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Chapter 332 part 1

While traveling toward the ritual site, the group encountered numerous assassins, demon beasts, insects, and even malicious spirits arranged by the Romel clan. Even the formidable Zebe frowned, doubting that they could make it through with only a few guards.

But what happened? Although it was an outdoor environment where Earthima could demonstrate her full potential without worrying about collateral damage, she, with Hadiya’s support, took care of most of the assassins.

Everyone knew she was Shandia’s strongest warrior, but few had actually seen Earthima fight at full strength. And in reality, she was stronger than anyone had imagined.

「Well, well, that should settle things for now. Shall we head to the ritual site? There shouldn’t be any more interference.」

Though Earthima was breathing heavily, and while her armor and hair were covered in dust and there was blood splatter on her cheeks, not a drop of her own blood was visible. She looked around, first confirming Hadiya’s safety, then Zebe’s, and finally, the safety of the surrounding guards.

「It’s finally time. I hope we can meet Lord Wokua soon.」

Earthima didn’t offer words of comfort to Hadiya, who was looking towards the ritual site with anxious eyes. In just a few hours, they would know one way or another.. She simply said,

「Let’s go.」

They rode their camels to the hidden entrance of the ritual site, guarded by soldiers in camouflage clothing blending into the sand and rocks. Zebe stepped forward to announce their arrival, and they were welcomed as the concealed door opened.

It seemed these soldiers were not Romel family agents, but the regular gatekeepers. With other powerful clans bringing their elite forces, it’s safe to assume the Romel family couldn’t extend their influence inside the ritual site.

The group handed over their camels, shook off the sand, and entered the ritual site. Years of renovations had turned the ritual site into a labyrinth, with traps set to dispose of insolent intruders and countless mechanisms to confuse them.

To prevent reaching the underground lake by sensing Wokua’s presence, the interior was fitted with devices that made it difficult to detect spiritual power, similar to where Shija had trained. Every bit of wisdom was employed to conceal and protect the secret affairs supporting the nation of Shandia.

「To think we’d end up here again.」

「Me too. Though the reasons for coming last time and this time are different, I never thought I’d pass through that gate again…」

「For better or worse, it’s thanks to Lady Lenia. It feels less like we were pushed and more like we were kicked.」

「Hehe, that’s right. For me, it feels less like I was pushed and more like I was thrown. But I think she was considerate in various ways.」

「Indeed, she left the final decision to us. Regardless of the outcome, we cannot hold her responsible.」

「Yes. I may be naive, but I don’t intend to be that shameless. Still, I can’t help but worry about leaving Lenia alone…」

「I suspect Shija may intervene, but no amount of training in a few days could make him a match for Lenia. Unfathomable, limitless, on a different dimension… no matter how many such words we pile up, we can’t truly evaluate Lady Lenia. It’s rare to find someone whose true abilities become more unclear the closer you are to them. But she’ll be fine, no doubt about that.」

Hearing Earthima’s genuine feelings, Hadiya let out a sigh of relief, and the tension drained from her face.

The interior was a natural cave leading to the underground lake, modified by human hands. The floor was flattened, and lanterns hung at regular intervals on both walls, dispelling the darkness of the ritual site.

Just past the gate carved into the rock face was a large hall, where representatives of other powerful clans had already gathered. Men and women, young and old, wore luxurious clothing or simple but high-quality silk garments, adorned with jewelry made of precious metals.

There were over thirty people in total. They were likely representatives of powerful clans, including their guards, all skilled in combat – a selection meant to prevent Hadiya from escaping again.

As Earthima and Hadiya safely appeared, the attention of those waiting in the hall focused on them. Zebe, who had secured the offering and the great warrior as promised, was met with envy, jealousy, and appraisal.

「Everyone, we apologize for the delay. On our way, we were forced to waste time eliminating some unsavory individuals who attempted to interfere. , but as you can see, I have brought both the great warrior Earthima and the Gifted Child Hadiya.」

In response to Zebe’s respectful announcement, an elderly woman of particularly high rank among the clan representatives stepped forward to look at Earthima and the others standing behind Zebe.

