Chapter 55: Salvation Church

“That’s…”

…

You’ll understand once you become a devout follower.

The excitement fizzled out. I already felt exhausted.

Didn’t that mean I had to keep showing my face here to get information?

I was dragged into this situation, and it was turning into a long-term commitment. Damn it.

As I sat there dumbfounded, at a loss for words, the woman gave a soft smile and stood up.

Time has flown by. I’m busy, so I must be going.

Ah….

The guards at the exit will give you food, so don’t worry. For today, just feel free to look around.

…’Just for today?’

Guards watch the restricted areas, so avoid those.

With that, the woman turned away without a second glance.

Only after she was gone did I gulp down the cold tea and lean back in my chair. My tense body finally relaxed, belatedly turning limp.

‘That woman is subtly annoying.’

The way she was so sure I’d come back—

Of course, she thought I was a pauper, so it was natural. It was a place that gave away free bread and water; anyone who came once would likely come again.

‘…For now, let’s check out the inside.’

I briefly wondered where Sir Lien was and what he was doing, but the thought quickly passed.

He’s a knight. Moreover, a knight who controls the mad dogs known as the Slaughterers. Worrying about him was a luxury.

I should be worrying about myself.

With that, I pushed thoughts of him aside and slowly began to wander through the building.

There was nothing special. It looked just like a normal temple, with guards who could easily be mistaken for holy knights.

That’s what made it even more suspicious.

‘It reeks of suspicion, yet it’s so clean. That doesn’t make sense.’

Maybe I should try entering a guard’s room.

Just as I was glancing at the guards’ rooms, someone caught my eye.

His smile was so blissful, so utterly devoid of worldly worries, that it stood out jarringly, drawing my attention.

A small frame, wearing clothes made of rough material but relatively clean.

He moved confidently through the interior, as if he had been here many times before, heading somewhere…

‘…A girl?’

She looked about twelve years old. Was she a follower here? She seemed like a pauper.

Her complexion wasn’t bad, and she smiled happily, but the lingering traces of hunger were still visible on her face. She couldn’t have escaped starvation long ago.

Adding to that, she was holding a loaf of bread, further convincing me she was a pauper follower. But then, as if sensing my gaze, the girl turned towards me.

Our eyes met, and an awkward silence descended.

…?

The girl’s eyes darted around, trying to figure out my identity.

She scanned me from head to toe before looking back at my face. I unconsciously straightened my back, but then the girl, noticing my dirt-smudged disguise, clapped her hands as if understanding.

Ah!

…?

You must be a new follower!

Uh, yeah?

Nice to meet you! I’m Sia!

Oh, yeah. Nice to meet you…?

What’s with the cheerfulness? Is she really a pauper? Did I misjudge her?

Either way, this kid clearly liked me. I needed an informant, and she willingly approached me, so I was grateful.

I took her small hand and shook it. The girl’s face blossomed into a smile.

Judging by the fact I don’t recognize you, you must be new here. Did you arrive today? Or yesterday?

Today…

Ah, then everything must feel strange and suspicious. But don’t worry. This place gives food without any conditions.

The girl naturally led me somewhere, continuing her explanation.

Her voice was filled with unwavering belief.

…Something’s off. How can she be so certain?

They don’t force you to believe in the religion. They just give you more food if you do. Mister, you’re a pauper, right? I am too. I’m a fellow pauper, and I’m telling you this from experience, so you can believe me.

I see.

And… ah, this is the prayer room. People who start believing casually for the sake of food pray here.

…Does that mean there’s a separate prayer room for devout believers?

Wow, this is awkward. I wouldn’t know how to talk to a kid.

My words were a little clumsy, but thankfully, she didn’t seem suspicious and readily nodded.

Yes. There’s a separate prayer room in the basement. That’s where we listen to the priest’s sermons about true salvation. Salvation is real.

The girl’s eyes were unfocused as she said that. I paused for a moment.

Brainwashing? It probably was brainwashing. To speak with such conviction, it would have to be brainwashing.

…But.

‘It’s strange.’

Her eyes weren’t the dull eyes typically seen in those who have been brainwashed. Instead, her eyes sparkled with hope.

Her momentary unfocused gaze was just her imagining a hopeful future.

‘Why?’

What trick did they use?

I looked down at the chattering girl with a complicated expression. My eyes must have betrayed my confusion.

No matter how much I pondered, I couldn’t figure it out right now. I needed to investigate the prayer room in the basement.

I wiped the complicated expression off my face and offered a faint smile. It was probably awkward and weak, but since I was supposed to be a ‘pauper’ who didn’t usually have reason to smile, it would suffice.

Sure enough, the girl didn’t suspect a thing.

How do you get into that prayer room?

Ah, the ‘real prayer room’? I don’t know.

…Huh? You don’t know?

Yes. I know the entrance, but only the priest knows how to open it.

I figured. They wouldn’t want just anyone sneaking in.

Then, could you at least tell me where the entrance to that prayer room is? I’m thinking of believing in that ‘salvation’ you mentioned, and I’m curious where I’d pray if I became a devout follower.

