What did you do with the dice?

At this moment, the crowd had different opinions. Those who supported Rewi Alley still made up the majority. A rough estimate was that the ratio was about 7:3. The disagreements quickly turned into suspicion and quarrels.

"You're just as crazy as he is! Lord Ai Li relied on the kindness of the Light God to prove that atonement works. What did she do wrong? Why sacrifice her?"

"I think you are the selfish ones. You have forgotten your roots after receiving a little benefit from her. Maybe she really took away the holy light that should belong to us and our children?"

"How dare you slander little Reeley!"

Ai Li's mother hugged her tightly and said, "Ai Li, don't listen to what they say. Let's go home. Have a bowl of chicken soup and get some sleep."

The air was filled with the smell of gunpowder, and it seemed like it was about to turn into a fight.

Ai Li, who was standing on the sidelines, was also very shaken when she saw this scene. At this moment, she felt as if she were standing in the center of the square herself, looking so helpless. Her endless silence undoubtedly only intensified the conflict. As the first stone flew out, the atmosphere here was instantly ignited and completely turned into a big brawl!

If powerful people choose silence, then those who have lost their way will become lost and sacrifice themselves in vain. This is your first sin.

"Everyone, stop arguing! Stop hurting others. We are obviously a family, why are we doing this... Enough! Stop! I want to be the experimental subject of this scholar sister!"

Ai Li's voice was spread by the power of holy light, and a powerful force shocked everyone on the field. As a result, this sudden battle came to an end just as it began.

[But, can sacrifice and concession really bring peace? ]

"Aili, I'm sorry, we were just carried away for a moment..."

"Yes, it's all because of that Morano's lies. We knights have always believed in you."

After this incident, the villagers were very moved. Even those who had originally doubted her knelt down to repent and kowtow to thank her, putting the blame on Morano, who had been exiled at that moment.

The spirit of sacrifice is great no matter where it is. When a person is willing to selflessly serve others, he stands at the pinnacle of morality and is beyond reproach.

Before Ai Li planned to go to the wizard's laboratory, everyone made her countless delicious foods and encouraged her to survive no matter what.

"Lord Ai Li, I believe you are innocent. I will pray for you every day."

"Yes, if that scholar did something to hurt you, just come back and everyone will support you. No one is born to think about and sacrifice for others. Asking for others' sacrifice is shameful in the eyes of God Light!"

Everyone gathered around little Ai Li again. However, in Ai Li's eyes, most of the villagers who knelt down to apologize were still a colorless gray. Not only that, the gray shadow became more rampant and began to be stained with the color of those supporters.

Yes, if Lady Ai Li had a clear conscience, why would she so decisively agree to something that would hurt herself?

The cruel experiment begins

This time, Ai Li was no longer a bystander, but experienced firsthand everything that little Ai Li had encountered - from bloodletting, to further advancement to magic adaptation tests, being force-fed and injected with all kinds of strange potions, and even having to infuse a large amount of magic power to activate the sealed power in her body, causing the skin and blood vessels on the surface of her body to explode.

The fanatical wizard who didn't care about her body at all conducted all kinds of crazy spell experiments day and night, almost destroying her body again and again. However, under the recovery ability of the Holy Light, her tattered body could be quickly regenerated every time. This perfect experimental material further stimulated the wizard's desire to research.

The physical pain continued to accumulate, but Ai Li thought of her hometown and parents, and gritted her teeth and persevered, making her forget her initial cries. Later, she gradually got used to it and became numb.

The experiment lasted for a month. Finally, Rewi Alley was pushed out of the laboratory with her eyes closed and her voice silent. The moment she saw the light of day again, she even forgot to cry. She felt no joy of being reborn, but only that the sunlight was inexplicably dazzling.

"Aili! Poor child!"

"Dad...Mom..."

The hug of her parents made Ai Li feel body temperature again, and tears rolled down her face. This time, Ai Li could no longer tell the difference between herself and little Ai Li, and she thoroughly enjoyed the hug of her parents, whom she had never met in her memory.

The female mage shook her head at the villagers. "Well, it can't be done. There's absolutely no way to lift this curse. But according to my experiments, this young priest's blood does contain some substance that is resistant to the curse. It's not an exaggeration to say that this is a miracle that cannot be replicated. Moreover, she does have a huge source of holy light power that is sealed within her body and does not belong to her. But where does it come from and how can it be activated? Forgive my lack of knowledge and ability.

