It had been an absurd mediation. Livia still couldn’t comprehend how anyone could consider it a resolution.

The dim-witted Phedum accepted it gladly, but Livia was against it. Naturally, her father and Iason also vehemently opposed it.

“If coexistence is impossible, then one must leave. Just remember that the greater sin lies with Livia, who caused a young man permanent injury.”

If they didn’t accept the engagement, it meant they would be expelled from the village.

“Livia, don’t worry. Wherever we go, we won’t starve.”

None of her family blamed Livia. Even though they faced expulsion from the place where they had lived since she was born, no one held Livia responsible. They all insisted there was nothing to blame her for.

“That’s right. Livia did nothing wrong.”

Iason reassured her with a pat on the head, and even her young brother, who rolled up his sleeves, declared he’d do something about it.

Livia understood how much this place meant to them. Her mother’s grave, someone she had never seen, was also nearby. Her father visited her mother every morning without fail. They were being told to leave such a place. That they had to leave….

So, she thought she just had to endure it. That was why she accepted the forced engagement.

Yet…

She should have left back then. If she had, perhaps this tragedy might not have occurred. But looking back only brought meaningless regret that struck her heart.

With empty eyes, Livia stared at the cliff for a long time before swimming to the deserted beach as the sun began to set.

When she finally stepped onto land after so long, her body felt incredibly heavy.

The sensation against her soles was also painful. It was fascinating how everything about the land felt so unfamiliar after just a few days at sea.

Taking a deep breath, Livia headed towards the western hills of Archel.

It was where the temple of Pan, the god of shepherds, was located.

***

The temple of Pan was old and shabby.

So much so that it was almost embarrassing to call it a temple; it looked more like a hut. As the village was one of shepherds, they had built it as a formality, but it was dirty and musty because no one visited.

After roughly cleaning the old temple, Livia sat down and began to make a reed flute.

They called a flute made of reeds a syrinx. It was named after the nymph who, pursued by Pan, transformed into reeds.

Thanks to Iason, who had taught her how to make flutes, she was able to do it here. As she wove the reeds together, her brother’s voice, teaching her how to weave, came to mind.

“You have to weave it a bit tighter. That way, the sound won’t waver.”

“You’re good at this. You must have inherited my dexterity.”

“If you’re bored, you can learn to play the flute. They say Pan loves the sound of these reed flutes.”

Following Iason’s instructions, she brought the sturdy flute to her lips. As she blew into it, a clear sound, almost unbelievable for something made of reeds, resonated far and wide.

She poured her prayers, which words could not express, into the flute’s sound, earnestly wishing. Please appear. Please, please….

How much time had passed?

A breeze seemed to blow from somewhere, carrying a strong musty odor, and soon a small goat hopped into the temple.

Startled, Livia’s eyes widened, and the little goat, as if it belonged there, leapt onto the altar, stood on two legs, and spoke in a solemn voice.

“O foolish and wise shepherd, what do you seek from me?”

It was Pan.

Livia lifted her head quickly and mouthed her plea.

‘O Pan, god of shepherds, please help me take revenge on the cruel man who violated and destroyed your creatures.’

The god of the woods, who had been silently observing her, tilted his head and spoke.

“Can’t you speak?”

Livia nodded, feeling as if she might die from frustration. She silently cursed Triton, who had stolen her voice, but it was a curse without sound.

“Hmm?”

The god stepped down from the altar and stood before Livia. His rough, coarse hand grasped her head. She thought it smelled of earth, and then she felt something probing inside her mind. As she shuddered at the unsettling sensation and tried to step back, the god said,

“I’m just trying to see your memories. If you resist too much, I can’t learn anything.”

At his words, Livia reluctantly relaxed. The force invading her mind was uncomfortable.

“You’re a stubborn woman. Hmm… You are entangled with a sea god. He’s known to be very strict and cold. He took your voice too.”

After struggling to read a few of Livia’s memories, Pan furrowed his brow. The god let out a troubled hum and began pacing around the altar, muttering to himself.

“This is a problem. I don’t want to get involved with him.”

His words struck like a bolt from the blue. Livia immediately grabbed his ankle and opened her mouth silently.

“Uh, ah… uh… uh…!”

‘Didn’t you hear the cries of the sheep? Didn’t you hear the screams of my family, who cared for your flock, as they burned to death? What about my prayers that fell off the cliff? If you’re going to pretend you didn’t hear anything, why do you bear the name of the god of shepherds?’

The god of the woods, who had been looking down at her with his head tilted, sighed and tapped her throat with his hoof.

“I don’t understand a word you’re saying, so I’ll return your voice for a moment. Keep it a secret from him.”

“…!”

Livia’s eyes widened in surprise, and the god’s eyes narrowed for a moment. His eyes, resembling those of a goat, elongated vertically, revealing greed, but Livia didn’t notice.

“Don’t repel my power like before.”

Pan whispered in a suddenly gentle voice as he placed his hand on Livia’s neck. The earthy smell returned, and her throat felt refreshed.

“Alright. Speak.”

“Thank you, thank you…!”

Overwhelmed with emotion at hearing her own voice after so long, Livia thanked Pan repeatedly. She felt like cheering, but that wasn’t the priority right now.

Livia immediately bowed and whispered, “O god, please help me take revenge on the cruel man who violated and destroyed your creatures.”

The god of the woods responded in a generous voice, “If you wish to take revenge on him, do not worry. He has already been punished, and so has his mother. If you wait a little longer, your enemy’s corpse will roll to your feet.”

No, that wasn’t the kind of revenge Livia wanted.

“That is not my revenge. I cannot wait until he dies. Also, I do not wish for him to die peacefully. The villagers who sided with him are no different. O god, please help this poor shepherd take her revenge.”

At her urgent words, the god clicked his tongue and turned away.

“That is not my responsibility; it is yours.”

Livia was disheartened by his cold response. The god of the woods wasn’t wrong. But she couldn’t just give up.

“We are the ones who cared for your sheep. How can the shepherd’s grudge not be yours? You are heartless. Surely you know the devotion with which my family and I have tended to your flock!”

At her bold words, the god’s shoulders flinched. Clearing his throat, he turned only his head to gaze at Livia and whispered in a secretive tone.

“Alright. I might be able to help you. But this isn’t a wish I can grant for just a single horn.”

“Then…?”

In response to Livia’s question, the god of the woods swiftly turned to face her.

His vertically slit eyes gleamed with cunning as the form of a young goat transformed into that of an adult. In a flash, his upper body shifted into the shape of a man covered in shaggy fur.

Now fully matured, the god of the woods licked his lips and whispered wickedly.

“Offer your body to me. If you open yourself to me, I’ll gladly assist you.”