Chapter 450: Climbing Mount Olympus part 9

"I hate it. Why does it have to be me?

"It hurts. Even now. Not only has she cut me open, she is tearing my soul apart, forcing an unspeakable thing upon me. I'm fine if I'm the only one left behind, but please, let the other girls rest next to the goddess' graceful side".

"Pain... Pain... Pain... Pain... Pain... Pain... Pain... Pain... Pain... Pain... Pain..."

"I want Mummy and Daddy. Where are they..."

"Why did Mum choose me... I'm fine if I don't eat... I will eat only one piece of bread a day if it means staying next to my mother".

"Forgive me... Forgive me... Just please, stop this madness"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

"All of you..." [Diana]

Through the combined efforts of all, we have managed to locate Mother Holle's location. It's not easy. In fact, it actually takes three days of going up and down Mount Olympus, backtracking even several times, as Mother Holle's numerous lures can trap someone in an eternal snowstorm, effectively killing those brave enough to pursue her. While some of those pursued, consisting of adventurers and knights, were saved thanks to our timely intervention, most of them weren't so lucky. In fact, their souls wandered off. Fortunately, we are here to give these brave souls a proper burial.

The souls of the girls, on the other hand... Words really can't describe what I'm feeling right now. The same anger I have felt many times in the past. Be it the memory of my family being murdered by Flint and other Aru villagers, be it the Empire playing with other people's lives, be it the True Beastmen group using the Demon Clan as their suicide bombers and life shields without a care in the world. It's the same feeling.

Mother Holle, being a witch, means that she can trap these souls to serve whatever purpose she wants. All these girls, they're being used as guards for her lair. Of course, they shouldn't even be able to express their emotions, however much pain they're in, but with me here, I'm able to unravel some of the witchcraft that's been put on them. With each spell removed, their grief deepened.

"I'm sorry... I can't bring any of you back to life" [Diana].

"You're a WITCH! Why can't you?"

"I just wanted to see my family again"

"Please... Let me live again"

"I can't... Even if I know how... I can't. For that will only bring the Goddess' wrath upon you and me" [Diana].

"The Goddess will surely understand"

"It's only for a moment"

"Where is justice? Why can Mother Holle kill us so easily?"

"Why can the King and Queen stay in their palace with their families while we..."

"I'm sorry... I can't answer your question... To tell you the truth... I was thinking the same thing. I just don't understand why these people are willing to do terrible things... Why they only think of others... I can only tell you that I'm sorry and I'll see that your justice is served" [Diana].

"Will you kill Mother Holle?"

"I will and... I will also see to it that the royalty and nobility of this land who supported such an action will pay through your own hands and souls" [Diana].

"Diana! That's is?!" [Falmer]

"But if any of you turn into vengeful spirits, be warned, I will exorcise you immediately. That's my offer. I can talk to you now, in peace, and solemnly offer you to embrace the Goddess on the other side. Perhaps using Witch Art to soften and speed up the process, but those of you who wanted to see Mother Holle and the others have paid their price, be warned of what I have just said" [Diana].

(This is a heavy subject...) [Randy]

(She has matured... I'm glad, but part of me feels sad that she's the one who said that thing) [Nar]

(In a way, this is how Cardinal Davis does his exorcism. Saint Louis and Saintess Rumia on the other hand are much softer) [Joseph]

"Souls tortured by the witch, I will also help you take your revenge if you wish. I am also partly responsible, as I need outside help to solve this matter" [Falmer].

"Miss Falmer..." [Diana]

That's my offer to you. Rather than using my Witch Art, the easier and faster method, this is a method I have chosen to deal with them.

While some of them wanted to see the Goddess right away, saying that they were just tired and wanted to sleep, most of them didn't... I understand. I can sympathise with them. This is how I feel about those Aru villagers

"Nar. Randy. Fie. Miss Falmer. Sir Wandering Sage. All the Yuki Ona... Please, let me kill Mother Holle myself" [Diana].

"Understood. We will take care of whatever monster she has with her" [Yuki Ona Queen].

"If things get rough, we will jump in immediately though" [Nar]

"Same here, kiddo. Can't let you get hurt" [Randy]

"Meow" [Fie]

"Please do this" [Randy]

"The spirit has dispelled the barrier. Let me give you all one last enhancement before we fight Mother Holle" [Joseph].

"Thank you, Sir Wandering Sage" [Falmer]