Chapter 101
“I am Periard, the First Hierophant of Astel!”
He spread his arms wide, showing off the oratory skills that had brought him to this very stage.
On the platform where he had prepared for so long, he addressed the ignorant citizens with an air of inclusivity, as if to embrace everything.
“Our Astel has decided to provide holy water to the empire’s people who have long suffered from the Red Rats! This is the will of Lord Ram, and the will of His Holiness Pope Abelius, the divine representative!”
At Periard’s confident proclamation, everyone present looked confused.
They could not understand why he was suddenly talking about giving out expensive holy water when discussing Red Rats.
“Why holy water all of a sudden?”
“What does holy water have to do with Red Rats?”
“Quiet!”
Periard’s commanding voice took control of the crowd. He smiled knowingly, turning slightly, clearly having expected such reactions.
“Watch closely, everyone!”
He gestured to two paladins standing some distance away. The paladins flanked a man, holding him upright.
Following Periard’s command, they brought the man closer to him.
A thick cloth covered the man’s face, which Periard swiftly removed.
At that moment, screams of shock erupted throughout the square.
“It’s a Red Rat victim!”
“He’s infected!”
The man’s face and body were covered in red spots, clearly infected with the Red Rat disease. The square was immediately engulfed in shock. Those standing closer to Periard scrambled to move back.
“Do not be afraid, citizens of the empire! Watch this and trust me!”
Periard raised his voice again, gathering everyone’s attention. He then opened a bottle of holy water from his robes and poured it over the infected man.
Gradually, the red spots on the man’s face began to vanish. Miraculously, the spots disappeared entirely, and his eyes regained life.
The man stared at his hands and arms in astonishment, touching his face in disbelief. From the crowd watching, a cheer erupted.
“Waaah!”
As the enormous cheer filled the square, Periard shouted again.
“As long as Astel exists, no citizen of this empire shall fear the Red Rats!”
He looked around slowly, as if surveying his people with benevolence and fairness.
“Unlike the imperial family, which left its citizens trembling in fear of the Red Rats without proper measures, we will provide holy water to every single infected citizen!”
The crowd, captivated by Periard’s speech and the miracle of the holy water, cheered again.
“Long live Astel!”
“Long live!”
Amid the cheers, a figure staggered toward Periard. Despite the heat, their body was tightly wrapped in tattered clothing.
“You cannot come any closer without permission.”
Paladins immediately blocked the staggering person. Curious, other citizens gathered to see what was happening.
Ignoring the warning, the tattered figure attempted to pass the paladins. They were shoved back roughly and fell to the ground, revealing their face as their worn clothing slipped off.
“Ugh!”
Another scream rang out.
It was a small woman, her face and body covered in red spots like the man before. A circle quickly formed around her as people realized she was infected and stepped back.
“She’s from the Excluded Zone.”
“How did she get out of there?”
The crowd murmured in shock at her filthy appearance. Their eyes mixed fear of the disease with contempt and disgust for an Excluded Zone resident.
“Pl-please… holy water…”
The woman staggered and reached out to Periard beyond the paladins.
A sound of someone clicking their tongue could be heard.
“Tch, clueless as usual.”
Periard saw this too. He looked at the woman, panting and in pain, with an expressionless face. He spoke, clearly annoyed.
“I told you. We are providing it only to the empire’s citizens.”
The woman’s face, slowly consumed by despair, seemed to amuse him. Finally, Periard smiled slightly.
“Sorry, residents of the Excluded Zone are not included.”
Naturally, he thought. How dare a lowly Excluded Zone resident try to step forward?
Again, shouts of disdain and ridicule flew at the woman—tongue clicks, laughter, some even angry voices. She collapsed slowly, completely engulfed in despair.
“No… I don’t want to die… please… please give me holy water…!”
She lay prostrate, bowing her head, clasping her hands, begging for mercy.
“We will return to the temple now.”
Periard turned away without even glancing at her, escorted by the paladins. Her panic became apparent as he ignored her.
“Wait! Please, give me holy water too…!”
“How dare you!”
When she tried to push past the paladins to reach him, one shoved her forcefully. She collapsed to the ground again, groaning in pain, too weak to rise, and began sobbing into the dirt.
No one helped her. Afraid of infection, they only gave her disgusted glances from a distance. Some even shouted to summon the city guards to drag her away.
Enha had been watching the entire scene from start to finish. Unlike Rixion, who calmly assessed the situation, Enha’s attention was fixed on the woman on the ground.
At first, Enha was shocked. Like the man Periard had brought earlier, the woman’s exposed arms and legs were covered in red spots. The sight was repulsive at first, and Enha felt aversion.
The woman twisted in pain on the ground, begging people to help, crying that she didn’t want to die.
“Over here.”
Rixion, who had been observing the absurd temple display quietly, finally moved. He nudged Enha toward the carriage parked at the edge of the square.
Enha looked at his side profile. He walked with his eyes fixed straight ahead, cold and focused.
Looking around again, no one among the crowd offered help; all they did was step back, giving her disgusted looks.
“Help me… please… someone, help me.”
She now screamed loudly, dragging herself on the ground, pleading for anyone to save her. People moved back to maintain distance, some even throwing stones.
Enha watched blankly, thinking the woman was much like herself. In an unfamiliar land, surrounded by strangers, ignored by those she cared for—how different was she from Enha now? She could not ignore her.
“Enha!”
Enha pushed aside the paladins and ran forward. The paladins tried to stop her, but—
“Let her be.”
Rixion’s strange expression halted them. His eyes watched Enha’s actions with a hint of interest, as if expecting something. Though a precious saint was acting recklessly, he showed no worry.
As the paladins hesitated, Enha pushed through the crowd and reached the woman.
‘I can help. I won’t ignore her. First, take her to the imperial palace, then ask the emperor… to let her drink the holy water too…!’
Enha knelt before the woman. The moment she grabbed the woman’s hands to help, a brilliant light burst from her hands, enveloping the woman’s body.
