“Oh. Alright then...”
The anticipation in Zane's sister's eyes dissolved into visible disappointment, and her head drooped. Lovene, who usually never let anyone down, could only whisper a soft apology.
Under no circumstances could she allow her to watch the Blood-Bestowal Ceremony.
Because she had lied to her.
Those Church Knights wouldn't refrain from torturing her during the Blood-Bestowal Ceremony just because she was the Saintess. Her words had merely been to comfort the young girl.
Fortunately, Zane's sister was still young and did not see through the lie.
However, the young girl was not the only one present; there were many onlookers.
They understood the truth upon reflection. Although they did not speak it aloud, the worry and unease in their eyes betrayed their true thoughts.
They could not bear the thought of Lovene being tortured during the Blood-Bestowal Ceremony, yet they lacked the power to stop it. This helplessness and grief was like a blunt knife, stabbing at their hearts over and over.
And this emotion seeped into Lovene's body, transforming into her mana.
In a corner where no one could see, the corners of her mouth curved up slightly.
On the other side, Mia wanted to eliminate Croy and his men to prevent them from torturing Lovene during the Blood-Bestowal Ceremony. Unfortunately, Lovene had rejected this proposal.
“If my suffering can bring peace to the territory, then I am willing.”
That was what she said, but in reality, she had other plans.
When the Church Knight Seth arrived at the lord's manor, she had already interacted with them. In her eyes, they were just a bunch of incompetent pests.
If Mia really killed them all and chalked up their deaths to an accident, the Church leadership would inevitably dispatch new knights to conduct the Blood-Bestowal Ceremony.
The next batch of knights might not be such pests, which would significantly increase her risk of exposure.
Besides... torturing her during the Blood-Bestowal Ceremony?
That didn't seem like a bad thing either...
...
In the side hall of the lord's manor, golden sunlight streamed through the gaps of the half-drawn curtains, warm and comfortable. Seth sat on the sofa, leisurely enjoying the tea brewed by the manor's servants.
“Bastard!”
Croy cursed as he pushed the door open and walked in. Seth glanced at him, elegantly wiping his hands with a cloth, and asked:
“What's wrong, Croy? You look terrible.”
“Captain, is the Blood-Bestowal Ceremony tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
Croy's sudden mention of the Blood-Bestowal Ceremony meant he definitely had something in mind. Seth propped his head up with his right hand, looking at him with interest as he waited for him to continue.
In response, Croy sneered.
“To showcase the greatness of the Church, let's hold the Blood-Bestowal Ceremony in public this time. As for the location, let's choose the plaza in front of the lord's manor. It's the most bustling area.”
He paused, then continued, “And for the method of bestowal, let's choose the most grand one. The power of the Lord of the Morning Light should descend upon this territory to dispel the ignorance of these peasants.”
“Oh? If we do that, the Saintess will suffer a great deal of pain,” Seth said.
“I believe she can endure it.”
Seth crossed his legs and smiled. “What's wrong? Did you run into her?”
Seemingly recalling what had transpired earlier, Croy's face, which had briefly calmed down, turned ugly once more.
“Hmph. I merely went to bestow some charity on those peasants, but that woman stood in my way and even publicly berated me, making me look foolish. Of course I have to strike back.”
His words lacked even a shred of respect for the Church's Saintess, causing Seth to frown and warn him:
“Croy, regardless of the Saintess's actual status, on the surface, she is still the Church's Saintess. You must maintain proper etiquette in front of her. Otherwise, if the higher-ups find out, even I won't be able to protect you.”
Everyone in the Church knew that the Saintess was merely a fruit nurtured by the Church, possessing no real power. However, her status was still there, making her a true high-ranking member of the Church.
For knights like them to disrespect her was equivalent to disrespecting the Church's leadership. If word of this reached the ears of those bishops with actual power, they would likely have hell to pay.
Croy twitched his lips and defended himself:
“I know. That's why I'm making my move during the Blood-Bestowal Ceremony instead of arguing with her in public.”
Garnal had been sitting in the corner of the side hall the entire time. Hearing this, he could no longer hold back and spoke up:
“Isn't that a bit much? Although these people are the Church's sustenance, they are still living beings. The Saintess isn't wrong to protect them, is she?”
“Besides, I heard the Saintess is gentle and kind, and highly beloved by the people of the territory. If we torture her, won't those people resent us?”
His tone was filled with hesitation.
During his apprenticeship in the Church, those arrogant knight instructors had taught them that they were knights of the deity, naturally superior to ordinary people.
But his simple nature made him feel that those ordinary people were lives just like his own, with no distinction between high and low. The Saintess's actions had only confirmed his thoughts.
Unfortunately, Croy's thoughts were completely the opposite.
“Resent us? I want those bastards to resent me!”
Croy's eyes were filled with madness.
“Watching the Saintess they adore suffer endlessly during the ceremony while being completely powerless to do anything—that feeling of helplessness is enough to make them feel despairing agony. And that is my revenge!”
Just imagining such a scene brought him a massive wave of satisfaction, causing his face to twist with excitement. He walked over to Garnal and slung an arm around his neck.
“The more they suffer, the more thrilled I get. Garnal, you're still too young to understand this feeling. I don't blame you, but I believe that one day in the future, you will become someone just like me.”
Saying this, he looked out the window with a pious expression.
“Knights of the Church of the Morning Light should stand above this sustenance! They have no choice but to obey our orders and submit to us. That is reality!”
Uncomfortable, Garnal brushed Croy's hand off his shoulder. To avoid angering Croy, he didn't argue. Instead, he turned to look at Seth.
“Captain, do you think so too?”
Seth was the first captain he had encountered on a mission. He acted steadily and perfectly fit his image of a senior knight, so he respected him deeply.
He wanted to hear his thoughts.
To his disappointment, however...
“Croy is right. They are merely our sustenance; there is no need to show them any respect. Garnal, excessive kindness will only lead to your demise, just like that Saintess.”
Excessive kindness?
Was protecting and respecting these commoners considered excessive kindness?
Would the Saintess only bring about her own demise?
Garnal lowered his head, tightening his grip on the hilt of the sword at his waist.
After joining the Church, he increasingly felt that this world was completely different from the one in his childhood.
Rate on N.U.
