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Chapter 44: I'm Not A Heretic (2)
The atmosphere was an ambiguous thing indeed.
Consider what shapes the atmosphere in the first place.
Subtle shifts in expression, the pitch of a voice, eyes that meet or avoid, tension in the body, choice of words, the context of a conversationthese non-verbal expressions amass to form a judgment of the atmosphere.
It has no physical form, so one must learn to interpret it through experience or detect it with keen observational skills.
In that regard, I wasnt the sharpest tool in the shed.
My experiences often lost relevance as I navigated a world where traditional gender roles were flipped, and I struggled to catch the subtle cues in someone Id known for years, let alone a stranger.
Still, I fancied myself slightly above average
By the way, dear follower, are you perhaps interested in joining the clergy? Your sign of the cross earlier and even your greetings were exemplary. Id like to show them to our apprentice priests if possible.
Kut!
!
I was baffled.
I couldnt fathom why Ellie and Lydia were taking a simple compliment so seriously, their guards up as if bracing for conflict.
Just when the mood was finally getting better, it turned cold again
The male inquisitor, who had been praising me in an attempt to seem benign, now wore a perplexed, frozen smile.
Conversely, the woman who seemed to be his senior, previously sighing with annoyance, now sharpened her gaze as if suspecting something amiss.
Did Ellie and Lydia harbor secrets? That could be troublesome.
I wasnt without my own indiscretions, but they were petty at worstlike queuing for a second helping of soup at the distribution centers or the time I burned the blasphemous statue of the goddess.
If Ellie and Lydia had secrets from me, they were likely far graver than my trivial misdeeds.
Uncertain of the exact problem but indebted to their regular assistance, I resolved to help them as best I could.
I rifled through my mental archives for information on the clergy, recalling the detailed settings Id crafted for them, given their potential to rule the labyrinth city.
After a quick mental calculation, I relaxed my posture, signaling non-threat in contrast to Ellie and Lydias tension.
Regrettably, I am too humble a vessel to bear the love of a deity. How can I embrace the goddesss love when I cant even fully grasp human love?
My casual response elicited a relieved smile from the male inquisitor, who had been at a loss.
Oh, that is quite unfortunate. However, the goddess loves all equally, even those not within her embrace. Its enough for you, dear follower, to practice your own love.
Ahaha! Your words do put me at ease. Truth be told, everything I know was gleaned from sermons at the meal distributions. I understand it intellectually, but its not backed by genuine faith, so I was a bit anxious, you know. Especially in the presence of inquisitors!
By meal distributions, do you mean the weekly soup and bread sharing at the temple?
Exactly! Im well-cared for now, thanks to Ellie and Miss Lydia, but there was a time when I had nothing to eat and relied on the kindness of others. Do you know Sister Veronica? Shed give us extra bread for memorizing doctrine or learning manners, so I studied diligently
In truth, I had already memorized everything and feigned eagerness for extra food.
The man seemed touched by the mention of a familiar name, his eyes distant with nostalgia.
Sister Veronica the elderly nun? Its heartening to know shes still in good health. She was distributing food even when I was a child!
Shes almost too vigorous. Last I saw her, she preached so long the soup nearly went cold, and everyone was disheartened.
Yes, she does have that tendency I never expected to hear the name of someone from my past here. This must be the goddesss guidance.
He made the sign of the cross, smiling broadly.
Guidance of the goddess, my ass. It was a calculated move, mentioning someone significant enough to be recognized. And indeed, Veronica had looked out for me in various ways.
Though I did flee every time she tried to recruit me into the priesthood.
The most likely culprit for my arrival in this world was the Goddess of Love, which admittedly made me hesitant.
Regardless, I had presented a relatable human side for my age and even invoked a shared acquaintance to forge a connection
Yet the female inquisitor still regarded us with a chilling expression.
Here, I couldnt afford the calm demeanor Id shown the man.
She had clearly experienced conflict and was aware of her intimidating presence.
I needed to act as a boy of my age would, visibly unnerved by a frightening woman.
Feigning an accidental meeting of our eyes, I flinched and shuddered, then avoided her gaze and subtly stepped behind Lydia.
Lydia, as if on cue, stepped protectively in front of me, completing the performance.
Now, if I just peeked out and offered an apologetic, embarrassed voice for being startled
Before I could enact my plan, the inquisitor moved first.
Karen, having gently nudged her junior aside and stepped forward, locked eyes with me and introduced herself.
My name is Karen.
Uh I, Im Jonah. That is, well, this is
I stammered, feigning fear, but Karen cut me off before I could finish.
No need for pretense. By the goddesss grace, I can discern simple emotions. You are at peace right now.
Sigh. I was unaware you possessed such divine insight.
The goddess directs all my actions, whether through the eyes she grants me, my role as an inquisitor, or my presence before you. Theres no need for your displeasure.
Aha? Im not sure how that works, but it sounds quite handy. Im envious.
You say that devoid of envy, I observe.
That was a bit of social tact.
The others, listening to our exchange, wore expressions of astonishment. Ian, the male inquisitor, seemed the most taken aback, his sense of betrayal palpable.
What is your name, sir?
I, I am Ian.
M-m-mh! Please, Ian hyung, dont look at me like that. I havent lied. Its true I learned for the meal distributions, and I have met Sister Veronica. I merely orchestrated the atmosphere a bit.
To present myself as a plucky orphan, perhaps nurturing a nascent seed of faith.
Ians stuttering response prompted a chuckle and a shrug from Karen.
Hes a novice, not yet fully indoctrinated. Other inquisitors are not so easily swayed.
Just by observing you, Sister Karen, that seems evident. Shall we cut to the chase? You clearly seek something from me, having deliberately shared your name.
Agreed. I, too, have no desire to dally.
Karen then gestured toward Ellie, who was glaring daggers at the woman, and continued.
I came to hear the testimony of one of the few survivors from the last major subjugation.
You mean back when Ellie was a formidable adventurer, right? So, did you find what you were after?
No. She was knowledgeable, but the vital information I sought was absent. It seemed there was no ill intent, but something was being concealed And now I see that you are likely that concealed element.
Hmm. I am indeed the light of Ellies life, the fire of her loins. Her sin, her soul.
Perhaps, yes.
Karens dry response to my jesta nod to a famous novels openingindicated that if the work existed here, its humor was lost on her.
My fleeting sympathy for Karens lack of levity was interrupted as she abruptly inquired.
Have you ever heard of the One Who Devours the Twilight?
Huh? Well Of course, I have.
The One Who Devours the Twilight was no secret society. They were pests known to all but elusive as shadows, their base hidden within the labyrinth.
Karens gaze, weary yet piercing with a pink glint, bore down on me, reminiscent of Eves Eye of Truth but less intense.
After all, the blessing Eve received, which was created by the World Tree compressing all of its power into her at the brink of death, and the one bestowed upon Karen, one of the many heresy inquisitors, were bound to be on entirely different levels.
Thanks to Eves potent vaccine, I shrugged off Karens blessed scrutiny and awaited her question.
Ill be direct. Jonah, what are your thoughts on the One Who Devours the Twilight?
Her question was sudden, but my response was instinctive, unfiltered.
Theyre fatherfucking bastards.
A flicker of intrigue crossed Karens eyes.