VIP Early Access
Eksklusif untuk member VIP
Password Protected
Chapter ini dikunci dengan kode khusus
Chapter 14: Surrender
SEVERAL days had passed since Vittorio carried out his grievous subterfuge during the crepuscular hours. Krähe remained calm on the surface. Their situation in Amrita was as bad as ever, and they continued to use Scribe Saint Lytrain’s powers to save people. However, the contest proposed and implemented by Vittorio and his Cult of Ira had netted overwhelmingly negative results for the forces of good.
“The situation in Amrita is beyond what we can handle.”
“Ninety percent of the population has converted to the foul Cult of Ira and abandoned Arlos.”
“Oh, Arlos, how did it come to this…”
They were holding a meeting in the command post tent. Not long ago, the area outside used to be crowded with people seeking treatment and instruction from Arlos’s holy teachings. Now the hustle and bustle were replaced with such silence, it made one doubt the commotion of the past.
W_ёb̃ n ö v e l Èn̆ū ḿǎ
It goes without saying the holy forces weren’t just resting on their laurels. The Paladins and followers of Arlos had steadfastly preached the good word about Arlos, spreading the faith. More than a few clergy set out with Nerim to treat the sick. Even an objective third party could look at the situation and determine they had gone above and beyond the call.
But the Cult of Ira was faster.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
For every ten people they edified with Arlos’s teachings, the Cult reached one hundred. For every ten people they treated, the Cult cured a thousand. It was anyone’s guess what wicked methods the Cult employed, but they were definitely saving the sick and the saved became open believers in the Cult of Ira’s doctrines. Even the people Qualia had put significant time and effort into helping remember their faith were easily won over by the Cult. Cleric Cayman and other competent personnel necessary to rebuild Amrita had willingly left Qualia’s camp for the Cult of Ira.
Defeat was inevitable.
At least they were able to help some citizens escape to the north.
No one who converted to the Cult of Ira was mistreated, neither in Amrita nor elsewhere in the Southern Province. As far as that point was concerned, Vittorio—or most likely, Lector Yona’Yona—kept their word.
Еṅ ǔ ṁ ã .ī d̄
No one was suffering. The situation was as bad as it could be for them, but Krähe found a sliver of hope in the people’s well-being. However, the Paladins didn’t share the sentiment. If anything, they put their hopes in something else entirely.
“We have no choice but to rely on the Scribe Saint now.”
“That’s a bad idea…” Krähe jumped to her feet and argued against the Paladin’s alarming suggestion. “Nerim— Saint Nerim’s power is too devastating on her person. There’s no telling what horrible things will happen to her if she seeks a miracle capable of overturning our predicament!”
Krähe thought they would end up adopting a plan to abandon Amrita. Given the circumstances, she believed the Paladins would understand and return to Central to bolster their forces with the Mystic Saint. She painfully learned that her thinking was naïve.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“Inquisitor Imlerith, we have reason to question your stance on evil,” a Paladin challenged. “Do not be spineless in the face of evil. Inquisitors aren’t meant to throw their weight around just to protect their loved ones, are they?”
“I must agree with him completely,” another joined in. “I must say that your response toward evil on this occasion is too weak-kneed. God’s trials are oft heavy and painful. But they can always be overcome. We understand that is why the Saint has been sent to this land.”
Ê nũ m̊а̃
Krähe was in shock. She never imagined the Paladins would be so obsessed with dealing with evil that they would let it warp their minds and souls to this extent. What good did it do for those who had remained silent during meetings and hadn’t offered any concrete measures before to suddenly talk big? They weren’t even offering to do anything about it themselves, but instead wanted to put all the burden on another.
Krähe had been trying to show them due respect, given the sticky spot she’d put herself into with how she handled Vittorio, but she couldn’t remain silent any longer. She wouldn’t stand for them sacrificing Lytrain.
“You want to rely on Saint Nerim’s power just because you are incapable of doing anything yourselves?” she impugned. “You want to push all the responsibility upon a young girl, and you dare call yourselves Paladins?”
