Chapter 40 – The Red-Haired Saint of the Slums – 5

The stench of humans lingered in the holy land ruled by the gods. The only thing the Almighty God asked of insignificant humans was the display of humanity, and the humans who couldn’t even do that were standing in a line in the middle of the plaza and heading somewhere. They looked like ants as they dragged their belly full of desire and gathered their will into their thin legs to crawl.

“This is the solemn order of Archbishop Bobby! All who wish to pass through the main square must show their ID and be checked!”

Those controlling the ants were priests who moved according to human will, not gods. Those who had long ago decided to serve desire, not will, were shouting at the innocent with bloodshot eyes. Citizens were taken aback by the sudden strictness of the rules, but those who knew the truth, like me, were well aware that the purpose of control was the search for the saintess.

Maybe the smart ones have already noticed. Because they reacted madly when they saw a girl with red hair. Besides, it was already ten days since the saintess hadn’t appeared at her official statue. If you had enough intellect and rebelliousness, you could easily see that this was no ordinary thing.

Perhaps that is why, the longer the saintess was absent, the more bizarre rumors began to circulate. A red-haired saint appeared in the slums. That she would quell the chaos caused by Archbishop Bobby and set her goddess’ will right. The church denied it, but the rumors only grew. She’s coming soon She will judge everyone.

Rumors become hope, and hope becomes will. And when wills come together, physical movement must occur. Vanessa expected it to take at least a month before enough numbers were gathered, but I thought differently. To kindle a fire in a person’s heart, even if it’s long, it’s enough for 15 days.

I raised my eyes and counted the number of people gathered in the plaza. Even five hundred people. Perhaps more than that has been gathered. In comparison, the number of armed guards was in the tens at most. The thugs he had gathered just in case were roughly on that scale.

“…Too many.”

Sera. Maybe Rachel whispered in a strained voice. Before she knew it, her voice was following the tone of her saintess.

“That’s why it’s better. Are you ready?”

“I’ve never been ready. Luka-san will help you though, right?”

“Okay.”

“You’re so sure, I don’t believe you.”

Rachel rubbed her fingers together nervously. I looked at her and turned her head toward her podium in the middle of the large plaza.

“Do you still need to prepare?”

“Haah … I don’t have to get better just because it’s postponement. When can I start?”

“Now.”

“Aaaaa…”

“You’re whining now. You knew everything, detective lady.”

Vanessa smiled cruelly beside her. She was not as awkward as she thought, neatly dressed in her priestly uniform for the first time in a while. Perhaps she has been waiting for this day alone in a brothel called the Holy Land.

“Whoa…That’s good.”

“Can you do it now?”

“That’s what we have to do, right? And if we find the archbishop, maybe we can get some more clues about the girl.”

A word thrown so calmly made me speechless and shut my mouth. At that moment, the shouts of the guards were heard in the distance.

“Hey you guys! Come here for a second!”

“I really have to do it now.”

Rachel put her hand on her bobbing chest to calm it down and then looked back at me with her smile. She and she said something like she was joking.

“For the girl of Mint Ha-hyang.”

And, I went for a low platform in the middle of the plaza.

“Hey! Stop!”

The guards from earlier approached her, but they couldn’t reach her because her body deliberately blocked her path. Pretending not to know, I pushed the guard away and raised her head.

“Whoa…”

Rachel was already on the podium. Her people have yet to pay her attention to her, immersed in her story. Rachel looked at them and took a deep breath.

And, I shouted with all my might.

“Citizens of Mayler!”

Trembling breath. A sense of tension permeated between them. However, a wave of will that was expressed resolutely resonated throughout the plaza. Those who had been living without her life turned their heads toward Rachel in surprise at the life force she exuded in an instant. Even I looked in that direction with the sense of difference felt from the same voice.

And, because it was created artificially, I witnessed the figure of a saint who regained more sincerity.

Bright red hair that breaks under the sun. Even if she was just an ordinary girl, she was so beautiful that you couldn’t take your eyes off her. Everything was the same as Sarah’s appearance in the chapel, but she was no longer wearing the vulgar attire that detracted from her dignity. Wearing a white dress as pure as the heart of a girl standing under her shoes, and holding her hands neatly together, she had the appearance of a complete saint even without spitting it out of her mouth.

“Saint…?”

However, there were some who could only describe the scene in front of her by spitting it out of her mouth. A few of the people in the crowd called out her name, and the shock spilled over the entire plaza. It’s a saint The saintess is not in the chapel, but in the middle of the street. Besides, you feel strangely elegant unlike usual. A sense of incongruity created a sense of mystery, and people were overwhelmed in it.

Rachel slowly opened her mouth as even the guards stared at her with her mouth open. She spoke in a voice that was clear and confident, unlike Sarah’s.

“Proud citizens of the Empire. Proud children of the Goddess Ennessic, all of you who carry on the human will today. Hello. I am Sera.”

“Seo… The saintess…?”

Eventually even the guards opened her mouth and called her by that name. Then Rachel looked at her and nodded her head.

