Green Pasture was unlike any ordinary town within a kingdom. It was more like a small kingdom of its own, complete with an independent ecosystem.
The territory was enormous, nearly eight times the size of an ordinary town. Towering buildings lined its wide streets, countless shops filled its commercial districts, and almost half of its land was dedicated to agriculture. It was one of the most important farming regions in the area.
At the massive stone-and-iron gate, Miyamoto approached with Amanda and Lucy close behind.
The sisters wore matching crimson-and-black tunics with capes, fitted trousers, and black sandals. Each had a scabbard fastened around her waist, keeping her sword within easy reach. Lucy had tied her long hair back with a ribbon, while Amanda kept her short hair as practical as ever.
Miyamoto followed behind them, dressed in his familiar black cape, half-mask, and sharp-edged hat. Four differently designed swords hung from his scabbard.
The two Shinras guarding the entrance immediately noticed the approaching group. They straightened, their eyes moving from the sisters to the masked swordsman behind them.
One of the guards stepped forward.
"State your business in Green Pasture."
Miyamoto didn't stop walking.
"You already know why we're here. Let's not waste time. Where were the Darkside Spirits last spotted?"
The guard's expression tightened.
This man isn't ordinary, he thought. He doesn't even seem concerned about the danger waiting for him.
"I can't give you that information here," he replied. "If you've come to accept the mission, you'll have to speak with our leader first."
He exchanged a glance with his partner before turning toward the gate.
"Follow us."
Miyamoto gave a slight nod, signalling the sisters to follow.
The moment they entered the town, the strange atmosphere became even more noticeable.
The streets were nearly empty. Shop doors were locked, market stalls had been abandoned, and several houses had wooden boards nailed across their windows. Even the business districts, which should have been bustling with activity at that hour, looked deserted.
Lucy could feel eyes watching them.
Whenever she glanced toward a window, she caught someone quickly retreating behind the curtains. Other residents peered through narrow gaps in their doors, observing the newcomers with a mixture of fear and curiosity.
She moved closer to Miyamoto.
"Master, don't you think something's wrong? Why is everyone hiding from us? It feels like we've walked into a dead town."
Miyamoto remained silent for a moment, carefully examining the streets.
Amanda rested one hand near her scabbard.
"She's right. Even if the town is under attack, this is too much. These people look as though they're afraid of everyone, not just the Darkside Spirits."
"That's enough reason to stay alert without me having to say it," Miyamoto replied. "We don't know the full situation yet."
The two guards continued leading them through the town.
For nearly twenty-four minutes, they walked past towering buildings, narrow alleys, and empty squares.
Eventually, the road opened into a large clearing.
A small castle-like structure stood ahead, surrounded by colourful flowers and enormous trees. Behind it, a magnificent waterfall poured down the rocks, its roaring waters flowing toward a vast forest.
The scenery was beautiful, almost peaceful.
Something about this place doesn't feel right, Lucy thought.
"Everything about this place seems wrong," Amanda remarked.
The guards led them through the entrance and into the building.
Inside, the hallway was lined with paintings depicting battles between Shinras and Darkside Spirits. Some showed Shinras standing victorious over their enemies, while others portrayed Darkside Spirits tearing through human settlements and feeding on their victims.
The images grew increasingly disturbing the farther they walked.
Lucy glanced away from one particularly gruesome painting.
"Why would anyone decorate their home with things like this?"
At the end of the hallway stood an enormous pair of doors.
The guards stopped before them and dropped to one knee.
"Your Majesty, another group of Shinras has arrived to accept the mission. Shall we bring them in?"
A man's voice answered from beyond the doors.
"Bring them in. I want to see who has come."
The guards rose and pushed the doors open.
Lucy instinctively moved her hand closer to her sword.
"What's with all this ceremony? We're here to deal with the Darkside Spirits, not attend a royal meeting."
Amanda's expression changed as well.
