Yan's troops quickly completed their search of Veles Valley, and apart from the dozens of wounded soldiers, they didn't find any other enemies.
This left Yan quite helpless; he had to accept the fact that this place had practically been abandoned, with only a few loyal followers remaining.
However, they did capture an important figure. Yan planned to meet this important figure later, as he was, in fact, an 'acquaintance' of Yan's.
After gaining control of Veles Valley, the soldiers, under Yan's command, began to destroy this pagan holy site. As it was a holy site for pagans, it had to be destroyed. After all, Yan also intended to forbid the monks from recording anything about this place; such a blasphemous place was best forgotten in history.
However, Yan probably didn't realize at the time that Rostislav would later specifically seek him out about this matter, asking him for details about this pagan holy site, and then include all of this in his book, "the chronicle of forest reclamation."
The Christians first dragged down the totems, then repeatedly hacked at them with axes, disfiguring these cultural treasures of East Slavic polytheism before setting them on fire.
Furthermore, there were many pagan murals here, which also had to be scraped off and absolutely not left behind, as leaving them would be irresponsible for the future.
The soldiers worked very hard, venting all their frustration at finding nothing on these objects.
As for the veles statue, that required more manpower. The Christians even brought horses from outside, needing some animal power to destroy this large object.
Veles Valley, which had been peaceful for hundreds of years, now became a large construction site, with soldiers busily carrying out destruction.
While the destruction was in full swing, Yan Vishatich, the leader of this army, went to see someone, someone he had to see: the captured important figure, or rather, the prisoner.
This prisoner was none other than Lev, the mastermind of this rebellion and the commander of this pagan army.
Lev was found in a secret room in the valley, which was Lev's meditation chamber. The soldiers spent a great deal of effort to open it.
And then, when they rushed in as if facing a formidable enemy, they only found Lev sitting in the middle of the meditation chamber, with no one else. He did not resist, nor did he respond, just sat there.
As for the soldiers waving their swords in front of him and pressing their spears to his eyes, he showed no reaction, which undoubtedly scared the soldiers. Moreover, some people here recognized Lev and dared not lay a hand on this immensely famous person.
The news naturally reached Yan quickly, and Yan immediately set off to meet his old 'friend' and the instigator of this great rebellion. Then Yan ordered everyone to leave; he wanted to have a talk with him.
"Lord Lev, let me think, we haven't seen each other for about five or six years, or seven or eight? Since our last cooperation, we two have almost said goodbye forever."
Yan looked at the face that had aged much more than when they had fought against the Suzdal rebellion together, and said this. There was not much accusation in his words, only memories, memories of those past years.
In those years, they had just arrived in Northeast Rus, barely gaining a foothold in this land. It was the hard struggle during this time that led to future prosperity.
And Lev, on the other hand, was brewing resistance, which led to today's grand situation.
"I can't remember how long it's been, Lord Yan. Forgive me, an old man who is about to die."
Lev responded in an equally relaxed tone. He certainly remembered Yan; it was his conversation with him that solidified his determination to resist.
At this moment, Lev seemed relaxed and let go of the airs he usually put on as a pagan leader.
After all, as the saying goes, when a person is about to die, they should relax a bit, and whatever they used to avoid no longer matters.
"I never would have thought, never would have thought, that you could stir up such a huge tide, Lord Lev. I truly underestimated you all. For so many years, we actually didn't notice your activities."
Yan continued, his words containing quite a bit of admiration for Lev. This was from the heart; Lev's ability to achieve all this was a testament to his capability.
This was also the abundance of the victor; after all, he had already won, and praising his opponent was actually praising himself.
You see, a conspiracy that had been brewing for so many years was ultimately successfully uncovered by him.
"As long as you continue those unjust actions, resistance will never end. Even if I die, resistance will still continue one after another."
Lev was indifferent to the triumph Yan displayed, merely speaking these words in a prophetic tone. He was very certain of this, extremely certain.
Moreover, it didn't matter what the resistance itself became, as long as resistance existed, then some things could be passed down.
After the failed attack on Moscow, Lev knew this outcome, so he began to prepare. Since he could not do anything, then he would leave something for future generations.
"Perhaps, but I don't believe there will be a second person who can unite pagans from various places. Lev, I don't understand why you would choose to die? Wouldn't it be better to stay and continue leading this pagan rebellion? Do you think those insignificant people can persist without you?"
Yan expressed his doubt, specifically why Lev didn't escape. He was very puzzled by this.
If this person were still active in the countryside, the threat would be much greater than those decentralized veles bandits outside, and he might even instigate another large-scale rebellion.
"Because my time is short. I am dying. I have treated so many people; I am very clear about my own physical condition."
Lev said calmly, his tone so flat as if he weren't talking about his own death. Yan, who received this answer, was clearly startled, and then an expression of sudden realization appeared on his face.
"So that's it, I really didn't expect this…"
Yan sighed, this was completely unexpected. No wonder he stayed here to die, and…
"And it can make you a martyr, right, Lev? You even use death."
Yan sighed. This guy had hit a fatal point. They certainly had to kill Lev, and they also had to parade his corpse throughout Northeast Rus. This way, Lev would naturally become the martyr he wanted to be, a symbol of resistance.
Christians were bound to do this, no matter the reason; this scene could not be avoided. Rostislav wanted to use the death of the pagan leader to prove authority, and Lev's head could indeed deter the masses of Northeast Rus.
And while deterring the masses, the will of those pagans who harbored resistance would also become firmer. They would take Lev as their banner and continue to resist, as well as the spiritual heritage that Lev valued most.
"So do what you must, Lord Yan. Quickly chop off my head and present it to your master in Moscow. Or, send me to Moscow and let the Prince's jailers torture me, that works too."
Lev said very straightforwardly. Either way, he could achieve his goal. Anyway, he had already put life and death out of his mind. The latter would have a better impact, and he actually hoped for that.
Yan said nothing. He just walked behind Lev. He could obviously tell that the latter was what Lev wanted, but he couldn't give it to him, so it was better for him to die here.
Thinking this, Yan drew his sword, then he chopped down on Lev's neck without hesitation. Blood immediately gushed out, staining everything, and the head rolled to the ground.
And looking at Lev's body, Yan felt a wave of melancholy. The goal he had been busy with for the past two years had been achieved, but why did he feel so empty and lost after achieving it?
It was at this moment that a synchronized chant came from outside the door, followed by the neighing of warhorses after being whipped.
With these sounds, the enormous veles statue crashed down under the drag, and the essence of the Northeast Rus pagan religion, created over countless years, was thus destroyed.
Yan walked out of the cave, looking at the fallen statue, but at this moment, he felt no sense of accomplishment, only silent stillness.