The next day, Jeanne—feeling somewhat exhausted from being tossed about by Frostnova—led the two angels into the Holy Mountain. She had never expected these two would insist on entering on foot!
Although both had stated they were capable and wouldn't get lost, Jeanne still didn't feel comfortable letting them wander into the mountains alone, especially into a forest specifically designed for concealment.
"I am very sorry, Miss Jeanne. Actually, we could have managed on our own. Both of us have wilderness survival skills," Lemuen said apologetically, seeing Jeanne's tired expression. Originally, they had intended to go in by themselves once they had Jeanne's permission so as not to bother her.
But to their surprise, Jeanne seemed to have anticipated their plan and came to lead them personally this morning, making them feel quite sheepish.
"Don't mind my appearance; I'm fine, perfectly fine! There are many small paths and hidden trails in these mountains. If you aren't careful, you really might get lost. It's better if I lead you."
Despite her fatigue, Jeanne insisted on taking them into the peaks. It wasn't that she was worried they would discover something secret; she was simply afraid of losing them. Her exhaustion was purely mental; physically, she wouldn't be particularly tired even if she went without sleep for ten days. It was just that too much had happened lately, and she felt like "slacking off."
However, she had made a promise yesterday to take them on a pilgrimage into the Holy Mountain today, and she would fulfill it. If Jeanne gave her word, she held the responsibility to complete it. She had no intention of breaking a promise; no matter how difficult, she would see it through.
Besides, to celebrate the victory of yesterday's battle, Talulah had given most people a two-day holiday. Currently, aside from the officers undergoing labor reform, there were only a few Shieldguards watching over them in the mountains.
Fortunately, the work wasn't too taxing. Those officers were now very well-behaved. Even if they were allowed to leave, they wouldn't necessarily want to go. Previously, they had secretly organized several escape attempts, only to end up walking back on their own every single time. In the end, forget regaining their freedom; they couldn't even manage to run out of this mountain range.
Twice, those fellows had gotten so lost that even the Shieldguards couldn't find them. It was only through Jeanne's "Revelation" that these unconscious, unlucky souls were eventually found in some particularly obscure corners...
In Jeanne's eyes, there was nothing extraordinary about this mountain. There were no holy swords, no Lady of the Lake, and she couldn't even find a single water ghoul. Aside from the mountain's structure being somewhat non-compliant with the laws of mechanics, Jeanne truly hadn't found anything special about it.
But Lemuen didn't think so. In her eyes, this was a miracle created by God! Even if she only took back a box of soil, it could probably be traded for at least two revolvers! After all, rarity increases value. Aside from Jeanne's location, the Sankta people had only heard of God's existence, but no one had ever discovered the miracles of His descent.
"Miss Jeanne, can you actually see God when you pray? What does He look like? Does He also have wings?" Lemuen asked the question burning in her heart. The person before her was someone who had truly seen God; her words were the ultimate authority and could reveal the visage of the Divine to all believers.
"What I see... is only light. When talking to God, all I can see is a dazzling white light shining around me. The voice and everything else echo directly in my mind."
Listening to Jeanne's explanation, the two nodded as if they understood, and then began to carefully ponder her words.
The Saintess's words must have some profound meaning. It's just that we, with our shallow experience, cannot yet comprehend it. We must interpret every sentence to catch a glimpse of the hidden content...
It was a good thing Jeanne didn't know what they were thinking, or she would have certainly refuted their over-analytical thoughts. Her words were truly just a simple description.
Thus, Jeanne walked the entire way with two people who were on a completely different wavelength. She didn't even know what kind of figure she had become in their minds...
By the time they returned to the village, the sun was nearly setting. A hollow-handed Jeanne helplessly led back two people who were carrying an enormous amount of specimens. She hadn't expected that their backpacks, which held very little dry rations, would be stuffed to the brim with all sorts of bags!
Executor hadn't even brought dry rations. According to him: missing one meal didn't matter, but he had to bring more "miracles" back to Laterano!
Watching them, after getting her permission at the summit, stuffing bags with tree seeds, leaves, soil, and rocks... Jeanne felt a stomach full of complaints with nowhere to vent. If they hadn't been too heavy to lift, these two would have even considered hauling away the massive boulder at the peak! Watching what looked like a scene of "tragic parting," Jeanne felt she didn't need to look for a gift for Laterano—just moving that rock over would be enough.
Seeing the two happily organizing the "treasures" they had brought back, Jeanne didn't have the heart to disturb them. She silently left to go back to her room to slack off.
The village was exceptionally lively today because more Yetis had been hung in the trees. It seemed she would need to talk to Frostnova about this; she couldn't keep doing it, or the trees wouldn't be able to take it.
"What's wrong? Why do you look like you've lost your soul? Did you go find Kashchey and get bullied by him again?"
Returning to the room, Jeanne saw Talulah sitting there, either daydreaming or dazed, staring blankly at the door.
"It's nothing, just thinking about some things."
Hearing Jeanne's voice, Talulah immediately snapped out of it and waved her hand, signaling that nothing was wrong, just some deep thought.
Seeing Jeanne again, she recalled the warning Patriot had given her today when she informed him and the others of the situation.
"Everything in the Reunion Movement is currently built upon the foundation stone named Jeanne. If we truly obtain a mobile city as you say, it will absolutely not be a good thing!"
Hearing Patriot's words, Talulah had fallen into silence. Patriot was right; the fact that Reunion could be in its current state was almost entirely due to Jeanne supporting it here.
But what if one day she left? A Jeanne who lost Reunion would still be Jeanne, still the Saintess! But a Reunion that lost Jeanne would definitely be a case of 'virtue not matching the position.'
"With our current selves, how exactly are we going to manage a city? Can the soldiers under your command truly manage to live alongside non-infected? When faced with an issue concerning the Infected, will they handle it impartially, or will they be biased toward their own?"