Chapter 274: Forgive Me!
"No witch had ever harmed us. It is our fear that has won again and again and just for our false sense of security we have hunted them and killed them." a strange Heavy and suffocating silence blanketed the plaza.
Some villagers turned pale, others shifted uncomfortably, as if the truth had just peeled back their masks of humanity. No one dared to speak for a long time. Their eyes flicked between Eron, Liliana, and Olivia, as if seeing ghosts among them. Ghosts they have created themselves, but they have no strength to face them.
Eron’s legs trembled again, and this time his father moved swiftly, placing a steadying hand on his son’s back. The old man looked smaller than before, shrunken under the weight of truth and years of guilt. Wordlessly, he guided his son through the stunned crowd. The villagers instinctively made their way, looking at them still as if they were watching a nightmare unfolding.
They reached the village chief and the burnt man greeted the old man with a nod. The village chief sat rooted in his seat at the center platform, his mouth slightly agape and his hands gripping the arms of his wooden chair as though they were the only things keeping him upright. His eyes remained fixed on Eron but they looked wide and hollow.
Eron sank to his knees, not even waiting to be asked.
"I come not to beg for forgiveness but to pay for my sins." he said in a hoarse voice again. "I am ready for any kind of punishment. If exile, I accept it. Even if you offer me death.." His father flinched—"then I will accept it. I should have never lived under protection while the truth festered like a rot in this village."
The chief’s lips parted, but no words came out. His throat moved as he swallowed hard, searching for a voice that had long been used to leading, never to doubt.
"For now, Go home," he finally said, after a long pause. "Let us discuss what must be done. This matter concerns the village. It must be weighed carefully."
Gasps rippled again, this time from the fact that his new truth was already accepted. Eron seemed like he did not want to leave, but he didn’t argue. He bowed his head again, deeper this time. Then, with help of his father, he rose and turned to leave. The crowd did not cheer for his bravery to accept the truth. They did not shout for his lies that had changed their thoughts. They only stared motionless, as if time itself had halted around them.