I am the Holy Poisoner, the Empress advised me to calm down

"Actually, we all have to thank that old man. If it weren't for his sacrifice... we wouldn't have been able to achieve our final victory." Hearing this, the little girl, her eyes red, explained to the people around her. Passersby, upon learning of the situation, fell silent, and a somewhat depressing atmosphere seemed to grow in the air.

Just as everyone was mourning the great magician, a few hurried shouts rang out from a distance ahead. "Oh no! Another dark creature is attacking the village!" These words, like a stone dropped into a calm lake, stirred up countless ripples. "How is this possible?" the young warrior asked in disbelief. "We just finished off that monster, and another one has appeared so soon!"

The crowd began to stir, and some of the more timid retreated, fearing they would become targets. But seeing the heroes show no fear, many young people bravely stepped forward: "No matter what happens, please let us follow you to resist this disaster together! After all, protecting our home is everyone's responsibility!" With that, they picked up their crude farm tools as makeshift combat equipment and joined in. This gesture inspired many who had been hesitant, instantly strengthening the village protection team.

Soon, guided by the crowd, they arrived at the entrance to the attacked village. They saw numerous dark figures scurrying about, and the seemingly disorganized villagers were struggling to drive them away to prevent further casualties. "Everyone, listen carefully—we need to split into three groups now: the first group will clear the surrounding obstacles and ensure a clear path; the second group will cooperate with us to meet the enemy head-on; and the rest will remain to care for the injured and maintain order at the scene! Is this understood?" the girl quickly arranged the division of labor.

As the order was issued, the various teams quickly sprang into action. "Charge! For the sake of our loved ones and friends, we must not let these evil forces succeed!" A thunderous response erupted from the crowd, their morale reaching a peak amidst the resounding encouragement.

However, things weren't as simple and smooth as they'd imagined. These unidentified creatures, suddenly attacking, were even more ferocious than before. Despite their best efforts, they couldn't gain any advantage. "It's no use... I feel like I can't stop their onslaught..." Some team members were already beginning to feel exhausted.

At this moment, the young woman at the forefront took a deep breath to steady herself. She remembered her grandfather's last words, and a burning faith ignited within her. "Hold on—as long as there's a breath left, don't give up! Think about who's waiting to be protected behind us. Are we going to be defeated so easily?" She shouted, encouraging her teammates and herself, while also spurring herself on.

Finally, as the first rays of morning light pierced the sky and shone across the earth, after hours of arduous fighting, the enemy gradually collapsed and fled. Though considerable effort had been made, the lives and property of the vast majority of the people had been protected. "Great... We've finally made it through this night... Thank you all for your help. Without you, we might not have won this war at all..." The villagers, with tears of gratitude, bowed to their saviors.

Just as everyone was preparing to take a break to regroup, a strange phenomenon aroused the young girl's alarm. "Wait... why is it so quiet... Common sense suggests those guys wouldn't just leave like this... there must be some bigger conspiracy!" She was halfway through her sentence when a sinister voice suddenly echoed beside her: "Haha, you're quite perceptive, little girl... That's right, the real showdown is about to begin..."

As the volume grew louder and louder, reaching a piercing crescendo, everyone present couldn't help but cover their ears, trying to block out the sudden interruption. "Who the hell are you! Show yourself! Hiding is pointless!" the enraged girl demanded, piercing the void. "Hahahahahaha... Don't worry, it won't be long before you see my true form... Then we'll see if you can still be so complacent! Hehe—" Leaving behind a sneer, the mysterious figure vanished completely...

What thrilling story will unfold next? Can these brave young men once again resolve the crisis and save the world? Everything remains a mystery... When that eerie voice faded into the air, the entire village seemed shrouded in an invisible haze. A flicker of unease crossed the girl's heart, but she quickly composed herself. "Everyone, stay alert! The enemy could reappear at any time, and we need to be at our best."

A villager stepped forward. He was a middle-aged man, his body covered in scars but his eyes were resolute. "Young lady, you're right. We can't let our guard down just because of this small victory. Could you tell me your next plan? If possible, my companions and I are willing to follow."

The girl nodded and turned to the young warrior beside her and asked, "How's it going over there? Is everyone okay?" His eyes were firm and warm as he replied, "Although we're exhausted, no one's backing down. We're all ready."

At that moment, the sound of horse hooves suddenly came from the distance, fast and dense, as if a large group of people were heading in that direction. "What's that?" a young man asked nervously, pointing forward.

Soon, dozens of well-equipped cavalry appeared before them. Their leader was a dashing young man, clad in armor and wielding a longsword. His expression exuded undeniable authority. "Thank you for your hard work, everyone! I'm the captain of a knightly order sent here for support from a nearby town. I rushed here immediately upon receiving the call for help." He dismounted, approached the girl, and introduced himself with a smile. "I heard something big has happened here. Please allow me to join the fight."

The crowd erupted in cheers, and the villagers seemed to see new hope. "Great! With the help of these regular troops, we're even more confident!" The middle-aged man smiled with relief.

"Hello, Captain. Thank you for your assistance. However, the situation may be more serious than we imagined..." The girl briefly described her previous encounter and the threat posed by the mysterious individual. After hearing this, the Knight Commander's expression grew serious. "It seems the forces behind this are far more powerful than they appear. We must find their lair as soon as possible to resolve this issue fundamentally."