Path of Ruin: The Dawn of a New Era

10. Via 1317 of the solar calendar, the capital of Rout Nitis-Rout-en

Sarah Pov

The bishop walks around us with slow steps and calmly observes. I can't figure out what's going on in his head, but I'm not trying to figure it out. I watch him apathetically and in just a moment I feel that our eyes have met.

He walks out of my field of vision and I can't see him anymore. Behind me I hear his footsteps, I feel his gaze crossing us and I feel that the mana that surrounds us gives off a different feeling.

I turn my head and see him again. He is no longer watching us, but is looking at the ground. He seems brooding to me. The right hand forms an open fist and the side of the index finger touches the chin. He walks under the stage and stops.

He looks at us again and steps forward. He no longer goes around us, but goes straight to us. He walks between us until he stops in front of me. He grabs her chin and lifts her up slightly. I'm not defending myself. Our eyes meet again, he just stands there looking into my eyes for a while and I see him smiling sweetly.

"I see that you are suffering and you have lost your senses, yet believe that God is still with you and has not left you. I am sure that your loved ones would like you to go on, so don't give up and keep fighting. Would you like to become part of the church, my dear?"

I... Yes, I'm sure Luke would want me to move on, but the world is empty without him.

I... I won't give up, he always supported me and was there for me, I can't betray his wishes.

I will... prevent this from ever happening again.

So... I answer him in a lifeless voice: "I would be honored, Mr. Bishop."

He lets go of my chin and strokes my cheek. "We must never give up our own lives. That is the greatest sin in the world. Even if you only have your right eye left, one day you will see more than anyone else. From today you will become my disciple. Therefore, never give up my child, may you suffer most of all."

“Yes, Master. I don't know why he chose me, but I won't let him down.

His smile widens even more. He turns, motions for me to follow him, and returns to the platform. There he announces to the director that he has decided to accept only me.

I stand behind him with my head slightly bowed. I don't speak. The bishop and the headmaster exchange a few more words before saying goodbye and motioning for me to follow him.

We go to the stables, where the carriage is already waiting. The carriage opens the door for him and the bishop gets on. Following his instructions, I also get in and sit across from him. The door closes and a moment later the carriage starts moving.

The bishop looks out of the carriage window for a moment. I copy his look and look outside as well. We have just left the rich district. We pass through the main street that connects Minervské náměstí with the market, located in the center of the city. Many people are walking in the street, but no one dares to stand in the way of our carriage.

Although religion does not have such an influence in these parts, it still has a significant number of believers. Many of the people we pass pay at least minimal respect to the bishop by joining hands and bowing their heads. The bishop smiles and waves at them in return.

As we ride like this he speaks to me, "What is your name, my child?"

I look at him, but he's still preoccupied with the people outside.

"Sarah."

"You have a beautiful name. Can you tell me your life story? I would like to know more about you."

I don't know why, but I feel like I can say anything to the man on the other side of the carriage, so I decide to oblige. In an indifferent voice, I begin to tell him about my life: "Mom was a nun in a church in a nearby town, but after it was discovered that she was expecting me, she was expelled. I don't know who my father is, I never knew him and Mom never spoke about him. "

When I remember her, I subconsciously touch the necklace with the symbol of the Orthen Church. At that moment, even the Bishop's eyes rest on him. Before long, he looks out the window again and continues to wave to the worshippers. I decide to continue my story.

"Even though she was banished, she continued to be a faithful follower of God. At least every ten days she took me to pray in the church.

I don't know why mom decided to leave town, but she moved here right after I was born. Mom tried her best to make us feel better, but fate didn't favor us and we soon ended up broke. Mom managed to earn just enough for us to survive.

We were forced to live on the edge of the slums. She met Luke when I was six. He was the same old orphan. I learned how to survive from him. He always helped me when I needed it the most, but I will never be able to repay him. I never thought about her not being here, but…”

At my last words, I subconsciously clench my hands into fists. I lower my head and take a few deep breaths. I look out the window and continue my story.

"When I was seven, some thugs broke into our house. It was a very cold day, so we lit a fire. They stole all our savings and attacked us. We fought back, but they finally caught us. There were four of them. Two held hands with my mother and one held me .Their leader pulled a log from the fireplace and with a sadistic smile forced my mother to watch as he thrust it into my left eye.

Mom started begging them for mercy and promised that she would do anything for them as long as they didn't hurt me anymore. After that, I was forced to watch my mother being raped in front of me. From then on, her health rapidly deteriorated and she died a few weeks later. After her death, I joined Luke, and in time Mia, Eon, Ezora and Arthur lived together."

I finish before quietly adding, "I hope those four do well at the academy."

I'm sure he heard it, but he doesn't respond to my last words. He doesn't even look at me, he just calmly replies, "I see."

I don't care how he reacted to my story. He doesn't fake emotions but tells me he understands me. It pleases me. I smile sadly. It helped me forget about losing Luke for a second.

It doesn't take long and we arrive at the temple in the center of the city. A grandiose structure unfolds in front of me. It's not the first time I've seen her. I visit her regularly and she has mesmerized me every time, but today I feel nothing when I look at her.

The bishop leaves the carriage and I follow him. We pass through the temple until we enter his office. He sits down behind the table and watches me, and I return his gaze indifferently.

"Starting today, you will attend the church school and devote yourself to your studies. Besides, as I mentioned earlier, you will become my disciple and receive the privileges that come with it. Every tenth day, I will personally attend to your education. I hope you will live up to my expectations." He speaks seriously before smiling sadly and adding, "I know you've lost the will to live, but never give up. Life is the most precious gift of God, so never give up. Yes?"

Is right. Both Mom and Luke wish I could achieve what they couldn't. No matter how painful it is, I can't give up and I have to live on. With this in my heart, I also answer: "Yes."

There is a knock and a young nun enters the room. All three eyes look at her. After entering, he closes the door behind him and bows slightly to the bishop. He takes care of me and tells me how to deal with me. This began my life as part of the Orthen Church.