Heiress Unmasked: Shaking the World With Geomancy novel Chapter 1378

Shannon's group was led to the village shaman's house.

In some villages in the southern part of Crisea, there were often figures similar to shamans or soothsayers.

For anything concerning the village—whether it was a major event like a sacrificial ritual or divination, or something as trivial as choosing a name for a newborn or deciding which direction the stove should face—the villagers would first seek their advice.

Back then, Montaro's identity as the "village guardian" had originally been announced to the villagers by the shaman.

Now, when a group of people who clearly came from a big city suddenly showed up, claiming they were here to find him, they naturally had to consult the shaman.

The shaman, Marigold Fiore, was about 70 years old. With a slightly hunched figure, her appearance gave off a mystical, somewhat eccentric vibe.

Her gaze swept across Shannon's group as she questioned, "Why are you looking for Montaro?"

Lexie knew the villagers revered this shaman, so, as the diplomatic representative, she immediately stepped forward. "Madam Fiore, we're here to ask him to guide us to someone."

Her doll-like face created a naturally friendly vibe when she spoke.

However, Marigold didn't spare her a glance, maintaining a look of aloofness. "If you're looking for someone, you should seek the village office director. The government will help in matters like this.

"Don't be superstitious, young lady."

Lexie was speechless, thinking, "Says the one who has a lucky mirror and a house protection talisman on her door… Who's the superstitious one? Not even my clan does that."

She wore a courteous smile and said, "The director said he can't help. We're actually told to come here and seek the village guardian."

At that point, a deep seriousness spread across Marigold's wrinkled face.

She muttered something under her breath, and suddenly, her expression stiffened. "If the person you're looking for isn't a villager, then Montaro can't help. It is a rule that the village guardian cannot leave the village."

What changed their perception of him happened one night when Montaro suddenly began shouting and running around the village. His cries echoed through the night, waking up most of the villagers.

The villagers were exasperated and went out to catch him, but just as they were about to, the village was suddenly struck by an earthquake.

Brody continued, "Before that, Floriana Village hadn't experienced an earthquake in decades. At that time, the earthquake came too suddenly and ended up ruining many homes.

"Had Montaro not woken up the majority of the villagers, some might've still been in their sleep amid the earthquake, missing the chance to escape."

It was also through that incident that Marigold proclaimed Montaro as the village guardian. With him there, he could ward off misfortune and disasters.

No villagers doubted his identity as the village guardian since the earthquake. Over the years, whenever any family had something tasty, they would always make sure to give him a portion.

Since he was discovered in the mountains, they bestowed him the name, Montaro Rock. When the news about Floriana Village having a guardian spread to other villages, they even became less discriminatory toward the mentally challenged.