After Locke's carriage convoy moved away from the black wooden face carving they had encountered earlier, the grotesque sculpture embedded in the mud began mechanically repeating its words. "Choose one death among ten, among ten... one death... Eleven-draw killing curse..."
Simultaneously, numerous shadows emerged around the black relief.
These shadows all bore humanoid shapes yet had never truly been alive.
One shadowy creature picked up the wooden carving from the ground—it was they who had secretly placed this cursed object along the convoy's inevitable path. Any response would mark the beginning of the curse.
The shadow creatures gathered in a circle and began their discussion.
"We shouldn't follow that convoy anymore. For some reason, they've suddenly become... repulsive. They carry a loathsome scent..."
"Who are they?"
"It matters not. We cursed lifeforms are enemies to all—whether Wizards or any mortals dwelling upon this land."
"Let's select another mortal household. If we place this carving within, we might gain more of our kind... hehehe..."
"Soon enough, we shall eradicate all Wizards and mortals alike."
...
Inside the carriage, Locke glanced back toward the demonic gathering. Beneath the twilight sky, countless shadowy creatures swarmed like a seething mass.
What a grand cursed assembly indeed.
This land must be teeming with such [Cursed lifeforms].
Though Locke hadn't studied them extensively and had read limited literature on the subject, he understood these entities likely formed from the entanglement of the land's curse energy with vast amounts of Death Aura and resentment.
In other words, any lifeform that perished on this accursed land might transform into a Cursed lifeform after death.
"The Wizards of the Blood Curse Court are using them to breed curses," Albert's voice murmured near Locke's ear. "These resentment-filled existences make perfect Magical Materials for Curse Magic."
"Fascinating," Locke remarked.
As the carriage wheels churned through the muddy path, Locke discreetly documented the botanical features of the Blood Crow Wasteland. Magic Plants grew abundantly here—numerous wild varieties thriving in the wilderness.
Thus, the Blood Crow Wasteland maintained its own ecosystem of Magic Plants.
Albert peered through the carriage window with growing concern. "Time grows short. We mustn't delay further."
"Mortals cannot survive the nights in the Blood Crow Wasteland's wilds."
"If twilight already brings forth so many evil creatures, their numbers will multiply come full nightfall. Moreover, a mortal merchant convoy traveling at night would appear... suspicious."
Wizard Sophia's voice reached them through the Nibelungen Astrology System: "My maps indicate a mortal village lies ahead. Once we reach it and gain protection from their central bonfire, we should be safe."
Suddenly, Wizard Gabriel interjected through the astrological network: "No. I sense dire foreboding—we absolutely must not spend the night in that village ahead."
"Something terrible will happen there."
The words of the witch Gabriel plunged Locke and the others into silence.
Gabriel's Permanent Defense Field was an Arcane Prophecy, making her intuition the highest priority within their group.
Whenever she sensed danger, they had to stop immediately.
However, according to Sophia and Albert, they couldn't move through the Blood Crow Wasteland at night—it would seem suspicious.
And it was dangerous.
If they encountered any mindless Cursed lifeforms, they might be forced to take action.
That could easily trigger a reaction from the five sets of the Wall of Unbelievers under the Blood Curse Court's control.
Madam Morgana offered advice within the Nibelungen Astrology System. "You all know the what but not the why."
"A campfire is just ordinary fire. As long as there's a light source, the Cursed lifeforms will avoid it on their own. So you can simply borrow some firewood from the village ahead and build a campfire in the wilderness."
The Incinerator, Andy, also agreed. "Yes, just as Teacher Morgana said. When I was fighting on the front lines, I heard that mortal merchants in the Blood Crow Wasteland would light campfires in the wild if they had no other choice."
About half an hour later, a village standing alone in the wilderness came into view.
The village was small, its structures mostly thatched huts.
Albert, being the better negotiator, somehow managed to convince the villagers to load a large amount of firewood onto their wagons.
As the wagons pulled away, Locke looked out the window and noticed something unsettling—some of the villagers had abnormal expressions. They lurked in dark corners or behind doors, peering through cracks with complex gazes.
Locke spoke up. "That village is mixed with low-level Vampires. They don't seem like Wizards who modified their own Bloodline—more like byproducts of the Vampire Transformation Curse system. Infected mortals turned into Vampires."
Albert nodded in confirmation. "Locke, your observation is sharp. That's a good trait."
"Exactly. You're right. About a third of that village are Vampires now, and they're bloodthirsty. The killing is still ongoing. If we'd stayed there tonight, we would've clashed with them."
"Gabriel's intuition really is useful."
"That's why they were so eager to give us firewood. They didn't want trouble—they wanted our merchant group to leave quickly. Especially since we drank the Bear Spirit Emerald Bile Potion. Our scent makes them physically uncomfortable."
Locke frowned. "What kind of hellhole is this Black Wizard territory?"
Albert glanced at him with a faint smile. "Don't like it? Neither do I. But the Blood Curse Court has warped this place beyond recognition over centuries."
"Maybe when we become stronger Wizards, we'll have the power to wipe out the things we dislike."
Sophia's voice reached Locke and Albert. "Everyone, we'll be spending the night in the wilderness."
"At the same time, we'll reach the location of that Curse Formula Research Institute in about a day."
"We need to stay vigilant. The closer we get to the Curse Formula Research Institute, the more frequent the Wall of Unbelievers' detection will become."
"Later, I'll distribute one Energy Potion to each of you. Let's all stay awake during the nights in Blood Crow Wasteland."
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