Chapter 468: Those Willing to Carry [The Light].

Chapter 468: Those Willing to Carry [The Light].

Oh Goddess of Light, Aurena. I bid you, hear our prayers of gratitude and ardent worship so it may empower you ever more in your duties of overseeing us. I beg of you to hear us and grant upon us your blessing of light, Prayer!

I raised my hands up into the sky as numerous white particles coming from the crowd in front of me fed into the massive magic circle hovering above us. A pittance of what the spell actually needed, but this custom spell was being cast for showmanship alone.

Fleindia and Renee followed my lead, offsetting the total mana I had to spend to cast this stadium-sized [Prayer]. As the spell began to glow an iridescent ivory, more beautiful than the cloudy sky, it poured a shower of warm, milky-colored particles on all of uslike the snow falling alongside it. It basked us in it, rejuvenating our bodies and giving us hope and strength for the days to come and to leave the disasters that occurred behind.

[Blessing of the Goddess of Light (Moderate)] inflicted on [Young Sunfang Dragon, Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor]

A day had passed since I spoke with the Knight-Commander and learned the last bit of information we needed to execute the raid. Now it was the time for us to finalize our preparations, and one of them was to find a way to get all the civilians out and protect them. Nobody else should die for this except our enemies rotting the foundation of this city.

As such, the first step towards our objective was to entice the people to flee. How would that be possible without causing a massive panic that could derail anything as it would leave a great opportunity for people to take advantage of? Well, a certain flutist from a fairy tale managed to lure rats and kids out of a town, so why couldnt I do that too?

To startpromotion.

White grace! White graces by Champion Hestia, Saintess Fleindia, and Saintess Asaka! Paid out from the pockets of the rank B adventurer group, Aurora, led by Champion Hestia, a rank A hunter! Tatsuya, Kyouya, and Kohaku all shouted out as if their lungs had no limits, gathering numerous citizens towards us. Every Davi will be donated to the church and to help the rebuild of the city and the basilica! Please, if you have any ailment or injuries, come! The blessed are here to serve!

What was the best way to get people to come to you? Free magical healthcare.

We will be having a festival in four days on LightDay! One to mourn our losses and also give thanks to the Goddess for her protection!

There will be free food, music played, and also a sermon by Champion Hestia! Please, attend and let us all pray to the souls lost.

It was a rather morbid reason but Fleindia and Theodore both agreed it was the best reason for a festival to happen. Ilsaphone was feared and usually disliked, but praying to her was an accepted custom even in the Dark Pantheon-hating Aureolis. Considering the tragedies that had struck this city, this was a good way for people to find closure.

Still, to assure our ideal situation happened, I had to stay quiet and play along and keep up the performance. I would heal people, speak with them, and reassure them that nothing else would happen to them. It almost sounded like I was promising them, but I knew I shouldnt really.

Still watching mothers cradle their babies, parents repeating my words to their children, and grieving widows weep made my heart ache. There werent many deaths, thankfully, but the mood of the city felt somber despite the brilliant light cast by our healing spells and the snow brightening the day. I felt like I needed to sing, to express myself.

Your aching leg should be good to go, Sir, I said to a patient. You should be able to work again, but make sure to get enough rest.

Thank you, Lady Champion! May the Goddess always keep you in her light! He smiled, grinning so widely I could see his dental health. Yet, a second later, he began to frown and pushed his face closer to mine to whisper. E-everything will be all right, right?

My eyes widened, stunned to hear that.

With everything going on, r-rumors have gone around that this isnt just another one of the demonkins usual attacks. The Imperial newspaper mentioned the deaths of all the blessed in the Empire So, they must be here for you or are you here for them? He gulped, looking like what he just said right now was taboo. They are coming back, right? W-will you channel the Goddesss protection during the festival? To protect us?

He didnt know the reason but it seemed he understood the festivals werent just meant to appease people. I forced a smile, telling him I would be awaiting him to come on that day. He gulped and nodded, telling me he would get his family to join. I nodded back as he left.

Afterwards, the healing session continued until it was time for us to move.

32 human followers gained

Total follower count updated. Total followers of [Young Sunfang Dragon, Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor]: 48476

Haa, please stop pinning your hopes onto me.

There were four stops we had it make before today endednorth, east, south, and west of the lower city. We were essentially making a round trip through the city, giving out [Prayer]s and white graces to promote the festival. It would be a very mana intensive day.

As we walked over to the next destination, I looked over to Haruka and Daichi.

Its not looking good, Haruka said with an ill-looking face. Aside from the preparations to keep all these people safe, were almost back in the red. Even if we consider Asaka-chans moonlight gel and your white flames as [Minor Heal], the costs are racking up. Why exactly are we doing this to ourselves?

Because it is equally as important to get the clergy on our side as to make sure the populace loves Hestia, Ellaine answered from the side. Besides, these people are fervent believers, and I want to remind you that white graces are important to repay. To a follower of the Light Goddess, a white grace is due to the hard-working priests and shrine maidens. If we do not pay, arent we disgracing Her?