Deep wrinkles marked her skin were visible, but her back was as straight as if an iron rod ran through it. Her yellow eyes shone with unwavering vitality.

「Well done, Zebe. With such a capable successor, the future of the Maffa clan looks bright.」

「I am honored by your praise, Elder Soha.」

「I’m surprised you didn’t resist, Great Warrior Earthima?」

Receiving Soha’s somewhat amused gaze, Earthima answered while trying not to show any emotion. It was hard to tell how much this seasoned clan leader, who had long supported and ruled Shandia, could read.

「I’m aware of my guilt in defecting due to my own emotions. If you wish, I’ll return Soreiga right here. It was given to me along with the duty of Great Warrior. I shouldn’t keep it after abandoning that duty. The same goes for the title of Great Warrior.」

「If you can say that so frankly, I wish you hadn’t abandoned your duty as Great Warrior. It was our mistake not to realize that you weren’t suited for the role, but there’s no doubt that your aptitude as a spirit warrior is among the best in this country.」

Without answering Soha’s words, Earthima simply responded with a nod of acknowledgment. The clan leader-level guards gathered here, including Soha, showed no carelessness or openings, paying close attention to Earthima’s every move.

Not only Soreiga, but also Earthima’s combat ability was commonly recognized as something that would require the guards present to risk their lives to challenge. To relieve unnecessary tension and wariness, Earthima drew Soreiga from his waist, sheath and all, and handed it to one of the Maffa clan guards.

「As you can see, I come unarmed. This should put everyone at ease. If you wish, you may even bind me with ropes.」

Soha waved off her guards, acknowledging the gesture.

「No need. Even without the Soreiga, we know you’re formidable, but let’s proceed to Wokua. Is that acceptable, Hadiya?」

「Is that so? Well, at this point, you couldn’t run or hide anyway, but that’s fine. We’ll deal with the Romel family’s misconduct after this is over. For now, offering you to Lord Wokua once more takes precedence.」

Soha’s speech ended there, and the group set out from the hall towards the underground lake, with warrior guards leading the way. Although the ritual site had become a labyrinth, they followed the proper procedures as in the previous offering ceremony, avoiding time lost to traps or mazes.

As they progressed for a long time through unchanging scenery, their sense of time became numb, and it became unclear how long they had been walking.

However, Earthima, as the Great Warrior, was familiar with the internal structure of the ritual site, and Hadiya accurately remembered the path from her previous visit.

The first time, Hadiya had suppressed her fear of death, feeling joy at the thought of offering her soul to the great spirit Wokua who supports the country, becoming water to nourish Shandia for the next ten or hundred years, and thinking of her niece. Now, her heart was filled with the desire to solve the mystery of how she had survived, and the hope that perhaps an offering might no longer be necessary.

Earthima secretly smiled, seeing from Hadiya’s profile that she now walked with a firm resolve, seeking a different outcome than death, unlike before when she had suppressed her fear and anxiety.

After they passed numerous locks and seals, the group reached the underground lake at the deepest part of the ritual site. The spiritual water that has been gushing forth for over hundreds of years keeps the very atmosphere of the ritual site constantly purified, making it difficult even for high-level evil spirits to intrude.

The underground lake was filled with a silence so profound it hurt one’s ears, and the surface of the lake was illuminated by bonfires placed along the shore.

And straight ahead from the passage, something mysterious floated in the air.

Clear spheres of water that expanded, contracted, and moved up, down, left, and right in a floating manner. Several of these floated above the lake’s surface, continuously producing new water to maintain a constant volume in the lake – something unimaginable to those unaware of the circumstances.

During the previous ritual, spirit mages assisting in summoning Wokua and musicians had accompanied Earthima, who was there to witness. This time, the composition of the group had changed considerably.

(I don’t think Lord Wokua cares about human circumstances…)