Chapter 473: Chapter 341: A Brand New Home
However, Siris’s wish for the captives to quickly complete their temple vows fell through, as Leader Maximus was scheduled to deliver a speech to the soldiers about to depart on a campaign at East Camp Square the next morning, and then proceed to the Nu Temple to beseech the Goddess for their blessings...
During this period, all streets in Ophelia were prohibited from transit until the excited and hopeful Nix Soldiers, brimming with spirit, marched out of Ophelia City heading north, and the ban was lifted.
Siris hurriedly led the captives to the Dana Temple in East Village.
This Dana Temple stood next to the main house of the Nix Tribe and was transformed from the Holy Stone and Holy Forest of the original Segestica Tribe.
The captives, with solemn expressions, passed through the corridor built of Holy Stone, arriving at a vast grassland lush with green grass and white flowers. At the center stood a sturdy and tall oak tree, its bark wrinkled with the marks of time, exuding an ancient and powerful aura. Its crown was lush and broad, the leaves densely layered, vibrant and green, making the entire tree resemble a green canopy that shaded the statue beneath from the sun.
This statue of the Danu Goddess was not standing but reclining, displaying an elegance in curvilinear beauty. Her arms naturally bent, the right hand gently scattering a handful of soil, with the left hand lightly embracing a child lying upon her. This child, carved lively and adorable, bore a striking resemblance in features to the standing Maximus High Priest nearby.
Her facial features were clear and gentle, with a high-bridged nose and tightly closed lips, appearing solemn and sacred. Her long hair flowed like a waterfall, cascading down her side, adding to the softness and charm; her eyes gently closed as if in deep thought or prayer, imparting a sense of tranquility and mystery; while a subtle smile at the corner of her eyes conveyed a deep love and care for life...
Since this statue of the Goddess was not standing tall for worshippers to look up to, viewing it at eye level brought the captives closer, leaving a stronger visual impact on them.
Moreover, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows, creating a mysterious and serene atmosphere, causing the captives to involuntarily immerse themselves, feeling a warmth and care that lingered long in their minds.
Under the guidance of Maximus, the captives devoutly pledged their oaths to the Goddess, reluctantly exiting the temple.
"Siris," Maximus called out to the leader of this group.
"Leader," Senesis respectfully bowed in greeting, having brought captives to the temple several times before, encountering Maximus often, but never having been called aside for a conversation like today.
"How many of your compatriots have returned from the Alde Tribe across the Kupa River?" Maximus asked kindly.
"Four hundred and fifty-seven," Siris replied without hesitation.
"The road along the Kupa River Shore should be close to completion, right?" Maximus asked again.
"There are still four sections unfinished, which may take about ten more days."
Maximus smiled, saying, "You’ve done very well in the Foreign Auxiliary Civilian Management Bureau, especially with the recent to-and-fro between Ophelia and the Kupa River, and nothing has gone wrong. Truly commendable!"
"This is my responsibility after all, and I am pleased to have brought them safely back here, and to have taught them to live honestly in the tribe along the way," Siris stated candidly.
Maximus nodded, no longer speaking.
Siris, understanding, saluted Maximus before quickly departing.
Outside the temple, he excitedly swung his fist.
The captives swarmed around, eagerly asking him about the Danu Goddess and Nix Leader, whom they previously feared and were reluctant to discuss, yet now they were all visibly excited.
Siris, as he led them away from the temple, briefly narrated to them the stories he knew about the Dana Temple: for instance, Leader Maximus is a descendant of the Danu Goddess. Because of this, the Goddess favors the Nix Tribe, not only protecting the Nix Army on the battlefield but also blessing the Nix Tribe’s lands with good fortune... However, the Danu Goddess does not resent other races, being the source of all and the mother of humanity, she hopes other races can join the Nix Tribe, letting go of past grievances, living harmoniously, and sharing a good life under her protection...
Siris also incorporated the goddess’s doctrines as proclaimed by the Priest during his visits to the temple into his words, which the captives listened to attentively, none expressing dissent.
Unconsciously they arrived at the Agricultural Department’s residence, where the captives submitted their deity-stamped registration forms, marking them as Nix Reserve Tribe members, receiving identity-numbered wooden plaques, and leaving subsequent matters to the Agricultural Department to handle.
The newly inducted Nix Reserve Tribe members surrounded Siris in the center, each stepping forward to give him a tight hug, expressing their gratitude towards him.
