The Cave
A child's warm smile always brings healing; this is an instinct etched deep within humankind, the most profound genetic imprint in the long process of human biological evolution.
Everyone in the cottage saw Abigail's sweet smile because of the food; this was proof of happiness.
Sanson and Nezha, as Chaldea Servant, also arrived here. Looking at this French Heroic Spirit who was clearly not much of a fighter and who swaggered into the British Puritan Heroic Spirit during a period of tension between Britain and France, Bai Mo felt a throbbing pain in his trigeminal nerve.
"Master, I have a question. Previously, the situation with the Singularity hampered our combat strength. But now that Mr. Bai Mo has arrived, this problem is easily solved."
While we can't use that simple method of reading minds, surely we can just beat them up, and they'll confess what they need to confess?
Just as Robin Hood was about to say that, Bai Mo winked at Abigail was curiously looking around. Robin Hood understood and swallowed the words he was about to say.
This is certainly not something you can mention in front of children, but everyone here understands what he means.
This is the most direct method of intelligence gathering. In the past, almost all Servant entered the town to try and find out the reason behind it.
However, since this was Puritan territory, gathering intelligence became extremely difficult. Furthermore, the Servant ' power had been weakened, causing the investigation to remain stalled.
But things are different now.
"This... isn't good. Although we don't know how this barrier was constructed, it's true that 50,000 people from the Pan-Human History were captured here, and we haven't found any trace of them at all."
In Chaldea, Dr. Roman said with a hint of helplessness.
"There's something strange about the people here. Logically speaking, if they really knew something, they wouldn't be so calm. Even if they took action, they might not get anything."
Furthermore, I don't want to overturn the table right now.
Bai Mo glanced at the little bear beside Abigail and added, "At least until I see Randolph Carter, I don't want to do that."
"Um, is Bai Mo going to see his uncle?"
Abigail suddenly interrupted Bai Mo and the others' conversation, which surprised everyone present. Unlike the others, Bai Mo's words were controlled like threads, only reaching the ears of specific individuals. How could Abigail possibly have heard them?
"Yes, Abigail, after all, I came here suddenly, and this is your house. Doesn't this add to your burden?"
"Yes, we should definitely tell Uncle, as he sometimes comes home very late. But he shouldn't refuse. If there's not enough room, I can give you a blanket in your room."
Bai Mo reached out and patted the girl's head, smiling as he said, "Thank you for your kindness. In return, I'll take care of your meals for the time being."
"Eh? Is that okay?"
"As a child, you naturally need to be well-fed."
"May I take some for Lavinia? She's definitely never had food like this before."
"Of course, how about we leave now?"
As if by Magecraft, Bai Mo handed Abigail a food box the size of a brick, then led her out. Bai Mo didn't intend to move freely; the opponent clearly had methods to influence time. Although there seemed to be many restrictions, it was better to be cautious.
In addition, Abigail's identity was too special; her name was an important figure in the original Salem Trial. Plus, this child had an uncle named Randolph Carter and a teddy bear named Yog. This kind of treatment basically made it clear that "I am important."
"That's wonderful. If I had stayed on Aeaea Island back then, I bet I would have had a lovely blonde child like her."
Circe watched as Bai Mo left, holding Abigail's hand, and felt a pang of melancholy. But she had no time to let her reminisce about the past, and went to set up the barrier in the house at Ritsuka's Ritsuka.
Walking through the misty town, the place felt like a concentration camp without walls, filled with an oppressive atmosphere that made it hard to breathe. Abigail held Bai Mo's hand the whole way, swinging her long sleeves and humming an unknown lullaby.
"Lavinia may seem a little strange, but she's actually a very nice person. Bai Mo will definitely be able to become friends with her."
Bai Mo nodded, his gaze involuntarily shifting to the townspeople around him. Although Abigail, being a child, wouldn't notice the adults' gazes, Bai Mo could tell they weren't welcoming him.
Abigail, have you always lived here?
"Yes, my uncle said my parents passed away a long time ago, and I've always lived here. Although this small town lacks everything, I still really like it here."
"I see. Have you ever thought about leaving here?"
"Leave?"
"Yes, leave here. Or perhaps I should say—do you have anywhere else you'd like to go?"
Abigail stopped humming and did not answer. Leaving the town, the two walked along a path, stepping on dry grass, until they reached a small hut outside.
"This is Lavinia's house. I don't know why, but she lives quite far from town. Hey, isn't she home?"
Abigail looked around, then turned and noticed a cave on a hill not far from Lavinia's house. She immediately ran over, pointed to the family name carved into the cave, and said:
"Maybe it's in there. I'll go check. Lavinia, are you in there?"
Bai Mo and Abigail entered the cave, Abigail's calls echoing through the air. Bai Mo remained alert, ready to take Abigail away at any moment; the dark entrance always evoked thoughts of something ominous.
Just as Abigail called out, a dark figure suddenly appeared in the distance, which appeared to be a little girl.
"Lavinia?"
Abigail immediately ran out, her speed incredibly fast. Bai Mo reached out to grab Abigail; whatever it was, that speed was definitely not human.
But before it could even touch it, the cave twisted and contorted, the hard stone walls emitting a foul, fishy stench, flesh and blood growing out of it, covered with hideous tentacles, and blood gushing out, as if a giant beast was about to swallow Abigail whole.
"Ah!"
The girl had never seen anything like it before, and she was so frightened that she squatted down on the ground.
A loud boom came from the stone wall. The tentacles were smashed open by Bai Mo's punch, and the flesh and blood turned into dust. The entire tunnel, which could only accommodate two people at a time, was transformed into a space like a train station hall.
"Is it flesh and blood? What is this?"
Bai Mo frowned slightly and pulled Abigail back, who was so frightened she could barely make a sound. Such great destruction had already been caused, but the rocks seemed fake, with gruesome flesh and blood everywhere.
A strange smell filled the air, and Abigail's dress gradually rotted away.
"It looks like the stomach of an organism, so if it is an organism..."
The next moment, Bai Mo's large hand slammed down onto the flesh that had just been stabbed, his five fingers digging deep into it.
Heavenly Martial Killing Way - the Life-Severing Way.
A sharp bang rang in their ears, and the once vibrant flesh and blood instantly dried up like mushrooms. The immense life force vanished in an instant, and gradually, the flesh and blood on the tunnel dissipated, returning to its original state.