people from that town and Lake Village? Ignoring outsiders when asked a simple question is quite rude. A simple acknowledgment would suffice!" Vinny complained, looking over at the retreating villager. Aisaphys did not reply, her brows knitted slightly in thought. "This village hasn't seen outsiders in quite some time," an elderly voice interrupted, catching their attention. Both Vinny and Aisaphys turned towards the voice, finding a stooped old man leaning on a cane. "Greetings, sir. Who might you be?" Vinny asked. "I'm the village chief here. You two seem unfamiliar, and judging by your attire, you're from noble houses, aren't you?" the elder replied. "Indeed, sir. We are students from Carrivilian Academy, here to assist with the snake infestation issue you reported. I assume the academy sent notice of our arrival?" Aisaphys's tone was courteous and endearing, displaying her knack for patience with the villagers, a contrast to her usual demeanor with Vinny. "Oh, Carrivilian Academy, I did hear about that," the elder said, recognition dawning on his face. "But you seem to have arrived a tad late. We've managed to handle the snake problem." "There, I told you," Vinny shrugged. "Everything seems perfectly normal here, far from the menace of invading creatures. Seems like our trip was for nothing." "Sir, the man I spoke to earlier... do you know him?" Aisaphys continued to inquire, seemingly unfazed by Vinny's remarks. "Of course, everyone here knows each other. That man, although usually a bit difficult, was never as blank as he seems now," the village chief replied with a head shake. "Could you tell me what happened to him?" Aisaphys asked further. "Certainly, it’s no secret. Some time ago, when our village faced the snake scourge, a local noble sent guards and a priest from a nearby church to help. Many snakes were driven off, but afterward, numerous villagers, including that man, went missing one night." Snakes? Disappearances? Vinny glanced at Aisaphys, his expression confused. "And after that?" Aisaphys pressed on. "The priest led us to a snake cavern where we found the missing villagers unconscious. We treated them, but once they awoke, they were as you see now," the elder continued somberly. "The priest claimed they suffered contamination from the snakes and were frightened. Only time can heal their spirits, he said." "What about the city guards? They just left after dealing with the snakes?" Vinny inquired. "Those haughty city guards," the elder sighed. "They looked down on us, did their job half-heartedly, and left as soon as the snake problem seemed resolved." "So, the villagers who act like they don't see anyone are the ones who were captured by the snakes?" From the conversation, Aisaphys detected numerous peculiarities, too many to overlook. "Yes, their families have tried everything, but all they can do now is follow the priest's advice and care for them," the elder confirmed. *2025/06/20/22/11* With this understanding, Aisaphys and Vinny were left pondering the mysterious occurrences surrounding Lake Village.