MTMLF CH 20

Chapter 20

The Druids’ Atrocity

Jania was confused.

She couldn’t understand why these people were treating her—no, the real Jania—this way.

The only thing she knew for sure was that the forest residents had been the ones oppressing her and keeping her locked in this place all along.

Why?

Her mind spun, mixing together the knowledge she had from the book with what she’d learned since possessing this body.

Especially the things Rupert and Noah had told her kept echoing in her head—Purifier, Cursed Forest, barrier deadly to beastmen, and the ritual.

Her eyes widened.

No way…

She looked up at Sarah with trembling eyes.

“Are you… Druids?”

Druids. People who lived in the forest, used sorcery, and worshipped the land.

In the novel, they were described as rebels against the beastmen empire—sorcerers who helped humans gain power to overthrow the system.

So they were hiding here all along.

That’s why they created the barrier and spread rumors of the Cursed Forest—to hide from the beastmen.

Her bound arms trembled. The Druids she remembered from the novel were merciless. They sacrificed and harmed even their own kind if it helped their goals.

Sarah smiled down at her trembling face.

“Why ask now, Jania? You’ve known all along.”

“Ah…”

“You thought bringing a beastman in here would let you escape?”

Sarah reached out and stroked Jania’s pale cheek, her lips curling into a laugh.

“With your power, driving out beastmen is nothing.”

“My… power?” Jania’s eyes widened.

She could only mean purification—the Purifier’s power.

But how could that power be used to expel beastmen? Jania’s confusion deepened.

Sarah studied her face, then spoke again.

“Our druid powers specialize in curses. You’ve always been our offering, yet you react like someone who forgot everything.”

“Hah…”

Jania laughed bitterly. She had thought she was living safely, far away from the story’s starting point. But it was just a cage.

They had always known she was the Purifier. They had been exploiting her power for their own gain.

And she had even rejected Rupert and Noah’s offer of rescue. That regret now burned in her chest.

I should have run the moment I saw that note.

Her heart ached with despair. The warmth she had felt from Rupert earlier was nowhere to be found now.

“When did you find out?” Sarah asked curiously.

“We erased your memories after every ritual.”

“…”

Jania said nothing. She had only found a hastily written note, nothing more.

Sarah didn’t press further. It didn’t matter to her.

“Enough talk. Move aside—we need to finish the ritual.”

“Why are you rushing?” Sarah frowned at Peter, the elder with white hair.

Peter’s face twisted.

“I have a bad feeling.”

“Really, you’re overreacting today.”

Sarah muttered, though she didn’t ignore him.

Clearly Peter held the most influence among them.

“Let’s finish this and get some sleep.”

Max, her husband, added.

“Fine, fine. I’m always the bad one.”

Sarah sighed, stepping back from Jania.

In front of her, the fire blazed high. Yet instead of warmth, Jania felt colder and colder.

“The spirit of the forest, we offer you great power. Grant us your blessing.”

“Ugh…”

As the druids chanted together, the flames suddenly flared higher. Jania felt her purification power being pulled from her body into the fire.

“No… stop…”

She tried to resist but couldn’t. It felt like her insides were being emptied.

Her head drooped. She no longer had the strength to lift it.

The druids kept chanting, smiling. Jania felt sick.

So this was how they had always kept her captive and drained her power.

Maybe the great power the druids were known for was never theirs—it was hers.

The thought made her shiver in horror.

Rupert…

Just before losing consciousness, she thought of him. First his wolf form.

She had found him strange and amusing then, even cute. Annoying at times, yes, but life with him had been better than being alone. Much better.

“Ha…”

Tears slid down her cheeks, dripping to the ground.

Then—

BOOM!

The ground shook violently. Jania fell forward.

The druids faltered mid-chant, the fire flickering.

“What was that?”

“Don’t mind it! Keep the ritual—”

CRASH!

Another impact struck. Leaves rustled, something heavy fell, and panic spread.

“The barrier…?”

“Impossible!”

The druids shouted in fear. A violent wind howled through the forest, targeting only them.

“Argh!”

While they struggled, Jania slowly regained some strength. She pushed herself up—

“Jania.”

“!”

Someone caught her and helped her up. She lifted her head.

“Rupert.”

“Sorry I’m late, Jania.”

The forest was dark, but his golden eyes glowed bright. Relief flooded her, and her body went limp.

A strong arm wrapped around her waist.

“Are you alright?”

“I-I’m okay…”

“Rest now. When you wake up, it’ll all be over.”

“Mmm…”

At his words, Jania finally let go and fell asleep.

Rupert’s face hardened as he turned away, confirming she was unconscious.

“Father.”

Noah approached. The fight was already over.

“They were hiding like rats in here.”

The druids were tied up on the ground, bound with tools made specifically for capturing them.

“You damn beasts!”

Max roared, only to be kicked in the face by a knight.

“Max!”

Sarah screamed as he spat blood. Her face twisted with fury.

“Filthy monsters! You’ll be punished one day!”

“Maybe.”

Rupert’s voice was cold. His eyes swept over each of their faces.

He understood everything now. The rumors of the cursed forest, the barrier, Jania’s captivity—all to use her power.

He had suspected something, but realized too late. Jania had nearly been lost because of his delay.

“Father, isn’t this good? We caught all the rebels at once.”

Noah tried to smile.

“Good?!”

Rupert snapped, more emotional than usual. Noah’s eyes widened.

“Father…”

“If Jania had been harmed, none of this would matter.”

“That’s… true, but…”

Seeing his father so unlike himself unsettled Noah. Still, he told himself Rupert was only worried about losing the Purifier—the last one left on the continent.

If she was gone, there was no telling when Rupert might lose control again.

That had to be the reason for his intense emotions.