The Temple of Salt of the Earth cuts off all the hustle and bustle of the outside world, leaving only a silence that freezes time.
Famas stepped into Heulia's temple. The snow-white satin flag hung high. The low light reflected through the crystal on the top of the building and onto the table in front of the throne. On the stone table, there were scattered parchments and the outline of Legenfend. The quill on the family coat of arms indicates that Saltland also had trade relations with Old Mondstadt.
"This place is so peaceful... It's like you're not on the continent of Teyvat."
At that time, Famas was looking at Heulia's cold temple. He did not seize the other's sacred throne, which was carved with complicated patterns and exuded an elegant fragrance. Instead, he came to the desk opposite the sacred throne.
The young man pushed the parchment on the desk to the edge with his hands, and sat down boldly. His blood-stained boots were still trampling on the short-term truce agreement signed by Heulia and the demon gods surrounding Salt of the Earth.
"Thank you for your compliment, God of War."
Heulia stood on the steps submissively. Considering the different customs between the two countries, she didn't even dare to sit back on her throne. She just held her arms with her scattered silk clothes and stood quietly like a salt sculpture, raising her head to respond. the other party’s evaluation.
Famas lowered his head and stared at Heulia's eyes as pure as salt flowers, then looked away, picked up the parchment scrolls that looked like contracts next to him, shook the dust off them, and started reading:
"The Demon God of Salt, Heulia, and the Dragon King of Light Ce have entered into a peace treaty in order to restore harmony between the two countries and their subjects and to eliminate any future disputes. They have reviewed the agreements with each other and found that they are both sound and sound. They have agreed upon the terms together. , juxtaposed below.”
"From the bank of Dihuazhou to the beach to the mouth of the clear water, and from the mouth of the river to the tings and stone gates in the river, all the cities and towns to the east are included in the delimitation line, including fields, rocks, mines, water Cars and other public facilities and resources will be transferred to King Chi forever..."
The young man frowned and read the entire contract.
If converted into a region a thousand years later, this land cessation compensation contract took away the entire Dihuazhou originally owned by Heulia and the small Tingzhu Island on the Bishui River, in exchange for only a short-term truce.
From the obscure and extremely precise wording, Famas guessed that the witness of this contract should be the Rock King Morax from Guiliji, but his focus was obviously not on him and he had no grudge against him. of Morax.
"Easy Dragon King... Heulia, as a demon god, can't you defeat even a chi dragon?"
Famas casually threw the unequal contract into the pile of volumes in the corner of the temple.
Judging from the scale of the scrolls piled up in the temple, Heulia has signed many land cession contracts.
"...Maybe I can defeat that Chi King, but the children will also be bleeding and injured."
Heulia shook her head gently, her silver-white hair swaying slightly, and her handsome profile revealed a slight sense of decadence. She just stood there quietly with her arms folded, as if she were holy and fragile. picture scroll.
"We have a lifespan that is longer than mortals, long enough to be squandered, and a resume that is enough to be compiled into history. This allows us to understand the mysteries of the world and grasp the laws of the world.
“Mortals are born naked in their mother’s womb and learn from a blank sheet of paper, but within us are the rise and fall of time, the truth of things that have passed and things that are yet to come… I also know the connection between clouds and dusk, the harvest of salt and the hundreds of millions of people. Use the rest."
"I want to be the best god and the best mother they can be."
Heulia always remained gentle and respectful, but her words were so decisive.
"Blindly giving in will only allow the greedy hunting dogs to advance. They will first ask you for salt, and then they will ask you for territory and city. In the end, what will you have left?"
"Are they the children you hold dear?"
Famas stood up to refute, and the heavy armor on his legs rubbed and collided with each other due to trampling, making a dull sound.
Although Famas's words sounded unkind, Heulia was somewhat envious of this God of War.
Because only countries with sufficient confidence have the courage to say these words. The military equipment and institutional cohesion possessed by Munata are unique in the Teyvat continent, and are as rare as myths.
But Heulia couldn't bear the death and pain caused by such a war.
"I don't want to make a choice."
Heulia's voice was low and calm, and she looked up at the heroic young man with sad eyes.
"Do you think a mother would choose between her children who should be fed to the lions and who should live?"
"I know that the winner will always be alive, but victory ultimately requires the sacrifice of human life. You divide your people into high and low, and put a value on each life. Some people should go to the front line to die, and some people can be killed on the front line. Just survive in the rear."
"Should those selected soldiers shoulder such a fate and responsibility?"
"Dear God of War, no one wants to be the one abandoned... They are born as human beings and should consider themselves. We cannot accuse the weak of selfishness, because they have never had room to swing."
The words of the Salt God echoed in the empty and silent temple. The arrival of the Demon God War has made the water on this continent extremely turbid. Heulia's ability cannot shield her believers and the land in this troubled world. Compared with those who have The mighty demon, the power of salt seems so insignificant.
Her land was occupied piece by piece, and the believers dispersed little by little, but even so, Heulia still made every effort to protect the children who still believed in her.
"In this senseless fight, if you win, you can certainly become a hero that will go down in history, but if you lose..."
"All your thoughts and plans will become the reason to judge you. No matter what, when you are in the war, you are the crime itself, and I still have my children who need protection."
"I am their only mother and I cannot give up on any of my children."
This was the toughest thing Heulia had said when facing other demon gods. Perhaps it was the war power possessed by Famas that stimulated her. This weak King of Salt and Earth bluntly told the final outcome that the other party might face.
In the silent silence, the two looked at each other for a long time.
"I understand, but I hope you understand that you can't make decisions for all humans."
"Some people avoid cruel rule and instead destroy the country. Some people do not mind the reputation of cruelty in order to make their subjects unite. Which choice and to what extent are all issues that the lord of a country should consider."
At that time, Famas did not expect that his few words could persuade Heulia to decide not to participate in the war, and he did not feel angry because of the ending described by the other party. He just sighed softly.
"This is a communication device made by Witch R. It can contact Munata's forward army in Mondstadt."
Famas hesitated for a moment, then took out a spherical communication device from an unknown space and threw it towards Heulia.
The Salt God was still afraid of the offensive words he just said. After hearing Famas's words, he reached out in a panic and took the spherical machine thrown by the boy.
"I hope that when we meet next time, you can understand the reason why my hands are full of blood. I also hope that your road will not be filled with haze."
Famas waved his hand and walked away from the temple, which was as silent as a tomb, leaving only Heulia with a blank look on her face.
(End of chapter)
