The Dark Shadow Sect, a new Sect we had just learned about, a mysterious sect composed of criminals, Demonic Cultivators, or well, in this world, Demonic Magus.
They're the ones behind the ruin of Cassim's little village. The village where cat-kin lived peacefully and without annoying anyone else.
Why would they even want to do this?
Well, despite what many people would think, I can find several reasons why some cliché evil group would want innocent and weak demi-humans.
They can steal their lands and plantations, food, valuables, and everything.
They can enslave them and get an easy work hand that doesn't cost almost anything other than one meal a day and some straw to sleep on.
And lastly, they could have some kind of technique that requires killing people to be strengthened. I remember that in Xianxia there were always these kinds of stupid techniques that grew stronger the more they slaughtered with it.
They could also use their bodies as materials for weird rituals or something, so there's that too.
And like that, I've given you many reasons why people like this would want to attack and raid a small and humble village.
This world is harsh and unforgiving of the weak after all. If you want true freedom and peace, you have to be strong. Through freedom and peace, we can achieve happiness, the thing all people seek in their lives.
However, many lose themselves along the way while seeking this, for example, all those in this sect, probably.
"So why did they attack the village?" asked Benladann.
"W-Well… I-I don't know. They just did it… Ah… T-There might be a reason…" he said.
"What might it be?" I asked.
"My papa and the people in the village were hosting some people into their houses, these people said they were from the Winter Lotus and Jade Snake Sects…" said Cassim.
And just like that, two more sects were introduced!
Winter Lotus and Jade Snake… do sound quite interesting. The first one sounds righteous while the second one with the snake… not so much. But one would need to see what they can do to even know what they're capable of or what they're for.
"Why?" asked Miranda.
"…They were wounded and they said the Dark Shadow Sect were attacking their armies and their sects, they were survivors that escaped the war…" said Cassim.
"A war? Between sects?!" I asked.
Cassim nodded timidly.
"So the war between sects, the two you mentioned earlier, against the Dark Shadow one?" asked Benladann.
"No… The Dark Shadow Sect fought against the other two after they fought against one another. It was a war between… lotus and snakes… after that, the shadow appeared and swallowed both after they weakened." Said Cassim.
Despite how young and timid he looked; he was rather smart to realize how it all worked.
"I see… So the Dark Shadow Sect was simply trying to take down the remnants of these two enemy sects? I understand now. I see…" I said.
"And by doing so, they ended attacking your little village, dear?" sighed Benladann.
Cassim nodded a bit as his lips trembled sorrowfully. His tears began to come out as he tried to contain them, covering his face.
"S-Sorry… I shouldn't cry…" he muttered.
"It's fine…" said Flayr.
"We all cry sometimes, it's natural, especially when we feel sad." Said Noirenn.
"Sniff… I miss my papa…" cried Cassim, as his little tears fell over his cup of warm milk.
Yuki approached him and hugged him tightly, and the other kids also helped him get through it with their affection.
Yuki's fluffy white fur was warm, so Cassim was embraced by the fluffy feeling and felt a bit better.
"Don't worry Cassim, you're here with us now." Said Yuki.
"It was scary, but you survived! Wasn't that what your father wanted?" asked Flayr.
"Yeah, you must live for your father, the same way we do for our families." Said Noirenn.
"Sob… Is that so…" muttered Cassim. He quickly realized all the kids here were orphans just as he was, yet their wills were strong, and they didn't even seem to be orphans anymore. They had gone through it slowly but steadily and had maturated and become better versions of themselves in the way.
"What… happened to your village after you ran away? And your father?" I asked.
"…My father fought the beasts while someone picked me up and forced me to leave. I-I… I don't know what happened afterward, the beasts continued to follow us, picking each person one by one… for days after days… until I don't know how… but I ended alone… I was attacked by a Leopard but managed to escape with a big wound." Cried the boy.
"You're strong to have survived such an encounter," I said.
Cassim looked at me with teary eyes, he broke my heart.
I suppose things are gone for that village, there wouldn't be much point going there only to break his heart and show him the corpse of his father and the ruined burned down place.
But… there is also a chance for survivors to be there, for people to still be there surviving and living. And through holding up into that hope, I want to see if there could be anyone, someone we can save.
I quickly sent some bat-shaped flesh clones led by Huginn and Muninn through the skies, using Cassim's clothes, they followed the scent left behind by him through the forest and might arrive at his village in the next couple of hours or days, depending on how far away it is.
Now that we know the truth, what should we do? Should we ignore this conflict? Or should we intervene and beat this evil sect?
Honestly, it pains me to admit this but Cassim is not someone we had met for long, and therefore, I don't feel the drive to risk our lives to defeat these people that destroyed his village.
I am being a bit harsh there, but… It is a realistic thing to do in this situation.
I don't know how strong this sect could be.
But well, I am no chicken either. I won't risk ourselves, but I might risk myself as I go take a peek into the scene, or we might also infiltrate through the skies…