“That’s right. The saint. I was also called by that name. Some of you might be wondering. Why am I here? Why is the saint of the church not in the chapel but in a place like this?”

A few guards, including the captain of the guard, gathered and whispered. Perhaps they are discussing how to deal with it. I signaled a few thugs in sight to go towards them. In the meantime, Rachel’s speech continued.

“I thought that I had lived my life doing the right thing until now. Although the direction is different, I became a member of those who follow God’s will, just as I became a member of the warrior party to defeat the demon king in the past, and this time it is not my body, but the people’s I’ve been working hard to save your heart.”

“You speak well.”

I agreed with Vanessa in silence. I only gave you a rough direction, but I didn’t write a detailed script. Rachel continued her words gracefully, as if she had truly become a saint.

“It didn’t take long for me to realize that my thoughts were wrong. The church worshiped wealth and honor, not the sick and weak, and established the doctrine of corruption and worshiped desire. And I… Knew everything, but someday it would change. I believed it and let it go.”

She paused for a moment and narrowed her gaze. People looked at her eyes, which were different from usual, and looked back on the daily life that they thought was familiar.

Since when The reason we started to get accustomed to the scent of depravity soaked in our daily lives. It is certainly not natural to sleep with a priest to atone for one’s sins. It is also wrong for a saint to seduce believers with her body rather than her will. It is clear that the slums and cathedrals are saturated with the same semen smell. Weird.

People raised their heads as the common sense they knew gradually changed and everything started to return to its place. Not by description, but by metaphor, they raised their heads. Rachel looked at those citizens and recited their thoughts once again.

“Since when did we have to pay money for confession? Why did the priests, who are supposed to lead believers to the faith, fall into the yoke of corruption? Of course, I have nothing to say. Because I was sympathetic.”

Rachel hung her head for a moment, reflecting on her sins that were not her own. She didn’t even know the exact weight of Sera’s karma, but her expression was sincere.

Then, she raised her head vigorously again and made eye contact with the people.

“But I will no longer sit by and stand by. The reason I came here is to tell you this. Everyone, we can no longer fall into the swamp of corruption. The imperial family denies it, but the demons are rising again, and the empire is only Swayed by one person’s will, it’s rotting from the bottom up. Even if you don’t say anything, you all know what that person’s name is.”

“Uh. This is a bit short.”

“But the name I want to say here is not that person’s name. The name of the person I want to say today is the main culprit who ruined this city and the criminal who corrupted the will of Goddess Ennessic.”

At that moment, the guards flinched and grabbed their spears. The citizens also swallowed their breath mixed with tension, even though they clearly knew what the name would be spit out next. Rachel studied their expressions and spoke in a low but clear voice.

“Of course, Archbishop Bobby.”

“Shut up, you witch!”

Along with the sound of astonishment from the citizens, the chief of guard’s harsh curses broke out. He stomped towards the podium to stop Rachel.

“Somewhere impersonating the name of a saintess to incite innocent citizens! Come down from there right now!”

“No! She really is a saint!”

Then Vanessa ran forward, screaming in a surprisingly pathetic voice. He deliberately rushed in front of the captain of the guard and collapsed helplessly. And he cried out, holding him by the ankles.

“I can’t let you bother the saintess anymore! Please stop!”

“This… Such a crazy bitch…”

Vanessa did not intentionally tell a false story. However, the scene unfolding in front of people’s eyes was enough to stimulate their imagination. A saintess who had been missing for over ten days and then suddenly appeared. The captain of the guard who rushed at her and the unidentified priest who stood between them. And what remains distinctly on the priest’s body. Perhaps traces of torture.

It was clear where the pitying gaze would go, and the captain of the guard stopped, perhaps noticing it. I didn’t know where the actions of the citizens would explode if I moved rashly.

Her nervousness made her hands wet with sweat, but Rachel calmly looked up and made eye contact. She then went on with the rest of her words.

“Archbishop Bobby took on the name of a false hero and led the church down the path of corruption. Priests, believers, and even children were raped and sacrificed for their lust. Then, with a ridiculous lie about ascension rites, I tried to carry the glory on my back until the end. I can’t tolerate his tyranny any longer.”

Now, the eyes of the citizens were quite different. Normally, they might have just stared at it in a sense of helplessness, but they even showed a sense of vitality when they faced the miracle of being a saint in front of their eyes in the scene of unreasonable control.

“You’re right!”

“That’s right, saintess!”

The thugs hired there screamed for air at the right time. The voice that bursts out for the first time in this situation soon becomes the voice of the whole, and even ignites a fire even for those who did not think so.

“That’s why I’m here, Archbishop Bobby, as a priest of the Ennesic Order and a member of the party of warriors who once stood up for justice. No, to Bobby, a priest of the Ennesic Order…”

She paused as her throat caught for a moment. However, it became a kind of dramatic production and caught everyone’s attention. She let out slowly, feeling their eyes pierce her skin.

“…For the crime of violating the rules of the goddess Annesic, I order you to appear before the Inquisition.”

