The three of them had toured the entire settlement by the time evening approached.
A cold wind carrying fine snow swept through the settlement's humble streets.
Her gaze swept over the traces left by long-term habitation. She turned to Parsifal, who was accompanying them, and got straight to the point: "Parsifal, I heard you're planning to migrate east to join the Lawrence Clan. But the state of the people here doesn't look like they're preparing for a long journey."
The smile on Parsifal's face faded, replaced by a troubled expression. "Oh, that... As for provisions, we really do need more time to prepare. Lady Gunnhildr has ordered that, given our numbers, we must be fully prepared before setting out. Everyone is working desperately every day to prepare dried fish and smoked meat, and the artisans are working day and night to build sleds."
"About how much longer will you need to prepare?"
"I'm not sure either."
...
Coppelia asked Parsifal to lead the two of them to Gunnhildr's residence, intending to speak with her again.
The house was no different from its neighbors, with a rock foundation, wooden walls, and a snow-covered roof. The furnishings inside were spartan: a rough wooden table, a few polished tree stumps for stools, and tanned animal hides spread in a corner serving as a bed. The flames in the stone fireplace dispelled the biting cold, but also highlighted the scarcity of supplies.
The few pieces of old leather gear and well-maintained weapons hanging neatly on the wall were the only details in the simple space that hinted at its owner's identity.
Dinner was the fish caught during the day. There was a pot of clear-stewed fish soup, its broth a milky white, and another pot of grilled fish, each one cooked to perfection with crispy skin.
Coppelia sat quietly to the side, feeling immense joy as she watched Columbina's blissful expression.
She occasionally glanced towards Gunnhildr, observing the young knight's elegant way of eating. The knight's brow was slightly furrowed, as if she were still preoccupied with work.
Columbina ate quietly, finishing her fill in one go, a look of genuine satisfaction on her face.
Coppelia had been about to ask some questions, but Gunnhildr finished her meal and immediately went to clear the dishes, leaving no opportunity to speak.
As soon as Gunnhildr returned, she was about to pick up her tools to continue processing the fish when a slight commotion began to gather at her door.
The newcomers were mostly the elderly, women, and children, or those with old injuries who had difficulty moving.
They jostled each other, and a white-haired elder leaning on a wooden staff stepped forward.
The elder's lips trembled. Before he could speak, Gunnhildr had already set down her tools and stood still, her calm gaze sweeping over the crowd, motioning for him to continue.
"My lady," the elder's voice was hoarse and filled with deep guilt, "we've discussed it. The journey east is long, manpower is already tight, and gathering supplies is even harder. People like us can't walk fast, but we consume a lot. We'll only slow everyone down." He paused, mustering his courage. "We want to stay behind. Please, take those who can still contribute and go. We'll hinder everyone's future..."
From the crowd behind him came low murmurs of agreement and suppressed sobs.
Gunnhildr did not answer immediately.
She took two steps forward, came before the elder, and lowered her body slightly. She didn't raise her voice, yet her steady tone carried clearly to every ear.
"Grandpa Rom," she said, addressing the elder by name, "I understand you're thinking of everyone's well-being. This sentiment—I, all the knights here, every single one of us—will keep it in our hearts."
Her tone shifted, her gaze turning sharp and resolute. "But 'stay behind'? Where would you stay? Besides us, there is nothing here but the north wind and the ice and snow!"
Her eyes swept across the crowd. "How would you survive? By praying for the wind and snow to show mercy?"
A silence fell over the crowd.
"When we first left Mondstadt, it was not to abandon anyone," her voice was firm as iron. "We left to find a way for all the people of Mondstadt to survive, and to live better lives! If today, for the sake of 'convenience,' we abandon family and companions who care for us, then the 'future' we seek will be meaningless! Who would do such a thing? Only Decarabian would! And what we despise most is that tyrant in his high tower who is indifferent to all!"
"We are one. We have been since the day we left the storm wall." Gunnhildr's voice softened again. "If we lack strength, we will move slower, more steadily. If we lack provisions, we will fish more, hunt more. But we will never, and we must never, abandon a single person. Your staying behind is not a sacrifice; it would make all of us betray the oath we once swore."
She reached out, gently placing a hand on the old man Rom's trembling arm. "Believe in us, and believe in yourselves. We will go east together, find a new home together, and together, we will wait for the day freedom arrives. The journey is not so far, and the difficulties can be overcome. This is our shared destiny."
Tears rolled from the old man Rom's cloudy eyes. He nodded forcefully, unable to speak another word.
The others also wiped away their tears, their once-stooped backs seeming to straighten a little. They looked at Gunnhildr, the light of hope and trust rekindled in their eyes, and quietly dispersed to do what they could.
"Is the journey very difficult?" Coppelia walked over to Gunnhildr's side, having finally found a moment to interject, and asked softly.
"It's only a few days' journey. Besides strong winds and deep snow, there aren't many major difficulties like monsters," Gunnhildr said, picking up her tools again. "But stockpiling provisions will indeed take a long time, and it will wear down some people's confidence."
Just then, another person hurried over, their tone tinged with anxiety. "Lady Gunnhildr, the ritual is about to begin. The priest asks that you go and preside..."
Gunnhildr's brow furrowed, her tone returning to its usual calmness. "How many times have they asked? I've already said he is capable enough for the task. There's no need to come find me again."
The person seemed to have expected this response, grunted in acknowledgment, and left.
Coppelia spoke up, "You seem very reluctant to participate in the ritual?"
Gunnhildr stepped outside, her voice carrying an undisguised indifference. "Empty prayers won't trade for real food and warmth. With this time, it's better to process a few more fish or build a few more sleds for the journey. If you're interested, you can go take a look at the altar." Gunnhildr said no more, simply pointing in the general direction of the altar.
Coppelia sensed it—Gunnhildr had little faith in gods and was somewhat detached from, if not averse to, the matter of "belief."
An idea began to take shape in her mind. She took Columbina and walked out into the deepening twilight.
...
The altar was located in a relatively open area in the center of the settlement, simply constructed from piled stones.
After dinner, as the sky darkened, a considerable number of people had already gathered here.
A bonfire burned in the center of the altar, its dancing flames illuminating the devout, expectant faces of the people.
Coppelia and Columbina stood at the edge of the crowd, observing.
Coppelia quietly asked an old woman praying with her eyes closed beside her if she had ever received anything from her prayers.
The old woman opened her eyes, shook her head, and murmured:
"Perhaps my heart is not sincere enough to move those unseen beings..."
After speaking, the old woman resumed her prayers.
The ritual proceeded step by step. The priest led the crowd in chanting ancient prayers, their voices quickly dissipating in the cold night wind.
The ritual went on for half an hour without any unusual occurrences. The air was filled only with the crackling of the bonfire and the howling of the wind.
Seeing that everyone was praying quietly, Coppelia took Columbina's hand and silently moved away from the crowd, taking a wide detour to the side and rear of the altar to a hidden corner where they could avoid most lines of sight but still see the gathering.
"Columbina, I need you to supply me with energy. Also, keep an eye on our surroundings," she whispered to Columbina, then focused her mind, preparing to execute the plan she had conceived earlier.
___
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