Chapter 117: Blood Atonement
The Ossi people’s culture wasn’t as refined as that of the Empires or the Elves. They still adhered to ancient customs, some considered primitive and barbaric by other nations.
“Blood Atonement” was one such custom. If an Ossi warrior lost their honor through cowardice or selfishness, they would face scorn and ostracism. To seek redemption, they could undergo “Blood Atonement.”
This ritual required the warrior to endure the same suffering they had inflicted upon their victim. An eye for an eye, a limb for a limb. They had to perform this act publicly, without crying out in pain or showing any weakness. Only then would the people consider granting them a second chance. If the majority of witnesses agreed to restore their honor, they could once again hold their heads high, their transgression forgiven—but there were no second chances. Blood Atonement could only be performed once in a lifetime.
And now, Givia was performing this ancient ritual.
No member of the royal family had ever done such a thing. Blood Atonement was mostly practiced among commoners. Royalty, as the highest-ranking nobles, wouldn’t stoop to such a barbaric practice—and they would never admit to dishonorable conduct, always finding ways to justify their actions.
But Givia, for the first time in Ossi history, had publicly confessed her transgression and was now seeking redemption through Blood Atonement.
The smell of burning flesh filled the air. Givia’s face contorted in agony, sweat pouring down her face. Her body trembled, but her eyes remained fixed on the crowd below.
Cassandra, supported by Haina, watched, tears streaming down her face, but she didn’t approach Givia. This was a sacred ritual, a personal sacrifice to reclaim her honor. No one had the right to interfere.
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Cassandra,” Rebecca said, approaching her, her voice calm and reassuring. “Her Highness won’t be permanently disfigured. I’ll do my best to save her arm, to restore its functionality. But she has chosen to endure the pain you suffered. We can’t stop her. She’s ready to face her past.”
“Thank you…” Cassandra whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
The flames in the furnace slowly died down. Rebecca’s potion had a limited duration.
Givia’s right arm was numb. Alva, rushing to her side, helped her away from the furnace. Her arm was charred and blackened, the flesh seared by the intense heat. She couldn’t stand on her own, her body wracked with pain.
Flora, standing among the crowd, didn’t use her healing magic to alleviate Givia’s pain. She had asked Givia earlier if she wanted pain relief, but Givia had refused. She watched Givia suffer, her heart aching, but she resisted the urge to intervene.
Leona couldn’t bear to watch. She looked away, her mood somber. Givia was her friend, and she couldn’t stand to see her in pain. Resisting the urge to smash the furnace was taking all her willpower.
“Princess Givia has endured the suffering of Mrs. Cassandra. All of Ossi bears witness!” Rebecca announced, her voice amplified by Abyss’s magic, reaching every corner of the kingdom. “Do you accept the validity of her Blood Atonement? Do you agree to restore her honor?”
A long silence followed. Then, a single hand rose, its thumb pointing upwards.
Others followed suit, their thumbs raised in unison, a sign of approval.
Throughout the Ossi Kingdom, people raised their hands, their thumbs pointing towards the sky, their silent consent reaching Givia, even if she couldn’t see them.
The nobles who had been mocking her were now stunned, their faces pale with shock. They had never imagined that the princess, raised in luxury, would resort to such a drastic measure to regain the people’s respect. It was the most extreme method, but… perhaps the only one. They looked around, their voices weak and unconvincing as they tried to reprimand their servants, who had instinctively raised their thumbs.
Givia, the first princess in Ossi history to perform Blood Atonement, had passed the test.
“She has completed the ritual. Now I will treat her injuries, save her arm. I will also create a new arm for Mrs. Cassandra and heal her burns. Who agrees? Who objects?” Rebecca asked, her voice booming.
“I agree!” someone shouted from the crowd.
“I agree!” “Me too!” “Aye!”
Hands shot up, their earlier doubts and criticisms replaced by admiration.
A leader who faced their mistakes with courage was far more trustworthy than one who never erred! The latter would surely conceal their flaws, while the former possessed true strength!
“I agree!”
Even within the Ossi Kingdom palace, soldiers shouted their approval, defying Kevin’s order for silence.
Rebecca nodded, retrieving several potions from her bag and rushing to Givia’s side, administering first aid. The crowd, seeing Givia’s pained smile, erupted in cheers.
“Princess Givia! We will follow you! Princess Givia! We will follow you!”
The people of Ossi were ecstatic, their voices hoarse from shouting, their hope rekindled, Kevin’s cruel laws forgotten.
They would follow their princess, reclaim their kingdom, and overthrow Kevin!
…
Kevin, standing in his bedroom, listening to the cheers, his face hardened, was about to order the execution of those celebrating when he suddenly felt his skin soften.
“What is this…?”
He looked at his arm, its flesh no longer firm and strong, but soft and pliable, like clay, bubbling slightly.
As he wondered what was happening, a small head on the floor turned to face him—a severed fly’s head, its compound eyes observing him.
And outside the palace, on the gallows, the bodies of the executed soldiers twitched. They grabbed the ropes around their necks, pulling themselves upwards. With a series of sickening cracks, their broken necks snapped back into place.
…
“I’ve found your weakness, Lord of Nightmares,” Abyss muttered, a cold smile spreading across his face, as he maintained the live broadcast, his eyes gleaming with a newfound understanding.
***
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