“It’s because we call ourselves Paladins that we sometimes have to make ironhearted decisions.” The Paladin turned from Krähe to address the others. “It appears Inquisitor Imlerith is tired. She needs to take a break. We will handle the rest of the meeting, so you may rest now.”
Krähe looked around the tent. Angry and suspicious looks fleeced her from every corner. She had nothing to say to these men who reacted in the same heated manner, as if they’d caught the same virus. She understood she had become a target for criticism, but she never thought their respect for her had dropped beyond repair.
No one would take her side.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
“…Very well. I’ll excuse myself for now.”
True to her word, she indicated her intention to leave. What a polite way to tell someone to get lost, she thought. They intend to never let me participate in another meeting again.
She heard the men’s amused laughter behind her as she exited the tent…
◇◇◇
“AH, Inquisitor Imlerith.”
“Nerim… So this is where you were. I decided to take a bit of a break myself. Mind if I join you?”
W еb̀ň o vë l̆ Е̂ nû m ä
Krähe was walking without a destination when she came upon Lytrain journaling in a corner of their squad’s recreational tent. Normally this place would be teeming with people, but the girls easily spotted each other because no one else was there.
Krähe quietly sat beside Lytrain. She’d been removed from her squad’s activities. The Paladins would decide their next course of action without her, and it was hard to say how that would affect Saint Lytrain.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
No, stop lying to yourself. They’ll absolutely seek it. They will order her to offer every last memory she has to Arlos to overturn this crisis with a transcendent Miracle… Krähe writhed with anger at the thought.
“Inquisitor Imlerith. I’m…okay with it.”
“Okay with what?” Krähe asked despite knowing the answer. She wished she could prevent her young friend from saying the rest. She didn’t want to hear Lytrain voice her resolve.
“Using…my power,” Lytrain said. “I believe God granted me this power for this exact moment.”
Ѐn ů m a
“You… You should think more about your own happiness,” Krähe insisted. “You should be rewarded for suffering so much, for serving others, and for giving everything to God.”
Lytrain didn’t nod in agreement with Krähe’s argument.
“Nerim. Once you cross that line, you will cease to exist. Please don’t force me to make that decision,” Krähe pleaded with everything she had. She had never cursed her lack of charisma more than she did now.
I’ll do something about it, so please don’t make that decision. It was easy to say such a thing, but it took skill and dialogue to persuade another person to believe you. Lytrain seemed determined to follow through with it, but she also seemed resigned to the idea. Like she had given up on there being another option.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“Inquisitor Imlerith… Do you think I’ll ever see Father again?”
Krähe said nothing.
Е nu mä
“I have nothing left. I lost it all. I wonder if there’s any reason for me to keep on living.”
Krähe wanted her to live. She wanted her to live and find happiness. That was her greatest wish. But was she just being selfish? Was there really nothing she could do for her young friend anymore? A sense of powerlessness dominated Krähe.
There’s no hope… Not for us here, at least.
“I did good deeds, so I’m sure I’ll see Father on the other side. That’s what I think…” Lytrain quietly shared.
Several hours later.
Welcomed by the Paladins and followers of Arlos, Lytrain announced she would use her Miracle Artes. The people smiled and extolled her decision.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
◇◇◇
“WHY, God! Why!!”
Krähe’s private quarters were trashed. The room, usually tidy and organized in a way that reflected her methodical personality, was now in complete disarray. All the furniture was smashed and broken. Paperwork was strewn about.
Standing in the middle of the chaos, wailing, was a dejected young woman whose only wish was dashed. A foolish and powerless young woman who couldn’t even protect her only friend.
The god she clung to didn’t answer her.
The god she clung to didn’t save her.
W̊ еb n ȯṽ_ё l̃ Е̌n̊ũ m̃ а̀
There was but one road for the abandoned to take…
“Forgive me, Arlos. You have forsaken us…”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Krähe slowly rose to her feet like a ghost. She staggered from the room and never returned.
◇◇◇
“OWIE, owie, ow, ow, owie! No violence! Stooooop! Yooooour! VIOLEEEEEENCE!”