She used the realistic reason to force me to demand money for white grace back during my stay in Carine village, and she was now using the religious reason. I always found the idea of white graces weird, but now we were using it to our benefits. Actually to our advantage, unlike simply taking some pocket money.

It is all about the aftermath, right? If we win, Ellaine added. The mud tsunami only destroyed one section of the city, so once the real fighting begins, this city will most likely not survive it, if we consider the scale. This moneys for afterwards, to gain the help of those trustworthy and willing to rebuild everything.

Its the bribing money. Daichi shrugged before pulling up the recorder. And this is our propaganda material. Filming Hestia-san and then splicing it around for an interesting video. We have the ending under our control if we have enough material, and boom! SuccessOwch!

Do not speak like that. Even the greatest generals would never believe a battle is won until the day is over, for it brings nothing but bad fortune. Midirn came walking up after smacking Daichis back to silence him. Hear this, I will bring victory to my princess. I will show BoleTaria it is futile to challenge the land, sky, and oceans controlled by us dragonkin but even I will never expect myself to survive this. Never be conceited in war.

Daichi turned silent, probably remembering how we just lost somebody. I clapped his back, telling him it was okay.

I smiled and pointed at Midirn. Just make sure you understand one order, okay?

I then turned my fingers around to Tasianna, Shay, and Beth walking behind me.

Our survival is all that is important for our lady, Tasianna said.

[Do not bring grief to Princess Hestia, Midirn.] The twins were in sync.

The black dragonewt grinned awkwardly and nodded. An order is an order. Do not worry, I am not planning on dying. I wish to revel in my future position as the general of the Loatryxian army and the head of the Kargryxmor dragonewt clan! His eyes straightened. But, most importantly, please heed your own order, my princess. Your death would be the worst scar I would ever carry around, even more than the sting of that dragonslayer.

I chuckled and snapped my fingers. Its too early for me to bow and exit from the stage.

Grryush karhun!

Woah!

Out of nowhere, Midirn suddenly made some weird noises in Draconic. Growling that was almost incomprehensible entered my ears, and since I hadnt mastered the languageor really practiced it outside of maybe speaking with Neill or Cernust every once in a whileI could barely make out what he said.

Grryush karhun? Uuuh, free petals of the horizon?

Ruutshak mrrgkiek kalak-mralak orbtrk farhun. Krriieuh ghuurkkl hadruk grryush! Midirn pounded his chest twice before bowing with his tail tucked in between his legs. Flowing blossoms of the western skies, descend upon your path of fate. To color in fire or water lies in your resonating wingbeats; the strength to shoulder the twisting winds is the privilege and burden of the tyrants. Rise, crimson flame, blossom like the myriad of colors blanketing the western skies!

Everybody around me was stunned in shocked silence, even more when he gave us that flowery translation of what he said. I couldnt make it out, but was what he said that dramatic?

Midirn coughed, massaging his throat a bit. I apologize. Im not used to throat singing at all. Really ruins the voice if you dont do it correctly

I-I see,I scratched my head, perturbedThen why did you do it? You could have said all that without needing to sing.

Because I felt it fitting, considering your passion, Princess Hestia. As you know, I, Midirn Rango Kargryxmor, will one day inherit the role as Loatryxs grand marshal and general. Aside from military discipline, strategy and tactics, and logistics, I was also taught ways to motivate both soldiers and civilians. An army that can keep the mind of the people away from conflict creates a more efficient society. Besides, motivating and keeping the general of an army, or special elite force, in a good mood improves the chances of a successful operation.

Y-yes, that might be true, but our goal is to have Aureolis and our religion be led by a blessed and you are

I interrupted her. Noblesse oblige.

H-huh?

The duty of the betters to do what they must to help those below them. Like during the Binding Festival speech; you were in your element and I had followed yours and Theodores lead for the ritual to follow perfectly. I cant do that. Even if I learned it, I wouldnt be able to give everybody the same genuine fervor you showed. Mine would be playedan act. If you wish to achieve something, then you have to clutch onto it! Dont make excuses. Perfection is an ideal, never the goal.

Whether my motivational speech persuaded Fleindia or not didnt matter, as the moment this was over, I would just love to get away from Aureolis. The aftermath wasnt exactly my responsibility I might tell myself that, but I knew exactly what my damn heart would force me to do.

Sometimes I really hate myself.

Regardless, the last performance for today went well and we could finally retire for the day until the evening, when the planning would begin. However, before then, I had a little date.

My lady Tasianna frowned as I told everybody my plans to go alone. I-I understand your intentions, but going alone is still a massive risk. We met the Warbringer. She could have made contact with him!

Ellaine nodded. Not to mention the potential for an ambush! If you go out first we wont be able to arrive in time. Who knows where she ran off to?

[Allow us to guard you, my princess!] Beth pleaded, joined by her brother.