"However, I have also obtained valuable experimental data. I will leave here and find a way to deal with these two things. Thank you very much for your care and for providing me with a convenient experimental venue. I will leave the research products and notes in the room to you. See you again."

After everything was settled, Rewi Alley returned to the perspective of a bystander and felt genuinely pleased with his past strength.

But she didn't notice that her body seemed to become slightly more transparent than before.

The cold narration sounded slowly, making her shiver.

[The resilient little Rewi Alley survived this cruel ordeal of self-sacrifice and was greeted with blessings and cheers from everyone.]

[Do you think the nightmare ends here? ]

Don't forget that humans are consequential creatures. When your sacrifice doesn't produce a favorable outcome for them, even those who once supported and admired you will feel, from their perspective, that they have endured a month of agonizing waiting, only to have their hopes dashed. This is a deeper despair.

[Furthermore, they have obtained several "conclusions" that are enough to make the seeds of doubt take root and germinate. Now, how will they view you?]

Ai Li saw that from her perspective, the gray shadow was gradually spreading, almost infecting every villager.

Soon, a rumor suddenly spread in the village.

What the exiled Morano said might not be entirely wrong, because the wizard also proved that Ai Li did have some special physique, and her blood was indeed a natural antibody to the curse.

Perhaps, drinking her blood could cure the curse?

This is undoubtedly an absurd idea. Drinking the blood of fellow human beings is as cruel as the beasts of the Aiel Empire. All human ethics and morals will be broken. It can be said that when people have this idea, they have completely degenerated to be no different from beasts.

At first, everyone suppressed the rumor in their hearts. During the day, Rewi Alley still greeted everyone with a smile, as if nothing had happened. Everyone returned to the peaceful and quiet life full of hope, which was what Rewi Alley had expected.

But under the eaves in the dead of night, the sound of people communicating can occasionally be heard.

Maybe, possibly, possibly, probably.

How cunning these words sound, as if they contain endless hope, tempting people to try to pursue those illusory possibilities, and the voices gradually become louder and louder.

At least...it's better than despair.

Give it a try, just try it, it only takes a little blood. Aerie has such a powerful holy light power that can support her to survive the torture experiment of the wizard. She is a strong person, and the strong will not care about being injured. The injuries of those paladins can be healed in a blink of an eye. It only takes a little blood at a time, and she will definitely be fine.

And she is so kind that she would not refuse such a small request. She should not refuse such a small request. How could she refuse such a small request!

When the villagers gathered at her doorstep, only Ai Li's father and mother were left, holding kitchen knives and plowing rakes, confronting the villagers who were clearly begging for mercy but were holding shiny swords, spears, halberds, and bloodletting buckets in their hands.

"Let little Aerie out!"

"We just wanted to borrow some blood from her. What's wrong with us?"

"We were cursed for no reason and deprived of the opportunity to receive the blessing of the Light God, while she was unaffected and received such powerful holy light. She keeps saying that she wants to save the village, but why won't she even share a bit of her blood with us to help us?"

Ai Li watched all this in agony. She ran over and shouted, "It's not like this! This curse is not like this at all! Everyone, listen to me. I will work hard to become a great saint and lift the curse for everyone. But once you do something like this, even if the curse is lifted, you will become a complete sinner and will never be favored by the god Light!"

But her voice did not reach people's ears. Under the determined eyes of Ai Li's parents, little Ai Li slowly opened the door, holding a dagger, and walked out.

"Aili, don't!"

"It's just a little blood. Everyone has always taken such good care of me. They were right. It's just a little blood. This power was given to me by the messenger of the God of Light so that everyone can feel at ease. How can I, for my own sake... not save everyone?"

The dagger cut his arm and blood flowed into the bucket. The villagers' anger once again turned into gratitude and guilt.

But this time, the so-called guilt has completely turned into crocodile tears.

When Ai Li saw this, she suddenly felt a sense of desolate resonance in her heart. She looked at her former self and wanted to ask her loudly: Is this really right?

She couldn't help but think of what Rusalka had said to her.

However, at this moment, the narrator's voice seemed to see through her heart and asked:

So, do you have any other choice?

Ai Li's eyes were filled with confusion. She looked at the villagers who were staring at the blood in the bucket with eyes that almost burned her, as if they were about to be redeemed. She found that apart from sadness and pity, she could not feel any anger, doubt, or even the thought of blaming them.

Yes, they are also poor people who are cursed, what's wrong with that?

As this thought arose, Ai Li's perspective switched again, and she transformed into the little Ai Li who was bleeding.