A melodramatic scream echoed through the churchyard. This was the base of operations for the Cult of Ira in Amrita. Their church was an extensively renovated chapel in the southern parish.
Ё ňú.m̌ а̊ ._і̌ d
The man bound hand and foot with a straw rope and strapped to a wooden hanging stand specially made for him was none other than Mynoghra’s Gleeful Spin Doctor Vittorio. And the ones mercilessly wailing on him, causing him to scream and whine like a little baby, were Mynoghra’s very own Witches of Regret, the Elfuur Sisters.
“This doesn’t even count as violence,” Caria said. “You’re a Hero, you’re made different, no? I’m going to punch you two to three more times.”
“Hehehe. It’ll show on his face, so go for the stomach, Caria.”
“Good idea. You’re the smartest, Big Sista.”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
The hour was midnight. The moon was out—the perfect time for the Elfuur Sisters to manifest their powers as Witches. The fact Vittorio could easily take even a play-beating from these twin sisters, who had long strayed from the shackles of mortal existence and possessed strong powers as Heroes, revealed his own status as a Hero. Although…no one would dare call him a hero with how pathetic he looked.
“Serves ya right, Archlector Idiot. I kept tellin’ ya not to get up to any funny business, but you just didn’t listen. This is what you get. Seriously reflect on yer actions, stupid,” Lector Yona’Yona cut into him with her words.
Еnu̇m̃а́
The Heroes weren’t the only ones present. Yona’Yona watched Vittorio get beaten with irritation, and the new followers of Ira were looking on at this odd chastisement ritual with confusion. Furthermore, the original cultists who followed Vittorio to this city were tired of seeing this same scene play out, so they just focused on getting the work assigned to them taken care of.
For better or worse, this was a common scene in the Cult of Ira.
“Oh! Please let me have a turn once you’re finished!” Yona’Yona asked of the twins. “I still haven’t beaten him up for going off on his own the other day!”
“Okey-dokey,” Maria said.
“Sure thing,” Caria said.
“What the hell is wrong with these bratssss? Aren’t you all a little too comfortable with violence?!”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Vittorio complained about his situation, but he was just reaping what he sowed. It was especially unforgivable of him to deviate from his agreement of noninterference with the Arlos followers just to go and stir up trouble. Neither Yona’Yona nor the Elfuur Sisters gave a jot about what happened to the Arlos followers because of him, but their agreement was made in Takuto and the Cult of Ira’s name. Breaking the agreement meant smearing mud on Takuto’s good name. And that was the one thing these girls wouldn’t stand for.
Hence the chastisement by physical punishment. They had given up on getting through to Vittorio with his warped personality, but they at least needed to take out their frustrations on him through beatings. For that reason, Vittorio was strung up and turned into the perfect punching bag. He did seem to feel pain, but also didn’t seem to care. If anything, he actually seemed to come up with new schemes while being smacked around.
In fact, a nauseating sneer turned up the corners of his lips as he directed his gaze toward a spot in the distance. “You must have the utmost respect for those in your circle and never sacrifice your friends. That’s a basic and universal rule for mortals. Don’t you think, Inquisitor Imlerith?”
“Vittorio…”
Krähe Imlerith, High Inquisitor with the Holy Kingdom of Qualia, appeared from the shadows. She should have been a devout servant of Arlos, loyal to his holy teachings.
“Is it all right if I assume your visitation at this late hour means you are willing to accept my deal?”
Ẃё ḃ n̆ ov еl̄ Ѐṅ umа
Surprise flashed across Krähe’s face when she saw Vittorio hanging in the air, questioning her with all seriousness. She quickly caught herself and schooled her features. She must’ve understood his query, but she fell silent, her expression grim. Everyone could tell she was hesitating.
“Hm, I don’t know what brought ya here, but we’ll welcome you with open arms if yer joining us,” Yona’Yona said. “But there’s no turning back once you’re one of the family… Oh and this weirdo is an outlier.” She jabbed her finger in Vittorio’s direction. “The rest are good people. There’s nothing to worry ’bout. I guarantee it.”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“Hehe. We’re a good place to be,” Maria giggled. “Forget everything that’s happened and join us.”
