"We have seen the strength of your knights, and we believe that you can help us. The situation in the village is far worse than what you can see from the outside. There is infighting and even major conflict among the different tribes of the Toto village. If nothing is done, the village would be torn into ruins".
Eldrin stressed, there was pressing desperation in his eyes and voice.
"Clam down Eldrin, you are not making any sense. How will he understand the situation in our village if you don't explain to him properly?"
The one to speak was Zerina, the chief of the panther tribe. Her sharp, feline eyes inspected Reinhardt from head to toe before she started explaining.
"You came here to resolve the issue of the Toto village, right? But do you even know what the problem is that is plaguing our settlement?"
As all the knight orders before them were all denied entry inside the village and returned back after failing the mission, there was little to no information about Toto Village. What was known was only some rumors that spread through the mouths of minstrels and passing merchants.
The population of Demi Humans in the Toto village was declining and at a rapid pace. It was said that the villagers were suffering from some unknown curse that made them unable to reproduce.
Of course, it was all just rumors and cannot be taken seriously.
"I know what you are thinking, those rumors are true. In fact, we are the ones who spread those rumors in hopes of receiving the aid of the kingdom in breaking the curse one day. However, as you can see, the other chiefs of this village are too obstinate and prideful to refuse the help of outsiders".
Curse huh… this indeed sounded serious; however, the matter didn't look as grave as Eldrin made it sound. There was still something they were hiding from him.
As if guessing what he was thinking, Zerina sighed exaggeratedly. She made an expression as if she was struggling internally before finally making up her mind.
"Since you are our only hope, I can only tell you everything. How this Toto village started and how we have dug our own grave and are now on the brink of extinction"...
"Eh? Chief Zerina, if you break the taboo, then the curse" Eldrin hurriedly cautioned, but the latter stopped him with a gesture of her hand.
"Don't worry, I know what I am doing" Zerina then glanced at Reinhardt and raised three fingers.
"Due to the curse, we are unable to tell you anything about the problem plaguing us. However, if you want to know what it is, come to the village square on the night of the Festival of Fire, three days from now. There you will understand everything"…
To be unable to speak about their situation out loud, the curse and the taboo, the situation in the Toto village was indeed far more complex.
If the villagers cannot tell him about it, he can only learn it himself by sneaking into the village on the night of the Festival of Fire.
That said, sneaking into the village full of expert warriors and hunters won't be a walk in the park. It might be one thing if it was just Karina, but he on the other hand, was anything but stealthy.
As a Divine Paladin with broken stats and numerous Divine Traits, his presence was like a gigantic pillar of light, so strong and conspicuous that the moment he steps into the border of the village, all the guards would be instantly alarmed.
Sneaking was the last thing Reinhardt was suited for; as such, the problem was getting inside the village without alarming anyone. Thankfully, Zerina came fully prepared.
"On the night of the fire festival, it would be my panther tribe's turn to keep guard. I will tell everyone of your arrival beforehand so that you guys can sneak in"…
"You can do that?" Reinhardt was surprised. Didn't all demi humans in the Toto village dislike humans?
"Not all of us hate humans, you know. The people you saw that day in front of the gate are old and more radical ones," Zerina answered.
After that, the two of them hurriedly left the same way they came from without making any sound or leaving a trace.
When all of them were gone and it was only Reinhardt there still standing in his place, Karina appeared out of thin air.
"Master, what are we going to do?"
She had been spying on their conversation since the beginning without getting caught. This showcased how great her ability and skill as an expert assassin were.
"We have no other choice. To learn more about Toto village and what's going on with them, we need to see the fire festival with our own eyes" Reinhardt made his decision.
"Pass the information you heard today to only some high ranking knights. Tell them not to spread it until three days later. I want everyone to prepare for what is to come on that day"…
Karina nodded, though the next second her expression was suddenly masked with worry.
"Master, do you think it will get dangerous during the festival?"…
Reinhardt made eye contact with the beautiful and sexy assassin in front of him. A fire like that of the stars burning, flashed deep within his eyes. He put a hand on her head and spoke gently and confidently.
"It's just a feeling. Don't worry, I am here. No matter who or what we are up against, victory will be ours".
That calm and collected voice of Reinhardt that seemed like he would even hold the world down for her if it ever started collapsing, managed to soothe and disperse all the worries of Karina.
She blushed slightly and hurriedly left to carry out orders, almost as if she could not wait to witness the day of the Fire Festival.
"Fire festival… demons… I really want to know what you all are up to".