After more than two days of interaction, they clearly understood that what Siris had done and said was genuinely for their benefit, something they experienced as the first ray of warm sunshine after leaving the hellish days at the Alde Tribe, causing tears to well up in many eyes...
No feast in this world lasts forever, and Siris had to rush back to the Administration Department to continue his work, while the two hundred and seventeen new reserve tribe members were taken to the Civil Affairs Department for registration, then divided into several groups to return home since each tribe member returned to different villages, each group led by officials from the Agricultural Department.
Village No. 21 was not far from Ophelia, and shortly, Tirisis could see the familiar outline of the village in the distance, appearing particularly tranquil and cozy in the setting sun.
A rush of indescribable excitement surged within Tirisis, and his eyes grew somewhat moist. He quickened his pace, soon leaving the accompanying Agricultural Department official behind.
But as he approached the village, he suddenly stopped: ahead a woman in a straw hat, holding a long pole, patrolled the field edges, at times waving the pole to scare away birds trying to land and peck, at other times bending over to pull out weeds sprouting quietly in the field, her clothes soaked with sweat...
Tirisis focused his gaze on this familiar back, and a myriad of emotions merged into a deep, heartfelt call: "Lulina!"
The woman turned abruptly, upon seeing Tirisis, a look of surprise flashed in her eyes, followed by deep joy and tears.
She threw down the pole, ran over swiftly, and hugged Tirisis tightly.
"You’ve finally come back!" Her voice trembled.
Tirisis tightly embraced his wife, tears overflowing his eyes, feeling an unprecedented sense of peace at that moment.
The Agricultural Department official brought Tirisis to the village’s main house, where they handed over to the village chief, Pro, before quickly leaving.
"Tirisis, though I’ve never met you, I’m quite familiar with you because your wife talks about you all the time, that everyone in the village has almost developed calluses in their ears," Pro joked with a smile.
"Chief, you’re just teasing; I didn’t talk about him every day." Lulina bashfully retorted.
"Oh yes you did, just last month you came by to question me, ’The tribe promised to release my husband last year, and it’s been half a year, why isn’t he back yet’..."
Pro mimicked Lulina for a bit, then kindly asked, "Are you relieved now?"
"Relieved but it took too long." Lulina joyfully replied, though with a slight discontent in her tone.
"Bringing someone back from the Alde Tribe isn’t that easy, and it takes time to heal after returning..."
Pro explained on behalf of the tribe, then encouraged, "Anyway, Tirisis returning safely and reuniting the family is a great joy! Now that you have a cornerstone at home, you won’t be anxious about anything, taking good care of parents and raising children well, farming well, and living a prosperous life, how wonderful!"
Pro went into the yard, brought down a long string of dried fish from drying lines, saying, "Tirisis’s return is a joyful event for the village too, and as the village chief, I should properly congratulate you, although I don’t have much to offer, I can at least present these fish as a gift."
Lulina quickly waved off her hand in refusal: "No need, Chief, I have salted fish at home—"
"Take it!" Pro insisted, firmly placing the string of fish in Lulina’s hand, solemnly noting, "You have many in your family, and now with Tirisis back the grain might be tight; I have enough on my side, so tomorrow I’ll bring you some wheat. Things will get better after the autumn harvest."
"Chief, no—" Lulina’s refusal was cut off again by Pro: "It’s decided, think of this as a loan, to be repaid after the autumn harvest."
Lulina no longer refused, clutching the string of fish, gratefully saying, "Thank you, Chief!"
Pro looked towards Tirisis and asked, "Tirisis, do you know rugby?"
"...Saw others play it in Snowdonia."
"Are you aware of the rugby tournament during the tribe’s summer festival?"
"Heard others talk about it."
Pro laughed, "Our village is also sending a team to participate. As per rules, one-third of the players have to be from the Old Clan, Panoni, and Scodisqi respectively. Our young Panoni Tribe members are few. Originally, we were considering older ones to fill in, but now that you’re back, join the team and represent our village in the competition!"
"Sorry, I can’t participate in such games." Tirisis, expressionless, raised his left hand, quickly placing it behind him again.
"That’s nothing." Pro, having already noticed Tirisis’ left-hand anomaly, responded nonchalantly, "I heard you were a renowned warrior from our village. Can you still run?"