Chapter 116: Happiness
Edgar left the conversation with Semele more confused than when it had begun.
He walked across the Fortress almost absentmindedly, replaying her final words over and over inside his head.
To complete a ritual requiring a woman’s sacrifice... it’s really important for her to be a virgin.
"...What ritual?" He quietly rubbed his temples.
There was no context or explanation.
He thought she was referring to his ritual, but she clearly meant something else.
Only another mysterious sentence that somehow sounded important.
’That woman never says anything directly...’
Edgar let out a slow breath before forcing himself to stop thinking about it.
There were more immediate matters waiting for him.
Not long afterward, he arrived before the Agricultural House.
The three-story building had become one of the busiest places inside the Fortress.
Workers constantly carried baskets filled with vegetables and fruits through the wide entrance.
Others transported fresh soil or repaired wooden planters.
Edgar slowly climbed the ramp leading to the first floor.
Before long, he spotted a familiar old man directing several workers.
"Move those baskets closer to the western side. The tomatoes need more sunlight, and don’t forget to water the peppers before noon."
Oswald turned around after hearing approaching footsteps.
His wrinkled face immediately brightened. "Young master."
Edgar smiled faintly. "Looks like you’ve completely taken over this place."
The old man scratched his beard with an embarrassed laugh. "Someone had to."
His eyes wandered across the countless crops growing inside the building. "Everyone here already knows what they’re supposed to do. I mostly remind them not to make foolish mistakes."
Edgar slowly nodded while looking around.
Compared to when the building had first been completed, it now looked far more alive.
Rows of vegetables stretched throughout the floor.
Fruit trees had already begun bearing small harvests.
The smell of damp soil mixed with fresh leaves filled the entire building.
Edgar casually reached toward a nearby tree and picked one of the ripe fruits hanging from its branch.
Crunch.
Sweet juice immediately spread across his tongue.
"...Not bad."
Oswald smiled proudly. "The soil here is way too fertile. The crops grow much faster than I expected."
Edgar silently looked around once more. "Do you need anything?"
The old farmer thought for a moment. "...More people."
He pointed toward the upper floors.
"The fields keep expanding. I’m afraid I won’t be able to supervise everything alone forever."
Edgar nodded. "I’ll arrange a few more workers."
Oswald lowered his head gratefully. "Thank you, young master."
After speaking for a while longer, Edgar continued climbing toward the upper floor.
...
The highest floor looked much quieter than the rest.
Long rows of wheat gently swayed beneath the open sections of the roof.
The soft breeze carried the pleasant scent of ripened grain throughout the room.
Edgar slowly walked toward the edge of the platform before sitting down.
From there, almost the entire Fortress could be seen.
Smoke rose from chimneys.
Everyone continued moving on with their lives.
"....."
For the first time that morning, his mind finally became quiet.
A few minutes later, soft footsteps approached from behind.
Edgar turned his head. "...Hera?"
The silver-haired girl had changed into a simple black dress.
She hesitated briefly before walking over. "...May I sit here?"
Edgar nodded. "Of course."
She quietly lowered herself beside him, but both of them still felt a little awkward in each other’s presence.
Eventually, Hera lowered her gaze. "...I’m sorry."
Edgar looked at her as the girl drew in a deep breath and continued. "For this morning."
Her ears gradually turned red. "I... I didn’t mean to keep coming downstairs every night."
She nervously twisted her fingers together, which showed her anxiety. "I don’t even realize I’m doing it."
She took a small breath before continuing.
"When I wake up in the middle of the night... everything feels cold. The nightmares always come back."
Edgar kept staring at the girl who tried to defend her dignity.
She gently pressed a hand against her chest. "Whenever I am with you, all my nightmares disappear."
Hera forced herself to continue despite her embarrassment. "I know it must trouble you, but I truly don’t mean to cause problems."
Edgar remained silent for a moment before reaching toward the nearby wheat field.
’She has gotten a lot better than before... a few more pushes and she will return to normal...’
He gently plucked several long stalks.
"You know..."
He slowly began weaving them together.
"Happiness is a strange thing. I used to think surviving was enough, but people can’t keep living only because they’re still breathing."
His fingers continued moving through the wheat. "We also need reasons."
He looked toward the Fortress below. "People we care about. Small moments that make tomorrow worth reaching."
Hera quietly lowered her eyes. "...But everyone I cared about is gone."
"They’re gone, but you’re still here." He looked directly at her. "If they’ve truly disappeared, then someone has to continue living in their place."
His voice remained calm. "Be happy for them. Laugh for them. Live the life they no longer can."
Hera’s lips trembled slightly. "...Live for them?"
Edgar nodded. "Otherwise, their sacrifices would only leave behind another grave."
Hera turned silent with her head lowered and her eyes on her thighs.
A few moments later, Edgar finished weaving the wheat together.
A simple crown had taken shape beneath his fingers.
"It isn’t perfect." He smiled before gently placing it upon Hera’s head. "There."
Hera blinked. "...How do I look?"
Edgar leaned back to admire his handiwork. "...You would look better if you smiled more."
For a brief second, Hera looked confused.
Then she realized the corners of her lips had risen without her noticing.
A soft laugh escaped her mouth. The sound drifted gently through the wheat field.
Edgar found himself smiling as well.
But without warning, Semele’s words echoed inside his mind once again.
"...it’s really important for her to be a virgin."
His smile slowly disappeared, and his eyes shifted toward Hera.
Toward the innocent smile on her face.
"....."
Realization slowly settled in his heart about what her words truly meant.
’...A way to save her.’
The two of them remained silent for a long while.