Moonlight After Sunset's
Lake Sinju

"Whatever the smell is you're hiding, it's gonna smell like it someday."

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In a dark forest illuminated only by the dim moonlight. A pair of eyes were busy observing the surroundings. Those eyes continued to circulate his gaze cynically, there was a cunning smile curling on his lips.

That night the chanting of crickets became the background sound that accompanied him. Along with the cold of the night he continued to monitor the group of soldiers who were guarding a strange lake.

The lake is touted as a lake of death because anyone who plunges into it will never reappear to the surface. Residents believe that the lake is a curse due to the disappearance of one of the daughters of the Count Difani family.

Count Difani used to be an ordinary family without any influence but after his daughter disappeared he became very strong and filled with power. In addition, the lake that was once clear color now turned black without anyone knowing the explanation.

People also mentioned that the lake was once a place where they often take water because basically the lake is the spring of the residents of this area. But for some reason after the Count's daughter disappeared, the lake was closed and was not allowed to enter and whoever broke, they would die without a trace.

Many rumors say that the princess is missing because it fell into the lake so that it changes the color of the water to pitch black. Residents only assume that the color is based on the struggle of the princess to be able to live again. Unfortunately, his efforts failed and resulted in his loss of life.

Black color dominates the lake. The color black is also often associated with death so that it sounds commonplace to some people. Unfortunately no one knows that the black color of the lake is not due to the struggle of the princess but the cruelty of her twin sister.

The whereabouts of death in the lake are evidence of an agreement between the Count's side and his allies. They made mana lakes to create golems and demon armies. It takes a lot of nutrients to continue to maintain the lake so that every day there must be lost residents.

"I want to puke."

Kun looked nauseous when he saw that scene in front of him.

"If you want to puke, then stay away from me."

Dusk seemed indifferent in response to Kun's childish nature. Although he knew that mana died very much in opposition to the saint beast yet he ignored it.

Kun and Ristia's position was not favorable here but Dusk could not leave the two at the inn because they themselves asked to come along.

"If you're not happy just come back."

"If I go back, I don't know what you're gonna do here."

Kun looked annoyed as well as worried but Dusk just stared at him flatly.

"Dian, bring Kun back while I'll check deeper."

"But Miss, this is dangerous. You could get hurt if they find out where you are."

Dian looked so worried even so, Dusk just ignored her and stepped away.

"Then don't get caught," murmured Dusk softly at him. Dian could only stare at her back agitatedly.

Just like what her lady said, this place was very unsuitable for saint beasts even White to the point of curling up inside Dian's clothing pocket.

"Well, how else."

Dian heavy-heartedly held Kun and immediately took him away from the forest.

After a few meters ahead Dusk can clearly see what really happened there. It was so clearly a blackened lake with dozens of guards around it. The guard was wearing armor with weapons in each hand.

Seeing the apparition in front of him Dusk recalled what Josep had said just a moment ago.

"Welcome Miss," said Josep lightly.

Dusk just nodded his head then entered the inn in front of him.

"Say what does this letter mean?"

He threw the letter he had previously read. The letter was now tangled with a small tear in the corner.

"As I said there, Miss. At first I was also surprised but after a while I realized that it was real."

Josep began to explain what he saw in this village and how scary this place was.

"So you're saying they're producing where to die for distribution?"

"Much more like that, miss. But there is something strange, I think under the lake like something was planted. When the mana of death begins to decrease sometimes it appears as a bundle of wood in the middle."

"Are you sure about that?"

Dusk began to sigh deeply with what Josep had just described. He also looks confused. Dusk felt strange because not only the Guira kingdom did this act but the Green kingdom as well.

"Did Luna know about this? Or maybe only a few enemies know it."

Question after question kept popping up in the mind of Dusk. He was confused as to what to react to for now.

"Josep, if what you're saying is true. So to whom did they distribute where the dead were?"

"I can't figure out who Miss is yet, but one thing I do know is that every month where it dies in the lake it gets put in a big barrel to send somewhere."

Dusk just stared coldly at what Josep had just described. If where the death was distributed then it is clear there is a trade here but who made the illegal transaction is still unknown mastermind.

"If so, where did they get the source to make mana die?"

"I don't know Miss, as far as I know from that place. I've never seen a body or the remains of a hatchling. It's possible that they put the slaves somewhere else hidden Miss."

Dusk thought about what Josep had just said. It is true that it will be very difficult to put them simultaneously because if caught then everything will fall apart. In addition, the royal side is also difficult to come to the location because this place entered the territory of Consort Jina.

"I feel Consort Jina has prepared this for a long time. Is he planning to start a war?"

Dusk asked in his heart in confusion but one thing he knew was that the Crown Prince and his subordinates were completely unaware of the matter.

"Is there any other information?"

"Unfortunately there is no Miss."

"Well then, you can get out."

"Thank you Miss."

As Josep was about to leave the room, Dusk quickly stopped him.

"Stop, take this."

Dusk then threw a bag of magic medicine at Josep.

"Use that on your wounds and if they ask you where you're going. Then make it an alibi," continued Dusk indifferently.

"None right."

Josep only looked at the pile of medicine inside the pouch with sparkling eyes.

"Thank you Miss" he continued inwardly. Despite looking indifferent, Josep was actually a kind-hearted man.

"In addition, if you get new information. Call me soon."

"Okay, Miss, I understand."

Simply reminiscing about the events of a few hours ago, now Dusk returns to his consciousness again. He lazily gazed towards the lake that was currently as calm as a spring.

"I didn't expect that in this quiet forest there was such a cruel danger."

Once again Dusk tried to step closer towards the lake.

"If only the Crown Prince's side had known this then that bastard Prince would have been done a long time ago."

Dusk was a little upset when he recalled about the Fifth Prince who had violently broken off their engagement.

"It's a pity that there are no cell phones here, otherwise I've recorded these displays and I'm spreading them all over the kingdom."

Moments after his observation Dusk felt goosebumps all over his body. He hesitantly gazed towards the lake that was currently being illuminated by the magic light. The light was able to show the entire contents of the lake that was originally dark.

"What are they doing now?" dusk asked frantically as one of the magicians started flying up into the middle of the lake. The witch looked very young, even younger than Dusk.

"What will the boy do?"

The question of Dusk muffled as several knights brought dozens, not more precisely dozens of children to the lips of the lake.

The children looked pale and stiff, their eyes cold as lifeless. They look more like living dolls being moved by someone.