CHAPTER 487: CHAPTER 423: THE NAME BESTOWED BY GOD

Bodies were discarded along the road, and the Logos peoples could only bury their kin with utmost simplicity, unable to even hold a funeral.

From time to time, people cast their gazes into the distance, where lay an almost endless road beset only by death, until the very last Logos would perish here, uncertain if they would ever find a place to settle.

In this new world untouched by others, they seemed forgotten by heaven and earth, forsaken by God.

The Elves, who lived long in tranquility, once again felt the fragility of life, having forgotten how easily death could come to those with lifespans of hundreds of years.

The people’s eyes often gathered at the forefront of the troop, where Nimirda led them to this place, and although no one questioned this leader, the tens of thousands of Logos had wandered in pain for too long, and soon, that silent fury would erupt and engulf Nimirda.

Nimirda’s face was gaunt, and he had now become the new King in the eyes of his people, in their eyes, he was the chosen one, and every action was arranged and willed by God.

If death kept pursuing them and Nimirda led his people into ruin, then it would mean Nimirda had fallen, he had strayed from God’s will, and lost God’s grace.

Even though they had left the Nus Kingdom and no longer considered the Merfolk their kin, it did not mean they had abandoned their faith.

The more people were tormented by suffering, the more they encountered trials on the road, the more they needed God.

It was the tense string in their minds, their last pillar of spirit, for if that too were lost, living would be tantamount to death.

The gaunt Nimirda wobbled across the grassland, echoes of his father’s words playing in his mind,

"Nimirda, leave, leave this place.

Bear the consequences of your mistakes, as shall I."

Gazing at the grasslands that seemed to stretch out endlessly, Nimirda murmured,

"Is this my consequence?"

The Merfolk Po Han followed by his side, equally afflicted by hunger and suffering, unable to escape his predicament.

After days of company, Po Han’s resentment towards Nimirda had lessened considerably, looking at the tormented Nimirda before him, a glimmer of compassion appeared in his eyes.

"You have been abandoned by God."

Po Han spoke weakly,

"This is your retribution, this is Divine punishment."

Nimirda turned to look at Po Han.

Po Han had thought that this Elf Prince would be steadfast in his gaze, just as Dertulian in the Scriptures never wavered, but unexpectedly, Nimirda’s eyes wandered briefly before settling into composure.

"No, no! God has bestowed a mission upon me!

Angels have guided my path in dreams, it won’t be long now, we will arrive."

Death would not stay its scythe for any level of devotion.

Another nightfall descended, the cold wind swept over the vast yet desolate grassland, unknown to how many more would die in their sleep.

These deaths, like sparks igniting a fuse, panic erupted amongst the Logos in the night, sparking a violent outburst.

"That’s a lie, all those words are lies!"

"There is no new world here!"

"Nimirda has strayed from God! God, please forgive us!"

The Elves shouted loudly, releasing their unbearable anger, pleading for God’s mercy. A cacophony of wails, curses, sobs, and prayers mingled together, further muddied by the howling winds.

Once, these followers were full of defiance, loudly condemning the depravity and fall of the Nus Kingdom, but now they regretted it, regretted following Nimirda heedlessly on this perilous journey.

The Logos people couldn’t help but wonder...

Was all this God’s arrangement?

If indeed it was...

Then... could God’s arrangement be abandonment?

This dreadful thought swept through like a storm, causing the string of faith in each Logos’ mind to tremble.

In the face of the uprising, Nimirda did not flee in panic but, guarded by his Attendants, came before the tumultuous crowd and did all in his power to calm the restless hearts.

Nimirda stepped into the crowd and spoke in an undeniable voice:

"I am Nimirda, your King Dertulian!

His arrangement is not abandonment but our faith that fails under this testing.

God is still watching over us, I carry a mission upon my shoulders, the Angels instruct me to lead you across hardships and dangers, to a truly new world within! That is the great Kingdom bestowed to us by God!"

Nimirda’s timely appearance stemmed the chaos among the Logos, and the revolt was quelled before bloodshed, as they gradually regained composure amidst the prince’s repeated promises.

Afterwards, the thousands of Logos all knelt to pray together, welcoming the dawn of the next day.

The dawn of the next day broke, and the Exiles set off once more, marching towards the unknown beyond. They had made their choice amidst the division of the two races, left their homes, and embarked on this unknown road. Before confronting death, they had been too optimistic, such that only upon bearing the consequences did they start to question if this was indeed a grave mistake, filled with regret for their past decisions.

The Logos people wondered... was this truly a quest for God, like that of King Dertulian?