Chapter 36
Chapter 36: The Hero’s awakening and the Holy Maiden’s questioning
The burnt smell went through my nose . My lungs ached strangely as if I inhaled big quantities of smoke . My throat was dry and sore . The physical discomfort didn’t disappear . Only a little sticky mucus went out from my mouth .
「…Well then, heroes . Let me ask you again . Is your God the same as our God or is he a false god covered in a mask?」
I kept listening to a serene voice that echoed on my earlobes . I couldn’t tell exactly who was speaking to me . I couldn’t breathe properly and my surroundings felt blurred .
Give me a break . I was not in the right condition for a questioning . Rather, I would like to sleep tranquilly like an herbaceous tree for a long night . I looked up at the person’s silhouette in front me . This person was in a sitting position . It was foggy and I pressed my eyebrows, but I still couldn’t grasp the clarity of my surroundings .
Even though he has settled down, I must say that I was quite surprised on how brave he was… Not everyone could step into a place full of burning fire…
In a place where everything looked distorted, the owner’s voice created a strong and ever-lasting presence . It changed the surrounding atmosphere . My eyes gradually became clear .
This person was called a Saint . The shining light in her eyes was an undeniable proof of faith . If one looked closely at her appearance, they would see that she had a very attractive long hair . It was beautifully arranged . Maybe this woman belonged to the upper class . Her overall demeanor was elegant and sophisticated . There was no way that this woman was an ordinary person .
Certainly, this woman was respected as a Saint . She definitely had an aura that attracted other people . This was what people called charisma . That was something that my personality deeply lacked . I involuntarily sneezed .
「Wait a moment . I’m not sure if he’s still alive or if he’s actually dead . He is looking at you, but he doesn’t answer . I guess there’s only one way to find out . 」
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I tried to take out the chewing tobacco from my pocket, but my hand reached an unknowing location . I was wearing new clothes . The fire probably burnt my previous clothes . It seemed that my chewing tobacco was lost in the process as well .
I pressed my back teeth in frustration and narrowed my eyes for a moment . Perhaps, it would be a wise choice not to answer to this question immediately . These people were dozens of insane believers who were probably eager to kill their intruders, including this Saint woman . Everybody was staring at me with glimmering eyes . This situation felt like a situation where a predator was aiming at its prey . I noticed that next to me stood Caria and Helot Stanley . Filaret La Volgograd was also lying next to me, but she was unconscious .
My lungs hurt and ached at the sight of my situation . I felt bad emotions such as embarrassment and distress .
Speaking of which, I should have died back then . Why am I still alive? If you’re looking down from the heavens, I want you to answer me . Why God?
—
My eyesight was dark . This probably meant my own death . A void of nothing . I was certain that I was in the abyss of death, and yet, I felt like I was miraculously brought back to life . Before long, light touched my closed eyelids . I regained my consciousness . I reflexively narrowed my eyes and wrinkled my eyebrows . After a few blinks, my eyes opened slowly and a girl came into my view .
A woman with a pigtailed-silver hair and a long sword looked attentively at me . It was Caria . It was truly her because she behaved with a displeasing manner and with a disgustingly distorted expression .
But, it felt strange . I really thought that Filaret and I were dead because of the fire . If we ended up dead, then the god of death would be the one to guide us to hell . But, it was this woman who stood next to me . There was no way that Caria would’ve died too . Ah, no . Or did the death god transform into Caria in order to show the paths to heaven and hell? This transformation was probably an imitation of my acquaintance when I was alive .
「You finally woke up . You really are the impersonation of the eternal sleeping princess huh . 」
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I took a closer look at Caria’s appearance . Caria raised her cheeks and mocked me like always .
I was convinced . This person was neither a fake nor a physical imitation of my acquaintance . It was really the woman called Caria . Only this woman was only capable of spitting such harsh words . She did nothing more than insult and harass me . If I were to choose an immaterial guide that would guide through the heavens or hell, I would rather choose Ariene’s physical imitation . I’d even choose the hell’s keeper than have this wicked woman as my guide .
However, this situation was even more confusing . If the Caria in front of me was real and not a physical imitation, then it means that I’ve survived . I opened my eyes wide and stared attentively at my own body .
But, how? That was the only question that I didn’t manage to find an answer to . My body was engulfed in flames . I should’ve died because of the fire and the extreme heat . As a mere human, what awaited me was nothing but an unmistakable death .
I lowered the corner of my mouth and bit my lips .
