Chapter 164: The deity's blessing

Even if Eman wanted to tell them the truth, most of them would probably not believe him since he lacked the proof regarding it. Also, it was complicated. That's why he chose this method of assuring them that there wasn't a curse in this mountain. He could create false proof. And it could also be beneficial to him later on.

It was like, striking multiple birds in one stone. Eman grinned inwardly. Thanks to his subordinates, who were diligently gathering information everywhere in the empire, he learned some folklore. He learned that they believed in spirits, ghosts, deities, and etcetera.

"A-A deity…" Soldier Kanna muttered in astonishment.

Bross, who was gaping at the moment while staring wide-eyed at the deity in the shape of a young girl, also muttered in astonishment. "A real deity?" 

"Everyone, please rest assured. As long as you mean well, no curse shall befall you…" said Little Sky in a majestic voice. Then, she opened her mouth again.

"But before that, you have to know that this mountain was a holy sanctuary. Many centuries before today, our and your, proud ancestors had sacrificed their lives to safeguard this mound of land from the enemies, who tried their hardest to spread their terror towards the opposite side. An everlasting battle occurred in this place. Thanks to our brave soldiers of that time, after a long bloody battle, the enemy's dreadful plan was obstructed. However, this mound of land was drizzled with blood, both theirs and the enemies. The souls of them were lingering in this place, trying to find peace.

For many centuries that had passed, the souls that could not settle had started to haunt the passing people who wandered in this place. And that is the reason why many people lost their lives passing in this Holy Sanctuary. But rest assured. As long as you are good enough to bestow a tribute to those fallen ones, I assure you that nothing bad will transpire to all of you."

She was saying it in a calm and soothing voice, while her eyes showed a dignified yet caring emotion, befitting of a divine entity.

"..."

Eman did not expect that Little Sky's addiction in anime could help her act this well.

He didn't even teach her what lines she needed to tell them. How was she able to think about those things? Holy Sanctuary huh. Scary Otaku. It's good that he already resigned from it. But looks like Little Sky is his successor.

All the soldiers who heard her words froze on the spot as none of them could believe that they were seeing a real deity at the moment.

It wasn't a common phenomenon. One could not dream to see one in person. Deities were divine entities.

Kanna, Bross, Demyul, and the others had their eyes staring in front without blinking, with their mouths left hanging as though all of them were in a daydream. But soon they were pulled back to reality when they heard their young commander speak.

"I see… so a tribute, huh…" after saying it, he fell into silence as though he was thinking deeply, in which his fingers were caressing his chin.

The others who just came to reality found themselves at a loss for words. They glanced at their commander who was casually talking with the deity. On the other hand, the others went down on their knees. Even Soldier Kanna did too. She had no idea about the history of this place that the deity called as the Holy Sanctuary, however. They needed to pay respect to the divine entity in front of them. 

Truly, Little Sky looks majestic at the moment.

"In that case, we only have these horses, is one will suffice?" Eman added as he gestured to the horses on the carriages.

"One….. hmm… I cannot guarantee as there were two opposite forces of souls that were gathering here. One will only cause misconception. You can also do a mass prayer but. Since I noticed that you are in a hurry, as one of the descendants for those brave heros from before, I may have to grant you a kind blessing…"

The soldier's mouth turned '0' after they heard her. Only Eman fell silent and wondered how this otaku was acting so well.

"..."

"I see…" Eman muttered as he glanced at the soldiers. "Uhm, you heard her. We can continue our journey right away if we offer something. Or, stay for a night and do a vigil. What do you guys do now? If it's up to me, well, I will hand two horses or more as tributes and be done with these. But since these horses do not belong to me, I can't decide regarding this matter."

"I think we should do as you say, Commander!" Kanna was the first to reply.

"I agree!" Bross agreed.

"Yes, agree as well!" Demyul and his squad members also agreed to it. No one even suspected Little Sky and that made-up story of hers.

"We agree!"

Regardless, after handing the two horses to the deity. All of the soldiers had widened their eyes once again when the horses suddenly vanished in front of them. Although magical elements were common in this world, it wasn't easy to see two big horses suddenly disappear in front of them. Truly, only deities could do it. Even though they have spatial rings, they could not hide bigger objects such as horses.

While everyone was busy staring at the deity, afraid that she would suddenly disappear from their sight, Kanna walked beside the young commander and asked.

"Commander, how did you know that it wasn't because of the curse?" She said with a tinge of admiration in her voice.

Eman glanced at her. Although she wasn't as beautiful as Sol and Mina, Soldier Kanna had a beauty that was unique to her. Her green eyes were peering on him. Whereas her long tawny brown shoulder-length wavy hair was slightly dancing from the slight blow of the wind. And her figure was well-curved by the fitted brown leather armor she was wearing. Also, she had a dutiful aura in her. A fine woman for a wife. If not because of his young appearance, she must be as old as him. 

"I always read books about deities and stuff. Also, I have a high perception of curses. It was my inborn talent. I did some subtle investigation while we were traveling. And so I couldn't sense anything related to curses in this area. That's why I thought it wasn't a curse…"

"R-really?" She almost couldn't believe it. Looks like this young commander was a gifted person with a weird talent. But his most striking feature was the calmness he was exuding. Though he was someone with a depth that couldn't be measured. A mysterious young man! "Anyhow, it was thanks to you that we were able to uncover the truth behind this Curse Mountain…" she said to him.

Then her eyes narrowed and turned serious. Eman was just looking at her with a calm face. Then, he heard her calling at him. "Commander!" She called in a firm voice. "Yes?" He replied casually. But it didn't waver her next words. "Let's succeed on this mission!"

After hearing her, Eman's mouth extended to both sides to form a smile. Soldier Kanna was taken aback. It was the first time that she saw him making a smile. A smile that wasn't so fake.

"We will…" he replied. 'Or rather… I will…' he added in mind in a cold voice, colder than a glacier.

After giving their tribute, the deity chanted a spell that boosts their resistance and increases their strength and stamina. Everyone was very happy with it. They could feel the flowing power within them, truly the works of deity.

It was Little Sky's ability. Elder Dark Priest once told him that she was a special kid with special abilities. But Eman only thought that she was supposedly the first support type ratman if she didn't turn to a human. Still, Little Sky's ability was truly a big help, especially in a group battle. If she joined in that subjugation war, there was a high chance that the soldiers would be defeated instead. But since she was just a kid and her abilities were yet to develop at that time, she wasn't able to help her kins.