Genshin Impact: The Road to Reversal

Chapter 578 Rest in Peace

"Well, I'm done."

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent for a moment. Only the howling wind outside the window swept across the eaves.

“Um…” Karin suddenly spoke up, breaking the silence, “Then we won’t disturb Miss Clementine’s rest.”

Mo Yan nodded: "Then we'll head out first. Call us if you need anything."

Zi Xuan and Zhao Heng nodded in agreement.

"Well, thank you."

The four of them left the room one after another. The door closed gently, leaving Clévy and Peruvier alone.

After a long while, Peruvieri looked at her again: "There are still some important matters to attend to at the castle, so I won't disturb you any longer. You should get some rest."

“Okay, you should also take care of yourself.” Claire nodded.

Peruvieri nodded slightly, and just as she reached the door, she looked back once more before leaving the room.

The room fell completely silent. Clementine leaned against the pillows, gazing at the starlight outside the window. A wave of weakness washed over her, yet her mind was unusually clear. The faces of the children—Roco's, and countless others she had never met—flashed through her mind. She slowly closed her eyes and placed her hand on her heart.

"Soon... I'll be able to go home."

……

Over the next three days, Clementine's condition gradually improved, and after confirming that she could do some simple exercises, she joined the excavation team.

The excavation work proceeded in a solemn and somber atmosphere. Clementine had not yet fully recovered her strength, and Peruvieri initially disapproved of her participation, but seeing the determination in Clementine's eyes, she ultimately just silently handed her a pair of gloves and stayed nearby to look after her.

Beneath the snow-covered earth, every small skeleton unearthed was like a dull knife, repeatedly cutting into the hearts of everyone present. Even though the contract made them feel no cold, they could still feel a chill that penetrated to the bone.

Some skeletons were still curled up; others were scattered, next to the long-decayed, simple toys or pieces of clothing buried with them; some were as young as two years old.

Clementine moved very gently, as if handling fragile treasures, carefully brushing away the dirt from the bones and gently placing them into a wooden box lined with a soft white cloth.

On the evening of the third day, the last skeleton was properly placed. Thousands of wooden crates were neatly arranged in the makeshift shed, covered with clean white cloth. Candlelight flickered in the cold wind, casting long, peaceful shadows.

Peruvier walked over to Claire and handed her a cup of hot water.

"That's about it. In two more days... we'll send them off on their final journey."

Claire took the water glass, holding it with both hands, absorbing the small amount of warmth. She gazed at the silent white expanse and nodded.

Two days later, dawn broke.

The funeral procession stretched long from the temporary burial site. Soldiers of the garrison, dressed in solemn uniforms, carried the wooden coffin with slow, dignified steps. Members of the Knights of the Order of the Rising Sun rode alongside on horseback, their armor gleaming coldly in the morning light.

Clévy and Peruvian walked at the front of the group, followed by Mo Yan, Kailin, Zixuan, Zhao Heng, and many other glacier residents who had come to join the group after hearing the news.

There was no commotion, only the sound of orderly footsteps and the fluttering of flags in the wind. People were silent, their faces filled with sorrow and solemnity.

The cemetery was chosen on a sunny hillside at the edge of the glacier, backed by majestic ice peaks and facing a vast snowfield. The view was expansive and bathed in sunlight. Below the hill lay the execution grounds that Sandone had prepared for criminals.

Including Harkrow, the number of Sanyan and Sanu people heading to the execution ground was nearly a thousand, with many more being hastily recruited thugs. The executioners stood by, guns in hand, ready for action. Even Rek'os, having heard the commotion, rushed over and joined the Watchers' ranks early.

The people were furious with them, but to allow the young souls to depart peacefully, they had to swallow their anger. Fortunately, none of them could escape as burial offerings.

All the wooden boxes were placed in the mourning hall, and the number was astonishing.

Claire walked through the crowd and came to the neatly arranged wooden boxes.

She slowly raised her hands, palms up, and closed her eyes. A warm and pure flame ignited at her fingertips, not the fierce heat of battle, but the gentle light of dawn, carrying a calming power.