Her body gradually became cold and weak. Even with the support of the holy light, those buckets after buckets, like the endless greed of mankind, made her dizzy and her vision blurred.

"Aili!"

Before my consciousness fell into darkness, I heard my parents calling and hugging me.

Her heart warmed and a sense of relief arose.

At least, it was good that I was the one who suffered for little Rewi Alley.

Her body became somewhat transparent again.

Chapter 291: Rewi Alley's Past (Part 2)

[Drinking blood cannot remove the curse, of course!]

[However, people are unwilling to accept failure. No matter whether they are strong or weak, no one can calmly accept the fate of failure! ]

[They've fallen into hysterics. It must be because they didn't drink enough blood for long enough. There's no other possibility!]

【Wait, maybe there is? 】

【Hehehe~】

A shrill and mocking laugh sounded, and Ai Li felt her mind was in a daze at this moment. She was being carried on someone's back and moving away quickly. The narration's voice penetrated into her heart and deeply hurt her soul.

After a period of fruitless efforts, people began to believe that the Holy Light power sealed within you was stolen from them.

Although it’s not explicitly stated, you must have heard the story of killing the chicken to get the eggs when you were a child.

[You will soon meet your most tragic end.]

【But... things seem to be turning around?】

"Little Ai Li, you're awake. Hush—be quiet."

The mother's voice is gentle and melodious, dispelling fatigue; the father's back is solid and reliable, giving people peace of mind.

But soon, bright torches and shouts were heard everywhere, and gray shadows were moving around.

"Find them! They must have escaped with the Holy Light that was meant for us!"

"This damn thief, I've always said that his family must be the evil god's lackeys! When I find them, I will definitely take revenge!"

Parental love is the most selfless and great quality in the world. It is a radiant light of humanity that transcends curses.

They decided to take a gamble and send you out of this gray land of despair, erase your past, and start a new life.

"Little Ai Li, don't be afraid. Once you're out of the village, run towards the main road where there are a lot of people. Run anywhere you want, but don't let them catch you."

"So...what about you guys?"

"As for us, it's okay. We will hide as well. When you become a powerful priest, your name will surely spread throughout the country like the Saint. Then we will come to see you."

"Come on, little Ai Li, let's make a pinky promise. Liars will be hated by the Light God."

Little Ai Li felt relieved by her parents' words, but Ai Li, who was watching everything quietly, felt her heart becoming heavier and heavier. A very bad and depressing premonition was slowly flooding into her heart, and the lock of the dusty memory was slowly opening.

【It’s a pity that darkness has found you. 】

The branches broke, making a crisp sound.

"Found it, they are here!"

Torches and footsteps carried a gray aura, grinning fiercely as they came from all directions, turning the entire scene gray and white.

----

"God Light once said that sinners must be judged by fire! If the person who redeems their sins has truly repented, then when the flames burn on their body, they will not feel pain, nor will they scream. Only in this way can they ascend to Light's kingdom of God!"

The villagers held torches and shouted for judgment, and the man holding the torch was the Knight Morano.

Yes, he is back. He has never been far away, and he has been looking at this place with hatred. He reported the curse to the church and then personally led the team to capture Ai Li, all for today!

At this moment, he was already walking further and further down the road of anger, forgetting his original intention. Now, he didn't care whether Ai Li was innocent or not. He just wanted Ai Li, who was still looking at him with such pity, to fall into hell!

A family of three was tied to a wooden stake, with firewood piled under their feet.

"Dad, Mom, I'm the one who hurt you."

Tears dripped onto the firewood.

"Don't be afraid, little Ali. We are innocent. The flames will not harm us."

Torches were cast into the firewood at their feet.

"...Little Ai Li, close your eyes and hum a song for us, okay?"

Little Ai Li obediently closed her eyes. The temperature of the flames had no effect on her as she was protected by the Holy Light.

It turns out what they said was true, because I have never committed any crime, so it really is not hot at all.

There was only the crackling of flames around, and Ai Li did not hear the voices of his parents. He felt that they were the same as him, so he gradually relaxed and began to hum a song softly.

"Stop! Put out the flames immediately!"

"We are the Left Wing Paladins of the Angels. Following the orders of the Grand Saint, we are blocking this place! Everyone, lay down your weapons, and kneel down with your hands behind your head!"

A basin of cold water extinguished the flames at Ai Li's feet, and a young knight untied her.

"You've suffered, child."

"It doesn't matter, Sir Knight. I didn't do anything wrong, so I don't feel any pain at all. My parents are also innocent, they also..."

She turned around happily and immediately stood still.