If Capillata's responsibility was to prevent Vasili from freezing, at least he did his job well. Two days later, as he stepped outside, the bitter cold made Vasili gasp, almost forgetting how he had walked on this land before.

Even though they had lightened their footsteps, the sound of the mud and snow splashing was enough to break the silence. Led by the clear sound of bells, they crossed the horses that were soothed by the sound, and Vasili couldn't help but widen his eyes as he hadn't seen such a big scene in a long time.

There were at least hundreds of people gathered on the open space outside the village, with looks and costumes that were dazzling and reminiscent of the books he had read in his hometown.

Legion soldiers wore armor instead of formal wear to pay their respects to the departed. In the semicircle formed by the crowd, a woman dressed in a pure white toga knelt in front of eight tombstones, wearing an olive wreath outside her veil. Beside her were village girls holding wildflowers. The silver-bell-like sound flowed from her mouth, clear and melodious.

"If we cannot pray that there will be no more deaths from now on, let us pray that every death can save an equal life. For Palmer and Ricasso, we will not forget the friendship of fighting side by side, the courage of life and death, and the laughter by the campfire. But we should also remember that these friendships, courage, and laughter did not suddenly leave us, but were already engraved on the destiny of the road to our ideals. We should not forget that there is also a monument with our names on it on the road ahead, belonging to us, waiting for us."

Sandra's voice walked along a delicate line: it was both captivating and memorable, without making one forget the content of the conversation; Once one seriously listened to the pearls within her words, they would inevitably be deeply drawn in.

The soldiers present all lowered their heads in silence, letting the sound of the virgin's voice resonate through their thoughts. Looking at the pure white figure, Capillata's eyes were no longer weak, and even Vasili unconsciously relaxed the sharp object in his hand.

"In memory of Palmer, Ricasso, and six unnamed warriors. Whatever flames burned in their hearts, they have now returned to peace. If the dead have awareness, may they bless the living."

Sandra finished speaking and placed the flower petals on the graves of Palmer and Ricasso. The village women beside her threw wildflowers on the graves of the other six. Sandra lowered her head in contemplation, indicating that the funeral was over, and the soldiers silently dispersed. Vasili then led Capillata back to the rear of the round hut. When they looked back, the village cemetery was only left with Sandra's figure. She still didn't turn around, but lifted her head and softly said:

"Why the secrecy, Capillata?"

Capillata was stung by her words and walked forward. Seeing that he was being led by the nose, Vasili, who was as helpless as being naked, could only follow behind him.

"Everyone is going to pack up. Are you not going to help?"

"Yes! I'll go now!"

Unexpectedly, before Capillata even stood still, Sandra had already sent him away. At this critical moment, the blonde idiot had completely forgotten that he was a hostage and hurriedly went to complete the task assigned to him, leaving Vasili and Sandra facing each other.

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"Did Capillata come to you on his own?" Sandra asked. Vasili had something to say about this and took the opportunity to speak ill:

"It's dangerous to let a stranger sleep with me. I have a habit of killing people in my dreams."

Rather than responding to Vasili's bluff, Sandra seemed more concerned about confirming the issue. She sighed and said:

"That child was drawn to the flames again and lied, didn't he? I apologize on his behalf." She bowed slightly. Despite her serious demeanor, her voice conveyed a sense of sincerity. "In addition, please don't hold him hostage. The commander has issued orders for everyone to treat you as a guest. Even though I don't think he needs to give such orders."

"How do you mean?" Vasili asked.

"Is there anyone who joined the Ninth Legion without shedding blood? There are many who, like you, have killed legion soldiers." The virgin's tone was somewhere between gentle and stern, and even without condemnation, it struck awe into the heart of the listener. Vasili couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

"You speak as if I have already joined the legion, maiden."

"Sandra. You may hear some people call me deputy commander, deputy officer, but I am a virgin who follows the army," the virgin lifted her skirt slightly, bowed her knees in courtesy, "and you, good sir?"

Considering the title given to him by Minte II, which might cause unnecessary trouble, "I am a fugitive soldier," Vasili had to spit out the words painfully from his teeth, "I must thank you for saving my life, though."

Faced with the sudden gratitude, Sandra raised her eyebrows, unable to conceal her surprise. The boy spat to the side, and as he raised his eyes from his messy black hair, the embarrassing blush had left, replaced by the coldness of a warrior's brow and lips.

"But that doesn't mean I owe you any favors, nor does it mean I have to repay them by joining the legion," Vasili said. "As you can see, I had already defeated Constanz before you intervened."

"But I intervened." Faced with the threatening attitude, Sandra's icy eyebrows and eyes did not flinch, and her lips did not tremble. Seeing that she was not intimidated at all, Vasili could not help but grit his teeth and say harshly:

"You women don't know what dignity is."

"I certainly do, your dignity is right in front of us," Sandra looked to the side, and Vasili followed her gaze, his heart sinking - it was eight rough stone tombs. But for Vasili, it was splattered blood, desperate screams, and frozen pupils of fear.

"What will you do from now on?" As the eight corpses emerged from the ground and grabbed his ankles, the voice of the virgin Sandra pierced through the nightmare of broad daylight, bringing him back to reality. "If you continue to move forward and pursue your own dignity, you will only expand the scope of this cemetery. In the end, the tombstones will spread to the horizon and cover the entire world of nothingness, until you also join this grave." She looked into the distance and raised her head. "Is this the world you want?"

Sandra approached Vasili, lifted his cheek, and inspected his wounds through the bandages. "You are young, boy. The consequences of your actions are all gathered here." Even though the virgin's palm was as cold as ice, Vasili felt warmth wherever she touched him. "After this, if you persist in your stubbornness, your sins will scatter everywhere along your footsteps. When you regret it, you won't even know where to start your repentance." After the treatment was over, Sandra the virgin withdrew her right hand. Vasili followed her fingertips and looked at her face. Only then did he realize that this seemingly cold face was filled with complex emotions like molten lava flowing under a glacier.

"The world still needs to be repaired, and life is still worth saving. Come on, let's use our power for the right path."

Vasili slowly reached out his hand, but just before he was about to touch the virgin's hand, he pushed it away. "A great nation uses its power to destroy a small one, an empire uses its power to annex a great nation, and the strong use their power to exploit the weak. The world is a mess because of power, and yet you want to use it to save the world," he said angrily, attracting many stares. "In my opinion, you and your flame should both be extinguished."