Chapter 23 – The Anti-Monarchists and the Church (3)

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I pondered, gazing at the paper Selena offered. Signing meant we’d be considered part of the Rebel Faction.  While we might receive protection for now, it would also mean making new enemies.

“A signature…?” Claire whispered, her voice trembling as she looked at the paper. “Eli, isn’t this a trap? If we sign, we’ll truly be branded as rebels.”

I nodded, looking at Selena. “Is there any guarantee that signing will actually protect us? Explain what you mean by ‘protection.’”

Selena slowly nodded. “If you sign, you become members of our organization. You’ll receive protection within the Rebel Faction.  Of course, you’ll still be considered enemies by the Royalist soldiers, but you’ll at least be safe here.”

Claire shook her head, refuting her. “Even so, you’re just going to use us! You’re not saying you’ll protect us, but that you’ll use us as tools for your organization!”

Selena smiled and replied. “Every choice has a price. In this situation, how many choices do you think you have to act freely?”

I fell into thought.  Her words weren’t entirely wrong. Our situation was desperate, and we had few options. But was joining the Rebel Faction the right choice?

“You might be right.” I said slowly. “But right now, we don’t fully understand this situation. What do you, the Rebel Faction, actually want, and why are we wanted here…?”

Selena fell silent for a moment, then said with a meaningful expression, “Fine. Then I’ll provide information. But only if you sign.  If you sign, I’ll tell you everything.”

Claire looked at me angrily, whispering, “Eli, this is too much of a gamble…!”

I took a deep breath and whispered to her, “Claire, is there another way here? To survive, we need to escape this situation. Let’s get the information and then decide.”

Selena held out the paper again. “Choose. Time is short… Eli…”

I looked her straight in the eyes and picked up the pen. “Fine. We don’t trust you. But this is the only way right now.”

As I signed, Selena smiled contentedly. “Good.  From now on, you will be under our organization’s protection.”

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Selena led us to a small room. “Now, I’ll tell you the information you need. First, let’s start with why you’re wanted.”

She pointed to a map spread on the table. “You’ve unintentionally become central to the conflict between the Royalists and the Rebel Faction. Someone manipulated your identities, framing you as rebels and making you targets for Royalist soldiers.”

I looked at the map and asked, “Manipulated our identities? Who did that?”

Selena tilted her head. “That’s still unclear. However, since you possess the power to disrupt the balance of this world, someone seems to want to eliminate you.” (TN: How the fuck did she know that???)

Claire asked with an anxious expression, “We disrupt the balance? What does that mean?”

Selena was silent for a moment, then spoke slowly. “The power you possess… and the reason you came here, creates the possibility of changing the flow of this world. That’s why you’re considered a threat not only to the enemies here but also among allies.”

I pondered her words. “So… what should we do?”

Selena sighed. “To survive, you must find out who the real enemy is in this chaos. And you must find a way to eliminate them.”

Claire said with a grim expression, “Eliminate them without even knowing who the enemy is??? That’s not easy! How are the two of us supposed to do that?”

Selena said firmly, “That’s why I’m helping you. Since you accepted my offer, I will now help you.”

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Then a man slipped in and whispered to Selena, then disappeared.

Selena gestured for us to follow quietly.  Her usual composure was replaced with a hint of tension. Claire still looked at me with wary eyes, but we had no choice but to follow her.

After turning through narrow, dark corridors several times, Selena stopped us before an old door. It was made of old wood, showing signs of decay from the passage of time.

When she opened the door, the faint light of candles and the murmuring of people spilled out.

“This is it.” Selena said. “What you see from now on… you’ll probably experience for the first time.”

I pondered her words and stepped inside.  The sight that unfolded before me nearly took my breath away.

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In the large space, about fifteen people knelt. Before them was a large stone altar, with simple candles and an old scroll on it.  With their hands clasped, heads bowed, they were praying in low, fervent voices.

A faint scent hung in the air—a strange mixture of old wood and candle wax. Ancient symbols were carved into the walls, subtly illuminated by the candles hanging from the ceiling.

“What… is this…?” Claire whispered.  Her eyes showed bewilderment and a hint of displeasure.

I shook my head and quietly said, “This… is the worship style of the early church. I’ve only seen this in records… to see it actually exist…”

Claire looked at me and asked, “The early church? Eli, what do you know?”

I leaned closer to her. “The early church couldn’t hold services in public places, so they gathered in secret places like this. They mostly hid, avoiding persecution by the monarchy and the church, to maintain their faith… I never thought I’d meet them in a place like this.”

Hearing this, Claire whispered in surprise, “So… are these people the Rebel Faction?”

Instead of answering, I looked back at the altar. At that moment, a man standing before the altar turned his head, sensing our gaze. He wore an old, antique robe, his face etched with deep wrinkles.

“Guests have arrived, it seems.” he said in a low, subdued voice.

Selena bowed and greeted him.  “Bishop, these are the people I told you about. Eli and Claire.”

At those words, the man called Bishop slowly approached, examining us. His gaze was sharp, yet oddly warm.

“You are… Eli and Claire.” he sighed deeply. “I don’t know how you got here, but it’s clear you’re not ordinary strangers.”

Hearing his words, I straightened and asked, “Who are you? And why did you bring us here?”

He fell silent for a moment, then walked to stand beside the stone altar. “I am the Bishop who keeps the faith here. And the reason I brought you here… is because I saw the possibility of solving the threat facing us within you.”

Claire raised her hand, pointing at him. “You’re sure we can help? We don’t even know what’s going on!”

The Bishop nodded quietly. “That’s why I’m giving you time. Before you make your choice here… I want you to hear our story.”

I looked around again.  Everyone here was looking at us. In their eyes, there was both wariness and urgency.

Selena quietly spoke beside me. “This isn’t simply a fight between the Rebel Faction and the Royalists, Eli. This is a fight for the essence of this world. And at the center… you stand.”

I felt my breath catch in my throat. I turned to Claire. She had a confused expression like mine.

“We…” I mumbled. “What on…”

At that moment, the Bishop opened the scroll on the altar. “The answer lies in your past and future.  From now on, are you ready to hear the truth?”

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
Thank you for reading.

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
As the lewd saintess goes by, the more developments are skipped, I don’t think there’s even a story anymore.

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