A heavy silence settled as the chieftain considered Rian's proposal. After a long moment, he spoke, his voice layered with caution.
"I will agree to your request, on one additional condition. If you accept it, I will approve this with all my heart and help the villagers learn to trust Livi again, so that he may have a better life."
"What is it?" Rian asked, curious.
"I want you to settle down and live here, to protect this village as its knight," the chief answered, bowing his head once more in a heartfelt plea.
Rian thought for a moment. The request would make it difficult for him to grow and would hinder his goal of becoming a true hero, but it was still in line with his vow to protect the feline-kin.
"That is a heavy request, sir. There is much I must see in the world to continue my journey, so I must respectfully decline," Rian replied, before offering a new solution. "But, there is another way that will still fulfill your wish."
Rian's negotiating skills, honed by his past life as a marketer, kept the conversation flowing smoothly, avoiding any conflict.
"And what solution is that?" the chief asked.
"I will entrust this village to Livi," Rian stated. "I will train him while I am here. In doing so, Livi can atone for his mistakes by protecting this village with his own strength."
"Wait," the chief countered. "If Livi becomes stronger and betrays us again, wouldn't that be even more dangerous?"
"As I said before, Livi is my responsibility," Rian said, his voice firm and unwavering. "If that happens, I will be the one to deal with him. And if I must kill him, I will."
Rian's true goal was to give Livi a second chance, just as he himself had been given one. Perhaps even Catty was now living her own second chance in the new body he had summoned.
"Very well," the chieftain nodded, finally agreeing. "I will hold you to your word."
"Yes. Mission successful," Rian thought with a hint of relief.
His carefully constructed plan had worked perfectly. An announcement was made to the village: Livi's punishment was to become an inductee of the village, dedicating his life to its protection under the watchful eye of Rian, the village's savior. Any future misdeeds would be Rian's full responsibility. Before the assembled villagers, Rian nodded in agreement.
Livi, his hands still bound, was brought before them. He knelt before Rian and the chieftain, head bowed, tears streaking down his face. The chief ordered him to swear the Lion's Oath.
"I swear, in the name of the LION and Goddess Bodas, that I will use this opportunity as best I can!" Livi proclaimed, his voice ringing with conviction. "I will not commit any evil that would harm this village or its people, and I will strive, even with my life as the price, to protect Cikubangsari!"
Hearing him invoke the name of Goddess Bodas, Rian grew thoughtful. It seemed the entire world truly did worship her. He had many questions, but for now, he kept them to himself.
After Livi's oath was complete, Rian drew a sword from his Storage. He approached the kneeling Livi and laid the flat of the blade gently upon his head.
"I swear, in the name of Goddess Bodas, that I take full responsibility for Livi. His life is in my hands should he ever commit evil again."
The oath was made, and a sense of uneasy peace settled over the villagers. Though they were still wary, the ceremony was complete.
Rian sheathed his sword back into the void and retrieved Livi's old mask. He tapped the young man on the shoulder. Livi looked up, his face stained with grateful tears.
"Take this mask. It is yours," Rian said, his command clear. "Use it for good. I will kill you myself if you do evil and tarnish my name. I have done my best for you; now it is your duty to maintain your good name in this village. Understood?"
"Thank you, sir," Livi said, overcome with gratitude. "I am so thankful you helped me. I will prove that I can be useful to you and the village."
"But remember, your journey will not be easy until you have earned back their trust," Rian added.
"Yes, sir," Livi nodded.
"Oh, one more thing," Rian said. "You worship Goddess Bodas, too?"
"I revere all five color gods, but my main priority is Goddess Bodas," Livi explained.
"Is it the same for everyone in this village?"
"Yes. All feline-kin in this village worship her as the primary deity."
"Where do you perform your rituals? Offerings, prayers, whatever it is you do," Rian asked, unsure of the religious terms of this world.
"You mean where we pray?" Livi clarified. "For this village, there is a small church behind the chief's house." He pointed the way. "Can you take me there?"
"Of course. Anything."
They walked to the small church. It was an old building, made almost entirely of wood, without the crosses or distinct features of churches from Rian's world. As Livi opened the creaking door, the sound echoed into the hall. The interior was simple, with rows of pews on either side. At the front stood five statues of the color gods, with Goddess Bodas placed prominently in the lead. Above them, a six-pointed star window—the symbol of the supreme being, Ilahi—allowed sunlight to illuminate the altar.
"How do you pray?" Rian asked, after Livi explained the statues.
"We just kneel and offer our prayers in our hearts, before the statue of Goddess Bodas," Livi explained, demonstrating the motion.
Rian did the same, kneeling and clasping his hands. He closed his eyes. "Goddess Bodas, you must be watching me always," he thought, a hint of sarcasm in his prayer. "What do you think of my progress now? Thanks for everything. And also, thanks for all the torture at the beginning that shaped me into who I am today."
As soon as he finished the prayer, he opened his eyes. The church was gone. All around him was a boundless, white expanse, just like the realm where he had met her after his death.
"Huh? Did I die again? Weren't I just praying?" Rian muttered, looking around the very real void.
"What was that you said? 'Torture'?" a melodious voice echoed from behind him. "You say that I tortured you? Hey, that was all your own doing!"
Rian jumped in shock as Goddess Bodas appeared behind him. He groaned. "Yep. I'm dead again."