“It seems like you are suffering, so if you want to be with us, we welcome you. But if not, leave before your presence becomes a nuisance,” Caria warned.
It was the dead of night. The moon was high in the dark sky, and the overwhelming evil aura exuding from the twins filled the churchyard with an unbearable pressure that made one want to run with fear. Yet, standing in direct contrast to their aura, their words were filled with kindness for Krähe. Even Caria’s harsher word choice seemed like it was meant to give her the push she needed to make her choice.
Their reactions made Krähe want to ask them about her situation—about Nerim’s situation. Strangely enough, she felt like a sinner about to confess her sins to God.
Е ń ů m а́
“Nerim is a pitiful child,” she began. “I wanted her to be happy. That’s all I ever wanted…and yet God never rewarded her. Not once.”
“That’s because your god doesn’t reward faith,” Yona’Yona said. “Seems like it’s forbidden to seek something in return for believing.”
This was the foundation of the Holy Teachings of Arlos. God gave instructions, but never saved. Or rather, God’s salvation was given through the Saints and clergy. He saved people through the Miracles wielded by the Saints—that no mortal could wield. The clergy were the guardians of those Miracles. They preached Arlos’s teachings to the masses and showed the Saints to those seeking help.
…This was the Holy God Arlos’s law and order. The absolute holy law.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
But then that begged the question: who would save the Saint? Who would help the Saint who was always required to aid others and had to make a huge sacrifice in exchange for using her great power? The Holy God Arlos never said.
“It is just too heartbreaking. Why does such a little girl have to be treated this way?” Krähe lamented. “I’m just too powerless to save her.”
Еn̂ům̀a
“There is only so much a mortal can do,” Vittorio replied. “You are a mortal, not a god.”
Every Mynoghran in this region knew about Lytrain—about the Scribe Saint’s situation. They didn’t obtain this information through unjust means—it was easily picked up by listening to the gossip and through her own actions. Saints normally aren’t supposed to perform their Miracles in public, and there was a gag order in place when it came to them. The fact that information about her was readily available despite this rule was proof that the Scribe Saint was performing excessive Miracles, which served as evidence that the holy forces were desperate. Put simply, by allowing her to wield her powers left and right, they placed an immense physical burden upon Lytrain, risking her very existence.
“I don’t care what happens to me if it saves her. Please just save her. Help her. Nerim will cease to exist in return for her Miracles,” Krähe begged, thinking of nothing but Lytrain.
It would be easy to criticize her for succumbing to evil. But what other means did she have to save her young friend? What miracle could save Saint Lytrain? Miracles are not the domain of mortals. They are performed in the realm of the gods. For this reason, it was inevitable that Krähe Imlerith would seek a miracle from another god.
“Unlike a certain holier-than-thou god, ours is not a petty God. He will save both the pitiful Saint and you, her pitiful friend. Didn’t I tell you? A HAPPY ENDING awaits!” Vittorio declared in a loud and sonorous voice that traveled far and wide.
He wasn’t lying. He blindly believed in the perfection of his own god—Takuto—from the bottom of his heart. If he was willing to make that declaration, then Krähe and Lytrain were bound to be saved. Vittorio had that much power. His master had that much power.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
The flames of hope ignited within Krähe once again. At the very end of the line, she finally decided to take the hand offered her.
…No matter the lies she told herself, no matter the excuses she made, there was only ever one truth. She wanted to save Nerim. Always. From the outset. Until the very end.
“Theeeen, without further ado, forsake your former god and speak words of worship for our God,” Vittorio said. “Then everything will be completed.”
“I…”
Krähe’s needle of fate snapped in the opposite direction.
“…forsake Arlos.”
