Chapter 27

The place we arrived at after following Baskervill was the Slum District.

Unlike areas where criminal organizations or black market dealers exist, this place had nothing of value to attract them, making it completely abandoned.

The only residents here were probably just drifters or homeless people.

As I entered such a street, a sense of gloominess was palpable from the very entrance.

“Well, they sure are giving us a tight schedule.”

It hasn’t been long since we parted, and already you’re stepping into such a shady place.

Clicking my tongue, I tried to leave the guidance to Baskervill, but Baskervill was resisting the leash, refusing to enter the Slum District.

-Whine…

“…Oh my, seems like there’s something ahead that’s making them uneasy.”

Why would Hell’s guard dog, who fears nothing in Hell, show such a reaction…?

It must be because something fatal to Hell’s existence is waiting ahead.

For example, a being from Heaven, or a clergyman with comparable power.

“The outline is becoming clearer. What awaits us ahead.”

I had no choice but to retract Baskervill into my body and step alone into the Slum District.

Even in the dark of night, the street had a unique sense of disorder.

But there was no sign of life.

Though traces of people could be seen in the abandoned houses or on the street mats…

Did the people suddenly disappear from the street?

No, it’s more plausible that they all gathered in one place simultaneously.

As if confirming my speculation, I soon encountered a crowd gathered in the square.

-Murmur murmur.

All dressed in shabby clothes, the homeless.

At the front of the line, there was a pot smoking over a bonfire, and people in black hoods scooping its contents into bowls.

And the crosses around their necks indicated they were affiliated with some religion.

“Charity work… I suppose?”

It’s not uncommon for religious people to provide free meals to those in need.

Yet, I found their appearance suspicious.

Angela’s trail led here, and not all religious groups have benevolent intentions.

“Fanatics are just religious people with different directions, claiming their own righteousness.”

The group that would later worship Angela as a calamity god.

If the beginning of that group is planning something here?

“Oh, thank you, Sister… Today, we can fill our stomachs with the meal you’ve prepared.”

Of course, from the homeless’s perspective, they are the ones providing daily sustenance.

The faces of those receiving the meals without suspicion were filled with gratitude and joy, and the clergymen serving them seemed to react similarly.

“Hoho, this too is a mission bestowed by Heaven.”

“Please, eat to your heart’s content. The Lord is always watching over you.”

Harmonious smiles and a warm atmosphere…

Breaking into that scene and causing a disturbance would probably be considered a wicked act.

If violence is necessary, it should be done after observing for a while.

So, after quietly hiding and watching for quite some time, the clergymen who had fed the homeless began to gesture in a certain direction.

“Now then, shall we proceed to receive the teachings?”

“Yes, of course.”

The homeless followed the clergymen without hesitation.

The place they arrived at was an old tent at the end of the path connected to the square, large enough to accommodate hundreds.

And as the last homeless person entered, the clergyman closed the entrance.

Realizing that something was about to start, I approached the tent and quietly released the magical energy maintaining my body.

-Whoosh.

As the magical energy disappeared, my body collapsed.

In the end, I turned into a state of black mist, squeezed through the tent’s gap, and secretly observed the scene inside.

-Murmur murmur.

A crowd of homeless people. And a podium in front of them.

On it stood clergymen in black hoods, and in front of them, a man presumed to be their leader was preparing to speak.

“Brothers and sisters.”

A gentle voice echoed, and a benevolent hand spread out before them.

The faint light seeping through was divine power. A symbol of the noble heart the man possessed.

“To all who have gathered here today, I, Herez, the leader of the Solemn Church, express my gratitude.”

The attention of the homeless in the dark tent began to focus on Herez, the church leader who displayed this without reservation.

But though their gazes were directed, most showed signs of boredom.

No matter how much divine power symbolized the man’s nobility, what they needed was a meal to get through the day, not the character of a person.

“Then, let us take a moment to pray here today. To the Lord who guided us here, and to the Lord who bestowed upon us the fate we are bound to…”

The clergymen, indifferent to such gazes, joined their hands in prayer.

Some of the homeless watching them made gestures, but most just looked around or wore blank expressions.

“Hey, isn’t it boring to pray every day?”

And some even openly expressed their dissatisfaction.

“We understand the church leader’s intentions, so let’s wrap it up and disperse.”

“Yes, it’s getting late…”

Starting with the first comment, the homeless began to voice their complaints one by one.

Still observing their passive resistance, I felt a sneer escape from my scattered mouth as mist.

Why are these homeless, with nothing to do, so sensitive about their sleep time?

“…Hoho, I see.”

But even though he could feel the irritation, Herez showed no sign of concern.

Irritation, anger…

Not even a sense of betrayal at the reality of not receiving gratitude for their service, maintaining a calm expression.

“Indeed, it is not right to ask those who are not clergy to have faith.”

Herez spoke words that might negate the service they had provided until now.

