"My followers… what is wrong?" Havria asked, seeing Lin Mo's grave expression.
She seemed to sense that something unforeseen had occurred among her believers.
Lin Mo's gaze was solemn. "Among this group delivering salt, some have turned their elbows outward—they are betraying you."
"What… exactly happened?"
Havria clenched her fists slightly, anxiety flickering in her eyes.
Lin Mo met her gaze and began recounting slowly. "Half a day ago, at Guili Plains, as this group of followers was returning after delivering the salt…"
As Lin Mo spoke, he narrated the scene he had witnessed earlier at Guili Plains.
Half a day earlier, Sili Plains.
"Hahaha, another batch earned for free!"
One follower, pulling a cart laden with grain and meat, wore a face full of glee.
Another follower beside him chuckled and reminded, "Hey, what do you mean 'free'? We exchanged this for our faith!"
"Ah, right! Faith… faith… hahaha…" Their laughter was laced with undisguised contempt for that very faith.
Follower A: "Speaking of which, over these past few years, we've stockpiled quite a bit from skimming supplies, haven't we?"
Follower B: "Of course. Our team, responsible for supply runs to Guili Plains—any one of us is probably set for life now."
Follower A: "Then… our previous plan should be ready to move forward, right?"
Follower B: "You mean… betraying the Salt Goddess? Handing over all the territory's intelligence to that lord? Telling him… the Salt Goddess has no real connection to the Geo Archon?"
Follower A: "Exactly. That lord promised that once the territory is taken, he'd grant us an entire mountain each!"
Follower B: "Mentioning that makes me angry. Those fellow villagers who leaked information to the gods first, who betrayed her early—they're all major landowners now, dripping with wealth… It should finally be our turn, shouldn't it?"
Follower A: "Right. This time, that lord has ten slots. It depends on our performance."
Follower B: "But… with that Carefree Drifting Adeptus around, if that lord really tries to attack Sal Terrae, wouldn't the Geo Archon intervene?"
Follower A: "Hmm, that's precisely what that lord is worried about. So… he gave us another option."
Follower B: "What option?"
Follower A: "The Salt Goddess's power is nearly depleted. That lord said if we could act from within…"
Lin Mo's account ended here.
"How… how could this be…"
Havria felt a wave of dizziness, nearly collapsing to the ground.
Lin Mo swiftly caught and steadied her.
Lifting her head, Havria looked at Lin Mo with tear-filled eyes.
"Sigh…"
Seeing her helpless, despondent expression, Lin Mo couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.
From the followers' conversation, it was clear that a significant portion of her believers held no reverence for Havria whatsoever. They had even turned their faith into a tool for personal gain.
No wonder Havria had wondered why, despite producing so much salt, her people never seemed to prosper. The supplies had been funneled into the pockets of a few.
Moreover, Havria now understood. The tragic invasions by other gods in the past might not have been initiated by those gods themselves. It was likely some of her own followers, blinded by greed, who had actively contacted gods from other regions.
They told them that she, the God of Salt, was a weak deity, and that attacking would yield vast territories.
Thinking of this, Havria's heart ached unbearably.
And now, even among this last group of followers, there were still traitors. From the meaning of their conversation… they actually intended to move against her within her own temple.
"Lin Mo… what should… what should I do…"
Havria's pitiful, helpless demeanor almost made Lin Mo unable to resist drawing his sword to purge all those traitorous followers himself.
But Lin Mo knew he could not do that.
He could only speak calmly. "My identity represents the Geo Archon's faction. I am an outsider. It is not fitting for me to interfere in the internal conflicts of your faith and your followers.
Moreover, internal strife is a problem you must resolve with your own determination. You should not rely on the strength of others. Only if you steel your heart, truly purge the traitors, make an example of them to warn the others, and let your people see your resolve and your iron will, can this be settled once and for all.
Otherwise, similar events will surely happen again in the future…"
Havria's gaze trembled.
But soon, she nodded firmly. "I understand what I must do, Lin Mo… Thank you for bringing me this information."
Lin Mo gave a slight nod.
…
Back then, that resolute look in Havria's eyes had made Lin Mo believe she had truly made up her mind to purge the traitors among her people.
But…
One day, while in Guili Plains, Lin Mo heard a piece of news—the Salt Goddess had died at the hands of her own followers.
Upon hearing this, Lin Mo's mind went blank.
How could a god die by mortal hands?
"Havria… you… still couldn't bear to purge your rebellious people, could you…"
He murmured these words, his gaze involuntarily turning toward the direction of Sal Terrae.
In that moment, Lin Mo was filled with immense regret.
Why hadn't he taken action himself back then to purge the traitors among her followers for her?
The memory ended here.
Lin Mo looked at the familiar bedchamber before him.
Thousands of years had passed since those events, and Lin Mo had long since come to terms with it.
Rather than blaming himself, it was more accurate to say this was Havria's own choice.
He should have understood sooner.
It was precisely because she was utterly gentle that she was the Havria he knew.
What happened back then was done and could not be undone.
Fortunately, Paimon was by his side, granting him a chance to reunite with Havria.
This gentle era was clearly more suited for such a gentle god.
At that moment, as Paimon's power flowed, millennia of time reversed and rewound.
That familiar white robe.
That cascade of elegant, flowing ivory hair.
Those gentle, tender eyes.
Appeared once more before Lin Mo.
And at this moment, Paimon ceased her time-reversal ability.
Havria, seeing her newly restored form, seemed somewhat confused.
"How did I…"
As her gaze turned toward the outside of the bedchamber, Lin Mo's bittersweet smile made her heart tremble involuntarily.
"Lin… Lin Mo… is that you?"
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T/N:
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