episode_0112

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The series of terrorist attacks that occurred in the Baltarian Empire further expanded fear and hostility toward cultists.

Therefore, countries including the Empire and the Holy Emperor devoted themselves to hunting down and arresting cultists. The intention was to completely erase the ghosts symbolizing violence and revenge from the world.

“Hurry and transport the cultists!”

“We must reach the sanctuary by today! Hurry up!”

The paladins wearing dazzling armor shouted.

Next, hundreds of people appeared with both hands tied with rope. Wearing clothes as shabby as rags and being dragged around like livestock, they were cultists arrested by the Holy Emperor.

“Kill it! Kill it!”

“Dirty cultists… ! There are still that many!”

A pagan who worships a forgotten god.

A massacre and human sacrifice.

Cultists, full of negative aspects, have always been targets of contempt and oppression. As if to show him, the cult members were taken away and murderous intent poured in from all directions.

Let’s burn it.

Let’s hang ourselves right now.

All kinds of vicious shouts rained down.

Even though there were young children among the people transported, public opinion remained unchanged. The citizens of the Holy Empire, accustomed to the passion of massacre, did not show any mercy to the cultists.

“Ahh!”

“Stop it! Wow!”

Stones were thrown at the cult members who were taken to the sanctuary.

Countless stones and pebbles flew in from left and right, expressing hatred. The cult members who became living sacrifices to relieve hatred quickly became covered in blood.

“This is a sanctuary? That’s funny. A place without even the slightest hint of sanctity is called a sanctuary.”

Shouts tinged with anger and screams stained with pain.

The acrid black smoke of burning corpses.

Uncomfortable.

The entire city was full of pain and death.

As soon as I arrived at the Sanctuary with Zeveline, I became aware of the aspect of the Sanctuary that was called a slaughterhouse by the cultists. It was natural to frown upon seeing scenes full of violence.

“It is a living hell that even the One and Only God would not dare to look at and would avoid looking at.”

The girl with flowing silver hair smiled bitterly.

The scene of a large-scale massacre taking place in the sanctuary seemed like a living hell even to the first saint of the Holy Empire.

“Pagans who rejected the teachings of one god and worshiped false beliefs. Of course, it deserves to be purified by the judgment of fire!”

When Zeveline and I were talking after witnessing the scene of the massacre,

A feisty young priest intervened.

Did you want to show off your faith?

The priest, dressed in antique robes, spoke as if giving a speech to the warriors and saints of the Holy Empire.

“Some of the people being dragged there are children. He must have followed his parents into worshiping a cult without knowing anything.”

“It is truly a pity. I took the wrong path because of the deception of my fanatical parents… . However, worshiping a forgotten god is a mortal sin, so judgment cannot be avoided.”

Who on earth is a cult?

Who on earth is a fanatic?

He looked at the priest of the Holy Empire, who steadfastly justified the massacre, and showed contempt.

You’re crazy.

Is this the result of extreme idolatry?

I sighed as I thought about the madness of the believers who worship the One God. Eventually, the carriage carrying the warriors and saints of the Holy Empire arrived at Februa Cathedral located in the center of the sanctuary.

“You’ve finally returned, First Lady.”

“… It’s been a while.”

The first saint, Zeveline, who had stayed in the Valtaria Empire for a long time, has finally returned. Numerous priests had flocked in like a cloud, as if to prove its immense popularity, overwhelming even the crowd.

Of course, a saint would be better than an old man with wrinkles.

The priests, facing the beautiful girl dressed in pure white robes, focused their gaze with countless feelings of adoration. It was like watching a fandom welcoming their favorite idol.

“Family members are waiting inside.”

The reason I stepped into the sanctuary, which I had been so reluctant to do, was to meet Jebeline’s family. If the Holy Emperor hadn’t held them hostage, they wouldn’t have come to the ominous slaughterhouse.

My family is waiting.

At the priest’s words, Zeveline bit her lower lip.

It was natural to hesitate.

Because it was the first time in many years that I met a family full of love and hate.

“You don’t have to worry too much. Because I will protect your side.”

“Thank you, Ethan.”

It was difficult to predict how Zeveline was feeling at the moment.

I had good family luck, whether in my past life or my current life.

I can’t be your understanding.

But I guess I can at least play the role of a reliable helper.

He nodded while holding the hand of the saintly woman who was trembling pitifully. Then the saint with flowing silver hair strengthened her resolve and began to move her stopped steps.

