Chapter 41 - Truth (2)

_ Ayden: " Everything is becoming clear now. Between the immense pressure from Emperor Oku and the civil war, the Recluses had been unaware of the village's situation all this time. So no attacks could have taken place in eight years. "

I watch her out of the corner of my eye.

_ Ayden: " I don't know how she managed to keep this quiet, but she handled it well. "

_ Son: “ But where the hell did this demon come from? ”

_ Moana: “ Unfortunately, I don't know any more than you do. ”

Frustrated at not getting an answer, Son simply clenches his fist.

_ Hazel: " In the document I retrieved from your office, it mentions that children before puberty must be sacrificed. "

_ Moana: " He has the nerve to openly confirm that he broke into my office... The demon can feed on any human, regardless of age. Furthermore, possession of a Source has no bearing on the ritual."

Frantic gestures loom.

_ Son: “ Why are you targeting us then?? ”

_ Moana: " Oku preferred to choose a child without power who would contribute nothing to the village, rather than someone more ‘important’ who could contribute to the good of the village. "

A fist hits a tree.

_ Son: “ What a jerk! ”

_ Maïko: “ It's no big deal that that jerk is dead! ”

_ Kaya: “ I never thought I'd say this, but I agree with you. ”

_ Kona: “ Maïko and Kaya, finally! ”

Pupils connect to her.

_ Maïko: " What? You don't agree with what he did, do you? "

_ Kona: " I didn't say that. It's just that being satisfied with someone's death makes me uncomfortable. "

Maïko looks away, turning her head forward.

_ Maïko: “ Yeah, well, I don't feel sorry for that bastard. ”

_ Kona: “ Better to let it go… ”

For my part, I am still buzzing, my mind disturbed.

_ Ayden: " And besides, isn't there another way to neutralize the demon that is in

Keren's guardian? "

_ Moana: " It's true that with the document, they have the information that Keren is the current host. "

A serious gaze falls upon me.

_ Moana: " Yes and no. Let me explain. Without resorting to sacrifice, the only way to neutralizing the demon is to directly neutralize the host on the day they become possessed. But since the goal is not to kill the host, the compromise is delicate. "

_ Ayden: “ In other words, she hasn't really found a solution. ”

_ Moana: " My father told me that with a certain amount of control, it was theoretically possible to calm it down and thus control the demon. I don't know if I have the power necessary to face such an entity, but if it's to protect the village, then I won't hesitate to act. "

_ Ayden: “ I appreciate his dedication to the village, but this is all hypothetical. ”

I look away too.

_ Ayden: “ Nevertheless, I am now convinced that she was indeed a member of the Resistance. ”

After these long words, I am utterly overwhelmed. The specter of my decision now haunts me. I think back with pain to Jenna, the innocent victim of my choice. I feel guilty for having signed her death warrant.

_ Ayden: “ It's my fault Jenna died. If I hadn't decided to leave the village with you… If I hadn't rushed... And if I hadn't been weak, then no one would have died or been hurt. ”

Son approaches me, his face quite stern. But a voice rings out before he has time to speak.

_ Moana: “I disagree. Basically, I was the one who ordered Gwen, Keren, and all the residents not to spread the word. I'm the one who's at fault for being careless. If I had communicated more with you over the years, none of this would have happened. I simply set rules without asking anyone's opinion. "

Suddenly, her lips tighten with restrained nervousness.

_ Moana: “ I'm pathetic! ”

The seconds tick by, seemingly endless, in a silence that seems to go on forever. This silence, heavy with anger and grief, hangs in the air, broken only by the wind rustling through the leaves, silencing all conversation.

_ Ayden: “ I have one last question. ”

_ Moana: “ Go ahead. ”

_ Ayden: “ I came across a terrible letter about a victim. Not only did Emperor Oku make life difficult for the villagers, he also did nothing about the ra*es. ”

_ Moana: “ So he's the one who stole that letter… ”

_ Ayden: " Are there still attackers among the villagers who live with us? "