220 - - Art. 220. The Story Of Women'S Life
Eryl seems to be a man of action. He tries to walk even though he cannot walk yet. He walks with a tottering gait, but soon falls down. We expect her to cry, but she gets up with a start and starts walking again. It is a little touching to see her get up right away and not give up even though she fell down. I am sure she will be able to walk soon. Her behavior seems to resemble that of her predecessor, Eryl, who passed away.
Alyria, on the other hand, is more cautious. Although she walks with a gait, she does not try to walk on her own, perhaps because she has seen Eryl fall down. However, she takes one step and holds on, then two steps and holds on, and so on. She seems to be the type of girl who does not make many mistakes.
May takes good care of these girls. Fairy is also a good playmate, flapping her wings above the girls\' heads. In this way, they are like sisters.
As I watch the children and Fairy playing with each other, I talk to May.
"Just when we thought we\'ve found a cure for Cirithrae, now we have Leroyance. May doesn\'t get much rest, does she?
"No. I have my children to take care of, so I am relatively rested. I am rather worried about Mr. Zhuang and Ms. Roni. But recently, Siddhi has been helping me, and that has helped me a lot.
"Oh, you\'re good at analysis, aren\'t you, Sidhi?"
Yes. Dwarves analyze materials thoroughly before making weapons and armor. Analytical skills are necessary to make the most of the characteristics of objects, and Sidhi is very good in this respect. We have a good idea of the source of lerowance and its countermeasures. If we can prove this through experimental results, I think we will be fine."
"I know it\'s a lot of work for May, Sidie and the others, but please take care of Leroyance, will you?"
"Yes, you can count on me."
Seeing May\'s big smile, my heart was soothed.
At the same time, in a room of the guest house in Agartha, the meeting between Rico and Vieille had begun.
At first, Rico wanted to have a meeting with Vieille alone, but Matkal was there with him because he knew that it would be dangerous. Naturally, she would not be attacked because Liko was warded by Linos. However, Matkal had a bad feeling about this meeting. This is why she was anxious to leave Rico alone.
"Everything I believed in has collapsed, and I have lost the purpose of my life. You don\'t know what to do, do you? I understand."
Rico opens his mouth without even saying hello. Vieille is still staring at Rico with vacant eyes.
"I was the same as you. In the past, those I served were sent away or killed, and I myself was imprisoned, and at one time I almost lost my life. By my own brother. At the time, I too was stunned. I did not want to be slandered as the first princess. ....... Perhaps I should have committed suicide, but unfortunately I did not have the courage to do so. Then, in exchange for my life, I was ordered to marry my current husband, Linos, King of Agartha. ....... Forced to marry a man I did not like, a man who had been a slave. ....... I didn\'t know what to do."
Vieille remains as expressionless as ever. Rico does not care and continues his story.
"I am sure that you have done more than anyone else for the Church of Crimiana. I know this even if you don\'t tell it to others. You smell just like me. I am sure that you have followed the teachings, you have been strict with yourself, you have endured and sacrificed for many things. All for the sake of our country. ....... Despite all his efforts, he himself became infected with a disease, and even blasphemed against the God he believed in."
Vieille\'s eyes slowly move to the side. Rico looks at him and smiles kindly.
"...... that must have been hard for you."
Tears streamed down from Vieille\'s eyes the moment she heard those words. Then she began to cry aloud. Rico slowly went to her side and patted her back gently.
"It was hard, it was hard. I couldn\'t help myself, could I? You denied yourself, didn\'t you? It must have been hard. It was the same for me. I understand. I know exactly how you feel.
Rico holds Vieille\'s hands as she cries softly and speaks to her in a gentle voice.
"Right now, you want to die, don\'t you? But you can\'t die by yourself, so you want someone to kill you, don\'t you?"
Vieille nodded slowly, weeping.
"You are a wonderful person. I have never seen such a responsible person. But you know, Vieille, think about it this way. This is not an absolute. Vieille, you can follow the path you believe in. I am happy if you consider this as a way of thinking.
Rico hangs up there. She does not say anything for a while and continues to hold Vieille\'s hand. Vieille senses this mood and slowly looks up and sees Rico.
You can die anytime you want. You can die anytime if you want to.
Vieille stares wide-eyed at Rico, who speaks these words with a gentle smile on his face.
But you are alive now. You are alive. Doesn\'t that mean something?"
"I have ...... sent many of my congregation to their deaths. I have damaged the prestige of ...... the Crimean religion. Perhaps this is my punishment. Suffer until your death."
"No. I think it\'s more like the opposite."
"The opposite?"
"So did I. When I married my husband, I thought the same thing you did. But I changed my mind. I thought that maybe there is a meaning to this. I tried to find out what is the meaning of my life."
"...... have you found the meaning of life, Mr. Ricoulette?"
Rico opens his mouth with a big smile.
"Yes. It was rather easy to find. The meaning of my life is to support Linos, King of Agartha, and to help make this country a peaceful place without war. This was my original goal and my shattered dream. But by helping my husband, I am able to pursue my childhood dream again. Things can change in any way you want, depending on how you think and see them."
Vieille\'s eyes shifted restlessly from side to side. Rico removes his hands from hers, straightens his posture, turns serious and speaks to her again.
"Dear Vieille, why don\'t you think again about the meaning of your life? Perhaps your belief in Lord Klimiana has given you some kind of mission? Is the current Klimiana religion really the way the Lord God wants it to be?"
After saying that much, Rico\'s face softens again.
"Well, this is just my opinion, you don\'t have to accept it. I just came here because I was curious about you being in the same situation as me. But it was nice talking to you. You are a more responsible person than I thought. I am glad to have met you.
Rico looks really happy to be talking to you. Seeing this, Vieille felt a little lighter.
An hour later, the room where the meeting had taken place was filled with the sound of women laughing. In addition to Liko and Vieille, Matkal was also in the circle, drinking tea, eating sweets, and enjoying conversation.
While Vieille was enjoying the conversation with the two women, she was thinking about what Rico had said about the meaning of her life. .......