"Ow ow ow! Violence! Stop the violence! Stooop!"
Vittorio's screams echoed through the church courtyard.
Bound in coarse rope and restrained on a wooden pillory built specifically for this purpose was the hero of loose lips that Mynoghra boasted. And the ones mercilessly delivering blows to him as he squealed and screamed at the top of his lungs were none other than the tragic heroes Mynoghra boasted—the Elful sisters.
"This doesn't even count as violence. You're a hero, so you must be tough, right? Just a few more punches."
*Snicker.* "Going for the stomach would be better, wouldn't it? That way his face won't show."
"I see—as expected of big sister."
It was midnight. The moon was out, the very hour when the Elful sisters wielded their power as witches at its peak. These twin girls, who had already stepped beyond the bounds of humanity and possessed the nature of heroes in full measure—even playful blows from them would test anyone's endurance, and one could almost admire how Vittorio held up as a fellow hero. Though judging by his pathetic state, no one would be offering such praise...
"Serves you right, you stupid prophet. I told you not to go causing trouble, but you never listen—so this is what happens. Genuinely reflect on what you've done."
Of course, they weren't the only ones present. This was the headquarters of Ira's faith in Amritate—the church they had reconstructed from a chapel in the southern parish. Acting prophet Yonayona was glaring at Vittorio with veins bulging on her forehead, while the newly converted followers of Ira watched this punishment ceremony with visible confusion. As for the long-time followers who had come to this city with Vittorio, this was apparently nothing new—they simply went about whatever work they'd been assigned.
For better or worse, this was simply another day in Ira's faith.
"Ah! Save some for me too! I haven't gotten my punches in for the time you snuck out on your own!"
"Okay~"
"Understood."
"What is with these damn kids? Aren't they way too used to violence?"
Vittorio began to complain about his circumstances, but it was all of his own making.
Particularly unforgivable was that he had broken his promise to the Holy Church and provoked them.
Yonayona and the Elful sisters didn't really care what happened to the faithful of the Holy Church because of his actions, but this time the agreement had been sealed using the names of the Ira faith and Takuto.
Breaking the promise would mean smearing Takuto's face.
That was something he absolutely had to avoid no matter what.
That was why he was being punished. While Vittorio had resigned himself to the fact that this nature of his was incurable, he also felt he had to beat the frustration out of him before things could proceed.
Therefore, Vittorio was bound hand and foot, hung up, and being thoroughly beaten.
Of course, the man himself seemed to feel the pain, but it was like water off a duck's back.
What's more, while being beaten, it appeared he had just come up with a new scheme.
Indeed, his face wore a grinning, unsettling smile as his gaze drifted into the distance.
"Show the utmost respect to your own people and never sacrifice your comrades. A basic, universal rule for being human—don't you agree, Inquisitor Imreis?"
"Vittorio..."
The person who appeared was Kree Imreis, the Grand Inquisitor of Holy Quolia.
A servant of God, who was supposed to be faithful to the divine teachings.
"If you have gone to the trouble of summoning me at such an hour, may I assume you are prepared to accept my proposal?"
Kree showed a moment of surprise at Vittorio's serious words while dangling there, but quickly regained her composure.
However, she, who surely understood the intent of his question correctly, remained silent with a stern expression, refusing to open her mouth.
That she was hesitating was obvious to anyone's eyes.
"Mmm, I don't know why you came, but if you're going to betray them, you're welcome. Once you're one of us, there's no going back, though... Besides, this guy here is the exception; everyone else is pretty easy-going. There's nothing to worry about, I guarantee that."
"Hehe. It's a great place. Forget everything that happened before and come over here."
"You seem to be struggling. If you're here to stay, you're welcome. If not, you're an eyesore—so kindly leave at once."
The time was night. The moon hung in the sky, and combined with the sinister pressure emanating from the sisters, the scene was filled with an almost unbearable dread.
Yet, in contrast, the words spoken were gentler than anything else.
Even the somewhat dismissive phrasing of Career carried an implicit intent to support her decision.
That was why, just a little, Kree wanted them to hear about their circumstances... about Nerim's circumstances.
Strangely, it felt like a sinner confessing to a god.
"Nerim is a pitiful child. I simply wanted her to be happy. That was all... but God never rewarded her, no matter how much time passed."
"Your god doesn't reward faith, you see. Like, seeking a return for belief is a big no-no."
This was the basics of the Holy Doctrine. God imparts teachings but never grants salvation.
No... God's salvation is granted through the Holy Maiden and the clergy.
Using the miracles that only the Holy Maiden can perform—impossible for mere humans—salvation is delivered to the people.
The clergy are the guardians of those miracles. They teach the people God's word and point those seeking help toward the Holy Maiden.
...This was God's principle. The absolute, universal, sacred ordinance.
But if so, then who grants salvation to that Holy Maiden herself?
The Holy Maiden, who is constantly asked to help others as a matter of course, and who pays a tremendous sacrifice for using her immense power—who saves her?
The holy God does not point to an answer.
"It is too pitiful. Why must a small child endure such treatment? Because I am powerless, I only cause her more hardship."
"There is only so much a human can do. You are not a god; you are just a person."
The plight of Ritrain's... of the diary's Holy Maiden was, in fact, already a known fact to those of Mynoghra here.
This wasn't obtained through illegal means or anything of the sort; it was something easily deduced from listening to rumors about her movements and the stories of the people.
