Chapter 165

"I wanted to know if that clothing caused Mr. Stewart's son's death, so I checked it. There was no poison. I made sure it was fine," Brandon murmured softly. "It's just someone else's worn clothes," he thought. "There's no way anything could go wrong!"

Odalys watched him mutter and slowly crouched beside him. "Those are a dead man's clothes. They were worn by a dead man for years, then taken off and given to you," she said coldly.

Brandon stopped crying, stunned. His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Odalys.

"What happens to a living person who wears clothes worn by a dead man?" Odalys asked sharply.

Brandon collapsed, trembling, the light in his eyes vanishing. "Dead man's clothes? That was a dead man's clothes? I killed Mr. Stewart's son, didn't I?" he shouted, rising to his feet. For years, he had hidden in fear, never daring to face the truth.

"Did the person who gave you those clothes also break your tendons?" Odalys asked quietly.

"Yes!" Brandon nodded through his tears.

At this, Keylor began to cry, his voice hoarse. "It was the night the Stewart family fell. They hung me up and poisoned me. They forced my dad to kneel before me, holding a dagger, and right in front of me, they cut his tendons."

"Then they began to kill my son, my wife, and my mother…" Keylor's voice trembled with rage. He looked at Odalys, laughing bitterly. "They said if our family ever dared to have any more dealings with the Stewart family, next time, it wouldn't be just killing or cutting tendons. It would be castration, and our bloodline would be completely wiped out." Keylor collapsed to his knees.

Both men sat on the ground, in utter disarray. Odalys remained silent, staring at the talismans on them, ensuring they were telling the truth. After confirming, her fingers suddenly clenched.

6:30 PM

Chapter 165

"You're willing to tell me all of this, and you're not afraid of dying!" Odalys asked, her voice still cold, though her anger had subsided slightly.

Brandon, helped to his feet by his son, returned to his seat. "They kept us alive because we still have some use. Since you've found this, it means the issues with the Stewart family aren't fully settled."

You saved the giant python at the village edge. It's our village's guardian, the protector that has watched over us for generations. It's over a hundred years old," Brandon said.

Odalys was taken aback. She had guessed the snake might be over fifty years old, but she hadn't realized it was over a century old.

"You see a snake, yet we see a god. You saved it, and you saved its offspring. Now, you've saved my son. You're not just the savior of our village, but also of me. If you want to know anything, I will tell you everything. Even if it means giving my life, I'll do it," Brandon said, his tone unwavering.

Odalys hadn't expected that saving the snake would move them so much. She knew some people held great reverence for snakes, but she didn't realize it was this significant.

"If that snake is your village's guardian spirit, then the one who harmed it couldn't have been one of your people. And in the days I've been here, I haven't seen anyone from the village leave," Odalys said quietly.

Brandon closed his eyes slowly. "They, like me, had their tendons cut. Those who resisted fiercely even had their leg tendons severed. We're practically prisoners, not stepping foot outside…" he explained.

Odalys's mind immediately went to Rafael. She remembered him working with the celebrity for the variety show and even giving her food. Today, he even brought her some snake repellent spray.

"But I saw a single man. He kept meeting with the celebrity we were working with for the variety show, and he even brought her some snake repellent spray," Odalys remarked.

This didn't match what Brandon had said earlier.

As soon as Odalys finished speaking, Brandon suddenly reached out and grabbed her hand. He shook his head repeatedly, his voice barely audible. "That person isn't from our village."

Odalys's pupils constricted, and she sucked in a breath. After a long pause, she asked, "Was he sent to keep an eye on you? You're not allowed to leave your homes because of your injuries. He's the one giving you food so you won't starve?"

Brandon gave a slight nod. "And my son's medicine leftovers; he checks them every day. He goes to the place where I dispose of the leftover herbs to make sure the medicine I prepare is the same as what he gave me," he said in a lowered voice.

6:39 PM

Chapter 165

Odalys felt an indescribable sensation stir inside her. Was it him who injured the python? He was the one who gave Sophia the snake repellent spray? And he is trying to tame the giant python using outside help? Odalys gasped, realization hitting her hard.

When Brandon heard her speak, a pang of pain seemed to stab at his heart.

"We can't let him go," Brandon said, already preparing to grab a knife.

But Odalys stopped him. She shook her head. "If you trust me, let me handle this. It's better if you stay out of sight. He's just a messenger. The fact that he was left here to watch you means someone is backing him. If you kill him, you'll all be dead. If you die, the giant python will be in danger too," Odalys said in a low voice.

Brandon was convinced. He sat back down, silent, staring at her, lost in thought.

After a long time, Brandon asked, "Are you really from the Stewart family?"

"Yes," Odalys replied in a deep voice.

Brandon and Keylor exchanged a glance, both feeling a strange sense of unease. After all these years, they never expected to have any connection with the Stewart family again.

"If you get the chance, please tell Mr. Stewart I'm sorry. I had no idea about that clothing. If the Stewart family needs anything, even if it means giving up my life, I won't hesitate," Brandon said, bowing deeply.

Keylor quickly followed suit.

"Are you not afraid of us betraying you, telling you all this?" Brandon asked, suspicion flickering in his eyes.

Odalys smiled lightly, exuding confidence. "What's there to fear? The moment you even think of betraying or selling me out will be the moment you die."

She had the ability to draw talismans that could determine truth, so she could certainly create talismans that would guarantee their loyalty. If they ever betrayed her, their internal organs would instantly be shattered. They wouldn't even have the chance to speak.

They were clearly shaken by her words, unsure of her confidence, but they didn't dare question her.

"Draw me a picture of the person who gave you those clothes, including his features and contact details," Odalys said, standing and looking at them both. "As long as you're sure everything you've said is true, write down all the details about him. I promise I'll help you fix your tendon injuries," she added.

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