Arene walked along the streets of Lungmen. Everything here was so worldly, utterly devoid of the transcendence and serenity of the snow-capped mountains. He wanted nothing more than to leave this place and return to the pure land of the mountains.
But he could not.
Because the master of Karlan Trade, the head of the SilverAsh Family, had come here as well.
The Saintess was truly unreasonable. How could she run away? She should have remained in the mountains, cultivating herself in purity and hardship, forever serving as the bridge between the gods and the people. That was not suffering, but an honor—a "necessary sacrifice" made for a greater cause.
It was not that the people of the mountains had lost all conscience. Everything he did had been carefully considered.
The Saintess was not merely a person. She was a totem, the spiritual anchor of all Kjerag people.
After all, this was a nation where gods truly existed.
Totems and people were entirely different.
One could even say that totems could not be regarded as people. They were beings altered beyond recognition, stripped completely of their human qualities and turned into symbols.
Arene stared at the pedestrians on the street. They showed not the slightest reverence, even casting curious, appraising looks his way.
He was not quite used to it.
Arene stepped onto Lungmen's impeccably clean streets. His expression showed neither joy nor sorrow, yet an indescribable discomfort seeped through it.
It was not that he looked down on these people.
He simply was not used to them.
News of Kjerag visitors reached Ch'en's desk immediately. She was already overwhelmed and truly had no energy to deal with such matters. After some thought, she decided that since it involved theology, she might as well throw it to the Governor-General.
"So