Chapter 252
The daughter of the fruit shop owner adored Mikael so much that she would always slip him a soft, ripe fruit whenever they met. The puppy at the general store would circle around Ysaris’ feet every time she visited, rubbing against her legs. When petted, it would obediently nudge its head forward and wag its tail—adorable beyond words.
Occasionally, the shouts of children playing or bickering in the streets added liveliness to the village. If they happened to collide with her while running wild, they’d fluster and apologize, then inexplicably blush and duck their heads, a sight that never failed to amuse her.
Every corner of the village brimmed with vitality. Everywhere welcomed Ysaris and Mikael.
How could she not love this place?
“Thank you again, Lena, for taking me in.”
“Why? It’s not free. We agreed on a price, didn’t we?”
“Half was promised as deferred payment, so my gratitude includes your trust in me.”
True. Ysaris hadn’t paid the full price yet.
Recalling the terms of their negotiation back then…
She’d never forget the strange shift in Lena’s expression then.
And so, Ysaris settled in Lena’s village. A mutually satisfactory contract.
“But do the other villagers also pay a price to live here?”
“Suspect I’m only exploiting you?”
At Lena’s dry chuckle, Ysaris fumbled for words.
“It’s just… they can’t all have rare bloodlines you need. I wondered how the village formed.”
Lena didn’t let just anyone in. Ysaris herself had only caught her interest by carrying a Tennilath child.
Even Lena’s bond with Ysaris’ grandmother had formed around purification abilities—a discernible pattern. But for the entire village to consist of bloodline ability users…
“Why wouldn’t they?”
“Huh?”
“No reason their blood shouldn’t carry unique abilities.”
“…Everyone here?”
That seemed implausibly large in number.
Ysaris was stunned. Ability users were a tiny minority even across the continent—her disbelief was natural.
In Pyrein, barely anyone had bloodline abilities. With even the royal family’s powers lost, the odds were slim.
Only in the Uzephia Empire were a few concentrated among the nobility—the Tennilath imperial line, the Barilio and Blake ducal houses.
But an entire village of hundreds?
As Ysaris’ gaze darted uncertainly, Lena shrugged.
“This village is ancient. Well, it wasn’t even a village initially. I just brought a few people here, and before I knew it, it grew into this. Time works magic, they say.”
Her words hinted at an unimaginable lifespan. Even by mage standards, it felt excessively long.
Was Lena even human?
The doubt felt justified, but Ysaris stayed silent. Instinct warned her not to pry further.
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