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What is it? Carl merely gave an uncomfortable smile and didn’t continue. He seemed quite reluctant to say more.
“They’ve invited us to some kind of ritual of their heretic faith. At all times, it happens to be the month when they conduct ceremonies for an entire month…”
“What kind of ritual is it?”
“You don’t need to know about that, Dana.” Carl cut her off gently but firmly. “For today, just get plenty of rest. When morning comes, I’ll somehow procure horses, and we’ll leave. And Dana.” Then he suddenly held something out. It was none other than two lumps of white cotton. “Wear these in your ears when you sleep tonight.”
“They’re planning to conduct the ritual tonight, so the sound will probably carry this far…” Carl furrowed his brow, as though it were difficult to explain, and eventually let out a sigh. “I would prefer that you not hear anything.”
Still dazed, Dana accepted the cotton. So he wanted her to sleep with earplugs in? Because they would perform a ritual and the sound might reach her, so she wouldn’t hear it?
Just what kind of ritual requires blocking out the sound?Dana was curious. She wanted to ask more, but Carl’s expression was so earnest. His eyes pleaded with her not to press further.
“Yes, I’ll do that.” It seemed he wouldn’t answer no matter how much she asked, so Dana nodded for now. “I’ll block my ears and sleep.”
“Good, thank you.”Only then did Carl smile in relief.
Dana simply smiled back at him.As if I would.Of course, she intended to listen secretly.At least I should know what’s happening here.
They would have to remain in this land, Kaltusa, for the time being. Until Carl discovered ‘that’ on his own. The thing that would completely ruin him.Carl needs to find it soon…
Dana lay down on the pile of straw. It seemed that this small mill had been given to them as lodging.First, let’s pretend to sleep while wearing cotton. Once Carl falls asleep, I’ll take it out.
It was when the night deepened.
Is he asleep?Dana slowly opened her eyes. Right beside her, on the straw pile, Carl Windsor lay quietly with his eyes closed.Is he really sleeping?
Carefully, Dana waved a hand in front of his face. But there was no reaction. It seemed he was truly asleep.He looks like an angel when he’s sleeping.
Outside, perhaps the ‘ritual’ was in full swing, because firelight from bonfires streamed down through the window. Faintly, she thought she could hear some kind of noise… Dana strained her ears.
What is that? What kind of sound is it? It almost sounded like moaning…But with the cottons, she couldn’t tell.As expected, I should listen properly.
Dana raised her hand toward her ear. It was when she was about to pull out the cotton.
Her wrist was seized. Dana swallowed a groan. Her wrist was completely engulfed in Carl’s grip.
Did he wake up?She hurriedly checked his face, but his eyes were still closed. With his eyes shut, he had simply reached out and grabbed her wrist.Could it be that he’s sleepwalking?
The moment she thought that, Carl’s eyelids slowly lifted. Beneath golden lashes, gentle green eyes were revealed. He looked at her in the darkness.
Then he moved only his lips.
After that, he gently lowered her captured wrist.
Then he covered her eyelids with his large hand, closing her eyes. Soon after, he began patting her shoulder as if lulling a baby to sleep.
What is this…It was really absurd. Dana wasn’t a child. Did he really think she would fall asleep like this?Just what kind of ritual is it that I’m not even allowed to hear the sound?
Nevertheless, Dana obediently pretended to sleep. She’d check it out once Carl truly fell asleep.
Dana blankly stared up at the pouring sunlight. Then she realized.I just slept through it…She had meant to pretend until Carl slept, but somehow she had fallen asleep first. Feeling awkward, Dana pulled out the cotton firmly stuffed into her ears.
Just then, Natty, the woman who had taken care of her the previous night, came in carrying a bundle of bandages.
“Lord Carl went to the forest for a bit. To get firewood with the woodcutters.”
“Let me take a look at you for a moment.” Smiling, Natty carefully examined Dana’s body. “Fortunately, aside from a slight tear on your head, there are no other external injuries. There shouldn’t be any scars left on your body, so don’t worry.”
“However, your ankle is still a bit swollen. It might be uncomfortable to walk, so I’ll make you a crutch.”
“I’d appreciate that. But before that.” Dana put on a sociable smile. “Is there somewhere I could bathe?” Her whole body felt grimy.
The village seemed more normal than she had expected. White laundry hung in every yard. Some houses raised chickens and cows, and children played in some alleys.It doesn’t look like a ghost town.
It felt completely different from when she had come before to purify this land. Back then, everything had been pitch black, and the stench of rotting corpses had filled the air…
“Oh my, is that the lady?”
“Lord Carl’s wife?”
At the valley below the mountain, several women were already bathing.
“Now, wash up. Here’s soap.”
Being careful of her injured leg and head, Dana slowly began removing her clothes. But then…
“Oh my, look at that smooth skin.”
“My goodness, Lord Carl’s skin is like porcelain too!”
“She’s slim, but her breasts are big!”
“I’m jealous! Look at that slender waist!”
These women, really!Unable to bear it, Dana finally gave them a sharp smile. “Please stop. I’m not a spectacle, am I?”
The women then burst into laughter.
“Ah, sorry if we offended you.”
“It’s just been so long since we’ve seen outsiders.”
“Goodness, are all outsiders as beautiful as you?”
Dana decided to ignore them, thinking that heretics must all be this tactless.
“Looks like aside from that injured leg, you’re fine, right?”
“Right? You should attend the ritual tonight!”
After finishing their baths and dressing, the women made the suggestion.
The ritual? Were they talking about the ritual Carl had mentioned?