Chapter 99 – In the Woods (5)

“Sir Andrew? You said you don’t belong to the temple.”

I asked Rumia in a small voice. Rumia nodded and said without taking her eyes off Priest Andre.

“Priest Andrew is no longer a member of the temple. Because he rebelled against the abolition of reformation work, he resigned from the position of high priest of the temple. Where the hell did you do anything, and you were here.”

Priest Andrew was facing the criminal without looking at us. The cruel criminal who killed three innocent children kissed the toe of Priest Andre with his face bright like a docile sheep.

“Ah, priest! Don’t you know that I’ve been reflecting! Please send me some! Please forgive me!”

His long beard swayed like the pendulum of a clock. It was because the priest was shaking his head violently. His expression was smiling, but his actions were firm.

“Heh heh heh. You haven’t reflected yet! Education is not over! Haven’t I warned you? If you don’t really wash away your sins, you won’t be able to get out of this place!”

“W-what are you talking about! I’m sorry! I regretted it! You say I’m wrong! Get me out of this damn place quickly! Uh! Send it quickly!”

A criminal is always a criminal. He was proving it with his actions. Priest Andrew didn’t want to argue with him any more. As the general manager, he had the power to calm people down with a single gesture.

A soldier standing behind brought a small staff with a magic stone embedded in it. The thing that looked like a mace emitted a strange blue light and made a buzzing noise. Priest Andrew pointed to the man’s head and said.

“Please make it quiet.”

“Do you think I will stay still? Me right now… !”

A spark flew as the guard placed his staff on the man’s back. Steam rose from the man’s body with a sound like fish frying in oil.

“Uuuuu!”

The man with his eyes closed flopped on the floor, and the soldiers dragged the man into the building. Priest Andre was still nodding his head with a satisfied smile on his face. Rumia pretended to know Priest Andrew.

“Priest Andrew. Long time no see. How have you been?”

He twitched his thick lips and narrowed his eyes. Her face, which had been faintly drawn in an arc, brightened brightly and grabbed Rumia’s hand.

“Priest Ernrich Lumia! What is this? Did the church decide to allow criminal relief activities again? Has Saint Alexander finally realized that I am right?”

The priest’s face was shining bright like a child unwrapping his birthday present. His face shone so brightly that I was embarrassed to be myself watching. Rumia also shook her head, avoiding her eyes.

“No. I am here now for other personal business. Is Priest Andre still engaged in rehabilitation activities for criminals?”

A look of disappointment passed over Priest Andre’s face for a moment, then he started laughing again. The despair that passed across his face for an instant gave it a rather unfamiliar feeling.

“Of course not. Heh heh heh Anyone can be good. Leading people on the right path is what a religious person should do. Saint Alexander is going the wrong way now. I am right.”

“Okay. I also feel very sorry that the correctional activities for criminals have been discontinued. By the way, is this place being sponsored separately? It seems too big to run with personal funds.”

“Heh heh heh. There are many supporters who agree with me. Gathering the strength of those people, we are imprisoning sinners like this.”

Rumia and I both nodded and looked around at the criminals, like people listening to an explanation in a museum. Excluding the murderous robber who had just been caught, there were various people gathered here, regardless of age or gender. I pointed to the child in the lead and asked.

“What crime did that child commit?”

“I stole bread. He learned stealing at a young age and showed no signs of remorse. Even though there are eyewitnesses, he doesn’t catch that he didn’t. That’s why I’m doing a thorough education here.”

“What kind of education are you doing?”

Hearing Rumia’s question, Andre smiled once more. Faced with a businesslike smile, like those of the employees at her store, Rumia took a step back, shaking her shoulders. Said Andre.

“Through a very special education, people are reborn.”

“Okay.”

Neither Rumia nor I asked further. A man named Andrew. The intention was good, but it seemed that the taste was gone somewhere. I was so distracted by the murder robbery that I forgot about it, but what kind of method did you bring in people and give them education? What kind of education is going on, so that everyone walks around like a living corpse, completely distraught?

“So what did you come for?”

Andre’s eyes scanned us. It was as if he was examining whether we were guilty or not. A visceral rejection of her former priest twitched the corners of her mouth, and Rumia explained what we had been through with her aloof face.

From accidentally encountering a child who blocked a carriage, to treating a sick mother. I need sick care, but I can’t stay at the house because I’m on my way to report after finishing my mission, so I came to Eddie like this.

Andre nodded her head, made a pitiful expression, and nodded her head again, wiping away tears.

“Uh huh, that’s such a pity…” … I need to send Eddie away ASAP. Come in at once. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Rumia’s face, so I’m very happy.”

It was very uncomfortable to enter the former priest’s building. Seeing me shake her head slightly, Rumia said:

“I have to go back soon, so I don’t think I can stay long.”

“It is because Eddie is in charge of education now. It’s rude to make customers wait outside. Come inside and have a cup of tea. Take a look at what training we do. Isn’t it good?”

Rumia whispered to me.

“A further refusal here may cause suspicion. Wouldn’t it be nice to just have a cup of tea and leave?”

“…I went in, but the priests just came out and shot the exorcism beam, right?”

“I don’t feel any divine power inside. In the first place, since Priest Andre is not a member of the church, he cannot have scriptures or exorcism tools. Priests can’t be waiting.”

I nodded. It seemed to me that it would be much better to quietly drink a cup of tea and come out than to keep refusing and incurring needless hostility. Andre burst into his wild laugh when we told him we were coming inside and turned around. In the dark hallway, torches lined up like soldiers.

“Come here.”

Following Father Andrew’s words, we walked with an upright posture. The dark hallway was sweltering, and the deeper we went, the fainter screams were heard. Rumia and I went deeper and deeper into sweat, not knowing whether it was because of the heat or because of our mood.

“Aaaaagh! Aaaaagh! Aaaaa!”

“Pray! Reflect!”

“Aaaaagh! Aaaaagh!”

“Pray! Memorize the prayers! Reflect on your sins!”

And a little further inside, a blue light was twinkling. Inside the glass room, the man who had tried to escape earlier was tied up, and mana stones were shining all around him. Every time the skinny man pulled the lever, blue light shot out from all directions and stabbed him.

Another man with a whip yelled at each impact.

“Repent your sins! Memorize your prayers!”

“Aaaaagh!”

“Heh heh heh, how are you? It is the initial stage of education. Those who survived this process safely can now memorize the prayers very well.”

“…Amazing.”

Rumia stared at her torture chamber with her speechless face. I looked at her Rumia with her doubtful face, but she was lost in her eyes, blinking as if she had never heard of such an indoctrination process.

“My, please save me… ! Hey, I’ll pray… ! Please…!”

“He who has sinned once will always sin. You are not ready in your heart yet! Let them reflect!”

The blue light spread again. The man screamed in pain and twisted his body.

“Quaaaaagh! Aaaaagh!”

“Hurry! Read the prayers!”

“Poetry, my God… ! Today… Forgive us our sins… Aaaaagh! Aaaaagh!”

Electricity rang continuously. The man was mumbling and crying, as if he couldn’t tell the difference between reciting prayers and screaming. Priest Andre looked at the scene with satisfaction and said to the man pulling the lever.

“Ruler! Let’s do it today! Eddie. Let’s take a little break! Because there are people who are looking for you. Grab some tea and catch your breath!”

Eddie raised her head. His face was as worn out as any prisoner here, and his eyes trembled anxiously. The man with the whip put a water bottle in his mouth and disappeared. While Priest Andrew orders the tea to be served. Eddie came up to us and asked.

“Me… Did you say you found it?”

“Do not worry. I’m not here for anything strange.”

We turned to the drawing room.