After explaining the situation to the guild master, Roger and his two companions began settling in.
They found a spacious old house near the guild, built with wood and stone, featuring a small courtyard. The chimney, covered in creeping vines, carried the charm of years gone by.
For the next two days, the house buzzed with activity.
Roger took charge of moving heavy items and buying furniture. Erza, ever meticulous, planned out the space, organizing everyone's belongings with precision. Kagura, though not the strongest, scurried around, wiping down furniture and arranging books, her small face brimming with focus.
Crackle
By evening, the fire in the hearth began to glow, chasing away the dampness in the house. The three gathered around the dining table, eating their meal while watching the lights outside flicker to life.
The unease of being in a new place slowly faded, replaced by a quiet sense of "home" settling in their hearts.
On the morning of the third day, Roger and Erza headed to the guild.
The guild hall was as lively as ever. The two made their way straight to the wooden board plastered with various parchment requests.
Their eyes scanned the notices quickly, landing on one with a small drawing of a sword-wielding figure.
"Bandit Extermination" x2
Hearing the words, Erza grinned at Roger. "Looks like we're on the same page."
"Yep, right in sync again," Roger replied, pulling the request off the board. The parchment felt rough and cool in his hands.
"Bandits who know swordplay? Might be some interesting loot," he mused.
After submitting the request to Makarov and getting his approval, the two made quick preparations and boarded a train to their destination.
The train chugged along, the view outside shifting from bustling towns to tranquil countryside, finally stopping at a remote station.
"A village by a giant tree?" Erza read from the request, heading west. Soon, a massive ancient tree came into view, its sprawling canopy shading half the village below.
As they entered the village, they took in their surroundings.
The village was small, exuding a rustic charm. Women washed clothes by a clear stream, while children darted around, carrying bundles of firewood between fields and houses.
Roger scanned the village, a faint unease creeping in. His brow furrowed. "Something's off… There don't seem to be any adult men here. Just elderly women and kids."
At that moment, a little girl washing clothes looked up and caught sight of Erza approaching.
Her round eyes widened in terror, and she pointed at Erza, her shrill voice shattering the village's calm: "Ah! A ghoul! The ghoul's here to eat us!"
"Huh?" Erza froze, caught off guard by the accusation. "A ghoul?"
Realizing the girl was definitely pointing at her, Erza waved her hands frantically. "I'm not a ghoul! You've got the wrong person."
The girl, unwavering, glared with conviction. "No way! You're definitely a ghoul! Red hair, pale skin, and that enchanting voice—it all fits!"
"When evening comes, your hair will grow long and thick, bursting through your clothes! Your teeth will get sharp, and your nails will turn into claws! Waaah…"
Before she could finish, a thin middle-aged woman rushed over in a panic, clamping a hand over the girl's mouth.
The woman's eyes were full of wariness, like a mother beast protecting her young. She pulled the girl behind her, cautiously eyeing the two strangers while slowly backing away.
"Wait!" Roger stepped forward. "Do you know anything about the bandit extermination request?"
The woman hesitated, her retreat slowing, then stopping. Her eyes flickered with confusion.
"You… you're the wizards who took the request?"
It seemed the request had indeed come from this village. Roger nodded, rolling up his sleeve to reveal the guild mark on his arm.
"That's right. We're Fairy Tail wizards, here to deal with the bandit problem."
Seeing the familiar guild mark, the woman's tense shoulders relaxed. She let out a long breath and released the girl's mouth.
The girl scampered behind her mother, peeking out with curiosity at Erza.
"It's really Fairy Tail's mark," the woman said, her face softening with an apologetic smile. But then she hesitated, eyeing their youthful faces. "It's just… you both seem a bit… young?"
Roger shrugged, his smile carrying a hint of familiarity with the question. "Not the first time we've heard that. But don't worry—experience and strength aren't just about age." His confident tone melted away the woman's last doubts.
"Sorry, sorry," she said, rubbing her hands awkwardly. She turned to a nearby basket and pulled out two golden-brown roasted potatoes.
"We're just on edge. These are potatoes we grow here in the village. Please, try them."
Roger took the still-warm potatoes, handing one to Erza. He broke open the crispy skin, revealing the fluffy, golden interior.
Taking a bite, he savored it for a moment, his eyes lighting up with genuine appreciation. "These are amazing! The texture's so soft, with just a hint of salt and a sweet aftertaste. Really delicious."
The woman blinked, caught off guard by a wizard praising her simple roasted potatoes. "Y-you like them? That's great! Let me take you to the village chief. She's in the house just ahead."
They followed her to a relatively spacious house. She knocked lightly on the door. "Chief, the wizards who took the request are here! They're from Fairy Tail!"
Creak. The wooden door opened, and an elderly woman with white hair braided into a thick plait stepped out.
Her face was kind but etched with deep worry. When she saw Roger and Erza, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes, though she quickly regained her composure.
"Thank you for taking this request, Fairy Tail wizards," she said, her voice hoarse with a trace of exhaustion. "This request has been posted at the guild for a long time, but every wizard who's come before…"
She paused, a flicker of fear in her eyes. "They've met with misfortune. Some were found outside the village, completely withered, as if all the moisture had been drained from their bodies. Others started babbling nonsense, giggling and spinning in circles endlessly."
Roger's brow furrowed as he pulled out the "Bandit Extermination" request. His voice was low. "With all due respect, Chief, what you're describing doesn't match the request at all."
The chief gave a bitter smile, her wrinkled face full of helplessness and regret. "That's what I was about to explain—our greatest problem. We can't leave this village."
"Can't leave?" Erza caught the key detail, her tone sharp with curiosity.