Chapter 48 : Lonis's True Heart
The villagers' current symptoms began from that time.
Of course, at first the villagers wouldn't become zombie-like puppets, they just often sleepwalked at night.
But later, strange things became more and more frequent: terrifying wails at night, mysterious ground tremors, crops dying in the fields, abnormal deaths of chickens and ducks in the village, and several villagers mysteriously disappearing.
So some villagers, instigated by the priest, captured Suna when she came out for supplies.
They bound Suna in a coffin and burned her according to the purification ritual requirements.
The chosen location was our former forester's hut.
Old Hu's narration came to an end, and through his account, Lonis understood many things.
The vengeful spirit tormenting her was undoubtedly Suna, and the root of everything seemed to be that ruin... After all, Suna had come for the ruin, and it was only after the ruin's entrance appeared that the villagers fell ill.
So... was Suna really a demon's envoy?
If so, why did Suna become a vengeful spirit?
Lonis looked at Elucia, only to find her also lost in thought, saying to Old Hu: "Old Hu, I don't think you're lying, but you... hmph, you're concealing many things, aren't you?"
"Eh?!"
"After Suna's death, you didn't give up seeking the truth... and after that, you should have obtained some key information, right?"
"!"
"Your current actions—do you think Suna might still have a chance of resurrection?"
Elucia's words pierced through Old Hu's chest like a sharp sword.
This weathered man trembled, seeming to want to escape, seeming to want to make excuses.
But in the end he was speechless, only able to lower his head and honestly admit:
"Yes, all these years I've been searching for a way to resurrect Suna. Because I firmly believe she was innocent! It was only because of that damned priest that she was slandered as a demon."
"Oh?"
"She was a kind person. Even in her notes she recorded... never reveal the ruin's location to ordinary people, because for those without blue cells, ruins are very dangerous and might cause innocent people to sacrifice themselves."
"So you continued concealing the truth, letting the villagers become like that at night?"
"Then what else could I do... The villagers' bodies have already mutated, they've become monsters! If the nearby lords and church knew about this, everyone in the village might be killed!"
"But they might also receive treatment, couldn't they?"
"I can't take that risk, and... whenever outsiders enter the village, I play the flute to lead the villagers who've become monsters away. This way they won't harm innocent people."
Old Hu's actions were exactly what the girls had encountered the night before.
Hearing the flute sound, Lonis had almost fallen asleep. If not for Elucia's reminder, they wouldn't have been able to discover the villagers' secret.
However...
"Hmph, of course I know you had no malicious intent, otherwise you wouldn't be able to appear before me alive. But do you really know what your actions are doing?"
"Eh...?"
"If I'm not mistaken, Suna should have come here to obtain the ruin's power."
"Power?"
"Yes, this power is very dangerous and could involve sacrificing one's life... If she hadn't made considerable resolve, Suna definitely wouldn't have chosen this path. But she died just before realizing her wish. Such dead become terrifying vengeful spirits."
"Eh?!"
"If you really could resurrect Suna, what would finally appear before you absolutely wouldn't be that girl, but a terrifying demon."
At this point, Elucia's expression became even more gloomy.
"I... I..."
"Resurrection isn't such a simple matter. Most people in this world cannot endure that lonely feeling of having already died."
"This kind of thing..."
Old Hu was already somewhat stunned, while Elucia stared at him intently and continued: "Fortunately, you've met me now... Where is that ruin? Tell me quickly."
"Eh?"
"Only I have the ability to enter that ruin, let Suna's vengeful spirit be released, and simultaneously lift the villagers' curse."
Elucia's aura was condensed, filled with a commanding presence that wouldn't allow others to refuse.
But Old Hu trembled as he shook his head, saying in terror:
"No... no! Speaking of which... why should I trust you? You're also an outsider who came here. You might be just like that priest, only making everything worse."
"You fool, are you still so stubborn even now? Hmph, looks like you won't drink the toast but insist on the penalty wine."
Elucia said viciously, as if she would draw her long sword and cut off this guy's head if Old Hu continued refusing.
However...
Lonis could really understand Old Hu's feelings.
Perhaps because they were both men?
To resurrect his dream lover, he had worked hard for so many years. To avoid harming others, he had exhausted himself mentally and physically, not even having anyone to communicate with.
And now, although what Elucia said wasn't wrong, emotionally, Old Hu found it difficult to accept this reality, right?
So,
Lonis stepped forward and said to Old Hu:
"Old Hu, I was once influenced by Suna's vengeful spirit and know part of her thoughts."
"Eh..."
"Her current situation is very painful, unable to find release. Continuing to barely exist in this world like that would be worse than finding release early and being completely freed..."
"!"
"So please trust us? We have no malicious intent toward the village and hope everything becomes beautiful. To prevent the worst from happening, could you please tell me the location of that ruin?"
......
......
Lonis spoke very honestly, almost pouring out all the emotions in her heart.
Those many years as a hero, though seemingly simulated in dreams, had also made Lonis someone with a relatively kind heart.
To put it simply, she had reunion ending obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Because she possessed incomparable power, whenever Lonis encountered anything, she wanted to turn it into something beautiful.
Poor people? Then use her wisdom to develop new industries ahead of the times!
Wrongful cases? Then use her authority to forcibly expose those behind-the-scenes manipulators!
Demons? Then demonstrate her power and cut down all those evil monsters!
A brave heart that wouldn't fear any hardships—that was Lonis's pride as a hero.
And now,
Although Lonis had become a girl, although she seemed delicate... that feeling still remained. Supporting her, moving forward all the way to here.
......
......
But Lonis never expected.
Faced with her such honest confession, Old Hu actually murmured and asked:
"You... aren't you a fool?"
???’s feelings
A fool...
Haha, even this guy can see that Lonis is an idiot?
Saving the world is thankless work—why must you do it?
At that time, wouldn't it have been fine to just abandon me?
Sigh, insisting on a perfect ending, you really are a foolish hero...
But since you've chosen this fate,
Then I'll also,
Keep you company to the end.