Chapter 172 - The Maiden’s Generosity

The white world bloomed around Yuzu as she stood up from the grass around her, which had changed from vivid light green to pale white. A soft, pleasant hum resonated subtly in the air from the myriad prayers. Even though Yuzu had felt the comforting aura in the physical world, the sense of belonging was far more potent here.

Like the feeling of returning home after a long trip away, the energy of the space felt like it was one with her soul.

She walked across the field, and noted with interest that the construction in the physical world was also beginning to manifest in the white world. The foundations and woodworking had already appeared, standing proudly against the bright, featureless white sky. Just like everything else, the colour in the materials were shades of white and grey.

Not every object in the physical world showed up, but rather it seemed that things that were going to remain in their place for an extended period of time slowly phased in. Because of this, the structures actually appeared quite strange with some parts appearing whole and solid and others translucent to the point of almost being invisible.

Yuzu did not spend too much time observing these changes. She cast her attention toward the tapestry of fate strings, carefully minding the Cloud Peak monks’s threads and checking the perimeter for signs of anything unusual.

After satisfying her cautious side, she finally felt ready to address Medusa. She untwirled the Life cultist’s string from her finger and guided it to a cushion in front of the shrine.

She leaned against the shrine and looked around. She paused thoughtfully before muttering, “Perhaps I should get them to install a chair.”

~

Dressed in the white robes with the hood pulled down over her face, Medusa wandered the area around the shrine for a while, carefully making observations and becoming accustomed to the surroundings. She avoided interacting with people as she walked around with a faux reverent pose, like she was doing walking meditation.

At present, she felt satisfied that no one had noticed her approach and quietly joined the mass of people praying in front of the shrine. She knelt down on one of the provided cushions. The fibrous woven fabric of the cushion was rough on her bare knees, and the stuffing was thin and barely provided any padding.

For Medusa who was used to secretly praying alone or in small secular groups, it was a strange experience to be in a field in broad daylight, surrounded by dozens of worshipers.

She looked across the field at the wooden framing raised on either side and behind the shrine, with workers swarming all over. A flash of light blue caught Medusa’s eyes as she saw two monks dressed in Cloud Peak robes. She turned her face away from them, careful not to be caught watching them. There were certainly enough monks that would recognize her on sight, and given the latest developments and the task she had just completed, she wanted to avoid being noticed by anyone from the monastery.

Even though the Cloud Peak monks were her enemy, she did not find it strange that they were here at the shrine. She was under no delusion that the White Maiden was solely interested in helping her and Prince Deka.

No… She had to prove her value to the Maiden and garner Her support. Medusa had to bring something unique to the table and beat out whatever Lord Noga and Cloud Peak were offering.

With that thought in mind she took a deep breath through her nose, exhaled slowly, closed her eyes and began to pray.

~

Yuzu listened to Medusa’s prayers with a serious expression. After a while she nodded to herself, muttering quietly. “I see, so that’s how it is.”

The last few days had been busy for the Life cultist. She had used her time to investigate the various shrines scattered through the forest, speaking with the monks that had been assigned as caretakers.

She also described her run-in with the monk Ming Ru in the cave, on that rainy night that she had guided Yuzu and Argus to the shrine.

“Great Maiden, that night Ming Ru arrived out of nowhere. At first I was terrified, but moments later he saved me from a team of police officers that had tracked me down. Ming Ru said that he’d just ‘chanced’ upon me… But I don’t believe it. That was your doing, wasn’t it?” Medusa prayed.

It took Yuzu a moment to remember that she had connected Medusa and a monk’s threads together on a whim at the end of the evening. Sort of a nudge for Medusa, to ‘help’ her get started on her investigation. Yuzu had pretty much forgotten that she’d done it.

Ming Ru? That old master of Edwin? Was that his string? Yuzu frowned, scratching her head. She also didn’t see any officers’ strings that night. The encounter was news to her.

“Even though you said you would only protect me after I provided information, you still came to my aid when Lord Noga’s officers came for me. You are truly kind, generous and benevolent.” Medusa bowed her head to the ground again, “Thank you for blessing such a lowly mortal as myself.”

The edge of Yuzu’s lips curled up as she was praised for something she had no part in.