Yet, I shook my head, sighing. All your worries are normal since we dont know enough of Vifi to fully trust her, but this has to be the first step. I value your opinions, and that means I have to do the same for Grimnir.

I turned to our always grumbling blacksmith, although he hadnt done that in a while now. Can I trust VifiYok?

He scoffed, shaking his head. I swore my services to you, lass.

I smiled and used my subspace nexus to forcibly open the portal to the pair of [Room] runes I instructed Grimnir to give Vifi this morning. I went through it alone as I intended before stopping my foot as I almost fell off a cliff and down into the ocean, ramming itself along the cliffside.

I clicked my tongue and turned around, only to not see anything but trees. I then turned my [Detection Sensor] on and only found one target a bit further away to my right. I looked in that direction where I saw a lone girl with the appearance of a human sitting on the cliffs edge, staring at a large ice island in the distance.

This is Elyonda. I concluded, seeing as I could make out the body trapped inside an eternal ice prison. Karhalantheels corpse was sealed there by Mother during the siege of Elyonda.

I picked up the runes and went over to her.

You look so lonely

Hey, I greeted.

Yo, Donut. She turned her head, her eyes showing annoyance at me being here. Why did you want to speak with me? Ha, but I guess I can understand why. Just say it already and I can

I am very sorry, Vifi.

Hmm? Her head twitched, snapping her eyes to the side and back to me. Her look of befuddlement was a bit comical.

For what I said, I mean. I know you accepted my accusations because that was our relationship back then, but the sarcasm made it clear I did hurt you. My face contorted when I remembered what I told her after the demonkin terrorism. I was angry and that led to me distrusting you with no real evidence. I You made it clear why you cant go back after deserting, and while I did act and tell you that you can trust me, it was all just an act. I didnt. It showed the moment something bad happened and I blamed everything on you.

I bent my back to bow to her.

Y-you little shit! Vifi shot up and stopped me, telling me to stand up straight. Are you crazy? Dont just bow like that for no fuckin reason.

This isnt a no reason. I hurt you, right? You cant fool me, and youre telling me that isnt a reason? I argued. I blew up at you! I shouted and accused you for no reason, and youre telling me I cant say Im sorry?

Yes! she rebuked me. Cause ya did nothing wrong! If I were in your shoes as the commander of an entire party, I would do exactly what ya did, cause the survival of the entire group and the success of a mission hinges on every soldier upholding the mission. If ya think somebody is a tumor, you cut them off! Thats why I told ya all of that!

But I am not you! I shouted. I am not the sort of person to scream at somebody without any reason, because this isnt me. You can think of me like the Prince of Wrath, but I am not. To me, you are just another person working with us for our goal and that means you have value aside from being a body to fight. Look! Why the fuck did you go all the way to Elyonda, then? Huh? Although, now that I think about it, how the hell did you make it here in about a day? Thats impossible even with your speed.

I was already here she mumbled, causing me to ask her to elaborate. I Well, after you told me off, I visited Grimnir a bit and talked about it and he told me to relax a bit. Since nothing was stopping me, I just went back here I liked the food, and the royal family has one of your runes, right? I snuck past them and just, you know, entered.

Dont they have a mana barrier?

Did you already forget the damn jacket Im wearing? She pointed at the black coat hiding her figure and even her manatech arm. The barrier detected me and I did cause an alarm but not like they could find me. The barrier around the royal castle was easy to escape from as well, and, well, they arent hiding the runes in the hardest place possible. Its just in some random room in the palace behind a glass cabinet.

Reminder, tell the Yeosians off for this.

Vifi then shook her hand. In any case, the entire point was that I had to go since my fellow BoleTarians were more active than I thought. Better to be far away than be found out, so I chose this place. The strategic value of Elyonda is zero at this point, considering Karhalantheel is dead and the city is in ruins, so I knew nobody would be here to find me. This is the best place I could think of to relax at without being too far away from a subspace rune and Aureolis.

She thought of it like that? Wait, does that mean then

Why did you ask for my permission to leave then? You dont actually want to leave us, right? I said, feeling like I finally understood something about Vifi.

Seeing her face move without getting an answer was all I needed to know that I was right.

I took a step back. Youre lonely But at the same time, youre also a soldier. Your values are influenced by everything you learned in your life and Wow, that makes me feel even worse. I I should have told you about the funeral.

She shook her head. Grimnir already did. I wouldnt have come, even if you asked. I know my position in Aurora and I didnt want to make it awkward for them. Besides, I didnt know Akasht well enough to feel anything

Well, unlike Grimnir, the rest of us havent exactly forced you to do something with us. We tolerated you but kept you at bay Even then, when I did it, it was all about fighting and using you like a soldier. I didnt treat you any better. Even the sweets and pastries were there to pacify you, as if you were just some beast. We should have talked.

I looked at the [Room] runes I had picked up, stroking them to clean the dirt on them before handing them over to Vifi. She raised an eyebrow, not understanding what this meant.

Vifi, I invite you formally to join Aurora as its sixth official member. I want to trust you. For real this time.

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