Chapter 23: The Choice of the Abandoned Ones 1

The Grand Cathedral of Milan

A place of sanctity and reverence, typically exuding a serene and pure atmosphere dedicated to worship and prayer.

However, at this very moment, instead of the usual solemn ambiance, the only sight was that of holy knights huddled on the floor like vagrants, wrapped in cloaks.

“…Haah…”

“…”

Some knights heaved heavy sighs, while others stared blankly at the ceiling.

Just a few weeks prior, they had been brimming with pride and dignity as the swords of God, sworn to protect the Church.

Yet, at this moment, not a trace of that former pride remained among the knights gathered here.

These knights had taken refuge within the Grand Cathedral for months.

However, despite the considerable time that had passed, their circumstances showed no signs of improving.

Ever since Santana’s excommunication several months ago, the lives of the holy knights had been utterly upended.

Immediately after Santana’s disappearance from the city, they were expelled from their original quarters and found themselves on the streets, ultimately seeking shelter in the Grand Cathedral as their sole refuge.

Of course, the bishops and priests initially objected, claiming that allowing the knights to reside within the sacred house of God was blasphemous, regardless of their status.

However, when the knights countered by demanding suitable accommodations or offering the clerics’ own residences, the bishops and priests had no choice but to permit the knights’ temporary occupation of the cathedral until proper lodgings could be arranged.

Although outwardly grand, the cathedral was far from an ideal living space.

Simple acts like sleeping, eating, or even bathing were arduous tasks, with the cold stone floors and lack of basic amenities.

The more they endured this lifestyle, the more they yearned for their former quarters.

However, the hardships inflicted upon the knights’ lives did not end there.

Following the loss of their lodgings, the decisive factor that rendered their lives utterly destitute was the drastic reduction in their wages after Santana’s departure.

Unbeknownst to the knights, a significant portion of their wages had originated from ‘donations’ made by Santana through his various business ventures, allowing them to live comfortably without want.

Santana’s excommunication directly led to this stream of investment drying up, automatically resulting in their meager salaries being slashed.

They had lost their home and seen their wages cut.

Moreover, since driving out Santana, who had enjoyed the people’s favor, the citizens of Milan now regarded the knights with cold disdain.

Thus, the knights floundered in these unprecedented, miserable circumstances.

Among them were two individuals who deeply regretted the current situation:

Nune and Tine, who had been at the forefront of expelling Santana.

“So… how did it go?”

“…Haah.”

In response to Nune’s query, Tine heaved a heavy sigh and slowly turned her head.

Having just spoken with Archbishop Maxim, Tine’s expression bore an even deeper, heavier melancholy than before.

“It’s hopeless… In our current situation, he says there’s no way to provide us with new accommodations.”

“Damn it… Is this really how it’s going to be? That wench of an archbishop… how long does she intend to leave us in this state?”

Immediately after being expelled from their quarters, Nune, Tine, and the other knights had vehemently demanded that Archbishop Maxim, the instigator of this entire affair, provide them with a place to live.

Since she had excommunicated Santana, leading to their predicament, they had insisted she take responsibility.

Initially, the archbishop had acquiesced, promising to arrange new lodgings as soon as possible, but even after months had passed, she had taken no action regarding the knights’ situation.

Even now, when Tine questioned her about when they would receive accommodations, the archbishop’s only response was:

-“I am currently preoccupied with many pressing matters, so I shall address it slowly in due time.”-

In other words, she had no solution and instructed them to remain patient.

Hearing these words, Nune and Tine felt a profound disappointment in the archbishop once more.

“She said we could live comfortably if we followed her…”

“It was all lies. We shouldn’t have trusted that wench…”

The two knights sat dejectedly on the cathedral steps.

At this moment, their hearts were filled with deep regret.

Although Archbishop Maxim had orchestrated the plan and executed Santana’s excommunication, they had willingly aided her scheme by obstructing him.

“I wonder if the situation might have improved had we not given in to our foolish greed and instead supported Santana?”

“…Undoubtedly. In hindsight, Santana was a good-natured person…”

While they had initially cursed Santana for their predicament, upon reflection, his reaction had been understandable.

To be betrayed and cast out by trusted superiors and colleagues overnight, quietly accepting such treatment would have been beyond meek – it would have been downright foolish.

Thus, Nune and Tine regretted their mistakes as they cast their bitter gazes upon the scene before them.

The pitiful state of the knights scattered about…

In contrast, the merchants went about their business as usual, transporting goods and filling warehouses with satisfied expressions.

This stark contrast filled the two women with a profound sense of disillusionment.

“At least we lived decently when Santana was around…”

“How did we end up in such a state?…”

Their wages had already been slashed to the point of being barely livable, and they could not indefinitely sleep on the hard cathedral floors, wrapped only in cloaks.

In truth, their current situation was hardly different from low-wage laborers, despite their status as holy knights.

And all of this stemmed from their own greed, not anyone else’s.

Unable to blame others for their plight, the two women could only heave deep, weary sighs.

“…I wonder what Santana is doing now?”

“He’s in Benetsa, apparently.”

“…Huh? How do you know that?”

In response to Nune’s wistful remark, Tine immediately provided an answer, prompting Nune’s curiosity as she inquired further. With a bitter tone, Tine explained.

“I caught a glimpse when I entered Archbishop Maxim’s chamber earlier. There was a letter on her desk mentioning Santana being involved in some incident in Benetsa, though the details were unclear.”

“Is that so?… I see…”

Benetsa was not an excessively distant location from here, nor was the journey particularly treacherous.

Although Santana’s group had suffered due to encountering a storm, delaying their travels, under normal circumstances, it was a journey of merely a few days.

Upon realizing this…

A thought suddenly crossed Nune’s mind.

“Say, Tine… are you content to continue living like this? Or… shall we risk everything on a gamble?”

“…What are you talking about? A gamble? Do you have some scheme in mind?”

“…Well, you see…”

In response to Tine’s questioning, Nune leaned closer and quietly shared the idea that had occurred to her after a long time.

“…That’s a damn foolish idea.”

“Oh?… Is that so?”

“…Let’s do it right away.”

After reaching this swift, decisive conclusion, the two women rose from their seats and entered the cathedral.