The Smiling Death-Chapter 314: The Mysterious Village

"So as you see, there are a lot of people here. I mean, there is a village. You must be in shock. How is there a village on this island? On ’The Grave of Celestial Tree’," Roland said while looking at Amon.

Amon leaned back slightly in his chair before replying.

"Yeah, I am pretty shocked... rather than being happy for seeing so many people after a long time, I am not haoly or excited...because this looks suspicious." He narrowed his eyes. "How is there a village here... that also in a place... which is like a sealed area from the outside world?"

Roland slowly stood up from his seat and let out a faint breath. "Hah... I will bring some tea for you."

Amon blinked for a moment, slightly stunned by the casual response. He was shocked to hear that word.

They have tea?

"Oh... I haven’t drunk it for a while now," he muttered under his breath.

Roland nodded calmly and walked toward the kitchen area.

Just then, Vetaal’s voice came from beside him, whispering into his ear.

"I won’t talk to you for a while. That man is strong. He might hear my voice." Vetaal’s voice was so low that even though he whispered directly into Amon’s ear, it was hard to understand.

Amon simply gave a small nod. He didn’t attempt to speak.

’I do have ideas how they got a village here, Amon thought quietly while waiting for Roland to return.’

Soon, Roland came back. In his hand was a wooden plate, and on it were two clay cups. Warm steam rose from them.

Amon could smell it. It wasn’t like normal tea. It was different.

Roland placed the wooden plate on the table and handed one cup to Amon.

"It’s made from leaves that we found in the forest. It does give a taste like tea," Roland explained calmly.

Amon accepted the cup carefully. "Thanks for this." He lifted it and took a sip.

A warm sensation touched his tongue. The flavor was mild, slightly bitter, but soothing.

On the other side, Roland also sat back down and took a sip before placing his cup on the table.

After a brief silence, Roland leaned forward slightly and began speaking again.

"You see... there are two types of people who live here." He went straight to the main topic, without asking how Amon got here or why he was alone in such a dangerous place.

"First... are people like you. They came from outside. Lost and stuck in this zone. Then they started to live in this village. The other type... those who were born in this place."

Amon listened quietly.

’It seems... this is just like what I had thought.’

Roland continued speaking, his tone steady.

"We don’t know the exact number... but many years ago... a huge group of people got stuck in this area. Not finding a way outside after a long try, they decided to build houses in this place. Over the years, many people from time to time came to this place and stucked here... like you. The gap might be short or long."

He paused briefly, then added, "For example... it was about three years ago that someone came to this place. After those three years... you came. Before that person... it might have been decades before someone came. This village has been standing here for many years, becoming a residential area for lost people like you and me."

Amon’s eyes sharpened slightly. "You... you were also like me?"

Roland nodded calmly. "Yeah. It’s been twenty years since I came here."

Amon’s brows furrowed. "That’s a very long time... and you guys still haven’t found a way outside?"

Roland slowly shook his head in denial. "No. Unfortunately, we haven’t. I tried my best since coming here. Explored the whole area... but never found anything."

Amon frowned deeply.

’What does he mean? Then he didn’t see Vetaal on that tree?’

He hesitated for a moment before asking, "Well... have you seen that tree with no leaves? A corpse on it?"

Roland remained silent for a few seconds, thinking. Then he answered calmly, "Yes... we all have. But it’s just a dead body. What about it?"

Amon’s suspicion deepened.

’So Vetaal didn’t wake up when he saw them... but why did he wake up for me?’

He decided to ask Vetaal about it later.

Amon let out a slow breath. "So there’s no way... I am also stuck here... forever."

Roland looked at him seriously. "Amon, all I can say is don’t lose hope. Even after so many years... I am still trying to find a way outside. I really want to go back..." He paused. For a brief moment, his eyes were filled with deep emotion. "...go back to my home."

Then he shook his head slightly and continued, "All we can do is try. Some people here have already given up on going back... but many of them still want to return. While those who born here...let’s say they also want to see outside world."

Amon leaned back slightly in his chair. "Hah... for now, I have to just live here."

Going back to the academy seemed much farther now. But he still had a chance.

Vetaal. He was the key to getting out of this trap. But could he believe in Vetaal? That was the most concerning part.

He also wants to leave this place. Our goal is the same. He didn’t have many options. He needed to have a proper talk with Vetaal again.

Then Amon’s eyes gleamed with curiosity. He looked at Roland. "Sir Roland, I saw a few animals here... how can they be here?"

Roland’s expression turned serious. "Even I do not know. They have been here for a long time. Even before any human or other race came here for the first time. At least, I think that."

Amon nodded slowly. "Weird... but I guess it’s good for us. Since some of them can be used for food."

Roland gave a faint nod. "Yes, you are right about that."

Amon then asked another question, his tone thoughtful. "But what about monsters? I haven’t seen them since entering this place."

Roland leaned back slightly before answering. "Oh... well, there are some monsters. But oddly, they are asleep all the time. I have seen them... in some cases, in underground paths. They are asleep there, for who knows how long."

Amon’s frowned deepened after hearing that.