Chapter 119: Ashes and Prayers
“….”
Sue, looking back and forth between his face and the raven pendant, took off the necklace from her wrist. She handed it to Acrea.
“Here, take it. I have another one.”
Her last words were a lie.
“Are you sure I can have it?”
“Yes, of course.”
Of course, raven pendants were being sold at a high price on the first floor of the abandoned building. However, Sue didn’t want to line the high priest’s pockets with Acrea’s money.
Besides, there was another reason why she had given him the necklace.
She had been so preoccupied with processing the information during their conversation in the stairwell that she hadn’t realized it until now, but Acrea had said he was here to investigate the Holy Demon Religion.
The second son of the Acrea family was personally auditing the Holy Demon Religion. This was a golden opportunity. Acrea, who specialized in white magic, would surely be able to detect the strange energy of the Holy Demon Religion quickly.
All Sue Byron had to do was help him, without putting in much effort.
“Hehe…”
Nothing was going her way, but now God was helping her.
Sue smiled slyly, her mind racing.
Acrea, who had received the necklace, stared blankly at the silver raven. A small bird, unable to spread its wings, was trapped in a circular ring.
Before Acrea could say anything, all the followers in the main hall stood up in unison.
“The High Priest is entering. Show your respect.”
It’s starting.
Sue and Acrea also stood up, awkwardly following the followers. The person called “High Priest” immediately appeared on the pulpit.
“Ooooooh!”
Thunderous applause erupted the moment his face appeared. Sue, flustered by the unexpectedly fanatical scene, hurriedly clapped her hands.
The high priest raised his hand silently, and the hall fell silent. Sue gulped nervously.
The high priest was too far away. Even when she strained her eyes, she could only see him as a small dot, except for his limp white hair.
“…Oh.”
Two people emerged from the small door next to the pulpit.
Radiant gold and a swaying beard.
It was Melaine and Rampleld.
They slowly walked over and sat on the old sofa behind the high priest. It was a VIP seat reserved for the two Firsts.
Sue chuckled.
First.
They called it “the purest soul,” but in reality, it was just two people who were likely to be profitable.
“Lady Vava looks happy.”
Acrea, who had also noticed Melaine, raised his eyebrows in surprise.
‘Of course she’s happy.’
She’s brainwashed.
As he had said, Melaine looked genuinely happy. Just like at the academy, she was beaming, the embodiment of joy. She even had a saintly aura about her.
“All glory to God, to me, and to my followers.”
The high priest’s first words signaled the start of the service.
His voice was clear, youthful, and pleasant to the ears, just as described in the novel.
“What commandments has God given us? What duties has our existence bestowed upon us?”
There was nothing special about the service. Just like at the Grand Temple, the high priest spoke at length about his philosophy of God, and the followers lined up in front of him, praising him and clapping their hands.
“Everything is for our God. We must always realize our own worth and strive to protect the presence of God within us. The first step is to purify our souls through prayer here. Let us pray together.”
It was all so polished. His voice, his tone, his words. It was impossible not to be captivated.
According to Melaine, they also frequently volunteered outside the village, so Sue even wondered if her suspicions were unfounded.
“Lastly, we will drink the holy water bestowed upon us by Saint Melaine Vava Cretos.”
Goosebumps erupted on Sue’s skin at the mention of “Saint Melaine.” She had been called many names, but none as absurd as “Saint Melaine.”
Contrary to Sue’s feelings, Melaine, dressed in a beautiful white silk dress, pouring water from the high priest’s golden goblet, looked like a true saint, beautiful and noble.
Sue glanced sideways, wondering if Acrea would react. But he was just watching the high priest with the same curious expression as before.
Melaine and Rampleld disappeared behind the small door again after the service ended. Sue, who had been watching them anxiously, snapped out of her daze at the high priest’s words.
“Now, let’s measure the soul levels of our new members.”
“Measure our soul levels…?”
All eyes turned to the back of the hall. The high priest stepped off the pulpit and started walking towards them.
An ominous feeling crept up Sue’s legs like a snake.
Was he going to brainwash them now?
Sue lowered her head nervously.
She had drunk plenty of anti-magic potion, Nine and the two escort knights were waiting for her upstairs, and besides…
‘Miss, how pure do you think your soul is?’
“It’ll be fine.”
A sudden voice cut through Sue’s incomplete thoughts. Her body relaxed at the reassuring voice.
Sue shook her head twice, trying to regain her composure.
Right, she was worrying for nothing.
Acrea was next to her.
And why should she believe in the soul purity nonsense spouted by a cult leader?
The high priest, reaching the Fifth section, started assessing the new followers one by one, assigning them classes.
He took his time with each person, and soon, he was right next to Sue.
“Hmm… Your soul level isn’t very high. Fourth would be appropriate.”
“Ugh… Really?”
The man standing to Sue’s left, who had been assigned the Fourth class, slumped in despair, like a rotten tomato. The high priest smiled brightly and placed his hand on the man’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry, if you pray here and purify your soul, anyone can reach First or higher.”
“R-really? High Priest, I’ve been abandoned by my wife and my children. Can someone like me still be recognized for my worth?”
“Of course. I know your worth. God hasn’t abandoned you yet.”
“High Priest…!”
The man burst into tears.
“You said your name was Tom, right? They’re collecting donations over there. Just give a small amount before you leave. You don’t have to give anything next time. It’s all to imprint your existence upon God.”
Imprint, my ass.
Sue scoffed inwardly. She had almost been moved, but the mention of donations had instantly cooled her heart.
“Hmm, you’re next, aren’t you?”
The high priest finally stood in front of Sue.
The moment she saw him up close, she had one thought.
‘He’s young.’
No, he wasn’t just young. He looked much more normal than she had expected.
No, he was actually handsome.
His lifeless white hair and dull gray eyes made him look a little sickly, but even considering all that, the high priest of the Holy Demon Religion was a strikingly handsome young man.
“Hmm…”
The high priest scanned her up and down with a creepy gaze, then pointed at her hood.
“Take that off.”
“Ah… Yes.”
It wasn’t a difficult request, so Sue raised her hand to take off her hood. But something strange happened. Acrea suddenly grabbed her wrist and gently pulled it down.
“I apologize, High Priest, but this child is not feeling well. She hasn’t been looking well since this morning, so I would be grateful if you would be considerate.”
What is he talking about?
It was Sue, not the high priest, who was looking at him with bewilderment.
‘What is he doing, saying I’m not feeling well when I’m fine?’
She tried to ask him with her eyes, but Acrea didn’t respond.
“Oh?”
The high priest stroked his chin and stared at Acrea intently. Then, he turned to Sue and asked coldly,
“What’s your name?”
“Marie.”
“Your last name.”
Last name? He didn’t ask anyone else for their last name.
And she hadn’t even thought of one.
Sue felt a surge of frustration, but she knew she would be suspected if she stalled, so she touched her neck and blurted out the first name that came to mind.
“Antoinette… It’s Antoinette.”
“Hmm… Marie Antoinette.”
Maybe she should have said Curie.
Lmao, i would go for Marie Curie