The next day, Sergeant Erick decided to go to the small village of Emille. News of a child being possessed by a phantasm had reached the Mayor, prompting the sergeant to act immediately.

The remote village lay nestled near the imposing mountain of Termina, one of the highest in the region of Doman. The road was rugged and unpaved, a testament to the village's isolation. Dense forests flanked their route, further emphasizing the remoteness of their destination. The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth, the sounds of rustling leaves and distant bird calls filling the silence.

After several hours of bumpy travel, the vehicle’s engine suddenly went silent. Sergeant Erick knocked on the interior wall and shouted, “We’re here, ladies! Wake up, sleepyheads!”

Mitchell jolted awake, finding himself leaning against Lucia. Her piercing stare made him flinch, and he hurriedly exited the vehicle, fearing her wrath. Unbeknownst to him, Lucia had given him a shy smile before reverting to her stern expression.

Gary, the last to exit, groaned as he stretched his cramped leg. “Oww…”

Lucia barely glanced at him and walked on when he sought help, leaving Gary to catch up. Sergeant Erick assembled his team, counting heads to ensure no one was missing. Seeing Gary hobbling towards them, he called out, “Slow as always, Gary!”

Gary, maintaining his composure despite the discomfort, joined the group without complaint. Once everyone was accounted for, Sergeant Erick began the briefing.

“Listen up! We’re heading to Emille, a small village about an hour's walk from here. Make sure you’re refreshed and stocked up—there are no shops or water sources on the way. We’ll resupply once we reach the village. If anyone has any issues, speak up now!”

Two mercenaries, Alexander and Rick, raised their hands. “Sir, we’ve got stomach problems…”

Sergeant Erick sighed, recognizing them as the duo who often drank before missions. “Don’t tell me you drank again last night?”

Rick shook his head. “No sir, just milk. We couldn’t sleep with all those strange things in town.”

The sergeant frowned. “Were you careful about what you drank?”

Sighing at their carelessness, he barked, “Fine. You two will be on lookout. If you feel better, take turns guarding the vehicle!”

After the briefing, Sergeant Erick left with eighteen men, including Mitchell, leaving the driver and the two sick mercenaries behind. Mitchell sweated while climbing the steep path to the village, lagging behind Lucia, who seemed unstrained by the trek.

“Geez, these guys are insane!” Mitchell thought, struggling to keep up.

Meanwhile, in the village of Emille, Maureej, meditating in his room, noticed a strange presence approaching from the foot of the mountain. He called his partner, Pateel, who was grinding herbs in a mortar.

“Pateel, we need to talk!” Maureej said, dressed in his brown cloak and red hood.

“What about, Maureej?” Pateel asked, curious about the sudden inquiry.

“I detected a presence. It feels familiar but strange! Whether it is malevolent or benevolent, I cannot tell…” Maureej explained.

“I hear the village leader called for help from the city. It must be them,” Pateel responded.

Maureej fell silent and returned to his room. Pateel resumed processing the herbal medicine to stabilize the possessed child.

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A boy watching the mountains saw Sergeant Erick and his men approaching and ran to inform the village elder. He described a bald man in a peculiar khaki military uniform leading a group towards the village.

The village elder stepped out to greet the visitors. As Mitchell arrived, drenched in sweat and catching his breath, Lucia commented, “Seriously, Mitchell!?”

“This… woman!” Mitchell thought, irritated by her demeanor.

“I believe you need some milk. Come to the infirmary when you want some, I’ll be waiting!” Lucia said, then followed the sergeant to meet the mayor.

“W-what? Milk? From where!?” Mitchell was annoyed but calmed himself.

The village leader asked Sergeant Erick, “What business does the Legion have in such a small village?”

Sergeant Erick replied, “I hear you have problems with phantasms. This phenomenon is plaguing most of the Doman region. We are here with an expert and willing to help.”

The village leader’s wife, puzzled but knowing they were there to help, persuaded her husband to accommodate them. The village elder allowed Sergeant Erick’s men to stay.

