Swaying Hearts, Visitors from the Forest
The shocking transformation of the Sacred Spirit—and Akio’s clear captivation with her—cast a heavy air over the emergency wives’ meeting held that night in the central hall. The soft lamplight illuminated the serious faces of Sylvia, Ayane, Kina, Leonora, and Celestina.
“… That is how it is. I love Akio. And for the sake of this village and the forest’s future, I wish to bear his child and entrust that child with the creation of a new forest. Yet, doing so may cause me to lose my powers as a spirit…”
The Sacred Spirit spoke candidly, her new form breathtakingly beautiful yet her eyes filled with sincerity. She explained her grand plan and the risk it entailed. Though eating the fruit of the Tree of Life had strengthened her, it had not entirely erased the dangers of conceiving a child.
Her words left the wives silent. Each of them deeply respected and cherished the Sacred Spirit. They could feel, painfully so, that she loved Akio and their town from the bottom of her heart. Yet the thought that she might sacrifice herself for their sake weighed heavily on them all.
The first to speak was Sylvia, the principal wife.
“Sacred Spirit-sama… I understand your feelings, and your deep affection for Akio. But if there’s a chance you might lose your powers, we cannot simply accept such a risk.”
Her voice carried the anguish of someone wishing for both the harmony of the family and the Sacred Spirit’s safety.
Ayane followed softly. “I don’t doubt your pure feelings, Sacred Spirit-sama… but that decision—it’s just too much…” She, too, sensed Akio’s attraction to the Spirit and could not hide her complicated emotions.
“You don’t have to do something dangerous like that, Spirit-sama! Hubby and us wives—we can handle the village just fine!” Kina said firmly, eyes burning with determination.
Leonora added in her calm tone, “We wish for you to remain as the protector of this town for many years to come.”
Celestina, her brow furrowed, concluded quietly. “Your heart means the world to Akio-sama and to us all… but the cost you would pay is far too great.”
Every word was born from sincere concern and affection. But the Spirit’s resolve remained unshaken.
Akio wasn’t present at the meeting, yet he had heard her intentions directly—and like his wives, perhaps even more so, he was torn apart inside.
That night, no conclusion was reached. Each woman carried away her own tangled emotions as the meeting adjourned.
The next day, Akio went out with Leonora to inspect the village’s defenses and patrol the border area—where the forest’s guardian had once rampaged, blurring the boundaries. Though his mind was consumed by the Sacred Spirit’s proposal, his duty as village chief remained.
As they ventured deeper into the woods, several silhouettes suddenly emerged from the thickets—exhausted figures, their eyes filled with desperation. They were armed, but not hostile.
“Stop! Who goes there!” Leonora barked, her hand on her sword.
One of them, a middle-aged man who seemed to be their leader, stepped forward with a pained expression.
“We… months ago, our village was attacked by a terrifying creature from this forest. We’ve been searching for the survivors ever since. Perhaps none remain alive—but if any of our kin rest here, we wish at least to offer a marker, or a flower for their graves. We would have come sooner, but this forest is vast and perilous—we couldn’t make it on our own.”
Akio’s eyes widened. He realized immediately—they must be searching for the refugees his village had taken in.
“… The people you seek are alive,” Akio said quietly.
The searchers all lifted their heads in shock.
“What? Alive? Are you certain!?”
“Yes,” Akio replied. “We’ve taken them in. Some were injured, but all are safe and living well now.”
A collective gasp rose, followed by sobs.
Akio and Leonora led them to the town. When the refugees were gathered in the central square, a scene that could only be called miraculous unfolded before their eyes.
“Father!”
“Maria! You’re alive!”
“Oh, merciful gods…!”
People embraced through tears, rejoicing in one another’s survival, bowing again and again to Akio and his companions. It was a moment of reunion between those who had been rescued from despair and those who had never stopped searching for them.
The newcomers looked around the town in awe—the abundant nature, the sacred glow of the Tree of Life, and the warmth and vitality of its people. Knowing their kin had been sheltered in such a place filled them with deep gratitude.
“Akio-sama—no, Village Chief! We will never forget this kindness!” the leader declared, kneeling before him, voice trembling with emotion.
The Sacred Spirit’s love and resolve—and the wives’ hearts shaken by it.
The same moment, visitors from the forest arrived, bringing tearful reunions and new bonds.
Akio’s town now faced two great changes: an inner trial of love, and an outer connection of destiny.
What these would bring to the town, to Akio, and to the Sacred Spirit’s future—no one yet could say.
What do you think about this chapter?
