THE HERO'S SON IS A MONSTER-Chapter 59: Paramour

"Hero, please, save our village!"

This plea came from one of the villagers surrounding the hero. During his journey to Sunkush, he had to pass near this village. So, he decided to make a stop to rest. But before he could do anything, the villagers were already asking for his help.

"I don’t even see what danger threatens your village. Isn’t this just a simple rumor?" the hero asked the villagers gathered around him.

One of them spoke up, a hint of fear in his eyes.

"No... no, Hero, you don’t understand. We’ve had no news from some neighboring villages, and those who went to investigate never returned. Even the atmosphere feels strange... even the animals are behaving oddly."

The hero lightly touched his chin, deep in thought. It was true that he sensed a considerable amount of negative energy, but it was quite far away. What did that have to do with these people? Moreover, the system had not assigned him any quest related to this.

From the beginning, he had concluded that it was best to wait and observe. In any case, he was heading to Sunkush—no matter what happened, he could save face and even return as a hero who had controlled the situation.

"Don’t worry, the situation is under control. Besides, I’m here, on a mission to protect our beautiful kingdom. What’s the worst that could happen?"

The hero’s group was made up solely of knights, men of arms whom he had gathered along his journey.

Each one was a seasoned warrior, marked by past battles, and they united their strength under his banner.

Among them was a special envoy from the Celestial Kingdom, a skilled diplomat and strategist, sent to facilitate relations with the Sunkush Kingdom.

Dressed in attire adorned with celestial symbols, this man brought with him valuable knowledge of political intrigue and diplomatic subtleties. Together, they formed a group as powerful as it was ambitious, united in their common quest.

"Ah! The hero has spoken, how reassuring!"

The villagers started rejoicing while stepping back slightly, giving him some space. He was actually close to hitting them because of their excessive proximity. He thought these people had no manners... And to top it off, they were all men.

Where were the women?

This question lingered in the hero’s mind. When he arrived, he was only greeted by men and children. Not a single woman in sight. He found it strange... and somewhat depressing.

Eventually, he couldn’t keep the question to himself any longer.

"Oh... I only see men here. Have goblins captured the women or something?"

"Goblins?" the villagers repeated, perplexed. They didn’t even seem to understand the term.

The hero looked at them with disdain.

"Never mind. So, where did all the women go?"

"The hero truly cares about everyone’s well-being!"

Yes, that’s right, the hero thought to himself with satisfaction.

"At this hour, it’s normal not to see any women around. They’ve gone to work in the fields. They’ll be back by evening."

The women were working in the fields while these men did nothing? What a bunch of freeloaders! Though... living like that didn’t seem so bad. He’d do the same once this whole ordeal was over.

"I see. In that case, find a place for the men accompanying me. We’ll stay here for a few days to ensure your protection. With me here, you have nothing to fear!"

The villagers quickly nodded, visibly relieved by the hero’s presence. They immediately scattered to prepare lodging for the hero’s escort, occasionally throwing admiring glances his way.

The hero, meanwhile, took a moment to observe the village square. A few children were playing with stones, indifferent to the adults’ concerns, while the elderly whispered among themselves, occasionally stealing glances at him.

Something still felt off.

It wasn’t just the absence of women. The atmosphere itself seemed... oppressive. As if an invisible threat loomed closer, rushing toward the village—something indescribable.

But soon, he would leave this village. What did any of this have to do with him? That was his way of thinking. He saw no merit in saving these people. If the threat emerged after his departure, so be it.

His combat instincts, however, urged him to stay alert.

He discreetly activated his Clear Vision skill, followed by Perception, searching for any anomalies in the surroundings. As he had sensed earlier, negative energy lingered in the area, but it was too faint, too distant to pose an immediate threat. Yet, he still couldn’t shake off this strange feeling...

"Hero, we’ve prepared rooms for you and your men! Come, I’ll show you."

A stocky villager, his face marked by age, approached with a strained smile. The hero nodded and followed him casually.

The house where they would be staying was larger than the others, probably the former residence of a village notable. Inside, the scent of wood and dried grass filled the air. The place was simple but clean.

"This is it. Make yourselves at home!"

The hero scanned the room before giving orders to his men.

"Settle in and rest. We don’t know what awaits us here, so keep your weapons within reach."

His companions nodded without question. They were used to this kind of situation.

The hero slumped into a wooden chair, crossing his arms behind his head. He would have loved to just sleep until morning, but he knew he still had to clear things up.

His gaze shifted to the villager who had guided them.

The villager who had welcomed the hero was a stocky man, well into his forties, with a sun-worn face etched with deep worry lines. His shifting gaze betrayed a lingering nervousness, and his calloused hands fidgeted instinctively, as if trying to conceal a profound unease. Dressed in a worn linen tunic and rough canvas trousers, he carried the scent of hay and earth—the mark of a man accustomed to labor. Yet, his hunched shoulders and hesitant posture hinted at an invisible burden. When he spoke, his rough voice always seemed on the verge of breaking, as if each word weighed heavier than the last.

"Tell me, you said people have gone missing. Exactly how long has this been happening?"

The man hesitated before answering.

"It started about three weeks ago. First, it was hunters who never returned. Then, passing travelers... And finally, our own villagers."

"Hmm... and you didn’t send anyone to investigate?"

The old man lowered his eyes.

"We did... but none of them ever came back."

The hero sighed. He should have expected that.

"Alright. I’ll investigate tomorrow morning. In the meantime, make sure no one leaves the village tonight. No matter what happens, tell everyone to stay inside."

The villager’s expression grew even more anxious.

"Do you think... something might come tonight?"

The hero smirked confidently.

"Let’s just say I prefer to be cautious. After all, if danger is lurking in the shadows... it will eventually show itself."

"Oh, and hopefully, I won’t have to deal with it personally. But send some women to keep my men entertained. And of course, send a few to my room as well."

A heavy silence filled the room.

The night promised to be long.