175 175 – Free Time
In the morning, the villagers returned to their respective places full of emotion. The children were so happy to see their parents, and the senior citizens were glad to see their children back. However, not everyone is happy. Some had to mourn for their families who did not return. The giant statue’s construction was so intense and strenuous that many died from exhaustion or work accidents.
A white dog ran and jumped into Aji’s arms, who immediately stroked the animal with a bitter smile.
“Sorry, he’s the only one we can find.” Yua approached the old man.
Aji shook his head and widened his smile, even though his tears were falling. “It’s not your fault…. Everything has happened. There’s nothing more we can do. At least this child is safe.”
Seeing several children dancing happily because their parents had come home, Kimi played her lute with a cheerful tone to accompany them. The children grew excited, and several other children joined them. There were even adults who also danced.
The atmosphere did not disturb those who had lost their closest people. They even smiled at that.
Meanwhile, Elise chose to separate herself and entered a small alley.
“Mona is still alive, Elise. Even though she is still very weak. I’ve called the nurse from the goddess of health, and she’s already asleep in a comfortable place.” Raymund explained.
“I’m grateful then.” Elise breathed a sigh of relief, then fell silent.
“Is there anything else you want to talk about, Elise?” The god of hope asked.
The female warrior leaned her back against the stone wall. “I’ve said many times that I don’t feel comfortable using the power of darkness, right?”
“Yes…. And you felt it again earlier? It’s okay, Elise. You did it out of necessity. Most importantly, you’ve become your usual self again.”
She gulped. “That’s the problem, sir. I don’t feel that discomfort anymore…. In fact, earlier, I could focus more and not panic as usual, even though Mona was in danger. I’ve become comfortable with this power, and I’m afraid it will completely change me.”
It took a while before Raymund could answer. “Then, isn’t that okay?”
The female warrior immediately looked up. “What do you mean, sir?”
“Perhaps it’s a sign that you’ve accepted that side of yourself.” Raymund explained again. “Maybe it’s the real Elise. After all, you haven’t really changed. You are still on the side of truth and justice, even though you are the bearer of the power called darkness.”
“So, you’re saying I better embrace it?” Elise looked at her hands, then clenched them.
“It’s up to you.” Raymund sighed again. Even though he wanted Elise to do that, he felt there was no point in insisting. “Even if you don’t want to use that power anymore, I won’t mind it. It’s just, I feel that the power will be instrumental when you eventually fight the scarlet wizard.”
“I see.” Elise closed her eyes. “Let me think about it, sir.”
***
The workers had already gathered at my place when the servants returned. Most of the material has also been transported there. Erbau couldn’t watch because he had other things to do.
“Are you building a new temple, sir?” Yua looked at the workers building the foundation of a building located on the opposite side of Elise’s temple.
Kimi also looked at it with an expressionless face. “There are so many workers…. I am reminded of constructors in the world below.”
I’m laughing. “Well, at least they made this building, and later another one, not to carry out a deadly ritual. This is for the two of you, Yua, Kimi.”
“Is that true!?” Yua jumped in front of me with sparkling eyes. “I will get my own place like Elise!?”
I frowned. “Why are you so excited?”
The kunoichi slightly flinched and cleared her throat. She looked away with a slightly red face. “Well, at least I want a little privacy. When you descend to the mortal world, you always watch over me, sir…. Not that it’s a bad thing…. Anyway, I’m so glad I got my own room. Thank you.”
A question popped into my head: Yua wants to have sex with me? Since my place is quite open and there are quite a few people, we can’t just do it. There’s no way we could do that in Elise’s temple either.
Well, I hope that’s true….
“I am happy too, my lord.” Kimi sat and leaned against one of the pillars. “Thank you.”
“Am I going to get my own temple too, sir!?” Anja also jumped on me.
“Well, we’ll see.” I shrugged. “You girls will be resting for quite a while. Levi and Edna are refining their system to detect prayers that might be related to the Scarlet Wizard.”
“But we must immediately destroy any rituals that woman may be carrying out, My Lord,” Kimi responded. “We can’t afford to just sit around like this.”
“I understand how you feel, Kimi.” I sighed. “However, now there is nothing we can do but wait.”
“At the very least, I’ll have plenty of time to practice.” Yua joined in. “This body lightening skill is rather difficult and requires more concentration to learn.”
“And I want to learn this power that I have.” Elise looked at the sword in her hand. “I need time too.”
I rubbed my chin. “I wanted to take you to another place, either to Erbau’s place or Kilev’s. I’ve already asked their permission to have a look over there.”
“There’s a lot of interesting things in those places, you know.” Anja provides information. “It can be refreshing…. Well, at least for you guys. I’ve been to those places many times.”
Yua flashed a smile. “I should really master this skill, sir. Thanks for the invitation, but I choose to stay here, making the most of my time.”
“I think so too, sir,” Elise added. “And, of course, I must accompany Mona until she recovers.”
“Really?” I didn’t expect that my servants would be like this. “How about you, Kimi?”
The elf just shook her head and started playing her lute.