Of course, I am neither a good person nor a hero of justice, but still. When a child looked me in the eye, crying, begging for help…
“Ah, really.”
Why am I reminded of my childhood?
When I was Yeon Dana, completely alone, suffering among my cruel relatives. But I had fantasies of some kind adult appearing to help me someday…
I hesitated for a moment, then decided. Let’s see the future.
The future that would unfold for that girl. I’d take a peek at it and decide what to do.
Yes, I still have the ability to see the future etched in the land,
As I confirmed on the day Justin died, I could use a part of this ‘seeing’ ability on the day it comes to me. Last time, I exhausted all my energy because I couldn’t control it…
But this is the second time, so I should be able to control my energy better than the first time.
Alright, let’s give it a try.
I slowly reached out my hand to the dirt floor of the mill and earnestly requested. Show me. The future of the girl who asked me to save her…
And at that moment, the scene before my eyes changed.
I can see.
This place was still in the dark of night. It was in the village square. The future that would unfold a few hours from now.
“So, they escaped, right?”
“That’s what I heard. Such a pity.”
“Ah, Lord Carl was really amazing.”
“I know, right. I doubt I’ll meet a man that handsome again. It’s a shame.”
“I think I’ll never forget that woman for the rest of my life.”
Has the ritual ended? People, as if returned to their original state, gathered in the square. And in front of the giant tree pillar located in the center of the square, a man shouted.
“Now, to mark the last day of the ritual, it’s time to offer a sacrifice to the gods!”
It was Natan’s voice. At his gesture, a girl was dragged forward.
“Please save me, huuuung.”
It was that girl. The one who begged me so desperately to save her was now crying in terror.
“Save me, save me, I don’t want to die. Huuaaang!”
And the villagers laughed as they watched the girl.
“Oh gosh, look at her crying!”
“Her lively spirit will surely please the gods!”
Among them were Natty and Norton, as well as the women I bathed with in the village, the young man who played the lute, the old man who comforted the children, and the children playing in the village.
“Don’t cry, child! The Moon God will accept you!”
“Offer her as a sacrifice!”
“A sacrifice!”
“Waaaa!”
“To the Moon God, eternal glory!”
“Waaaaaah!”
The girl was tied to a wooden pillar by the men’s hands, and oil poured over her body. A match was struck.
“Gyaaah!”
And then…
I slowly opened my eyes.
“Uurgh.”
I had to cover my mouth with my hand immediately as I was about to vomit. Gasping for breath, I clenched my fists.
How. How could they do such a thing!
My fingertips trembled. Now, I was sure what the villagers intended to do with that girl.
Human sacrifice…
The ritual of offering a living human as a sacrifice to the god. The girl was a sacrifice prepared for the ritual.
They brought her here as a human sacrifice…
I swallowed hard, trying to calm my trembling heart. Then I thought as calmly as possible.
Carla and I wouldn’t be here in a few hours later. We must have successfully escaped. Their conversation indicated that the foreign couple had run away. But, if I left like this, that girl would die as a sacrifice.
“Dana?”
Ah! I quickly lifted my head.
When had he returned? Carl was standing in front of me.
“Are you okay?”
“…”
“You’re covered in cold sweat. Did something happen?”
“Uncle…”
“First, get up. I’ve prepared the carriage.” Saying so, Carl picked me up. “Let’s go. It’s too dangerous here.”
I just wanted to faint in his arms. I was exhausted, so it was possible to end like that, but…
“Uncle.”
My body was already beyond my control.
“There’s a girl here who’s been captured.”
“Really?”
“Yes. And she asked me to save her today.”
“So?”
“It seems like these people forcibly kept her. Maybe… for human sacrifice or something.”
Since I couldn’t say I had seen the future, I spoke indirectly.
“These people are conducting such a chaotic ritual. They might use a young girl as a human sacrifice.”
“…”
Carl quietly looked down at me. His gaze was serious but light.
So what? What about it? He asked, using his eyes.
I felt confused. Really? So? What should I do? What do I want? Don’t I want to escape from here right now?
The heretics in this village are dangerous. They’re clearly insane. Besides, haven’t I finished what I came here for? Yes, my task in the Kaltusa territory is over.
Carl seemed disinterested, but once back in Windsor, he would begin investigating and mining that mine. He would take the bait and fall into the trap.
Yes, that’s all I needed to do, but…
No. I closed my eyes tightly and then opened them.
If I left that girl behind, she would probably haunt my dreams for the rest of my life. The scene of her begging me to save her would keep repeating.
Knowing that, I’ve been racking my brain since the moment I saw the future. To find a way to save that girl. No, I’ve already figured it out. There’s a way to save that girl.
But I couldn’t do it alone. It was impossible without Carl Windsor’s help.
Should I ask this man for help? This man who looks like an angel on the outside but is a crazy villain inside?
“Dana.” At that moment, Carl asked. “Why can’t you speak?”
“…Yes?”
“Tell me.”
“…”
“Don’t you want something? That’s why you brought it up, right?”
Of course, I did. But…
“Dana, if you want something, tell me.”
“…”
“Hurry up. Okay?”
Suddenly, I recalled a passage I heard somewhere that the demon appears in a breathtakingly beautiful form and tempts humans. Maybe that’s why. At this moment, a sense of foreboding, as if making a deal with a demon, washed over me…
“I need your help, Uncle.”
But that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. That girl would surely want to borrow even the demon’s power, just like I did in my younger days.
“Alright.” Carl smiled. “What and how can I help?”
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I finished reading so fast 😭
I’m relieved that she’s going to save the little girl and that he agreed to it without protest or much convincing.
If I were Dana I would be in a very difficult position, because I would feel betrayed, stressed and utterly distrustful of Carl… but at the same time he’s gentle with her whenever she needs (even if it’s fake, sometimes we need a hug and pat and an “it’s alright”). He protects her (for his own gain, but still). I mean, his the only one other that her older brother who wasn’t abusive with her… so, I would feel safe and supported with and by a timed bomb, if that’s possible. Meaning it’s a double edged sword…
❗️❌ WARNING. From this point and under I advise you not to read if you have things you would rather don’t think about or remember ❌❗️
And to those curious, no, it’s not a spoiler, sorry.
Anyway, what I’m gonna say is very disturbing, but I’m kinda relieved that they were planning on burning her as sacrifice instead of what I initially thought would happen… actually I was afraid it was already happening (r*pe), given what the ritual was like and the willingness and eagerness of them forcing those strangers into it. I know some people have the exact opposite “preference”(?), but I would rather die (and wish the same upon a child of mine) than be r***d continuously without hope of escaping.
Oh well it became very dark very fast didn’t it? I’m sorry towards anyone who reads it… I’m gonna put some warning at the beginning 😓
Hate to burst your bubble, but what makes you think they haven’t r*ped her all this time during their “festivities” before burning her to death? I agree I want death over rape any day but I’m also a pessimistic cynic so I already asssumed they did both to her.
… Damnit you’re right 😰😭 but I hope you’re wrong 🙏🏻🙏🏻