Free Web NovelChapter 948: Chapter 466: Ancestor Spirit and Sacrifice
The first one, of course, was Herbert.
From this perspective alone, the entire Beast Ear Clan’s value to Herbert didn’t compare to even that of one Kathy.
And the second surprise was this very "understanding" Ancestor Spirit.
Herbert pondered for a moment, choosing not to control Kathy’s body to ask questions, but instead switched to directly questioning the Ancestor Spirit on a soul level.
["So, is this your own idea?"]
In this manner, the Beastmen present couldn’t hear what he said, only a few with shamanic talents could vaguely catch snippets.
"...Yes, esteemed sir."
The Ancestor Spirit seemed surprised by Herbert’s inquiry, paused for a moment, then slowly raised his head, looking at the entity before him, and solemnly said:
"I am willing to sacrifice for them, it is my will, independent of anyone else."
["Why?"]
Herbert watched the Ancestor Spirit, sensing no waver or fear of death in him, but rather noticed a hint of relief and ease.
He was not only willingly accepting this outcome, but even found joy in it.
The more composed the Ancestor Spirit seemed, the more curious Herbert became.
["Even if they don’t know what you’ve sacrificed for them?"]
The Ancestor Spirit didn’t hesitate and responded directly: "They don’t need to know, and I beg you not to tell them the truth."
"What I do is just like those elders who willingly left every time the clan faced a crisis."
"Using my death to secure their future."
"I am only an old man sacrificing for the children."
Without further embellishment, the Ancestor Spirit looked at Herbert and candidly expressed his thoughts.
"This is a transaction, compared to them, I am more important to you."
"I will willingly give up everything, allowing you to govern more easily."
The will of the Divine is the hardest to eliminate.
There are many in this world who have the ability to slay minor deities and seize their Divine Position, but they haven’t done so.
On one hand, they fear the network of relationships of those minor deities retaliating against them after they are killed.
On the other hand, they fear being possessed by the remaining will of the cleric after seizing the Divine Position.
"The will of the Supreme has awoken within me...".JPG
Only by completely destroying the will of the Divine can one truly become the master of a Divine Position, instead of becoming a spiritual patchwork monster.
And the simplest way to eradicate the will of the Divine is to have them voluntarily relinquish it.
In the Ancestor Spirit’s view, although Herbert could easily devour him, as long as he continued resisting, he could pose some trouble.
Therefore, his self-sacrifice also held value as a bargaining chip.
The Ancestor Spirit believed that by showing goodwill, the other party would treat his clan with benevolence.
But...he was wrong.
Compared to those clan members under his protection, the mysterious presence before him was actually more interested in him.
Herbert ignored the Ancestor Spirit’s proposed transaction and continued to ask: ["Are you saying that your approach is the same as all those elders who have chosen self-sacrifice in the past?"]
The Ancestor Spirit hesitated, but still nodded in response.
"Yes."
Upon the Ancestor Spirit’s affirmative response, Herbert nodded, then said meaningfully: ["So...you actually don’t see yourself as the deity or Ancestor Spirit they worship, but merely an old man?"]
"..."
The Ancestor Spirit furrowed his brow, looking at Herbert with a complex gaze, not answering for a long time.
After a long while, he merely nodded silently, then shook his head, slowly bowing his head down again, resuming his prostrated kneeling posture.
He too had the dignity of being an Ancestor Spirit.
He was willing to sacrifice himself for the clan, but not to the point of truly becoming a slave with obsequiousness.
But what truly silenced him, more than the indignity of continuous questioning, was the attitude of the other party.
The Ancestor Spirit didn’t quite know how to respond.
He didn’t know the purpose of the entity’s questions, couldn’t guess what intentions the master had, nor dared to speculate.
In fact, the Beast Ear Ancestor Spirit felt utterly incapable of querying or expressing any dissatisfaction now.
In Herbert’s perspective, the Ancestor Spirit was a small black cat, appearing weak and powerless.
