Bania was a tiny, short little girl, completely unlike the "Fire Witch" Hao Ren had imagined. She wore an oversized dark-red cloth robe, and her long brown hair was braided and draped down her back, with colorful threads woven through it as decoration. The little girl timidly hid behind the adults, constantly observing Vivian and Hao Ren with her bright, wide eyes. It was only when Gai Ze'er called her out that she dared bow to Vivian. She looked nothing like the "saintess" one would expect to hold such a lofty position.
"Bania was only chosen as the saintess last year," the elder of the Fire Tribe, a burly, warrior-like middle-aged man, explained somewhat awkwardly. "The previous saintess died suddenly of an illness, and Bania had to take over before she'd even finished learning the spells and ceremonial rites. However, there's no problem with her faith in the gods or her innate talent as a saintess. She'll definitely make a good guide for you."
Vivian looked curiously at the timid little girl. Bania blinked and cautiously met her gaze for a moment before saying in a tiny voice, "Goddess, pr... praise be to you. Your descent has caused the earth... the earth to tremble..."
She looked as though she was about to cry.
"Take us to the place where the witch was buried," Vivian said directly, preventing the girl from growing any more nervous. "The others don't need to come."
No one objected to Vivian's arrangements. Gai Ze'er and the Fire Tribe warriors withdrew together. As they left, Hao Ren heard them already discussing the details of the Goddess's descent and how Gai Ze'er had instantly traveled here from the Wind Tribe. Bania, meanwhile, was left behind alone. She cautiously glanced at Vivian, then raised her hand and pointed toward