Chapter 99: CH 110

Chapter 110

Translator: Yonnee

RP: Haebaragi_syk

—

‘At the end of the day, I wouldn’t even have any time to spare worrying about my hands and feet changing.’

Reina got into the carriage and sat back down, looking up at the night sky that was embroidered with stars.

She wasn’t sure. There was no guarantee that there was a connection between her metamorphic episodes and the plague that had spread to the Launcer village.

But something was nagging at her.

‘It feels like that time when I first started seeing the guide messages.’

Like a salmon with a homing instinct, her mind and body continued to feel something calling her from where the plague had broken out.

“We’re setting off, Milady.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

After calmly answering, she turned her head and stared at the forest, where only the sparse, leisurely cries of wild animals could be heard. After passing through the forest, they would arrive at the Launcer village.

‘And once I get there…’

Perhaps, after wandering through this situation that was like a labyrinth, she might be able to find a clue.

“Milady, something in your pocket is shining.”

“Huh?”

When she lowered her gaze, she found a green light pulsing from the pendant that Ethan had given her.

“A call?”

Perplexed, she took out the pendant and opened the lid. Soon enough, she heard a familiar voice.

—Reina!

“Ethan?”

A voice so full of concern reverberated loud enough that it might have even reached that village in the distance.

—What in the world is going on there? I heard that you’re going to an outbreak epicenter all alone?

“You already heard about it?”

—Someone from the Chantra estate had sent us an official letter of request for cooperation to the Minister of Health a few days ago. But before the health authorities could arrive there, I heard that you’re going there first, Reina. But you can’t. Never.

“I’m already on my way.”

—Reina.

“I’m sorry, Ethan. Even if you insist on stopping me, there’s nothing you can do. I’m going to that place.”

—Haa.

The heavy sigh alone was enough to paint a picture for her of his conflicted expression.

“Ethan, I know you must have a lot to say to me. I know how you must be worried right now, but… I must go. I have a reason for going there.”

—But no matter the reason, there’s nothing more important than your safety, Reina.

Listening to Ethan’s words, Reina smiled bitterly.

‘Right. That’s why I’m going to the Launcer village.’

More than the plague, something perhaps more dangerous was already happening to her.

“Ethan, later… I’ll talk to you later. I’m sorry.”

—Reina,

“I have to go now. We’re trying to reach the village before it gets dark out. I’ll contact you later. I’m sorry.”

Without waiting to hear his answer, she closed the pendant and cut off the call.

‘That’s all I can say to you… I’m sorry, Ethan…’

Who could ever understand and sympathize with what she was experiencing right now? She had neither the confidence nor the intention of trying to make him understand.

Closing her eyes and clasping her hands tightly together, Reina felt the tension around her heightening further due to everyone’s concerns.

‘In the end, I’m the only one who’ll be able to get myself out of this situation.’

So, she had to harden her heart and stay strong.

* * *

It was about time to reach the Launcer village, where the plague had broken out.

“Lady Reina.”

Hearing the heavy voice from outside the carriage, Reina opened a window and responded.

“Is that you, Karbon?”

“Yes, we’re almost there. By the way, Milady… I couldn’t find the right timing earlier, but there’s something I should have said.”

As Karbon slowed his steed to a slower pace to match the carriage, he frowned slightly.

“What’s making you hesitate?” Reina asked.

“I should have told you about it earlier… There is a temple dedicated to Utta in the Launcer village.”

Reina was surprised to hear this.

“…A temple dedicated to Utta? A temple of that religion was erected within the grounds of the Chantra estate?”

Worshiping the light, they were the religion with the strongest foundation. However they refused to build a temple within the Chantra estate because they were not on good terms with the household that practiced poisonous arts.

But then, he’s telling her that there was a Utta temple in here?

“The village hadn’t been found for a while because it was such a small village and it wasn’t even shown on the maps, but then it was recently attributed to the Chantra estate. The village and the temple became known in more detail only because of the outbreak of the plague.”

“Goodness…”

Sighing quietly, Reina closed her mouth. She didn’t know what to say.

「 In the beginning, there was nothing, until Chadarr’s benevolent gaze reached. This shall now be called light.

Chadarr’s homely breath then comes through, establishing order above this barren chaos, and this shall be called ‘life’.

The end of Chadarr’s blue fingertips shall be called the ‘sky’, and the stone on which Chadarr’s white hair brushes against shall be called ‘land’.

And, all that is not reached by Chadarr’s glory shall be called ‘darkness’. 」

This was the creation myth that all people from all four corners of the world knew, and it was fundamental to religious studies as written in 「 Book of the End: Kalimagero 」.

It was Utta who received ‘Chadarr’s benevolent eyes’ and ‘Chadarr’s breath’.

Chadarr was the primordial god who ushered the beginning. Strictly speaking, Utta was second to Chadarr as the god of light and life, the two forces that were the foundation to everything else.

As great as the god Utta was, the number of believers that the god had was large enough that they remained even after the empire was created.

However, one could only wonder whether it was because the power of the god had faded away, but the temple of Utta was as dogmatic as it was desperate, and as arrogant as it was benevolent.

‘They’re going to be seriously conservative about medical advancements…’

“Haa…”

Why did it have to be the temple of Utta? It would have been better if it was the temple of Megaro, which practiced asceticism in a humble manner, or perhaps the temple of Shan as it was active on more worldly issues. Maybe even the temple of Chetrasiu would be better.

“…It can’t be helped. We’ll have no choice but to seek their cooperation as much as possible.”

Since Karbon had warned her in advance like this, it’s likely that the influence of Utta was quite strong in this village.

However, just as she said, this was a plague, and there was no other choice but to help.

“Captain, we’re nearing the entrance of the village,” one of the knights announced.

As the conversation between Reina and Karbon was about to end, they finally caught sight of the Launcer village.

“Firstly, let’s do our best within the circumstances we’re allowed, Karbon.”

“Yes, understood, Milady.”