But in the Ancestor Spirit’s own perspective...the unknown entity attached to Kathy was like a mass of deep black mist.
Seemingly dispersible with a breath, but incomparably profound, as if it hid an abyss that sent shivers down the spine.
Unseeable! Unknowable! Unspeakable!
The Ancestor Spirit didn’t know the true identity of the other party, but based solely on that feeling...it was truly hard to believe the entity belonged to the True God camp.
Yet ironically, this seemingly Evil God-like being was doing good acts to save them.
He didn’t ask.
Because the Divine are complicated.
As a Pseudo-God, the Ancestor Spirit was especially aware of this.
In facing enemies, the Ancestor Spirit was a violent beast, cruelly slaying his foes.
But in facing the clansmen who served him, the Ancestor Spirit became a kind elder, willing to sacrifice for them.
No matter whether the other was good or evil, he only required one guarantee.
A guarantee that allowed for the survival of more clan members.
As for himself...he had already fulfilled all his responsibilities.
["I can give you a promise."]
Herbert looked at the Ancestor Spirit, a slight curve playing at his lips, and said softly:
["You have mistaken something, I have never needed your sacrifice, and am not interested in their lives."]
Ancestor Spirit: ?
["Not only can I let them survive, but I can also allow you to continue living, giving you a stable future."]
"What!!?"
The Ancestor Spirit abruptly looked up, disbelievingly staring at the unseeable abyss again.
"You!"
He realized his tone was off, hurriedly correcting himself, and panic-strickenly asked: "You, what is it exactly that you want!!?"
At this moment, the Ancestor Spirit felt worry, realizing the other party might desire more than he’d ever imagined!
Because he knew all too well—free things are the most expensive!
Those who ask for nothing often want the most.
["I want your loyalty, your loyalty."]
["Since the moment I set my eyes on you, you can only submit to me."]
Herbert smilingly looked at the flustered Ancestor Spirit, casually saying: ["You may doubt my intentions, surmise my thoughts, forever harboring unease...but at least you can still live."]
["By the way, this isn’t a transaction, just informing you of your future."]
He bent down, reaching out to pat the black cat’s head, uttering the most arrogant words with a gentle tone.
["Because you have yet to qualify to make a transaction with me."]
Oh?
He watched as the Ancestor Spirit, now utterly fluffed up after his touch, blinked in surprise.
What’s the matter with this guy?
I was just teasing him a bit, my tone wasn’t excessively harsh, how could he be so frightened?
Miss Harmonious God refrained from commenting.
For what reason, one wonders?
Of course, because the perspectives differ.
Herbert perceived himself as petting a little kitten, vividly expressing his goodwill.
But in the Ancestor Spirit’s eyes—that was an unnameable abyss suddenly extending a hand formed from condensed black mist, almost swatting him dead.
"...Understood."
Although the Ancestor Spirit wasn’t sure of what exactly had transpired, the fact of survival was enough for him.
"Kaimora and the Beast Ear Clan shall forever pledge allegiance to you."
If survival was possible, he was reluctant to sacrifice in vain.
Regardless of what might be required in the future, at this moment, the Beast Ear Clan had been saved.
In the next second, Kaimora heard the abyss unexpectedly and curiously inquire: ["Huh? Your name is Kaimora? So, you’re female?"]
["Come on, turn over for me to see...uh!"]
Kaimora: ???
In an instant, that mysterious presence inexplicably transformed into a baffling rogue.
The Ancestor Spirit expressed his incomprehension.
["Wait, what are you doing? Go away! You—"]
A moment later, the mysterious presence coughed twice, returning to normal and coolly spoke:
["Ahem! Whatever you just heard, you heard wrong, understand?"]
"..."
Kaimora, the Ancestor Spirit of the Beast Ear Clan, hesitated, unsure whether to answer.
At this moment, he suddenly felt that his previous decision...might indeed have been somewhat hasty.
Turn over...
Is this the sacrifice I must pay in the future?
Is this right?
.
.
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