「…Well, it seems you’re quite frustrated . If you are thankful that you’ve survived, then you should tell her yourself . You are alive because of her successful achievement . And, you must thank my treasure sword as well . 」
Caria pointed to the other side . When I looked over, I saw Filaret lying on the ground while Helot Stanley took care of her .
The reason I was alive was because of Filaret’s healing magic . I didn’t understand all the reasons behind my own survival and why she did it . She overused her abilities to save me . But, she showed a certain amount of expertise because she managed to bring me back from the brink of death .
She was an unmistakable genius . She showed some commendable skills even though her past self looked weak . It was extraordinary how she appeased the hellish fire and saved me at the same time .
I really didn’t understand why she saved my life though . She would’ve abandoned me if she was her future self . Ah, or maybe she still had some empathy on this timeline for the worthless and the common folks .
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*thumping sound*
Mysterious footsteps echoed throughout the room . The sound was continuous and it was clearly approaching the place where we were . However, it was multiple footsteps .
That wasn’t good . I gritted my teeth as I wrinkled my eyebrows . Filaret won’t be able to fight based on her condition . My eyes were foggy . I spent too much time engulfed on the burning smoke of the fire . It damaged my eyes for the time being . I wasn’t even accustomed to the light yet . And my body felt strange . Even if I survived, I might have suffered from a side effect, which was still unclear . Caria and Helot Stanley . We could probably survive a crisis with just these two . However, based on my ears, it would be impossible for two people to go against a full spree of enemies that were coming our way .
I tried to think of a solution . My mind was in chaos . Soon, the identity of the multiple footsteps was immediately exposed . Of course, most of the predictions were spot on . A woman appeared before us . She trampled on the ashes and carefully tried to avoid the scorched remains . She came with a dozen of armed soldiers .
「I admire your courage even though I don’t know you people . The wise and the brave should be respected based on our faith . Therefore, I will give you my respect . 」
This woman was called a Saint . She spoke with a gentle and lower voice . Her polite manner was very different from the angry expression she made in the chapel not too long ago .
That gave me chills . The hatred that she felt when she saw us was acceptable . But, hearing this gentle and polite words coming from a supposed enemy gave me an ominous feeling . She reminded me of those cold-hearted aristocrats . Most of the noble people were famous for hiding their malice with a masking veil of good Samaritans . This was the perfect act for wealthy people to exploit the poor .
This woman was scheming something . No doubt . If she had good intentions, why did she bring a dozen of armed soldiers as her escorts?
「Our greetings weren’t exchanged in the best possible way . Especially by fire . I am Matia . I am known as Saint Matia . Even so, I don’t find myself fully qualified to be named as such . 」
Her tone definitely emitted a pure aura and her charisma attracted several people . But, she was indirectly telling us there was no back and forth . Just one side of the coin . Ah, that’s why people like her were so scary to being with . A visceral greed transformed into purpose . That purpose transformed into power . If this happened, one’s moral compass could disappear entirely .
「It is an honor to greet my new guests . As a Saint, I would like to ask you to forgive us for the initial fuss and disrespectful welcome . 」
She tried to sell us the purity of her intentions . But, deeply, I could sense the sarcasm hidden in her words . For a moment I could see the edge of the Saint’s eyes moving in a suspicious way .
「Yes, I didn’t feel any hatred on my soul from the very beginning . Why even feel hatred? It is determined that all lives and treasures will eventually return to God . All things that were burnt today just happened because God let it happen . Everything shall dissipate and reunite with God . Even the loss of lives and lost treasures are the will of God . Therefore, it will be foolish from our part to feel hatred and have grudges for your actions . 」
Caria just looked silently at the Saint woman with a hardened expression . Perhaps, she and Helot were aware of this woman’s facade .
Everything that this woman called Saint Matia professed was only in theory . The reality told us otherwise . I could see the expressions from the people behind her back, including this woman own very eyes . Their eyes were full with infuriating emotions . Their legs trembled slightly . Even their hands looked like tightened fists so that they could suppress their rampant emotions . The inside of their hearts must be boiling with hatred .
Our demise was not determined yet . We were thrown into the first step of their maddening questioning .
「Speaking of which, I don’t think that I’ve heard about the purpose of your visit . Well then, heroes . Let me ask you again . Is your God the same as our God or is he a false god covered in a mask?」
It was as if she didn’t imply any good nor evil intentions . She waited eagerly to hear our reply . However, Saint Matia asked us that question with a tone that sounded as if she were judging us .