About three hours later, the westbound convoy changed direction and continued toward Aya Outpost.
People held the ashes of their loved ones with sorrowful expressions, and suppressed sobs could occasionally be heard.
Having endured a "betrayal," their morale had suffered a blow far greater than death itself.
Though they had ultimately survived, they... did not know what they were living for.
Even their current journey to Aya Outpost was merely because they habitually followed the decision of Pelt, the convoy's original leader.
As for anything more?
They did not know.
Confusion showed on every face. Qin Ran's gaze swept over them one by one before finally settling on Pelt, the High Priest of the Harvest Temple across from him.
Just like the others.
At that moment, the former High Priest of the Harvest Temple was at a complete loss as well.
He did not even notice that the wound where his arm had been severed had begun bleeding again.
A gentle radiance appeared in Qin Ran's hand.
The Marilin Inheritance Art's [Healing Art], centered around the [Dawn Knight Body-Tempering Art], displayed its proper effect, and the Harvest Temple High Priest's wound rapidly healed.
This time, the old priest finally reacted.
"Th-thank you."
His voice was dry and hoarse.
"No need."
"I did it for them."
Qin Ran pointed at the people traveling alongside them outside the carriage window.
Following Qin Ran's finger, the old priest looked outside.
He looked at those faces that were exactly like his own.
Unable to help himself, the old priest's eyes reddened, and tears streamed down his face.
"Why? Why?"
"Why did His Eminence do this?"
"If it truly came down to the last moment, we would have used our lives to protect him. Why did he abandon us?"
His murmured words were filled with