Krafft's Anomaly Notes

Chapter 365 Old Road
"Sir, where are we going now?"

Field leaned over the horse's back, the moisture-laden wind carrying the smell of horse mane blowing into his mouth and nose, and every word he spoke involuntarily had a rolled tongue sound.

This family that had been hidden in the mountains for many years retained a fierce military temperament. After asking about the situation in a few words, they set out lightly carrying only a few days' dry food and clean water, leading the way in an unfamiliar direction.

At a terrifying speed, they crossed the valley diagonally and crashed into the mountain forest still shrouded in the shadow of darkness, getting further and further away from the right path.

"The shortest way."

The answer came from the front, as straightforward as his style, without any further communication.

Since setting out on the journey, the only thing Field had learned was the middle-aged man's full name, Benedict, and that he and the young man in knight's squire costume named Lucian were indeed father and son.

Lucian is more talkative than his father and grandfather. He retains an unrestrained liveliness and enjoys communicating with outsiders.

"We can't catch up with him if we chase him head-on, but if we're fast enough, we might have a chance to get through here and intercept him," he explained, his tone full of confidence from his familiarity with the terrain.

"Do you know where he'll go?" Although Field was concentrating on controlling the horse, he still sensed the other party's subtext. "Has this happened in the territory before?"

“Right.” Noticing that the guest was not good at riding, Benny slowed down a little and shortened the distance. “My father used to be in charge of it, but now it’s my turn.”

Surprisingly, Field did not sound proud about taking over the responsibility. He thought that such a family would care a lot about such symbolic inheritance.

As is customary, he politely complimented the other party, "Your family's kindness and generosity have brought glory to the family name. Could you please tell me in detail so that I can pass on these deeds."

Going into the mountains to search for missing people was indeed not something that ordinary lords could do. Moreover, it happened more than once, gradually becoming a traditional practice that could serve as a model of chivalry.

"No, it's not what you think."

Benny actively denied the honor, slowing down again, almost leaning in to abreast, as if to make sure he heard the next words clearly: "We are only fighting for the survival of the territory."

"And I suggest you leave as soon as you find your companion - if we can still find him - and don't try to figure out the cause and effect. People who indulge in these things never have a good ending."

It was not easy to get such a complete sentence out of the mouth of this man who was very frugal with words. His tone was so serious and rigid that it was almost a warning.

Curiosity made Field want to ask more, but when he was clearly told that it was inappropriate, he was choked for a moment and didn't know how to respond.

Fortunately, Lucian smoothed things over for the two: "Please don't mind. This is just a friendly reminder based on past experience."

"Don't doubt our sincerity. After all, helping you is also helping ourselves. Last year's harvest was not good. If we lack food for another season, the village may not be able to survive."

"Lucian!" Benny interrupted his son harshly.

This explanation did not solve the doubts, Field only felt that there were more questions.

"Sir, I am not a coward. The next journey concerns the lives of the brothers in the church. No matter how dangerous it is, I hope to know it beforehand." Field pleaded. "Even if there is something evil and sneaky, I believe that God will protect me. Please don't insult the pious determination of a monk."

Better to die in a conscious state while searching for a reason than to be trapped forever in the fog of chaos that devours the minds of your companions.

The stone-hard leader did not reply immediately. The silence was eerie, and Lucian did not dare to speak again. The only sound was the occasional sound of horseshoes hitting the knotted tree roots in the ground, making a wooden bell-like sound.

The light source rose unknowingly and came to the position between the two mountains, revealing an abnormal and barren slope from behind the black curtain.

There were only low grass and a few new trees on the mixed surface of soil and rocks, lying in front of the exposed rock walls, forcing the roads and small streams to twist sharply in extremely awkward directions.

At the end of the slope, you can vaguely see processed square stones, which are squeezed and piled together like discarded building blocks that were rubbed and swept away by a giant hand.

Just one glance caused a reflexive panic before I realized what it was.

"This used to be a village." Perhaps the shocking scene before him had knocked a crack in the stone, and Benny spoke.

"It existed before our family came to the fiefdom. The locals believe that there is such a thing, living in high places, and is related to rare and irregular heavy rains."

"You mean..." Field was about to say that he had read the relevant folk records, but he couldn't find a suitable term to refer to it.

"I know there are similar stories in other places, but their customs are a little different. They will bring back the mad people who run into the mountains no matter what to prevent them from attracting 'that thing'.

"At first, our ancestors thought it was the 'witch' fears of the ignorant, blaming the flooding of the valley caused by heavy rains on people who could never come back.

"But two strange rainstorms within three years made him change his mind. The first time, a monk who came to preach disappeared, and the second time, a clerk who had followed him for many years disappeared. The unseasonal floods that followed made the territory go through extremely difficult times."

The road conditions were bad, so the three had to slow down again, which made Benny's story clearer.

"I have no intention of questioning your faith, but there may really be places in this world where the light of Heavenly Father cannot shine, and you should not enter them."

"Then this village failed to stop the escaping madman?" Field carefully controlled the reins to avoid the obstacle.

The special terrain and the shallow roots of the vegetation make the road here particularly bad. If you are not careful, you will fall into the mud that soaks the broken walls and ruins. The slippery and sticky silt drags the horses like a swallowed soul.

"They have been very careful and have done better than us. Most of the time, when they noticed signs of something wrong, they controlled the people and rarely caused trouble."

"It wasn't their fault. It was an unexpected accident. About 20 years ago, they were trapped by an unprecedented rainstorm. Everyone was hiding in the house and waiting, counting the food reserves, but the rain was so heavy that half of the mountain became a pool of flowing mud.

"What I am about to say may be too offensive, even heretical, so please forgive me - before that rainstorm, there was..."

Field was stunned. A hideous and terrifying thought crept towards him along with his thoughts that suddenly emerged in the fog.

His lips moved unconsciously, uttering the second half of Benny's unfinished sentence:
"A church procession is passing by..."