System vs Rebirth

Chapter 138 Darkness

A moment later.

All citizens were standing in the middle of the square, the biggest place they could gather all people, especially the women, children and elderly that had yet to participate in the battle.

”Whatʼs wrong?”

”I donʼt know. They said the Saintess wanted to tell us something.”

”Thatʼs the Saintess.”

Everyone looked at the Saintess that stood on top of a podium so everyone could see her.

Even with her eyes blindfolded, they could feel how determined she was.

After checking everyoneʼs condition, she finally opened her mouth. ”Listen to me, my beloved people!”

Her tone was unlike everything they had heard previously. Her voice contained a strong energy as if she was preparing to fight in a battle herself.

”I donʼt think I need to tell you this, but our condition is bad, bad enough that we wonʼt be able to last more than four days.

”We can kill the demons but a hundred demons will soon come to our city, reinforcing those demons. It will leave us besieged by an unlimited number of demons. If we donʼt do anything and only expect help, weʼll be the ones to be destroyed in a matter of days.

”In fact, Iʼm aware that some of you have almost gone insane due to your thirst. Thatʼs why this desperate measure has to be taken.

”I donʼt want to die because of starvation or thirst. If I have to die, Iʼd like to die of old age because that way my life has been fulfilled because Iʼve helped more people. Even if itʼs not possible, then Iʼll die in the battle, trying to save more people.

”Hence, I wonʼt use my barrier tonight and conserve my power so that I can go out tomorrow to hunt the demon that causes all this.”

Laylaʼs statement contained a strong fighting spirit that could incite everyoneʼs heart.

”Saintess, Please donʼt do this.”

”You can die in the battle.”

”What will we do if you die?”

The people who had a heart movement tried to persuade her to stay because they should be the one to fight. The Saintess had truly done her best for so long and she deserved that rest.

However, some of the people werenʼt the light itself. They were shadow. And the brighter the light the Saintess had produced, the darker the shadow would be.

”If you donʼt erect a barrier tonight, what will we do then? The demons will be attacking us during the night.”

”Are you trying to leave us in this situation? You worded it like youʼre going to fight, but arenʼt you just trying to make an excuse to escape?”

”Do you want to leave us to die here?”

The people got influenced by them also started screaming at her as if she was a criminal.

”Wha—” The Saintess never expected these dark thoughts to appear here. Even she hadnʼt prepared for it. She had pledged to fight, but they couldnʼt trust her even after the effort she had made for so long. Her body was trembling because she was scared.

Just like the Saintess, Anna, who was watching the entire thing from the roof of a building near the plaza, was stunned to see people not believing the Saintess.

”How can those people think that way? The Saintess has protected them for more than a month. Yet, those people actually thought that the Saintess would betray them at the last moment? I mean, I can understand their worry, but canʼt the Saintess preserve her own life at the very end? If all the people protecting you die, who will protect you then?” Anna complained with a pout, disappointed in the citizens.

She turned to Noel, wanting to know about his opinions about this problem. At the very least, Anna believed that the Saintess deserved to rest and save her own life. Knowing the Saintessʼ character, even if she fled here, she would still help more and more people in the future. If she abandoned four thousand people so that she could save a hundred thousand people in the future, it was a good trade in Annaʼs mind.

It was logical enough that Noel wouldnʼt reject the idea since he was in the same opinion.

Noel sighed and said, ”Thatʼs why I donʼt want to make my appearance.”

”Huh?”

”Thatʼs why I was so mad when the Saintess locked those people inside their home instead of asking them to participate in the battle.” Noel sighed.

”Not locked, itʼs hiding them. But yes…”

Noel glanced at her for a while as if she was annoyed by her remark but he still continued, ”If they fight together from the start, theyʼll understand the Saintess more, allowing the trust to form. When the decisive time comes, theyʼll be able to trust the Saintess. And the people on top of the wall will have an easier time this whole time.”

Anna sucked a cold breath. Normally, the people would lock the ones who couldnʼt fight in the church or their homes, hoping they could survive in the worst case possible. But Noelʼs thought was different.

He expected people to contribute. Even if they couldnʼt fight, there were other roles they could do. Anna knew this was Noelʼs style. That was why he could encourage the people he met in the past.

ʼThose kids and those women he encouraged in the past… I see. So, thatʼs why Noel is loved by the people. There is already a trust formed between them. He always involves them in his plan, forming that bond. It is not that he saves the village, but it is that he works together with them and saves their village.

ʼThe former only shows that he has done his job while the latter shows that the villagers are not useless because they can work together to overcome any problem in the future even if he isnʼt there anymore. The latter is stronger.ʼ

Annaʼs body trembled as she had done something fundamentally wrong. That was the reason why she never received any thanks from the people she saved before. In their eyes, she just looked like doing her job.

”Hmm?” Anna was startled when Noel suddenly pointed at the Saintess.

”If I were there, the people would doubt a kid. Demon Banner Army? Can they believe an Apprentice Knight? If I were there, they would think of me as a dictator who forces them to fight. Although I hate to admit it, I donʼt have the strength or the influence to raise their spirit.” Noel had a sad smile on his face as if he was disappointed in himself. But he added, ”If there is someone who can convince them, itʼs the one who has protected them this whole time. The Saintess.”