“Faith is something one must accept for oneself, and it should never be forced by anyone. Perhaps it was wrong for us to try to satisfy our own desires by serving meals to you all.”

“Uh, Reverend, that’s not what we meant…”

Feeling the awkwardness, the homeless tried to dissuade him.

They must know that the clergymen have their own desires, hence their kindness.

From the homeless’s perspective, not playing along and thus not receiving meals would be a loss.

“And furthermore, some of you might be thinking this.”

Despite their unease, he continued.

Words one would never expect from the mouth of a noble clergyman.

“Is there really any meaning in prayer? Does believing in something that might not even exist make our lives any better?”

Denying the belief in the illusion that is the foundation of religion, ripples began to spread among the homeless who hadn’t anticipated such a reaction.

In such a situation, the clergymen behind Herez continued to pray.

Infinitely serious and devout.

“Yes, there is meaning.”

From Herez’s mouth, an affirmation to the previous doubt was uttered.

“God exists. This world is structured to reward strong faith… Through such faith, you have all encountered those who have grasped the power to spread good in the world!”

A clearer light began to illuminate the space, and with the rising voice, the homeless’s attention began to focus.

The boredom they felt before, the unease towards him, all shaken off, as if immersing themselves in his words.

“But what kind of appearance did those clergymen who grasped such faith through belief have?”

In such a scene, Herez posed a question, and then became their spokesperson to answer.

“They claim their own nobility, yet they desire to prove their faith superior to anyone else’s. Despite growing up in different environments and serving different beings, they do not acknowledge the differences and insist that only their faith is correct. This is what the so-called ‘righteous ones’ of this world are destined to face!”

Many may have faith, but not all share the same belief.

Thus, dividing sides, not acknowledging differences, slandering each other, and sometimes not hesitating to use violence to ostracize one another.

“Though the beginning may have been with good intentions, the result always involved conflict. To prove their faith, those with good hearts fought and threw the world into chaos!”

He was pointing out the contradiction in such righteousness.

Illuminating the light shaped from his heart, emphasizing the righteousness he pursued.

“And such conflicts always throw the world into disorder, causing many to suffer.”

Thus, towards those facing him, he revealed genuine empathy and sought solidarity.

“Surely among those here, there are those who have experienced being left behind, abandoned, and suffering unwanted pain due to the conflicts of those pursuing righteousness…”

A silence fell among the homeless.

As if the boredom they felt towards faith had become meaningless, feeling the injustice born from the good intertwining with their wretched state.

“In such a world created by the righteous, you must have sometimes cried out. Why is this world so filled with pain? Why, even though faith holds power, has Heaven abandoned us!”

Yes, they were resonating.

The words spoken by their empathizer carried a powerful persuasiveness.

“No, everyone. Heaven has not abandoned you.”

Then, what would drive the final nail into such persuasion?

Watching the scene, I could guess what it was.

“At this moment, here! The savior to rescue all those suffering from righteousness has descended!!”

An idol.

A necessary existence in faith.

A being who rebukes the world that, in pursuing only their own righteousness, has even ostracized the existence born from faith, began to take place before them at his call.

“Oh, oh…!”

The moment they faced her, exclamations burst from their mouths.

Even those without faith could feel her presence with their naked eyes.

“Is, is that an angel…?”

“Big, so big…”

Exclamations escaped from the mouths of those who saw the wings on her back.

That very thing proved she was a being worthy of being an idol, and further, that the one who brought her was guiding them on the right path.

“Angela.”

But her body was like a puppet with its strings cut, devoid of strength, and her vision was filled with a turbid color.

At a glance, it was clear her ego was lost.

I could immediately discern what caused it.

“…For a noble clergyman, you’ve done quite a despicable deed.”

Hypnotism.

The despicable trick of succubi, enchanting the mind to drain vitality.

“Behold, everyone! This light is proof that the divine loves you!”

As Herez waved his hand, manipulated by such power, a radiance began to burst from Angela’s wings.

A brilliance incomparable to anything seen before.

Anyone facing it would realize, even without faith.

“Oh, oh. God…”

That what stood before them was clearly a being sent to rebuke the world.

Furthermore, that she had descended here to save them.

“Now, everyone, chant with me. From now on, chant the name of the apostle sent by Heaven to correct this world crumbling under righteousness, chant the name of Angela!”

“Angela! Angela!!”

“Believe in Angela!! Together with Angela, we will make this world a united world without conflict!!”

“Waaaaaaaaah!!!”

Finally, the inside of the tent was filled with fervent cheers.

I had watched the entire process unfold, and through it, I could clearly understand why the calamity god appeared in this world.

Yes, it must have started from a great cause.

I could understand that much of the intent.

If only they hadn’t turned into fanatics later.

“There’s nothing more to see.”

-Whoosh!!

The black mist, responding to my will, began to swirl inside the tent.

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