3 bar menu

Chapter 55 Part 4 – The secret of the Blue Diamond. The story of how the Witch of Doom was born. In order to get those children back one day ……

「…… There is nothing beautiful about everlasting youth. That monstrous diamond is just trying to manipulate you with your obsession for beauty so that you will continue the sacrificial ritual. Aging is a natural part of being human. Aging is not a shameful thing. People grow old and give way to the children. It is a joy to be able to open up the future for the children and entrust our thoughts to them. Why can’t you see that this is the true beauty of human beings?」

「Sir Dwayne!!」

「You can’t talk like that to the high priest!!」

The priests’ complexions changed as Dwayne calmly admonished her.

Even though he is the second-in-command priest, there is no way he will get away with his reckless action of criticizing the high priest and disparaging the object of faith, the Blue Diamond. In contrast to their distress, Dwayne and the high priest just looked at each other.

「…… I’ll say it again. This drought will soon subside even without offering any sacrifice to the Blue Diamond. The air is filled with signs of rain. As the high priest, you should be able to feel it.」

「Hihihi, you’re wrong. No matter how much you may argue with your insolent and ridiculous theories, without offering sacrifices, this drought will never subside. That is the will of the great Blue Diamond.」

「…… It can’t be ……!?」

The high priest’s confident words and evil sneer led Dwayne to a terrifying conclusion.

This drought is not a natural phenomenon. Desiring new sacrifices, the Blue Diamond is interfering and causing it to happen. The movement of the plants that Dwayne sensed was in response to the rain that should have been falling since long ago.

「…… How terrible …… Aren’t you doing things in the wrong order!? If you let this monstrous diamond do whatever it wants, the people of the forest Wiskum will perish ……!!」

Dwayne shuddered at the realization that the mysterious monster finally stopped sitting and waiting and began to actively seek food. The fears of his ancestors have become a reality.

The high priest is aware of its intentions, yet she is willing to sacrifice the children due to the bait of being rejuvenated. As long as she is an accomplice, no matter how much Dwayne tries to stop it, it will be useless.

「Your kids will make good sacrifices. They have manners and knowledge. I just can’t find anyone else to take their place. Hihihi.」

Dwayne then saw through another scheme of the high priest and made up his mind.

「…… I understand. Then I will be the sacrifice. This life of mine, as the second-in-command priest, should be equivalent to the sacrifice of dozens of children. With this there will be no problems right. So don’t lay a hand on the children.」

Dwayne said in a resonant voice as if he was biting down on every single word.
Anyway his life was originally supposed to be thrown away for the sake of the children who were sacrificed before.
He has no regrets if it can be used to protect the lives of the children this time.

「Sir Dwayne!?」

「What are you saying!?」

While the priests were making an uproar, the high priest had a repulsive smile on his face.

「…… Well said. I am sure the great Blue Diamond would be very pleased with your intentions. A man as powerful as you are, what better sacrifice could there be? Very well, I shall cancel the sacrifice of the children. In the name of the High Priest, I promise you. I assure you that the children will continue to have the right to live in your house. I will also bequeath your fortune to the children.」

The high priest was in a good mood to have been able to legitimately bury Dwayne, who was against the existence of the Blue Diamond, and still get a high quality sacrifice.

「I believe your words.」

「…… I’d hate to see you escape with the children. So I’ll detain you right here and now. You there, take Dwayne to the sacrificial hall. The second-in-command priest must cleanse himself until the day of the ceremony ritual.」

The armed priests loyal to the high priest jumped out from behind the pillars at once and surrounded Dwayne. The reason they were as nervous as if they’re facing a tiger even though they numbered in the dozens was because they knew full well that if Dwayne became angry and acted violently, they would not be able to subdue him.

「…… I won’t resist. Take me away.」

Dwayne raised his hands in surrender.
Thinking of the children he had left at home, he closed his eyes and bowed his head in that direction.

「…… I’m sorry, everyone. I won’t be able to accept the birthday presents that all of you went to so much trouble to prepare for me. Please forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye. Take care. Stay strong.」

Dwayne turned away as if to shake off his thoughts.
As the high priest watched Dwayne being led away, a priest secretly asked her.

「Are you really going to spare the children? Won’t it be troublesome in the future when they try to avenge priest Dwayne’s death?」

「Hihihi, I promised Dwayne that I would not lay a hand on the children. But if the children voluntarily offer to be sacrificed, that’s a different story. …… Let the children know that Dwayne is willing to be sacrificed in their place. So that even the little ones know that if they don’t do something, Dwayne will die. They seem to be emotionally attached to him. I am sure they will beg you to save Dwayne and say that it doesn’t matter what happens to them.」

「Yes ……」

The high priest’s chuckle made the priest doubtful.
That would mean that Dwayne, her political enemy, would survive.
Moreover, he will have a grudge against her for sacrificing the children.
The high priest’s mouth curved upwards in a mocking manner.

「Don’t you get it? What a dense person. Why should I, the high priest, keep my word to those orphans, let alone to Dwayne, the second-in-command priest? If the children offer to be sacrificed, do not tell Dwayne. They are such a close family. It would be an act of mercy to sacrifice them together so that they can hold each other’s arms in their journey to the afterlife and mourn for each other’s stupidity.」

Illuminated by the brilliance of the Blue Diamond which was growing stronger by the second, the smile on her face was ugly and monstrous.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　◇

Three days later, Dwayne calmly climbed the sacrificial altar as his hands were tied behind his back.

The festival was grand and there was a multitude of the people of the forest gathering beneath the altar to watch the climax with bated breath.

「If you have anything left to say, I’ll listen to it. It’s your birthday today.」

The high priest asked Dwayne as he knelt down to put his head on the beheading table.

「…… What a terrible birthday. I have nothing left to say. My only regret is that I didn’t get to see the children at the end. But I’m sure they’ll be fine. They are strong and good kids. I’m sure they will be fine without me ……」

Dwayne’s face froze as he was about to close his eyes with a contented expression.

The reason was because the high priest tossed the tray brought by the assistant priest in front of Dwayne’s eyes with a sneer. The small wooden dolls rolled noisily and hit Dwayne in the face. One of the wooden dolls was missing a tooth. He recognized that doll. It looked just like Kele’s shy smile. The children’s gleeful laughter as they talked about Dwayne’s birthday present a few days ago rang in his ears.

「…… A …… aa ……!! …… Aaahhhh ……!!」

All of the dolls reminded him of his lovely children.
Dwayne let out a mournful cry.
Upon closer inspection, he saw that the dolls had brand-new bloodstains on them.

A whooshing sound of rain rushed through the air outside.
Dwayne heard it in the midst of despair.

The torrential downpour that echoed even inside the temple was proof that the Blue Diamond had already absorbed the life out of the sacrifices.
The Blue Diamond was glowing even more intensely with an eerie and ominous light.
Lightning flashed and even the inside of the temple was dyed in a bluish-white color.

Through the bloodstains, the final scene of the sacrificed children flowed into Dwayne’s mind.
His ability of spiritual perception did not allow him to look away or cover his ears from the tragedy that was being conveyed.