Wѐ bñ о v̆е l̈ Е nŭ m̀ã
Something changed in that moment. It was hard to explain what had changed, but curiously enough, Krähe felt refreshed. Some kind of heavy weight had been lifted from her and in return, she was wrapped up in a warm blanket. Almost as if she were returned to the safety of her mother’s womb. It was a strange and welcome sense of peace.
Krähe had forsaken her god and surrendered to evil for help. But after going through with it, she found it a little strange that she wasn’t all that different from who she was before.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“Mm-mm-mm, very goooood!”
A jester of a man approached Krähe with such a wide grin, it seemed to fill his whole face.
None other than Vittorio himself—having slipped out of his restraints at some point—came skipping over to her. He placed his hands on her shoulders and began shmoozing away like some pickup artist.
Е̃ṅu m̊_a. ĩ ď
“Krähe, ma chérie. You know where it’s at! Most people would just say NO at this point! You’ve got grit, accepting the deal now! I’m impressed! Let’s be the best of friends! Wanna go on a date with me later? How about to an aquarium?”
I see. He really is annoying, Krähe thought. When she was facing him as a part of Qualia’s forces, she believed Yona’Yona’s revulsion of Vittorio was all a part of some scheme, but now that she had converted to the Cult of Ira, she knew the truth. It was no act—Vittorio was an annoying arse, plain and simple. Krähe was instantly filled with sympathy for Lector Yona’Yona.
“Oi, Archlector Idiot,” Yona’Yona growled. “Don’t go touchin’ a lady without permission, you perv!”
“GUAGH!”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Yona’Yona stepped in and helped out Krähe yet again while she was wrestling with her new feelings. She raced over like an angry bull, pulled her fist back, and slammed it into Vittorio. Then she spun around to face Krähe.
Krähe forgot all about the loser who fell to the ground like a used rag and carefully studied Yona’Yona’s face.
W̃ē b̈ ń о̀ v̄еl Еn ŭ m̊ а
“Well, how do I put it?” Yona’Yona began. “Seems like you’ve got a lot going on, but let’s be friends like that idiot said. Um, the Saint, was it? Bring her here, okay? She’s in a hell of a pinch, right?” She smiled and held out her hand.
“Y-Yes…”
Krähe accepted her handshake. Her contempt for Beastmen had all but vanished, replaced by a sense of gratitude for her warm reception. Krähe was certain she could get along with this girl. She could only draw that opinion from having interacted with Yona’Yona the longest, outside of Vittorio, but she had a feeling life on this side might not be so bad after all. There was even a chance it might be easier living than when she was bound by all of Arlos’s holy restrictions…
If this is what life here is like, then Nerim will surely… She surely won’t be treated poorly. I have a feeling she can just live as a normal girl.
Everything was headed toward the happiness Vittorio had promised.
However…
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“Damn.” Vittorio had recovered from his K.O. and tottered over to them with a bleak expression. He seemed to have something on his mind because he laced his fingers together and cursed lightly under his breath. It was a rare display from the Spin Doctor who hid everything behind a sneer. Even Yona’Yona, intent on ignoring him, was worried enough to ask him what was wrong.
“What’s wrong?”
“I thought we had gotten to the winning run here, but it appears I’ll need to rework my plan.”
Everyone was puzzled by his cryptic words. What did he mean? Before anyone could ask, another person walked out of the shadows.
“Oh me, oh my… The foolishness of man often has them willingly walk straight into their own ruin. And when they make that fatal mistake, they tend to pigheadedly believe they made the right choice,” Vittorio said sagely.
“N-Nerim…”
En u ma . іd̆
Out from the shadows stepped Krähe’s dearest friend, the girl she cherished more than anything and wanted to save at any cost. The girl for whom she had abandoned everything and even forsook the Holy God Arlos to ensure her happiness—Scribe Saint Lytrain Nerim Quartz.
“Don’t take another step forward, heartrending young Saint. This is my only warning stemming from the fragment of compassion I hold for you,” Vittorio warned in a solemn tone.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
The silent girl was standing right before them, yet she seemed to be miles away…
Konten Bab Belum Tersedia
Bab ini belum memiliki konten teks atau sedang dalam proses penyuntingan.
