Chapter 217
The first thing Roina’s group did after arriving in the Castrello region was to observe the atmosphere of the surrounding residents. Although some people from the Kailum Empire had migrated here, the occupation war had only ended five years ago, and due to the complexity of war recovery and other matters, not many people other than administrative personnel had come. So it seemed that this place was still mainly run by the original inhabitants.
Whenever the residents, who were watching the group of unfamiliar outsiders through the gaps in their windows between the houses made of white sand, made eye contact, they would quickly slam the windows shut. Roina smiled a little bitterly.
As the allied forces recaptured the empire from the Crown Prince, this place became an ambiguous region. In order to gain legitimacy, they had to treat this place as a site of the Crown Prince’s atrocities. Many people had actually suffered here.
So the current administrative personnel were probably just standing by and watching the situation. She didn’t know how the residents had been treated before, but judging from their current reactions, it probably wasn’t good.
“This is enough for now. Um, is there anyone we could meet to find out about the situation here?”
“…I believe my family members are all dead, but I know someone who is good at seeking wisdom.”
Ethan once again spoke of his painful past in a calm tone. Roina looked at him for a moment and then nodded. It was a past that he himself had accepted. She couldn’t speak rashly anymore.
“Someone who is good at seeking wisdom? Someone like a village elder?”
“Similar.”
Ethan replied with a bitter smile to Jason’s question.
The person they went to meet after moving was living in a secluded place at the edge of the city. However, as they got closer, the presence of the building grew stronger, and they could guess who it was.
“A temple? Am I right?”
“Yes, it’s the temple of Aiha, the water goddess we worship in our country.”
Upon closer inspection, the other party was said to be an elderly high priestess of Aiha, a native goddess of Castrello. The temple, buried in the sand, wasn’t large, but the traces of various plants that were rarely seen around it were lush, making it stand out even from afar.
“It’s Aiha-nim’s blessing. It’s said that water springs up wherever the temple is located. In fact, the temple’s location has changed before, and water disappeared from the original site and sprang up at the new location. It’s a mysterious thing.
As such, it was one of the most respected places before Castrello fell. Many young priests died or fled due to the war damage, and the Kailum administrators, fearing the unity of the people, banned worship, so now only the high priestess remains.”
High priestess. Roina murmured the title once. She would probably know well about the changes that had occurred here.
The group hurried and soon arrived at the temple. The temple, built of stone, felt similar yet different from the simple shapes commonly seen in the city.
As they entered the temple, a clear and pleasant air, different from the hot and dry wind outside, lingered. Surprisingly, upon closer inspection, various kinds of plants were growing here, regardless of the desert climate.
“You’ve come.”
At that moment, a gentle voice resembling an old tree was heard from inside. There was an elegant old woman with her white hair neatly combed and braided. She had the distinctive physique and tanned skin of Castrello, but the composure that came with age seemed to make her that way.
She was wearing a priestess robe with a harmonious blend of white and blue colors, which, considering the rarity of blue dye these days, hinted at her former status.
“High Priestess Neilla.”
Ethan greeted her politely and said something in a language that was unintelligible. Considering that the Castrello Kingdom, like the empire, usually used the common language, it was probably a religious language used by the royals or in temples. Roina and the others, who didn’t know that language, simply bowed as a sign of respect.
“Follow me.”
Neilla simply said that, as if she had expected everything, and turned around. Seeing Ethan follow her as a matter of course, Roina followed her with a dazed feeling.
“It feels very peaceful here.”
Rager said that in a whisper with a somewhat relaxed expression. Perhaps it was different for him as a religious person. He knew the secrets of the god he followed, but despite that, he continued to explore the god because of its value and the truth that moved the world. In that situation, this visit was quite interesting for him.
Jason just snorted at Rager’s words. He seemed to be itching for action.
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