Chapter 64. Free Me from This Curse

In the center of the Barren Forest stood an old house. Adolphus and Joshua arrived to find, unexpectedly, a human family living there.

A middle-aged woman stepped out, clutching a wooden bucket. She bowed her head respectfully, recognizing them. Joshua looked at Adolphus, wondering how they would convince these people to leave. The presence of a witch in the forest meant they were in grave danger.

"How many of you live here?" Adolphus asked.

"A family of five, Your Grace," she replied.

"Why stay in the heart of the forest?" Joshua added, scanning the perimeter. "It would be safer in a village."

"This is our ancestral land," she said firmly. "We cannot leave it."

Adolphus walked forward, his eyes narrowed. He felt a heaviness in the air. Suspecting the woman was harbori