‘Anyway, I can’t see the Holy Emperor in the sanctuary… . The subject even tried to call me out by sending me a handwritten letter. Following the first saint, a new hero also responded to the call.’

After entering the Holy Kingdom, he received a series of warm welcomes from the cardinals. But for some reason, Seonghwang, who had sent the invitation, was nowhere to be seen.

Is it a trap?

Maybe so.

I threw out a bait, but I guess I set a trap.

I looked around with suspicious eyes, but I couldn’t feel anything. First of all, there did not seem to be any traps around the Februa Cathedral where Xebeline’s family was staying.

* * *

What kind of people are the family of the first saint who represents the Holy Empire?

With a question in mind, I arrived at the reception room inside the cathedral.

“Li, Ne… ?”

There were a total of five people sitting on the sofa in the living room waiting for the reunion.

A middle-aged couple who appear to be father and mother.

And then I saw two people, a man and a woman who looked like my older brother and older sisters.

He expressed his bewilderment at the appearance of his youngest child, who had clearly changed to the point of a complete transformation. I, too, was shocked by Zeveline’s change, but needless to say, my family was as well.

Was Jebeline’s nickname called ‘Line’ by her family?

It’s a pretty cute nickname. I’ll have to call you that again later.

“Really, it’s been a while.”

Jeveline, who hesitated with her mouth trembling, finally opened her mouth.

A heavy awkwardness came over me.

Even simply asking how someone was doing took an enormous amount of courage.

The time that passed so mercilessly was enough to sever the ties with my blood relatives. This was especially true because the Russell family had an unfortunate past.

“You’ve grown a lot. I’ve grown so much… .”

“… … .”

A middle-aged woman with flowing brown hair approached me, extending her hand. Jeveline then showed a puzzled reaction and took a step back.

I just accepted the reunion.

It doesn’t mean I will accept you as family again.

In order to convey his intentions, Zeveline deliberately showed a cold appearance.

“What business do you have with me who are supposed to be in the Kingdom of Veruso? First of all, I would appreciate it if you could tell me your business. Because I am very busy with construction.”

“Yeah, I guess so. Because she is a saint of the Holy Empire… .”

Jeveline took a step forward and sat down on the sofa. The middle-aged woman, who was about to shake hands with her daughter whom she had reunited with after a long time, nodded while stuttering.

gulp.

The sound of dry needles being passed was heard.

I looked at Zeveline’s brothers who were watching the situation with astonished expressions.

The face was full of freckles and scars.

It must be a sign of having suffered from smallpox in childhood.

They were busy looking sideways like criminals about to be sentenced. It was probably out of fear that she might be retaliated against by her younger sister, who had become a saint of the Holy Imperial Kingdom.

“Rine, I was sorry for sending you away alone!”

“Despite my shame, I ask you a favor… ! Please let us live here!”

The Kingdom of Veruso, which suffered from famine and pestilence for many years, eventually collapsed. The Russell family, who lost their country in an instant, was forced to flee to the Imperial Kingdom as if they were being driven out.

What kind of deal was there with the Cardinals?

The Russell family desperately begged for mercy for their youngest daughter, who had grown into a saint.

‘For that matter, it looks like I’ve lived quite well so far… .’

As I looked at the family crying and reciting their unfortunate circumstances, a thought occurred to me. This was because, for refugees who had arrived from a ruined country rife with hunger, they all had good complexions.

Zeveline’s father and brother had bloated physiques due to the fat they had accumulated over a long period of time.

In addition, Zebeline’s mother and two older sisters were wearing very luxurious clothes and accessories.

You took care of me well even during the evacuation.

It appears that he continued to receive financial support from the Holy Emperor even after selling his youngest daughter to a religious order.

“I wasted my time.”

“… … .”

A sharp voice filled with contempt was heard.

He let out a heavy sigh.

“Now even the last regret has disappeared. So it’s okay now. Even if the Holy Emperor takes them hostage, it won’t matter at all.”

“Really?”

The family’s shameless attempt to live off their youngest daughter, whom they sold for a few gold coins, has taken away even the last remaining regret.

Reuniting with family after so many years was the worst.

Zeveline turned away coldly.

As I gazed at the back of Jebeline, who was taking steps with her flowing silver hair shaking, I let out a sigh filled with complicated emotions.

“What… . We wish the Russell family good luck. Oh, and I will take responsibility for your daughter.”

“… … .”

These are people who may one day become father-in-law or mother-in-law.

A greeting would be fine.

It seems that Zeveline has decided to completely isolate herself.