“Such nonsense! Trying to put the Archbishop of the Order on the Inquisition! No priest will tolerate it!”

The captain of the guard still couldn’t admit that the general trend was waning and wrote an evil word. Rachel looked at him and shook her head.

“No. Captain of the guards. I don’t need their permission. I have no intention of demanding a decision from those who have already betrayed the will of Goddess Ennesic. His crimes will be judged by the citizens present here. And one day, they will be able to judge my sins as well.” You will judge.”

It was bittersweet, but the voice was full of confidence. Rachel looked at the citizens again and said.

“Because I am also a sinner, I couldn’t hold Bobby’s guilt. That’s why I’m going to leave Bobby and my life in your hands. To all of you who are the most faithful children of the Goddess Ennessic, and to all of you who deserve judgment more than anyone else. Everything I’ll leave it to you.”

“Holy Maid…”

For the first time, the voice of a pure citizen, not Vanessa or a gangster, rang out. At that moment, realizing that the plan had been worked out, I turned back.

“Everyone. Will you listen to the sinful saint’s last request?”

“Yes… Holy Maiden…”

As I was walking against the waves of people waking up, I heard the muttering of a person full of emotion in my ears. But it soon became everyone’s voice and began to ring.

“Will you listen to this sinner’s will to put yourself in your hands?”

“Yes… Holy Maiden…!”

“Can you please grant the wish of this foolish girl who is finally trying to correct her false life?”

“Yes! Holy Lady!”

In the distance, I noticed a few guards coming running and being stopped by some thugs hired by us. Maybe a few more will come. The guys were mine.

“No! I am no longer a saint, nor will I be called that. As a disciple, I ask Archbishop Bobby to come to this plaza right now and be judged by the people!”

A confident voice echoed through the air. But it couldn’t echo against the blue sky. Citizens were already shouting with all their might, believing that they had brought this heat.

“Death to Archbishop Bobby!”

“Long live the saintess!”

Citizens looked at the fake saintess and cried out her name. They were trying to blow the typhoon with hope in the winds of change that had finally blown. Just before I was able to make my way out of the huge crowd alone, I turned around and looked at Rachel.

Surrounded by cheers, she was experiencing a glimpse of sudden glory. In the midst of her unconditional love and respect, Rachel smiled without knowing what to do. After all, it must be a pleasure for her to be loved by everyone under any circumstances. As I was thinking about that, another thought suddenly popped into my head.

If Ellie hadn’t taken her life away from Sarah. Could it have been like that?

A family that cannot come true always leaves a bitter aftertaste. I left the plaza full of joy, chewing the cud of pain alone.

The smell of artificial perfume stings your nose. It’s been 5 years already and it’s still a smell I’m not used to. But. What would change if a village baimletter who had only killed people all his life wore the name of the imperial family? I smiled self-deprecatingly and began to think about things I could never laugh at.

Rick.

Nadia.

Bobby.

Sera.

And, even the manager I sent recently.

It’s been quite a while since they stopped sending me regular calls. Those who flatter me try to comfort me by saying that it will not be a big deal, but if something doesn’t work out as originally planned, it always leads to a major disaster.

Above all, Barbie. It bothers me very much that he doesn’t contact me. Rick and Nadia were such idiots from the beginning, so even so, Bobby has not been contacted even though I recently sent someone.

Someone might say that it is only ten days. Okay. It may seem like a trivial time to some. However, the quality of my time is different from that of the idiots on the street. Every minute and every second that goes by is so important to me, who now holds a tight grip on the fate of a nation. After all, it’s all about time. Those who report to me always mention time at the end.

Leo. His Majesty the Emperor has sent another letter regarding Rick’s treatment. Now is the time to decide.

The thieves who abuse the imperial family must be severely punished. I really don’t have time anymore.

The demons are expanding their power. It’s only a matter of time before they cross the border.

Unlocking that girl’s seal. It’s a matter of time.

Okay.

Fuck in the end It was all just a matter of fucking time.

Thud. Thud.

While I was laughing bitterly, I heard someone knocking on the door. As I raised my head, I heard a familiar voice.

“…Can I come in?”

A heartfelt smile bloomed when I heard a soft voice that pierced my ear. In the end, this was the only pleasure left in this disgusting imperial life.

But now was not the time.

“No. Please wait a moment.”

I thought about it for a while, then suddenly touched the handle of the sword placed next to me. It had already been five years since she hadn’t held this guy in her hand, but the feel of the cold metal still calmed her heart. I closed my eyes and opened my mouth feeling the calmness come.

“Is there a chamberlain outside?”

“Yes. Leo-sama.”

A thick voice that gave me confidence just by listening to it rang out. Why did I find out about this guy so late? I jotted down the names that came to my mind and called out one of them.

“Call the Black Bird Knight Commander.”

“Do you dare to ask what your business is?”

Because the commander of the knights, that cheeky fellow, will ask again. I replied with a small tribute to the head of the chamberlain.

“I need to check Archbishop Bobby’s condition. I’ll arm the knights and dispatch them to Myler.”