Chương 72: A Grave Facing the Sea

Felicity stood in silence before Father Leandro's lifeless body. After a few moments, she gently closed his eyes, then wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand. She slowly rose to her feet, sheathed her swords, and picked up the legendary sword from the ground. As she turned around, she saw the villagers gathered a short distance away.

"She killed Father Leandro!"

"Capture this heretic!" A few of them started to move toward her, but Felicity stopped them with a single icy glare.

"You…are just as guilty as he was". Her voice was steady, without the slightest trace of hesitation.

"Yes, he was insane. But you were the ones who fed that madness. You needed someone to blame, a scapegoat for all your suffering. You didn't have the courage to face your own pain, so you poured it onto innocent people. Onto innocent children". She took a step forward.

"Your hands are stained with blood just as much as his. And for the rest of your lives, you'll have to live with the knowledge that you killed people who had done nothing wrong". No one answered. The villagers exchanged shame-filled glances before silently dispersing, one by one. A few hours later, Felicity stood before a simple wooden gravestone overlooking the sea. Carved into it was a single letter: L. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

That was where she had buried Father Leandro. The wind brushed her hair across her face.

"Mr. Leandro…I'll always remember you as the man you once were, not as the man you became. You committed terrible atrocities. You hurt countless innocent people. Even so, if there is a God or some law that governs the universe, then I'm selfish enough to hope that you can be forgiven and finally rest in peace". She wiped away the last of her tears.

"I hope you can find peace with your family". She turned, mounted her horse, and, with a newfound determination in her eyes, left the village behind. Her wounds burned with every movement, but she kept riding without stopping. Suddenly, a portal opened before her. Leah and Xia emerged on horseback. Felicity dismounted.

"Thanks a lot for the help", she said, her voice laced with faint sarcasm. Leah rushed over and wrapped her in a tight embrace.

"Feli, I swear I wanted to come help you! But Xia kept saying we shouldn't interfere, that this was your story, not ours. I completely disagreed, and if I hadn't-". Felicity stopped her by placing a hand on her shoulder.

"It's okay. I know". Then, limping slightly, she walked over to Xia and held out the legendary sword.

"That makes four. Though, to be honest, I still don't really understand how this thing works. All I know is…it talks". Xia took the sword and examined it carefully.

"This sword possesses the power of manipulated fortune. It alters the probabilities of events through its voice. It's as though it can foresee the future and always suggests the choices with the highest chance of survival". She paused for a moment.

"The problem is that it makes its decisions based purely on statistics. It doesn't account for emotions or the unpredictability of human nature. And to truly wield it, you need to be an extraordinary swordsman with exceptional reflexes". Felicity lowered her gaze.

"He was…but that sword drove him mad. He believed it was his salvation, when in reality it became his downfall". Xia slowly nodded.

"Yes…I'm sorry, Feli, but-".

"You don't need to say anything else", Felicity interrupted, meeting her eyes.

"Thank you". Xia gave her a faint smile before noticing her injuries.

"Sit down. Let me heal you". Felicity hesitated for a moment, then nodded and sat down. As Xia healed her with magic, the sun slowly sank below the horizon, bathing the three women in a warm orange glow.