Irene Decided to Die - Chapter 153
The capital of the West was half-destroyed.
It took an enormous amount of time just to remove the bodies and clean up the streets.
The ghouls had not given their victims a peaceful death, leaving a somber and oppressive atmosphere in the air.
As a result, the priests gathered and decided to hold a requiem to comfort the souls of the departed.
Funerals were held after the requiem. Families reclaimed the bodies of those who could be identified, but those whose remains were unrecognizable were laid to rest in a joint funeral.
The damage to the royal palace was equally severe. Most of those inside had been used as material for the ghouls, and few had survived. Those who were left had been brainwashed.
Given the circumstances, a temporary ruler for the West was necessary. With no direct heirs, they searched through the collateral line and barely managed to find someone with royal blood.
“But his abilities were severely lacking. Because of that, the three kingdoms have decided to rotate in sending regents for the time being.”
“What about his funeral?”
Even without saying a name, it was clear who they were referring to.
“There won’t be one. Too many people saw Sage as a monster, and any attempt to hold a funeral for him would likely face heavy opposition.”
“I see.”
Irene gazed out at the distant western castle.
Burt had suggested she stay comfortably inside the castle, but she didn’t want that. That’s why she still resided in the tents outside the castle.
“Have they found Lady Ramiel?”
“Her whereabouts remain unknown. We don’t know if she died alongside Sage or managed to escape.”
With this, everyone Irene had once harbored hatred for had fallen. Garan and Sage were dead, and Shah-Naz was imprisoned.
I never held a particular grudge against Ramiel, but she had self-destructed.
Now that the flames of burning hatred had died down, she wasn’t sure what to do next.
‘No, what I need to do is already decided.’
After everything was settled, she would return to the central temple and fulfill her duties as a saintess.
For the rest of my life, until the moment I died, life would continue smoothly.
‘But was that really what I wanted?’
Irene looked down at her hands. The scars from the torture remained, but the revenge was over.
“What should I do now?”
The words slipped out of her mouth before she realized.
“What do you want to do?”
Burt asked.
“I don’t know.”
Though he hadn’t been directly involved, she resented those who had stood by and done nothing. Should she also bring them to ruin?
She thought about it but didn’t feel particularly motivated. Irene lowered her hands onto her lap.
“If you’re comfortable with it, how about staying in the North again until everything is settled?”
“In the North?”
“Bella mentioned that she missed you. She said there’s still much she hasn’t told you.”
Irene thought back; she hadn’t even seen Bella’s face much. And what could she possibly have left to tell?
“Have you ever ridden a snow sled?”
“You mean a dog sled?”
“No, a snow sled. It’s different from a dog sled. It’s a game where you slide down a snow-covered hill on a sled. It’s quite fun.”
“And what else?”
“How about building a snow house? Some people say it’s childish, but the process may be hard, though the satisfaction after finishing it is rewarding.”
From the way he spoke, it seemed Burt hadn’t tried it either.
“Let’s skip the snowball fight. You’re too fragile for that.”
“How do you even fight with snow?”
“You gather snowflakes and throw them at your opponent.”
“That sounds painful.”
“That’s the point.”
Why? It seemed like a senseless game.
“Then there’s ice fishing. You drill a hole in the ice and catch fish through it. The fish tastes good when grilled. Fried is also an option.”
“These are all so unusual.”
Her tired body slowly began to feel more energized. The North was freezing cold, but she still remembered the starry night sky she had seen there.
Maybe seeing those stars again would spark something within her.
While she was lost in thought, a voice came from outside the tent.
“Saintess, it’s Guy.”
“Come in.”
As Guy entered, he hesitated for a moment upon seeing Burt. But it was brief, and soon his gaze shifted back to Irene.
“The streets have been mostly cleared. Although the people are still mourning, they’ll recover in time.”
“Thank you for letting me know.”
“Yes, but that’s not the main reason I’ve come.”
“Then what is it?”
“Saintess.”
Guy knelt on one knee, placing a hand over his heart.
“If it’s alright with you, would you consider staying in the East for a while?”