It is generally accepted that a Holy Saint's miracle is not something to be displayed frivolously in public, and a certain kind of gag order has been imposed.
That information could be obtained so easily is proof that the Saint from the diary is performing miracles recklessly, and at the same time, evidence that those who are holy have no room to spare whatsoever.
In other words, this would place an immense burden on Ritrain himself.
"No matter what becomes of me, please, just save her... I beg you, just save her. If this continues, Nerim will vanish, consumed by the cost of the miracle."
She clings, thinking only of Ritrain.
It would be easy to condemn her for succumbing to evil. But if so, by what means would she be saved? What miracle could possibly save Saint Nerim?
Miracles are not in the domain of humans. That is to say, they are performed by the realm of a god.
It is precisely for this reason that Kree Imreis's act of seeking a miracle from a different god could be called inevitable.
"Our god, unlike some nameless deity, isn't so narrow-minded. Both the poor Saint and poor you shall be saved. Didn't I tell you? It's a happy ending!"
Vittorio declares this loudly.
There is no falsehood in his words. He blindly believes in the perfection of his own god — that is, Takuto — from the bottom of his heart.
If he who can assert this says so, then surely both Kree and Ritrain will be saved.
He possesses that kind of power. His master possesses that kind of power.
A light of hope is kindled in Kree's heart.
At the very end, when a hand is extended to her, she finally resolves to take it.
...No matter how much she words things, no matter how much she deceives herself, the truth is always the same.
She wanted to be saved. Always, always.
"Then... renounce your former god and speak the words to worship mine. With that, everything will be complete."
"I will—"
And then... the needle of fate points in the exact opposite direction.
"I cast it aside."
In that instant, something changed.
Though it was strange not to know precisely what, the lightness that settled in her chest was undeniable. A certain weight within her had been cleared away, replaced by a sensation as though she were wrapped in a warm mantle. It was a profound, strange reassurance, enough to make one mistake it for the security of a mother's womb.
She had rejected the gods, bent the knee to evil, and begged for aid.
Yet, having actually done so, Kree felt a twinge of confusion upon realizing that, compared to before, she herself was not so different.
"Grooooh! Dolt!"
Approaching her with a beaming smile was a man.
Having escaped his bonds at some unknown moment, he came skipping over in high spirits—none other than Vittorio.
He placed a hand on the shoulder of the still-flustered her and began speaking with the overly familiar, insincere charm of a smooth-talker.
"Wow, Imreis! You’ve got real sense! Most people would just say no right here! That boldness to accept it? I’m impressed! Let’s be friends from now on, yeah? Wanna go on a date sometime? The aquarium or something?"
Ah, so this is what annoying feels like.
Back when he was positioned as her enemy within the holy camp, she’d thought Yonayona’s aversion to him was just another part of the act. But now, having genuinely switched her faith to the Ira religion, the truth was starkly clear.
It was a fact. This man was simply, irredeemably annoying.
Sympathy for the acting Pontifex, Yonayona, welled up rapidly within Kree.
"Hey, you idiot Pontifex! Don’t go touching a lady so casually!"
"Guhuh!"
The one who came to Kree’s aid as she grappled with these new feelings was, once again, Yonayona.
She charged over, blazing with fury, and struck Vittorio hard with a swift, oversized fist before turning back to Kree.
Kree immediately banished the memory of that crumpled ragdoll-like figure now rolling somewhere in the distance, and fixed her gaze intently upon Yonayona.
"Well, you know. Seems like there's a lot going on, but let's get along like she said. Umm, the saint, right? Bring that girl along too, quickly. Things are already pretty crazy over there, huh?"
"Y-yes..."
I return the handshake to Yonayona, who smiles and extends her hand.
The contempt I once felt for beastmen had already vanished, and a sense of gratitude welled up in response to her gentle demeanor.
Surely, I would get along well with her.
Because Yonayona was the person I had interacted with the longest aside from Vittorio, that was the only basis I had for judgment, but as they said, life on this side probably wasn't so bad.
Perhaps it was even more comfortable than the Holy Church, which was full of restrictions...
If this was the case, then Nerim too...
Here, she too would surely not be treated with disregard.
She could spend her days as just a girl.
As Vittorio had said, everything seemed to be leading toward happiness...
However.
"Hmm-mm."
Vittorio, who had revived who-knows-when, returned with a peculiarly difficult expression on his face.
He seemed to be thinking about something, his hands clasped together, looking somewhat displeased.
This rare attitude, from a hero who usually hid himself and mocked everything, finally prompted Yonayona to ask, despite her earlier resolve to ignore him.
"Hm? What's wrong?"
"I thought once we got this far, it'd be a victory lap, but my, what to do..."
Confused murmurs arose from everyone at the cryptic words.
What exactly did that mean? Before we could pose that question, a new shadow appeared on the scene.
"People are foolish enough, at times, to willingly march toward their own ruin. And when they commit the gravest errors, they are most likely to believe they have made the finest choice."
"N-Nerim..."
She was the girl Kree held most dear, the one she wished to help more than anyone.
The girl who had abandoned everything, even the sacred gods, for the sake of happiness.
Ritrain-Nerim-Quolia, the Holy Saint of the diary.
"Cease there, pitiful holy lady. This is a word of advice from the faintest shred of mercy I possess."
Vittorio issued his warning in a rare, serious tone.
The girl, silent and unspoken, felt as though she were somewhere infinitely distant, even though she stood right before him.