Really? You’ll finally be saved then. That’s great!

Yeah, so…

Um, but I can’t tell you where the prayer room entrance is. The priest told me not to tell anyone without permission.

…Doesn’t she know everything? She acted like she’d answer anything, but she’s putting up a wall. Is she playing with me?

Instinct, or perhaps intuition, told me. This one is a dead end. No matter how much I ask, she won’t answer.

I’ll have to find out myself, or ask someone else.

Without hesitation, I decided to find out myself.

I didn’t have time to wait around for another good person like her. Prying around might only draw suspicion.

First, I needed to get rid of this kid who was still chattering beside me.

…Just as I thought that, a boy in the distance called out.

Sia! What are you doing? Let’s go!

Ah, Paul! I’m sorry, but I think I need to go.

Really? Then you have to. See you later.

I wasn’t planning on stopping her anyway… The way Paul, the boy, looked at me was quite sharp.

Unlike the girl, his gaze was full of wariness.

He looked about sixteen or seventeen. Was that why? Did he think he was smarter than the girl?

He looked like he’d report any suspicious behavior to the guards immediately, so I tried to look as harmless as possible. But then the cheerful voice spoke again, as if she hadn’t left yet.

Oh, and you look tired. If you came from far away, it might be easier to stay nearby. Commuting back and forth would be difficult, right?

Yeah, thanks for the advice.

Then, see you again!

The girl followed the boy and disappeared. I faintly heard a reprimand: “I told you not to talk to strangers.”

I stared at their retreating figures until the boy glanced back at me, and then I quickly turned away.

As I slowly headed towards the entrance, I touched my face lightly, careful not to smudge the dirt. It was a reaction to the girl saying I looked tired.

‘Did I really look that tired…?’

Well, I was dragged here in the middle of paperwork without even a short break, so I guess it was understandable. Damn my fate.

I walked confidently towards the entrance and then turned towards a secluded area around the building.

Of course, I didn’t forget to grab the food on the way out.

If they were brainwashing people, they’d likely be using drugs mixed into the food, so I took it to check.

‘…There’s nothing wrong with it.’

Just ordinary bread and water. The unexpected result made me pause.

Then… why were they able to gather followers so aggressively? Was there something I didn’t know? Or were they really attracting people with such a weak claim? Using ordinary bread and water as bait?

…

My head was blank. I felt like I’d been hit hard. My throat felt parched, so I brought the water bottle to my lips and tilted it.

But before it could even go down my throat,

Who’s there?

Ptooey! Cough, cough— *hack*…!

A chilling voice pressed down on me.

Damn it, I swallowed the water wrong because of that. As I coughed with my head down, I saw the damp dirt floor. It was hard to tell the color because of the dirt, but was that blood?

Hmm, I don’t taste any metallic or salty flavor in my mouth. It seems I only spat out water, but…

…That’s not a good thing!

Was I caught? I must have been.

Getting caught here would be problematic in many ways. No, beyond problematic, it’s dangerous. I wiped my mouth roughly and focused on the sound of footsteps behind me.

3… 2… 1… Now!

Given the precarious situation, my judgment was swift, and my actions even swifter.

Without any warning, I bolted forward without looking back.

Ah…!

Thankfully, they didn’t seem to be chasing me. The voice of defeat faded into the distance.

Just in case they belatedly decided to chase me, I didn’t slow down. I ran, checking the windows of the rooms for an opening, and slipped into the only one that was unlocked.

***

The unidentified person disappeared. Lien watched his retreating back with a look of bewilderment.

He could chase him if he wanted, but he didn’t bother.

Causing a commotion might endanger himself, and more importantly, the Count inside.

‘But that back looks familiar…’

Even the sound of his cough was familiar.

Have I seen him somewhere before? This is my first time here. I have no connection to the slums… Wait, slums?

Come to think of it, the Count disguised himself as a pauper and infiltrated this place.

…Oh my god.

Lien’s face paled.

‘Why were you there?!’

What in the world was the person who should be inside doing out here!

It was a relief that he seemed unharmed! No, no! That’s not the point!

‘…Should I chase him after all?’

His narrowed eyes, assessing the distance, scanned the path and then stopped at something.

Damp dirt stood out in the middle of the path.

Due to the nature of the soil, any liquid spilled on it would look black, making it impossible to determine the color. However, considering the surrounding circumstances, it was possible to form a few hypotheses.

‘Judging by the looks of it, the liquid was spilled recently, which means it’s likely related to the Count. And considering the Count was coughing badly just now…’

Normally, he would consider smelling it, but this was the slums.

Not only were there all sorts of foul odors in the air, but even the ground reeked of sewage, so Lien dismissed that idea.

It wasn’t impossible for him to smell it if he really wanted to… but as a knight from a noble family, he wouldn’t willingly touch the unknown damp soil or put his nose near it for something that wasn’t his lord’s direct order.

Therefore, Lien, relying solely on the circumstances, gathered all possibilities and formulated the most plausible hypothesis, causing his eyebrows to twitch.

Could it be…

“Blood?”