Chapter 396

Chapter 396

Seeing the Atlanteans gradually quiet down, I nudged Lisa to the front of the altar and began to address them. "Your sacrificial rituals started way back with the Atlantis princess. Basically, Lana's curse began because of your princess, and the Heavens Goddess's anger was because of her too. That's why your Heavens Goddess got tainted with sin."

"Maybe you Atlanteans don't know what Amelia looked like, but I can tell you, and your king can confirm, how much she looks like the Amelia who carries Lana's reincarnated soul. No, they're identical. Lana's soul is inside her. So, I hope you Atlanteans will be careful and not disturb Lana, or her curse will haunt you forever!"

Brandon chimed in. "She does look a lot like Amelia. But almost all of Amelia's portraits were destroyed, with only one left in the royal treasury. Alex, if what you're saying is true, we won't harm you or your friends."

The "curse" had long been ingrained in the hearts of the Atlanteans, and they naturally didn't dare to make a sound.

"But you don't need to worry. Lana's soul had been sealed for over two thousand years and can't take over Lisa's body right now. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to live peacefully with her." I assured them and added, "As I said before, an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind. Why not end this millennia-old sin here and now?"

Edward snapped, "You, an outsider, have no right to criticize our ancient traditions. And do you think you can end the wrath of the gods just like that?"

"Of course not. But if all Atlanteans sincerely pray for the Heavens Goddess's forgiveness and convey this through the priesthood, maybe this human sacrifice ritual can be put to rest."

I didn't argue with Edward but spoke earnestly, "Humans can make mistakes, and so can gods, but we can't keep making the same mistakes. The Heavens Goddess should represent blessings, yet you Atlanteans have tainted her with the blood of human sacrifices. What's the cost?"

If a deity lost its sanctity entirely, how could it continue to protect the people they cherish?

The Atlanteans understood this, and those who had been protesting lowered their heads.

"The sanctity of a deity is reflected in the purity of their followers' hearts. If their followers' hands are stained with innocent blood, how can the deity remain holy? How can they protect their people?"

I continued, "The sacrificial rituals can continue, but not with cruel human sacrifices. You can use livestock or perform ceremonies to praise the Heavens Goddess, gradually cleansing her of the blood and sin. Maybe, when the time is right, she will regain her sanctity and continue to protect you."

Leroy added, "I agree with Alex. Our Atlantis people have committed grave sins. We don't ask for the Heavens Goddess's forgiveness or the forgiveness of the countless souls we've wronged. But we shouldn't keep defiling our great Heavens Goddess."

"Our Heavens Goddess should be revered, a protector of thousands, not a devourer of humans!" Leroy knelt before Brandon, "So I beg King Brandon, let us end this millennia-long human sacrifice ritual. Don't let innocent people suffer anymore, or we Atlanteans and the Heavens Goddess will never wash away this deep sin!"

Brandon thought for a moment before replying, "I can't make this decision for our Atlantis people. This matter must be decided by the people themselves. Will we keep going against our conscience and treating lives as expendable?"For a moment, the entire sacrificial ground was silent, save for the crackling of the torches.

They say, "Don't advise others to be good without understanding their suffering."

I'm not an Atlantean, so I don't know their current thoughts. But maybe they didn't want to be the executioners of this human sacrifice ritual. After hearing such impactful words, their mindset might change.

At least, not everyone desires endless slaughter.

If not for the need to continue living on this land, why would they become sinners?

Soon, the Atlanteans were divided.

Some believed that the Heavens Goddess had already been tainted, and stopping the human sacrifices would bring divine punishment.

Others felt that the Atlanteans had already committed enough killings, and their land was filled with the bones of innocents. They shouldn't continue to taint the Heavens Goddess and future generations with such cruelty. They should end the sin.

With this division, the matter would be delayed. With Brandon and Leroy in charge, my companions and I wouldn't become human sacrifices anytime soon.

Meanwhile, the Atlantis ministers brought into discussion whether to end the endless slaughter.

In the midst of the noisy debate, Leroy brought the topic back to the main point. "King Brandon, how should tonight's ritual be completed?"

Brandon replied solemnly, "Postponing it is impossible. Since all Atlantis citizens are here, let's kneel before the Heavens Goddess, sing her praises, and ask her not to punish us. If the Heavens Goddess is appeased, perhaps our human sacrifice ritual will end tonight."

"King Brandon, you mustn't!" a minister protested. "You can't change our millennia-old ritual because of an outsider's words. If the Heavens Goddess is displeased and punishes us, won't we Atlanteans suffer?"

"Yes, we should continue our original ritual until we are sure that the Heavens Goddess won't punish us."

The protests were intense.

Brandon waved his hand, then stood up and slowly walked down from the high platform. He passed by us and finally stood before the Heavens Goddess statue, kneeling deeply and leading the call, "Great Heavens Goddess, please forgive our plea. The Atlanteans have stained their hands with countless blood, taken countless lives, and tainted your sanctity."

"Tonight, I represent all Atlantis citizens, asking the Heavens Goddess for punishment. We will no longer offer human sacrifices but will use livestock and songs to praise the great Heavens Goddess! If the Heavens Goddess is displeased, let all the punishment fall on me alone, and spare the innocent Atlantis citizens!"

Leroy also knelt. "No, King Brandon has worked tirelessly to protect the Atlantis citizens. Please let the Heavens Goddess punish me instead!"

Following Leroy, the priests and Randy's lineage also knelt, lifting their skirts and calling for divine punishment.

With the king kneeling, how could others not follow? They all knelt, muttering various pleas.

Joseph, who had been holding back, finally whispered, "Alex, should we kneel too?"

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Kneeling won't harm us." I knelt and told everyone, "Respect their beliefs, so they don't cause us trouble later."

Pride was a sin!

It was better to be flexible, especially since we were on their turf.

So, we all knelt, waiting for Brandon's next move.