Except... She frowned, placing a finger on her lip as she recalled something. When Ming Ru visited me the next morning... He had a number of strings attached to him... When I peeked at one of them she was wearing a police officer's uniform... Is this related?

Yuzu pondered the best response for a moment, reaching out to Medusa’s string with some hesitation.

A soft voice that only Medusa could hear spoke out from all directions, “It was in consideration of your future payment.”

Medusa trembled a little as she bowed her head lower. Though there was no malice or authoritative aura in the voice, Medusa felt that the Maiden had great expectations from her.

“Then, I will let you know what I’ve discovered.” Medusa said.

Yuzu frowned, pondering the effect that her casual intervention had had on the fate of the officers. Perhaps it was just coincidence, but perhaps she really had some responsibility in the matter. Ultimately though, even if her suspicions were true, there was nothing Yuzu could do at the moment.

Medusa began explaining in detail the information that she’d gathered, beginning with the current state of Prince Deka’s reincarnation.

There were three principal locations where rituals were taking place. One was at a temple hidden deep within a valley, one was inside a cave whose entrance was hidden behind a waterfall, one was on the peak of a mountain inside crumbling stone ruins.

“They are all places where the energy of life is naturally abundant.” Medusa explained, “These temples were once focal points of worship a thousand years ago. Now they are abandoned, but with the support of the monks, enough energy has been gathered that my Prince Deka has begun to stir from his slumber.”

Aside from the principal locations, there were smaller shrines throughout that were used to gather energy locally and funnel it back to the main shrines. From what Medusa could tell, the main temples were still pure and vibrant with Life energy, but it was at these smaller shrines that problems were occurring.

“The energies are being corrupted, and the monks there don’t feel it or don’t understand it… If we don’t stop it, the corruption will act like poison, preventing Prince Deka from regaining his strength.”

Medusa’s words were heartfelt and heavy as she tried to impart the importance of these issues in her prayers.

Yuzu was unmoved. What did she care about the God of Life? Medusa really didn’t understand how to appeal to a higher power, since all she was doing was speaking about her problems.

“Tell me about the red eyed man.” Yuzu broke her silence finally to get Medusa back on track.

Medusa tensed up as the heavenly voice interrupted her prayers. Her hands trembled slightly as she took a breath.

Truthfully, she had been avoiding this topic, but the great Maiden had seen right through her, hadn’t she?

“His name is Gantt…” She began, “It was hard to find out about him, but one of the monks at the temples actually came to me first. Here is what he told me…”

Markus Gantt, a mysterious figure who had arrived at the monastery for the first time almost a year ago. He arrived during a storm, withered and near death, though not from any earthly assailant. The nature of his disease was unknown, but through the assistance of the Abbott and the higher monks, he returned to health.

As a show of gratitude, he promised to assist the monks in their goals of rejuvenating the land. He had a deep grasp of the arcane and esoteric. It was he who helped the Abbott ascend to Disciple on a path that bridged the Domains of Spirit and Life. This exotic pathway known as the Blood Priest pathway.

“Blood Priest…” Yuzu muttered to herself. She thought back to the Abbott who had confidently bargained with her during the ball. His powers did indeed fit the title.

Her understanding of the situation became deeper as Medusa continued on.

“In summary… This man is the one who provided the knowledge that the monks needed to revive the God of Life. He’s the main person responsible for the disaster of the Night of Living Vines… The Abbott might be in charge of the monks, but he’s not the main force behind the problems in the city. Gantt has mind control abilities as well… Perhaps the Abbott might even just be a puppet…”

After giving all the information that she had discovered, Medusa bowed her head intensely, so low that it touched the ground.

“Great Maiden, the monk who told me all this is called Steward Atticus. He is one of the senior monks of the monastery, but unlike the others he was not so quick to trust Gantt.” She prayed fervently, “He risked so much to bring me this information, knowing that it could put him in great danger. I think he would be willing to help fight against whatever foul plans Gantt has.”

“He is currently the caretaker of the ritual at the temple on the peak of the Dai Zen mountain. I told him about your shrine. He said he would like to come pray to you, but he’s stuck at the peak.” Medusa finished her thought.

“He said he’s extremely worried. The Abbott is planning something big, and it’s going to happen at the opening ceremony for the Five King’s Festival.”