As the village leader and Sergeant Erick talked, the sergeant explained their mission. They were there to investigate the phenomenon and assist with the village’s phantasm problems.

In the village, the people were going about their daily activities. Children ran around playing, unbothered by the newcomers. Mitchell watched his surroundings and felt a strange presence in the village.

The sergeant took Mitchell, Lucia, Gary, and five other members of his squad to see the eastern exorcists who had arrived earlier. As they reached the house, the village leader knocked on the door.

After the knock, Pateel opened the door, his distinct yellow robes and red hood catching Mitchell and the others’ attention. “By Lord Jingo, what may I do for you?”

The village leader introduced Sergeant Erick. The eastern man bowed and said, “I am Pateel from Murbia, assisting my superior, Maureej.”

Sergeant Erick, looking curiously at Pateel, introduced himself. “I am Sergeant Erick, a loyal member of the Legion. What brings an easterner to these parts?”

Pateel, though slightly insulted by the sergeant's tone, maintained his calm demeanor. "We belong to a fellowship in the temple several miles from here. Upon hearing of a possessed boy in the village, we came to aid the family.”

“I see…” Sergeant Erick said with a tone of distrust towards the easterner, “We’ll take it from here!”

Hearing the commotion, Maureej came out of his room from his meditation and came to the scene. Seeing the arrogant sergeant before him, he bowed down to him and introduced himself. “I am Maureej Vipan! A member of the Western Sect of the House of Lord Jingo!”

Maureej was about to continue speaking until he saw Mitchell. The strange feeling he felt earlier suddenly emanated from him. Feeling a strange aura, Maureej tried to control himself, sensing dread towards Mitchell before him.

“So you’re Maureej?” Sergeant Erick asked.

“Y-yes, sergeant! I believe my subordinate had told you of our business here in this place.” Maureej replied.

“Then, I wish you to back off and go back to wherever you were,” Sergeant Erick warned Maureej.

Maureej, hearing of the sergeant's words, was unfazed and continued, “No, I believe I cannot leave the boy alone in your care!”

“What are you talking about, Maureej? This is their business, not ours!” Pateel told Maureej, who stood firm.

“We cannot allow the boy to be handled by them, especially with that guy!” Maureej referred to Mitchell.

Hearing this, the Sergeant warned Maureej and said, “Any word against our exorcist and you will be dealt with!”

Maureej sighed about the situation and replied, “Fine, if you believe that your ‘exorcist’ could deal with the situation. I will allow him to work with me. However, I will keep an eye on him if I were you!”

“Fine, we will keep an eye on you as well!” Sergeant Erick replied to Maureej.

The next day, the boy inside his room groaned and rose from his bed. The blood in his veins darkened, and his skin complexion turned paler. Irritated by the runes around him, he looked around the room with malevolent eyes.

His parents rushed in, stunned by the sight. The mother cried out while the father stood frozen in fear. Their screams echoed through the village, alarming everyone, including Sergeant Erick and Maureej.

Sergeant Erick’s team, along with Maureej and Pateel, quickly arrived at the house. Outside, the terrified parents explained what had happened. Mitchell, seeing the child’s state, felt a chill run down his spine.

“What is happening here?” Mitchell asked, his voice trembling slightly.

“By Lord Jingo… this can’t be. Our methods have failed…” Pateel collapsed to his knees, despair evident on his face.

“This is not too late, Pateel!” Maureej asserted, throwing a paper talisman towards the door. The talisman burned as it hit the ground.

The possessed child stepped outside, crossing the rune of Jingo drawn on the ground. Maureej’s face paled. “Why? The eastern exorcism rites have failed on the child!”

Mitchell, recognizing the gravity of the situation, turned to Sergeant Erick. “Sarge, we need to evacuate the village!”

“What for?” Sergeant Erick demanded.

“This child is in the final stages of possession. The malevolent spirit inside him could wreak havoc on the entire village!” Mitchell explained, his voice urgent and serious.