170 [3-27] yearning is the furthest emotion from under... (2/2)

Saaresaya was adored and revered by everyone.

She was the kind of chief priestess who made everyone think that if she led them, they would be united no matter what path the tribe took.

Her presence was a great support for everyone in this difficult time.

But she's dead. She was killed.

And in the Fathers who ordained her, she returned and became one with the forest.

Death is a return to the great flow of life. It is not a tragedy to be avoided.

But still, she couldn't help but think that Saaresaiah shouldn't have ended up like this, and that she was needed now.

Krsna stared at the surface of the water in the cup.

* * *

As a result of the negotiations between Saaresaiah and Rene, two conditions were set for the price of the soul.

The first was to kill the blue soldier who had killed Saaresaya, who Chen Shi said was named Stone Pillow. This seems to be obvious.

Secondly, kill 20,000 blue soldiers. The second is the killing of 20,000 Blue Army soldiers, to make those who killed the elves pay with their blood, and to take revenge on the parents, children, wives, husbands, and friends who are left behind, by engraving their undoable sorrow on them.

It seems that Saaresahya actually wanted to make 'the defeat of the Imperial Blue Army' a condition, but it was rejected because it was difficult to define specific requirements, and changes in the war situation could make it difficult to achieve or cause a strategic retreat.

If 20,000 people were killed, it would likely be a blow to the Blue Army that would make it impossible to continue the operation, and the forest would be protected for the time being. Even if they did not, killing that many people would be sufficient retribution for their blood, and this was the final decision.

A room in the castle of earth, the frontline base.

In a compact audience room with a portable human bone throne, the ghost of Saaresaya and Rene were there.

The pale, vague figure of the elven priestess was still in her priestess attire even as a ghost. The Elven priestesses wore simple headdresses, but the trinkets they had worn in life had disappeared.

Their faces were gentle and serene. She had a long, thin, elven figure, but with flesh where it should be.

She was sitting in the air, eye level with Rene.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.　I'm not sure.

You knew about it long ago, didn't you?

Yes.

Rene said in a slightly confrontational tone, and Saaresaiah responded softly.

I'm not sure what you're talking about.

That doesn't mean she can't do anything about it, but she can at least talk about what she knows .......

But Saaleesaya remained silent, as if she had fallen asleep. She had definitely seen Rene trying to find out about the reflection.

And now she began to talk eloquently.

She started to talk about the phenomenon of the 'mirrored body', where the ancestors who have returned to the forest take on temporary forms and manifest themselves, and about the oracle to defeat Rene.

”May I ask why you have kept silent?

I don't know if I'm qualified to call myself that now, but ......

I was once a chief priest and ruler of men.

Even if I were to deny the flow of life and offer my soul as a sacrifice to you, there is something I cannot give up.

Saaleesaa is unshakeable.

She quietly and gently stated her position.

'It is the oracle of our fathers that you must be defeated.

I have decided that it would not be wise to give you information in case they choose to fight you.

And it's not part of the contract for me to help you, is it?

”Yes, I'm afraid it is.

Saaresaiah smiles.

I'm sorry, but you're right.” Saaresaiah smiled. Despite her innocent look, Saaresaiah was quite the bait.

But it's too late for that now.

I'm very pleased that my tribe has joined forces with yours.

I am very happy that my tribe has joined forces with you, because my selfishness and everyone else's decisions have led in the same direction.

...... Don't call me selfish.

Rene could read the guilt in Saaresaiah's eyes.

She was still unable to affirm her resentment at this time.

It was frustrating for René.

You had every reason to hold a grudge. That's all. That's all there is to it.

'I doubt that. ...... I'm sure.

Saaresaya put her hand to her chest, as if trying to feel a heartbeat that no longer existed.

As a priestess, I have always been disciplined. No resentment, no jealousy, no anger. ...... I have been a good guide. ......

But ...... now, holding grudges is as painful as being burned by flames, but somehow ...... I feel so much freer.

No longer the chief priest, Saaresaiah smiled sadly.