SECRET N ° 259 The Strange Merchant chapter 9

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Chapter 9

The Ultimatum

As night fell over Tresorville, a chilling wind rose. The shadows stretched unnaturally through the alleys, as if they were coming to life.

Lucien and Hubert returned to the village square, ready to organize one last attempt to convince the villagers.

But they were not alone.

About twenty villagers had already gathered, their eyes shining under the torchlight. Some clutched their gold coin tightly, as if afraid someone would take it from them.

Then, Gaspard appeared, emerging from the fog, his smile more enigmatic than ever.

— "So, Lucien? You want to deprive these good people of what they have received?"

Lucien locked eyes with him.

— "I want to give them a choice. A real choice. Not a curse disguised as a miracle."

Gaspard let out an amused laugh.

— "Oh, but they have already chosen."

He turned to the crowd.

— "Who here wants to give back their coin?"

Silence. Only Hubert and the old woman stood by Lucien’s side. All the others remained frozen, clutching their coin like a sacred relic.

Then, at last, a voice rose.

— "We don’t want your help, Lucien."

It was Matthieu, the blacksmith. His features were tense, his gaze… empty. As if something else was speaking through him.

Lucien felt a cold shiver run down his spine.

The situation had shifted.

The coins weren’t just drawing in souls. They were possessing them.

And now, Lucien had only one option left: fight to save Tresorville.

Chapitre 9

L’Ultimatum

Alors que la nuit tombait sur Trésorville, un vent glacial se leva. Les ombres s’étendaient anormalement dans les ruelles, comme si elles prenaient vie.

Lucien et Hubert retournèrent à la place du village, prêts à organiser une dernière tentative pour convaincre les habitants.

Mais ils ne furent pas seuls.

Une vingtaine de villageois étaient déjà rassemblés, leurs yeux brillants sous la lumière des torches. Certains tenaient fermement leur pièce d’or, comme s’ils avaient peur qu’on la leur prenne.

Puis, Gaspard fit son apparition, surgissant du brouillard, son sourire plus énigmatique que jamais.

— « Alors, Lucien ? Tu veux priver ces braves gens de ce qu’ils ont reçu ? »

Lucien planta son regard dans le sien.

— « Je veux leur offrir le choix. Un véritable choix. Pas une malédiction déguisée en miracle. »

Gaspard éclata d’un rire amusé.

— « Oh, mais ils ont déjà choisi. »

Il se tourna vers la foule.

— « Qui ici veut rendre sa pièce ? »

Le silence fut total. Seuls Hubert et la vieille femme se tenaient aux côtés de Lucien. Tous les autres restaient figés, serrant leur pièce comme une relique sacrée.

Puis, enfin, une voix s’éleva.

— « Nous ne voulons pas de ton aide, Lucien. »

C’était Matthieu, le forgeron. Ses traits étaient tirés, son regard… vide. Comme si quelque chose d’autre parlait à travers lui.

Lucien sentit un frisson glacial parcourir son échine.

La situation avait basculé.

Les pièces ne se contentaient pas d’attirer les âmes. Elles les possédaient.

Et désormais, Lucien n’avait plus qu’une seule option : se battre pour sauver Trésorville.

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