The flames drifted gently toward the wooden boxes, like countless tender hands caressing each small container that held sorrow and regret. Wherever they passed, the air seemed to become clearer and more peaceful.

May the ice and snow soothe your pain, may the flames light your way home. Here there is no more cold, no more fear. Rest in peace, children…you are home.

Clementine's voice was soft, yet it echoed clearly across the silent hillside.

After a long while, the flames flew into the air, carrying the children's souls, drifting towards the horizon, merging with the dawn, and gradually dissipating.

In Claire's eyes, their smiles were radiant because they had finally found relief.

The crowd stood silently, watching the light fade into the distance. Many had tears in their eyes, but no one cried out; only silent mourning and farewell remained.

Claire lowered her arm, slowly opened her eyes, and gazed at the fading light in the distance. After a long while, she murmured softly, "It's over."

Peruvier walked to her side and stood beside her. She didn't speak, but just stood quietly, as if sharing this burden and guarding this peace.

A mountain breeze swept by, bringing the coolness of the distant snowfields.

“Then…” Peruvieri raised her head, her gaze turning towards the execution ground below the mountain.

The leader of the group, Sandonne, nodded and then turned to face the crowd.

"Gentlemen, I am Sandone, the commander of the guard. I am deeply saddened by this incident. It was the presence of the insects within the guard that gave these creatures the opportunity to exploit us. Today, not only are the young souls of the glacier buried here, but also innocent children from other places who have suffered such cruelty. They should have had a childhood under the sun, but instead, their best years were devoured by evil. And we, due to our negligence, failed to stop all of this."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried across the hillside, clear and sorrowful.

"Today, we bury the dead here, and we also judge the guilty! All 307 criminals involved in trafficking, torture, and illegal experiments have been apprehended. According to the Glacier Law, they will be stripped of all their rights. At the same time, based on the truth, I will reject all of Talduffer's heroic deeds and execute him by firing squad, immediately!"

The hillside was quiet, with only the sound of the wind rustling through the grass.

Sandonne took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the rows of ashen-faced prisoners on the execution ground, finally settling on Harkrow. He was bowing his head, his body trembling slightly, a far cry from the composure he had displayed in the guard regiment.

"Firing squad, prepare!"

The crisp sound of bolts being pulled back rang out, cold and resolute.

Sandonne raised his arm, then suddenly lowered it.

"Wait a moment!"

Just as everyone was puzzled, Clementine walked over.

“Let them face this cemetery.” Her voice was soft, but carried a rare air of authority.

Sandoni exchanged a glance with her, nodded, and waved.

The executioners immediately stepped forward and forcibly turned the prisoners' bodies so that they faced the white cemetery on the hillside. The prisoners struggled, cursed, and begged for mercy, but to no avail.

Claire slowly walked down the hillside to the edge of the execution ground. She looked at the distorted faces, her eyes devoid of anger, only filled with a deep, icy calm.

“Look at this hillside, look at the future you have buried with your own hands. Can’t you hear their cries? Can’t you feel their fear?”

She paused, her voice growing even colder.

"Now, take your sins and go and repent to those children."

After saying that, she turned around and never looked back.

Sandoni raised his arms again.

"Reload!"

The gun barrels were all pointed at the prisoners' backs.

"Wait, Lady Clementine, please don't kill me, please spare my life!" Harklow cried out in anguish.

But no sooner had he finished speaking than countless bullets pierced his heart, lungs, and intestines.

Gunshots rang out one after another, muffled and dense, echoing through the valley. One by one, figures fell, and the sinful souls, under judgment, finally returned to eternal silence.

On the hillside, the crowd watched silently. Some turned their faces away, some clenched their fists, and many more simply stood there, witnessing this long-awaited truth.

The gunfire ceased, and the execution ground fell silent. Only the smoke mixed with the stench of blood drifted slowly through the air. The executioners began to retreat, their movements swift and efficient.

Claire stood with her back to the execution ground, never turning back. She gazed at the newly erected cemetery and the nearly ten thousand children buried beneath it, and after a long while, she slowly closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the cold air.

"Roco, now you can rest in peace."

(Contract Quest: Ice City, Act Two, Complete.)