Chapter 22

Chapter 22

It was a few years ago when The Innocent Ones were sent to Minurd. The Goddess’ warrior was 18 years old when he led us to this place. I was too young at the time and, therefore, did not understand anything, but now that I think back, he was only a naïve young man himself then. He could have been nervous, and the first time he laid with the Virtuous Priestess, he apparently walked into the harem and took her thoughtlessly. To my shock, I also heard Prince Camille was present in the harem at that time too.

I was told the priestess screamed. I wasn’t sure if she was strange then too. I also didn’t know if she knew precisely what her duty entailed. What I do know is that Hakim Karid was a strong man, and it would have been effortless for him to take her against her will if he wished.

Prince Camille continued, “I was told it was necessary, but… I still don’t know if it’s really a good thing. I saw the whole thing, and… it looked very unpleasant, painful even.”

“…”

“And as you know, Juya, the Goddess wasn’t conceived at that time, and even after that… Over and over again… My brother visited the harem on every Sacred Day, but… the Goddess refused to be reborn still…”

“But your highness, having the chance to become the Goddess’ birthmother… To bear the next Goddess… Isn’t that the greatest honor any of us can have? The Virtuous Priestess… If she knew and understood her duty… It would have been nice if she readied herself for what was coming…”

What already happened in the past couldn’t be changed now, but I couldn’t help but feel that the priestess should have been better prepared. Of course, it was too late now, but I thought it would be wise to find out as much of what happened as I could from Prince Camille. Perhaps if I knew more, it would help me convince the priestess later, just as Eriez hoped.

Prince Camille smiled bitterly and replied, “If she knew and understood at the time, then I am sure things would have been very different, but do you think understanding would be enough to change how you feel? Anyway, I don’t think she knew anything. Hawaki lived in the harem even before we moved here, and she doesn’t remember much from her childhood in the capital.”

“Your highness, do you know who she really is like? What kind of person is she?”

I needed to know this. Was the priestess someone who could be convinced with words, or… Would it be necessary to threaten her?

“Well… I’m not sure. Obviously, I tried to explain to the priestess about her duties and responsibilities, but the trauma of her past is too great… She is hurt very badly, and I couldn’t get through to her at all. She is still fearful of my brother and… Since I treat her kindly, she is trying to replace my brother with me, I think… That’s what happened.”

“…”

Hmm… It seemed this wasn’t going to be as easy as I hoped. The prince stared at the table as he added, “I would never want to say that what my brother did was wrong. In the end, he realized that it was unfruitful, so he stopped the act. I realize that a man and a woman coming together and bearing the Goddess is the most natural thing in this world, but… taking someone against her will… I really don’t think it’s the right thing to do, and my brother agrees with me.”

This was the same reasoning Prince Camille offered me about going to the west to save the slaves.

“Then your highness, what is your and the warrior’s plan? I mean… No matter what, you still can’t forget about your duties…”

“We will have to do something. Try our best, I suppose. The best thing, obviously, would be to convince Hawaki. Maybe my brother is going to the western land to save the slaves as an act of salvation for himself. If he accomplished this… If he saved all those innocent people… Perhaps it would be enough atonement for what he did to the priestess. He does feel grieved, you know.”

Was this really necessary? To go this far? To war? This boy prince was still talking about warring like it was a simple trip, but I knew better. There was nothing right or straightforward about a war.

“You are thinking about the slaves of Hwen again, your highness…”

I looked away and sighed. Some people could be too kind and sympathetic towards others, and this made them unobjective and too emotional to think clearly.

I said to my kind prince, “Your highness, the Virtuous Priestess has the huge burden of bearing the next Goddess, but in return, she also receives and will receive the greatest wealth and power. You already are aware of the blessing that was given to her harem, right? The all-year-round spring… If Hawaki wasn’t the priestess, do you think she would have been given the beautiful and plentiful harem?”

“Juya…”

“You said that somewhere in the world, male slaves are being abused sexually… Used like a female prostitute… But these things are happening far, far away from here. You are telling me that a very important lady is going through a difficult and painful time, but I must say that she is acting selfishly and naively. The sex slaves in Hwen and the priestess here… Their situations are not the same, not even close. So for you to think the warrior needs to make amends… I am not worthy of giving my opinion, but if you ask me, I must disagree, and if I was given a chance to advise the Goddess’ warrior, I would tell him that he should do whatever is necessary to impregnate the priestess, which will, in turn, save her…”

“Iztal Juya!”

I flinched when the prince yelled. He seemed surprised at his own outburst too. We both quickly apologized to each other.

“Oh, I apologize, your highness, for my insolence.”

“I’m really sorry for yelling, Juya.”

The boy apologized, but his expression was that of anger and disappointment. Although he told me he wasn’t in love with the priestess, the prince certainly acted like he was. He was biting his lips and frowning.

The prince asked me, “If you gained something great from being abused, would the abuse be considered less vulgar?”

It was an awkward question, but I answered without hesitation, “Don’t we all endure things every day for an appropriate gain?”

I couldn’t understand his expression. The prince replied, “Do you know how the boy slaves are being treated in Hwen? Firstly, they are being used against their will, of course, but some are lucky in that they end up with a wealthy owner and live luxurious lives. For this, they please their male owners by having anal sex. I heard that at first, it is excruciating, but once you get used to it, it becomes very pleasurable. For some, it feels so good that they become addicted.”

“…”

“So, based on your logic, does it mean that this abuse of the male slaves is okay?”