"All this waiting while those monsters are out there attacking people. They'd better have a good reason for keeping us here."
Miyamoto entered first, followed by the sisters.
The chamber was enormous, with paintings covering its walls. At the centre stood a large round table surrounded by fourteen chairs.
A man dressed in a black robe stood near one of the windows, gazing at the waterfall outside. His posture was relaxed.
"Take a seat," he said calmly. "I'll explain everything shortly."
Before the trio could respond, two doors on opposite sides of the chamber opened.
Four men entered, two from each side. All four carried themselves like experienced Shinras.
They took their places around the table.
Lucy leaned toward Miyamoto and whispered, "Master, what's going on? Why are there so many people here? Can't they just tell us where the Darkside Spirits are?"
Miyamoto lightly touched her hand.
"Stay calm. I'm here. Don't do anything until we understand the situation."
He reached for Amanda's hand as well, but she immediately pulled away and shot him an annoyed look.
"Don't treat me like a child," she muttered.
Miyamoto sighed beneath his mask.
"Then stop acting like one."
Amanda clicked her tongue and turned her attention back to the robed man.
Once everyone had taken their seats, the man finally turned away from the window.
His face showed clear signs of exhaustion, and dark circles rested beneath his eyes. Despite that, his gaze remained sharp.
He looked around the table before speaking.
"Welcome to Green Pasture. I am the ruler of this independent territory, and these men are my most trusted Shinras."
He rested both hands on the table.
"I'll get straight to the point. Our town is under constant attack by Darkside Spirits. For some time now, these creatures have been terrorising our people, forcing them to hide inside their homes. My Pro Darkside Knights and I have investigated the attacks, hoping to find a way to put an end to them."
He paused, his expression growing grim.
"But what we discovered was far worse than we expected."
He took a breath before continuing.
"The Darkside Spirits aren't trying to destroy Green Pasture. If that were their goal, they could have wiped out this town already."
Lucy frowned.
"Then what do they want?"
The ruler looked directly at her.
"Food."
Amanda's eyes narrowed.
"Food?"
"That's right. To those creatures, the people of Green Pasture are nothing more than food waiting to be consumed. They've turned our territory into a warehouse, keeping us alive so they can return whenever they need to feed."
Lucy's stomach tightened.
"They're treating an entire town of people like livestock?"
The ruler nodded slightly.
"They attack once every five days. Each time they come, people disappear. We try to defend ourselves, but their numbers and strength make it difficult to protect everyone. And whenever we think we've found a way to fight back, they remind us how powerless we really are against them."
He lowered his gaze briefly before looking up again.
"We've tried sending people away, but the roads are dangerous, and we can't evacuate an entire territory overnight. Many of our people are too afraid to leave their homes, while others have nowhere else to go."
Miyamoto's eyes narrowed.
"And when is their next attack?"
"Tomorrow."
The ruler's voice grew heavier.
"Tomorrow will mark the fifth day since their last attack. Based on their pattern, they'll return before the day is over."
Lucy clenched her fists beneath the table, struggling to contain her anger. Amanda's expression hardened as she imagined the creatures hunting helpless people through the streets.
Miyamoto, however, remained calm.
"How many Darkside Spirits are we dealing with, and what have you learned about their movements?"
The ruler exchanged a brief glance with the men seated around him.
"That's where things become complicated. We know they're organised, and we've identified several powerful individuals among them. But we still don't understand why they chose Green Pasture, or why they continue taking people instead of simply killing everyone."
He leaned forward.
"That's why we accepted outside help. We need people who can fight them without being held back by the fear that has consumed this town."
Miyamoto rested one hand on the table.
"That still doesn't answer my question. Nevertheless, tell us everything you know. If we're going to stop them tomorrow, we need to understand exactly what we're walking into."
The ruler nodded slowly.
"Very well. But before we discuss the details, there's something else you need to know."
His tired eyes moved from Miyamoto to the two sisters.
"Not one person who has accepted this mission has returned alive."