"I'll come as well." Landor was about to leave with the Elder when he heard Daren's voice. He saw that Daren had come outside at some point. Landor said, "Daren, go inside."
Dare was about to reply when the Elder said, "Why not let the by come? He clearly wants to."
Landor glared at the Elder for a moment and then looked at Daren. The boy had made up his mind. Landor sighed once again and said, "You can come. But you must listen to me when we meet the Village Chief."
They began moving towards the northern part of the village, where the Chief resided. The crowd that had gathered outside Landor's hut also followed behind. Seeing such a large crowd, the unaware villagers also became curious. Naturally, gossip ensued.
"Hey, what's going on?"
"Drain? Withered roots had that ability?"
"Apparently, those flowers were extremely pretty."
"What!? Landor almost killed Maro?"
Similar whispers spread throughout the village. Daren kept his head down the entire time until they reached the Village Chief's home.
It was also a hut, but it was huge. Even larger than Landor's hut. The Village Elder said, "You both wait here."
Then he went inside. Landor took this as an opportunity. He said, "Daren, no matter what happens in there, just follow my lead."
Daren nodded. A few minutes later, the Elder came outside and invited them in, "The Village Chief will see you now."
Much to Landor's annoyance, Maro also followed them inside. Since the Elder didn't object, it meant that he was invited. The Elder led them to a large room. Landor recognised the place.
It's where they discussed major hunts. Or any important decision that affected the village. Daren, on the other hand, looked around curiously. The walls were adorned with menacing beast heads.
But then he saw the Village Chief. He had only seen him once before, the time he arrived in Ga'al Village. He was a mountain of a man. Standing high above even Landor, he had huge muscles. His golden hair showed signs of greying, but only slightly. He sat shirtless, his various tattoos and scars showing. He wore a simple bearhide cloak.
The bear's head had been fashioned into a hood. His face had a menacing claw scar from his forehead to his cheekbone that went right through his left eye. From what Daren had heard, the cloak had been fashioned from the hide of the very bear that took the Chief's eye.
Landor looked behind as he saw the now-retired elder warriors enter. He looked at the Elder and said, "I thought we were meeting the Village Chief."
But the Elder didn't reply. The Chief did, "You are. But I must consider the interests of the village. And the strength of a village lies in the unity of its people. So whatever decision I make today will be made while considering the advice of the wise elders.
As warriors, they protected the village with their strength. As elders, they shall continue to do so with their wisdom. So, Head Elder, what seems to be the problem? Why has the Council of Elders been gathered today?"
The Head Elder said, "Today, Daren Withered Roots displayed an ability that may become potentially dangerous for the village in the future."
The Village Chief said, "Understood. But why is Landor here? What does he have to do with this?"
Landor replied, "Greetings, Chief. I have taken Daren in as my ward. Therefore, it is my responsibility to ensure that he is not treated unfairly. And, I also have a question for the Elder. Why is Maro here? He is neither the accused nor the judge.
Also, Withered Roots is a moniker that was unfairly imposed on a child for crimes he did not commit. I request that such derogatory behaviour not sully this hall."
The Elder, as if he had expected this question, replied, "But he is a witness. As for the moniker–"
At this point, the Village Chief interrupted, "I'll allow his presence. I also agree with Landor's request. The moniker Withered Roots, or any such names, shall not be used. Elder, you may continue."
The Elder nodded and said, "The warriors returned from the hunt with a bountiful harvest. That is why the lead contributor, Landor, was allowed ownership of an entire beast corpse of his choosing. When he returned to his hut, Wi– cough– the boy was cultivating.
His Anima moved as if it had a mind of its own. Its vines pierced the corpse and drained it until only a husk remained. The buds on the vines also bloomed into violet flowers. Maro witnessed the entire thing."
The Village Chief motioned for Maro to speak. Maro spoke, his voice seething with hatred, "Chief, the boy is cursed. His Anima bloomed by feeding on life. His Anima, like him, is an omen of death.
Those cursed flowers may look beautiful on the surface, but as a hunter, I know that nature often hides its deadliest claws behind a veil of beauty. What if he devours us one day as well?"
The Village Chief was silent for a moment before speaking, "Elder, what are your concerns?"
The Elder said, "As Maro said, I simply fear that the boy will lose control one day and drain the villagers."
The Chief said, "I see. Your concerns are valid. I–"
Landor knew he couldn't delay it anymore. He interrupted the Chief and said, "Chief, forgive me for interrupting your verdict. But there is a big problem with Maro and the Elder's statements. Their accusations are baseless. The boy is not cursed. Neither is his Anima. He advanced.
Otherwise, how could a Gemini Anima User with only a Level 2 Innate Essence advance to Level 3 within two weeks? His Anima bloomed with life. There is no proof that the flowers are cursed.
And he has been meditating every day in that very spot. If it were possible, why hasn't he drained any of the villagers yet? Divinity knows that their behaviour certainly warranted it."
The Village Chief glanced at the Elder with his indifferent gaze. Landor also looked at him with a subtle smile. The Elder's expression changed.