Chapter 27: By the Will of God…

People rushed toward the windows in panic, drawn by the sudden explosion, their gazes fixed on the outside scene.

Cazeros and I were fortunate to be seated by the windows, allowing us to simply turn our heads and observe the unfolding events.

It was nighttime, but our eyes could discern the situation outside with alarming clarity.

Illuminated by the flickering flames, a store was engulfed in raging fire, surrounded by a gathering of individuals.

At first glance, it appeared that people had assembled to extinguish the blaze.

However, with closer observation, the true nature of this horrific scene became evident.

The crowd was not there to fight the fire.

In that moment, they were engaged in acts of plunder and ruthlessly assaulting what seemed to be the store owner and his family.

Among the victims were those who appeared to be children, yet even their desperate pleas for mercy did not deter the assailants from relentlessly trampling them underfoot as they indiscriminately looted the burning establishment.

“This… This is unacceptable. We must intervene at once.”

As one devoted to the service of the divine, Cazeros could not bear to witness such an atrocious sight.

Filled with urgency, she attempted to rush outside and intervene.

However…

“…Stop. Your intervention would be futile.”

In that instant, Polena grasped Cazeros’s hand, restraining her actions.

A profound bewilderment etched itself onto Cazeros’s face.

“What… do you mean? People are dying! Surely we must go and stop them, must we not?”

Cazeros’s words were accompanied by glances toward Polena and me.

However, my response was merely to slowly shake my head, dissuading her from acting.

“This lady speaks the truth. For now, the only option is to remain silent… and avert our gaze, as these others are doing.”

“!…”

Hearing my words, Cazeros finally took notice of the atmosphere around her.

With an expression of shock and dismay, she observed the tavern patrons silently witnessing the events unfolding outside, making no attempt to intervene.

Although the darkness obscured the details and the assailants were numerous, the number of people within the tavern was hardly insignificant.

Moreover, many appeared physically capable of rendering aid.

Yet, at this moment, not a single person made any move to venture outside and assist the victims. Instead, as time passed, they turned away from the windows with grim expressions, resuming their drinks.

As if they were already accustomed to such situations…

As if remaining willfully oblivious was the correct response in these circumstances.

Overwhelmed by this incomprehensible situation, Cazeros sank back into her seat, utterly bewildered.

In a trembling voice, she then directed her questions toward Polena and me.

“Why… Why is this happening… Why are they all just watching this atrocity unfold… without anyone stepping forward? People are dying, even children… Yet, why is everyone acting like this…”

The harrowing and traumatic scene before her – not only the nocturnal assault but also the callous indifference it was met with – rendered Cazeros speechless with shock.

And observing her reaction, I too felt a pang in my heart, drawing upon my knowledge of the original work to provide a succinct explanation.

“Heresy. That is why.”

“Wh… What?”

Cazeros’s expression remained one of incomprehension at my single-word response.

Noting this, Polena, standing beside her, elaborated in a heavy tone.

“Heretics… The people being assaulted are those who ordinarily follow heretical teachings. They are being attacked in the dead of night for precisely that reason. And those attacking them are the ‘devout followers of the Church’, claiming that these wicked demons who embrace heresy must be purged.”

“Even if we intervened, we could not stop them. Although their methods are extreme, they are acting in accordance with what they believe to be the ‘Lord’s will’. The others here remain silent for the same reason.”

Polena and I spoke with somber voices, prompting Cazeros to mutter in a trembling, horrified tone.

“But… But even so, how could they… How could they do such a thing, solely because of differing beliefs… And for the so-called believers of the Church to commit such demonic acts…”

Of course, as a holy knight of the Church, Cazeros could not support heresy, nor did she harbor any such inclinations.

Even with her impending excommunication, she maintained her belief in being a faithful believer, unblemished before God.

However, despite her piety, she viewed directly attacking those who followed heretical teachings as wrong.

Throughout her life as a holy knight, she had been taught that the Church’s doctrine should adhere to principles of peace, solace, and embrace.

To offer aid to those suffering, understanding and compassion to those who stray…

Consequently, Cazeros believed that even if others held misguided beliefs, they should be met with tolerance rather than unconditional criticism and rejection – a principle she had strived to uphold.

Yet, the scene unfolding before Cazeros’s eyes utterly negated her convictions as a believer.

The ‘ardent followers of the Church’, plundering property and even slaying children under the mere pretext of heresy.

And before long, the situation came to an end.

The flames engulfing the store subsided, and the motionless bodies littering the streets remained still.

Leaving behind this gruesome aftermath, the assailants dispersed, while Cazeros could only sit in stunned silence, having witnessed the atrocity firsthand.

And observing her state, I too felt a pang of anguish.

‘The issue is that such incidents are occurring throughout the Holy Imperium – not only in regions under the Church’s dominion but also in territories controlled by heretics.’

The only difference being that in those places, it is the believers of the Church who suffer such lynchings.

In other words, regardless of the faction, the religious conflicts within the empire had already deepened beyond repair, gradually escalating to the surface.

Moreover, with the death of Emperor Mattis and the ascension of the fervent believer Sigismund as the new emperor, this conflict was now on the verge of erupting.

From this perspective, the horrific events witnessed moments ago were merely the beginning, a reality I was all too aware of.

‘And yet… while the original work only described these incidents in writing, witnessing them firsthand is still deeply unsettling.’

Regardless of their professed religious convictions, from a modern perspective, their actions were nothing more than the deranged acts of fanatics.

And crucially, I was well aware that people’s stated principles and their underlying intentions often diverged.

I recognized that the recent events did not stem from pure religious zeal.

‘Frankly speaking, the whole heresy pretext is merely an excuse. There is undoubtedly an ulterior motive behind this, with certain individuals instigating these situations and inciting the people for their own gains.’

Thus, at this juncture, while ultimately futile, I found myself deeply contemplating the implications of the events I had just witnessed.

“…Hmm?”

“…”

The next moment, Cazeros’s trembling hand tightly grasped mine.

Caught off guard by her sudden action, I felt a sense of bewilderment.

Then, with a voice filled with desperation, Cazeros spoke to me.

“…Please… help me… I beg of you…”