Chapter 205 – The Saintess and the Lie
What had happened?
I still did not know.
Perhaps it was just an illusion made by the grand mystery and history of the cathedral. A spirit or ghost.
Or it was just a strange girl who was very good at hiding.
In any case, it gave me an opportunity to think about the system revolving around Saintesses in this place.
Mel had said something about the important adults being liars.
And that the Saintess lied most of all.
I tried to think about what she was telling me.
But there was no answer.
I had too little information.
And so I decided to ask Ellie and Liza about it.
“You want to talk about the Saintess? Very well. I actually know quite a lot, in spite of appearances.”
“I don’t know much. I’m only interested in talking about gambling.”
They then told me about Saintess and their role in the country.
“It is said that the first Saintess who served god appeared about one thousand years ago, during a war. She appeared as a savior for the country, and her prayers and great magic energy saved the people. However, not everyone believed her at first. There are records showing that most were quite skeptical. They said that miracles did not exist. She was a liar. Some even claimed that she was a demon.”
“Personally, I think we would have more fun if we talked about illegal gambling.”
Ellie ignored her friends and continued.
“They only started to believe that she was a true servant of god after a certain incident known as the Ludago Miracle. She had been shot by an arrow during the Ludago battle, and died. Her heart had stopped and her body went cold. This was all confirmed.”
Declared Ellie.
“The people mourned her death. However, she was resurrected two days later. She had come back to life and appeared in front of the people. After this miracle, she gained support rapidly.”
“Speaking of resurrection, that can happen in gambling as well. For instance, even if you have debts amounting to five million in gold, all you need to do is borrow another million and bet it on something that will multiply it by six times. Then you can pay off your debts. That is the moment when you feel the most alive. I have once repaid a debt of fifty million in one night. Now that is what a real legend looks like.”
Liza said with all the grace of a devout nun.
Ellie did not even bother to look at her.
“And that was the birth of the Claless religion. And this country was developed around it. Before every Saintess dies, she will prophecy the birth of the next one, and the country then gathers together the likely candidates. And from among them, the one with the greatest magic energy will become the next Saintess. This process continues with every death.”
“And what happens to those who are not chosen?”
“Most will work in the cathedral or other related facilities.”
“Have any returned to general society?”
“I have never heard of that happening. I think that it must be very unlikely.”
Said Ellie.
“If there is any lie concerning them…what could it be?”
I asked, and Ellie looked me straight in the eyes.
“There are no lies.”
Her black eyes were still and piercing.
“This is all a fact. It is history. I was taught so and I believe it. God will save all of those who believe. Even someone like me, who cannot give up the bottle.”
She said as she folded her hands together.
“And then god will take us all to the true paradise.”
It seemed that Ellie believed the teachings of the Saintess.
She declared that there was not a single lie.
Likely, it made her feel better to believe it.
But while I had no proof, I felt that this lie was somehow related to Luke’s location.
And so I snuck into the cathedral library and quickly gathered information.
From ‘Ruins of the Lost Ancient Civilization,’ I learned that there were dozens of dungeon relics stored within the cathedral.
However, that’s about all I learned.
There was a limit to how much I could do on my own.
In order to get closer to the truth, I had to meet Mel one more time.
I ended up reuniting with her on the following day.
It was around 3 o’clock in the afternoon.
“What are you doing?”
After a moment, I answered.
“I’m searching for the bad people who are hiding.”
“Secret Knights Order.”
“Yes.”
Mel smiled.
“I’ll help you.”
Apparently, I had said the words that she wanted to hear.
I nodded, and we started to search the cathedral together.
During this fun adventure, I casually reached out and touched her shoulder.
She was there.
There was even warmth.
She was not a spirit or ghost then.
“I like you, because you play with me.”
She seemed happy.
“You don’t say that we can’t play, like the others.”
“They say that?”
“Yes. They leave me out.”
“Why would they say that to you?”
She did not answer. It seemed like she didn’t want to say anything.
We continued to play while avoiding being seen by the priests and nuns.
I taught Mel a competitive game where you used your hands, which had been popular when I was young. Her eyes lit up with delight.
“Wow. I’ve never had so much fun.”
“You’re exaggerating now.”
“No. It’s true.”
Said Mel.
And then she looked at me seriously.
“Did you think about the Saintess’s lie?”
I nodded.
“I did. And I searched where I could. But I still don’t know.”
“I see.”
Mel said quietly and without emotion. Or perhaps it was just too complex and hidden.
“The Claless faith is a gentle lie to save people. That’s why the adults don’t go against it. The truth can’t be known. Because it will hurt people.”
She said.
“That’s why I have to let go of myself. I can’t want anything. I have to give everything to the people. That is my job.”
She said with confidence.
“That’s not right. You have a right to live for yourself and be happy.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Why…”
“Because I’m not human.”
Mel smiled.
“I’m a mechanical doll. A relic. I grow, die, and return to childhood. A machine that looks human.”
Her gentle smile then would linger in my mind.
“The west chapel. I saw someone suspicious going through a hidden door under the pipe organ. Thank you for playing with me.”
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