Chapter 129: The Enigmatic Collapse

As the day went on, the sun started to set, sending long, golden rays that bathed the bustling market square in a warm, amber glow. The gentle breeze carried the delicious scents of food from different stalls, blending harmoniously with the fragrant flowers nearby.

Laughter, chatter, and the melodies of street performers filled the air, creating a delightful atmosphere.

The stall operator at the shooting gallery began to entertain the curious crowd with stories of skilled archers from distant lands.

Every now and then, he glanced over at Nellas and Minhe. Even though Nellas wasn’t standing right in front of him when the stories started, it was clear that his amazing archery skills on display had inspired the operator’s storytelling.

"Listen up," the stall operator exclaimed, his voice full of excitement, "archery is an ancient art with an incredible history. Legends speak of archers who could shoot an arrow through the eye of a needle or hit a target from unbelievably far away. But today, my friends, we have an archer here who possesses a talent that’s beyond belief."

He pointed towards Nellas and Minhe, who were watching with curiosity. "I saw this mysterious archer with my own eyes, taking aim like nothing I’ve ever seen before," the operator continued, his tone filled with awe. "His arrow soared through the air, twisting and turning as if guided by a force from another world, before hitting the target with unbelievable precision!"

The crowd murmured in astonishment, completely captivated by the stall operator’s words.

The tale of Nellas’ extraordinary shot had now become a part of the market square’s folklore, spreading like wildfire through the gathering.

Minhe looked at Nellas, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Looks like your shot has turned you into a local legend," she whispered playfully.

Nellas chuckled, his cheeks blushing slightly from the unexpected attention. "Well, I didn’t expect that," he replied, trying to play it down. "But I guess it adds a little mystery to the day."

The stall operator’s storytelling continued, spinning captivating tales about archery and the courage of those who wielded bows and arrows.

The children around the shooting gallery listened with wide-eyed wonder, their imaginations fired up with dreams of becoming great archers themselves.

Amidst the tales of archery prowess, a loud feminine shout broke through the ambient noise. "Grandpa! Grandpa, what happened!"

Everyone turned to see what was happening. There, kneeling on the cobblestones, was a black-haired girl in a simple yet elegant blue dress. Tears filled her eyes as she pleaded with the elderly man lying on the ground before her.

The old man had a long, silver beard that cascaded down his chest. His eyes were shut, and he seemed to be in pain, withering away from some unknown illness.

Four or five soldiers in polished armor stood around them, their expressions stern and cautious. They seemed to be the girl’s guards, but their presence, along with the old man’s condition, created tension and confusion.

Minhe’s compassionate nature took over, and she rushed to the girl’s side, her face filled with concern. "What happened? Is he okay?" she asked, her voice gentle and comforting.

The girl looked up, her tear-filled eyes meeting Minhe’s with desperation. "I don’t know. He suddenly collapsed on the ground. Please, can anyone help?"

Minhe’s eyes darted up toward the guards, who were just standing there watching, doing nothing, making her face twist with anger and indignation. "This isn’t right," she snapped, looking up at them angrily. "Are you going to do nothing?"

"Go get a physician! Now!" she commanded. "He might have collapsed because of an illness. If so, he could die if you don’t do anything."

The soldiers were taken aback by Minhe’s boldness and brashness, but they quickly regained their composure. "Ah! Yes! Right! I’ll go get one at once," one of the soldiers exclaimed, turning and running down the street as fast as he could.

Nellas was also drawn to the scene, and he quickly assessed the situation.

He noticed that the old man’s breathing was steady, indicating that he was not in immediate danger, but something was clearly wrong.

The crowd around the shooting gallery murmured in concern, and whispers of speculation spread quickly.

Some suggested calling for a healer, while others advised seeking help from the city’s church.

In the midst of the worried glances and hushed murmurs, the atmosphere in the market square shifted from joyous anticipation to shared concern.

Gasps of worry escaped from onlookers, and a collective sense of responsibility settled upon them.

Nellas observed the scene before him, his sharp instincts kicking in, and he noticed something that sent a chill down his spine.

"This is..." His eyes widened in realization, and he immediately pulled Minhe away from the old man and the girl, sensing potential danger.

As she was pulled away, Minhe let out a surprised "Ahh!" Her heart raced, mirroring the urgency and tension in the air.

The bustling market square seemed to quieten momentarily, and the sounds of laughter and chatter faded into the background as they moved to a safe distance.

The warm hues of the setting sun cast long shadows over the cobblestone streets, creating an eerie atmosphere that matched the seriousness of the situation.

The pleasant scents of delicacies and blooming flowers still lingered, but they were overshadowed by the sense of danger surrounding the girl and her grandfather.

Nellas’ eyes remained fixed on the old man, his withering face contorted further in pain. His body trembled, as if battling some unseen force within him, and low moans of agony escaped his lips.

The shadows seemed to dance around him, growing darker and more sinister with each passing moment. It was as if the darkness itself was alive, feeding off the old man’s suffering.

A deep frown appeared on Nellas’ forehead as he analyzed the situation. ’It can’t be...’ His thoughts raced. ’That same shade of darkness...’

As the girl cried for help and the remaining guards watched anxiously, Nellas’ eyes narrowed in realization. Minhe, though startled by the sudden pull, quickly regained her composure.

Her gaze never left Nellas’ face, and she nodded firmly, showing her trust in him. "What do we do?" she asked, her voice steady despite her concern for the old man.

Nellas looked at Minhe with surprise, his eyes reflecting the seriousness of the situation. He could see genuine concern in her eyes.

"You don’t want him to die?" he asked urgently, knowing the old man was in grave danger, and time was of the essence.

Their eyes met, and Minhe nodded, her heart still racing from the intensity of the situation. "Of course I don’t," she replied firmly, her brows furrowed as she glanced at the old man. "He looks like he’s in pain."

Nellas took a deep breath, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders.

Seeing Minhe nod in agreement, her hand still tightly clasped in his, he knew he couldn’t stand by while the old man’s life hung in the balance.

He gave her a small nod, a thoughtful expression on his face. ’Well,’ he thought to himself. ’If she doesn’t want him to die, then...’ His resolve strengthened, and he made up his mind.

He looked at Minhe and flashed a small, reassuring smile. ’... He won’t...’

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