The Outergod's Avatar-Chapter 74: An Unexpected Summon

The next day, Sophia walked side by side with Izikel down a road he hadn’t visited before.

"So did the Legion Commander say why he wants to see me?" he asked, glancing at her.

Sophia shook her head. "He didn’t say anything. Just told me to bring you to the farm this morning."

"Okay..."

’It couldn’t be because of what happened yesterday, right?’

’...No, there’s no way they could’ve found out so soon’

Even if they did, Izikel wasn’t too worried. Unless Lyzah said something... and right now, he doubted the girl would break her word. She didn’t seem like the type.

He suspected she wouldn’t even speak up if she got into trouble.

’Is it because I trust her that I can say that?’ he wondered

Trusting someone who had claimed the life of the former owner of his body should sound absurd. But after spending the past few weeks with her, he’d grown to understand her — or at least enough to feel her actions weren’t with any deceptive intentions.

And perhaps more than anything, she had ended up being the one he spent the most time with in this strange new world. Whether by circumstance or design, they had shared quiet nights, dangerous moments, and an unspoken understanding.

That probably made him even more fond of her.

Still, the only two people he could fully trust were Dremlin and Sophia.

’As long as she doesn’t find out about the Altar...’

They turned a corner, and the full view of the fields opened up before them. Rows upon rows of vegetables and other crops stretched across the land, separated into neat sections. Workers moved in rhythm, tilling soil, watering roots, checking leaves.

It was massive. More organized than he expected. Someone had clearly put effort into maintaining it.

"Good morning, my lord," several farmers echoed in unison as they spotted Izikel.

They greeted him with bright, happy smiles, some even pausing their work to bow slightly. It was respectful, warm — maybe too warm.

Izikel awkwardly waved back, his shoulders tensing as he tried not to look like a startled animal.

He wasn’t used to this kind of attention.

’Just smile and wave’ he told himself.

A crooked smile carved its way across his face, sitting uncomfortably on his features. He folded in a little, unsure of how to act.

After a few seconds of social torture, they finally reached the spot where the Legion Commander stood. Beside him was Chief Markis.

’The Chief is also here? Maybe they did find out about Raynoel after all...’

"I didn’t know that Lord Izikel would be coming," Markis said, greeting him with a smile that was too friendly to be from someone who had a problem.

From the way Markis reacted, it didn’t seem like this was about that.

"Lord Izikel," Flavius said, "sorry for calling you out like this."

"Don’t worry, it’s fine," Izikel replied, straightening a little.

"Okay. Sheven, lead the way."

The man who stepped forward was thick-built, with short dark hair and deep brown eyes. Sheven didn’t speak, only nodded silently and turned, motioning for them to follow.

He led them only a short distance away, past a bush-line that separated the main fields from another area.

But what lay beyond wasn’t more crops.

It was devastation.

The earth here looked sick. The once-green stalks were now withered, blackened and curled like the trees near the Old Tree. The corruption had spread here too.

"The decay... it’s reached here?" Markis’s eyes widened, his voice caught between disbelief and dread.

Sophia stepped forward beside Izikel, her gaze fixed on the field.

Izikel’s heart sank. The sight of it chilled him.

"It happened overnight," Sheven said grimly. "Destroyed a couple of our fields. Most of the farmers already know. I told them to keep it to themselves, like the Commander instructed. But it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the village finds out."

Flavius exhaled deeply, turning to Markis. "What do you think?"

"With the way it’s spreading," he added, "it could wipe out the rest of the crops. At that point, there might be no need to even try hiding it."

"We’ll do everything in our power to make sure that doesn’t happen," Markis said firmly, but his tone lacked the weight of conviction.

"Can you assure us of that?" Flavius pressed. "Because if that happens, there’ll be no food. And the worst thing we can deal with right now... is a hungry mob."

Markis didn’t answer right away.

"I think it’s time we request some scholars from the Citadel," Flavius continued, "to inspect the Old Tree themselves."

Markis stiffened. "Legion Commander, I know our people lost a lot a long time ago, but to think scholars of the Lunar Moon could understand our Altar better than us? That’s almost insulting."

"It’s not that," Flavius said. "I just feel they might offer a different insight. Whatever you’ve been doing... it hasn’t worked. We can’t keep relying on temporary patches."

"But they might end up disturbing the tree even more — especially if they bring Divine energy."

"Then I’ll make sure to request that they do not send Divine Believers. Would that be better?"

Markis was silent for a moment, then gave a reluctant nod. "Sure."

"Then it’s settled. You’re excused," Flavius said, tone firm.

Markis bowed, his expression tight with slight frustration, then he left.

’So that’s what this was all about...’ Izikel realized.

’He just wanted me here to observe’

He sighed inwardly, eyes drawn once again to the black field of decayed crops.

This is really bad.

Flavius placed a hand on his shoulder. "Lord Izikel, I’m sure you’re wondering why I brought you here. It wasn’t just to show you the damage."

Izikel turned toward him.

"I wanted your opinion," Flavius said. "But before you say anything, there’s something else I want you to see. At the Saint Quarters."

The change in tone made Izikel’s stomach tighten.

They walked quickly, and when they arrived, he noticed the difference immediately. The air was tense. Guards were more alert, more armed. They stood straighter, eyes sharper.

Something had happened.

Instead of going to the Commander’s office, Flavius led them down a set of stairs that descended deep beneath the building.

It was dim down here. The only light came from flickering torches mounted on the walls. The shadows danced unnaturally.

They arrived at the holding cells.

"What are we doing here?" Izikel asked.

Flavius gestured to one of the cells. "Take a look."

Izikel’s body moved before his mind could react, drawn toward the iron bars. Inside, two figures lay on the floor. One stirred and stumbled to his feet, gripping the bars.

Izikel didn’t recognize the man — not his face.

But he recognized the green and white attire.

’A Druid?’

He took another step forward, eyes scanning the cell. The other figure was dressed the same way.

He moved past that cell to the next. And the next.

’They’re all Druids...’

His blood ran cold.