Volume 9, Chapter 7 – The Dissenters

“This is…”

Glancing around the utterly ordinary room, a soaked Yisi began to wring out her sleeves and the hem of her skirt. While this couldn’t change the unpleasantness of her clothes being drenched, it served as a form of psychological comfort—it’s what people who have temporarily found shelter from the rain always do. Even though they know their clothes won’t dry in a short time, they stubbornly twist them tight like a rag.

As for the house itself, it could only be described as squalid. There was no distinction between a living room, kitchen, and bedroom; all three were crammed into a space of less than twenty square meters. A stove was built near the door, and the bed was just a few broken wooden planks haphazardly thrown together. Not only was the floor covered in dust that would fly up with every step, but the room also had a foul odor, like sweaty clothes that had been folded up without being properly dried. The floor was littered with quilts with their cotton stuffing exposed and rags of unknown purpose. Combined with the low ceiling, just a little higher than a person’s head, this was a house that could be found anywhere in the slums.

There was a much more comfortable mansion available, so she couldn’t understand why Lin would bring her to a place like this to shelter from the rain. Of course, this wasn’t to say Yisi was a snob who looked down on the poor. It was just that, given a better option, she found it hard to comprehend Lin’s choice to take refuge in someone else’s dilapidated home.

“Didn’t you say we were going to the hideout?”

“This is one of the entrances. Very few people know about this one.”

Walking over to the wooden bed, which emanated waves of sour sweat and even the smell of rotting rat carcasses, Lin flung off the tattered quilt—a much stronger stench assaulted them. Even though Yisi had braced herself and held her breath, the foul odor that occasionally seeped into her nostrils still made her stomach churn, and she nearly retched.

Even slaves without quilts would never think of living here. It was beyond the limits of human endurance. It was a wonder the Divine Religion could set up such an environment.

But Lin didn’t stop. In contrast to Yisi’s green-tinged face, Lin, as if she couldn’t smell the stench at all, calmly lifted the quilt and then proceeded to lift the bedboard, which was littered with dried rat carcasses. Then, Yisi saw the entrance Lin had spoken of—a cellar opening hidden beneath the bedboard, just large enough for a single person to pass through. Yisi also sensed traces of magic from it.

It must be some kind of identification measure. For example, if someone were to lift the bedboard and quilt together, the entrance would be concealed by an illusion barrier. Only by following the procedure and opening them one by one would the entrance be correctly revealed.

Holding her breath, Yisi swallowed.

“We have to go down through here…?”

If she had a choice, she would absolutely not want to go this way.

Lin nodded lightly.

“Yes. It’s not easy to run into people this way—but it’s fine if you don’t want to go through here. No, the best plan would be for you and I to go in separately, one after the other. By the way, what did you and Atwood talk about?”

“You don’t know? I thought you were told about my conversation with the Pope.”

“I was gone for too long. I was taking care of things outside the noble district this afternoon.”

It was probably something like greeting acquaintances, although Yisi felt this was completely out of character for Lin.

“I see. Pope Atwood invited me to stay in the Ducal Capital of Chloe for a while.”

She didn’t mention that she would be taking the Gospel. If she had, Lin’s dissatisfaction would likely have exploded immediately. Even though Atwood hadn’t instructed her not to tell Lin about taking the Gospel before she left, she knew it wasn’t something she could just casually say. After all, Lin was already angry with Atwood just for inviting her to the Divine Religion. If Lin knew that Atwood had promised her she could take the Gospel, she would surely go berserk on the spot. Yisi wouldn’t even be surprised if Lin tried to pull Atwood down from his position as Pope.

“Stay for a while? What about your lodgings? Did Atwood arrange a place for you all to stay?”

“For now, we’re staying in that noble district we just passed through.”

When Yisi said this, Lin tilted her head, her purplish-blue eyes staring at Yisi’s face through the mask. Even though Lin said nothing, Yisi felt offended—that gaze was clearly looking at an idiot.

“…Then why didn’t you go back to your own place?”

“You were pulling me along, so it wasn’t convenient for me to point it out. I thought you knew where I was staying.”

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“Hmph.”

That was probably a sound of exasperation.

After a moment of silence, Lin lifted the cellar door on her own.

“Which way are you going?”

“With you.”

The Divine Religion had built a rather complex network underground. She could return to the mansion from underground. No one would want to stay in a foul-smelling house until the rain stopped.

Following the pitch-black cellar entrance, the two of them soon entered the interior of the Divine Religion’s base. Since this person-high tunnel hadn’t been used in a long time, the air was filled with the smell of dust, and occasionally, a spiderweb would brush past their heads. For Yisi, who hated insects, this was simply hell.

“Is it okay? A place with no light like this.”

As she spoke, Lin, who was walking in front, reached her hand out to Yisi, who was following behind. The sound of their footsteps and water dripping onto the ground echoed in the tunnel—the water coming from their soaked clothes.

“It’s fine. You know, don’t you? I’m a pure-blood.”

“I wasn’t sure at the time. It looked like you weren’t hiding your wings, but that you didn’t have any at all… Were they cut off?”

Towards the end, Lin’s tone revealed a cautiousness, as if touching upon someone’s wound.

“It’s not that tragic. I just used a little special trick so others can’t see my wings. What about you, Lin? Are you also a vampire, so you can walk in the dark?”

“No, I am not of the Blood Clan.” As if deliberating whether to tell Yisi, Lin paused for a moment, then took off her mask, revealing a bewitching face dotted with a few raindrops. Even in the darkness, the blue scales on the side of Lin’s cheeks were very conspicuous. “As you can see, I am not a complete human. The imperial envoy from this morning, Gore Harile, did not deceive you. Because the blood of a monster flows in my veins, I can see clearly in the dark. Not just my eyesight, but my hearing, sense of smell, and physical abilities all surpass the limits that humans can achieve.”

“Is that why you became the Hero?”

“Becoming the Hero was the will of the Gospel. You don’t seem surprised that I am a monster.”

“Why should I be surprised? Didn’t I see these scales back in the Hels Kingdom? If I remember correctly, you have wings too.”

“But even then, there was no fear or panic in your eyes. You are the first person who wasn’t afraid after seeing the scales on my face.”

Since Lin had turned her gaze forward again, Yisi, walking behind, couldn’t see her expression.

Yisi secretly stuck her tongue out behind Lin’s back.

It would be strange if I were afraid.

To be afraid when I already know Lin’s level, unless she looked like a phantom from a horror movie. But the fact was, the few scales on the side of Lin’s cheeks actually added color to her, making her quite beautiful, giving her the feel of a monster girl. Of course, Lin had neither a tail nor ears different from a human’s; she only had scales, so she couldn’t be categorized as a monster girl yet. In short, she was very pretty.

Almost blurting out, “I think the scales are very beautiful,” Yisi kept her mouth tightly shut. This wasn’t something one could say upon first meeting; it would be more appropriate for a later time.

The narrow view was soon replaced by a spacious hall. The two of them had arrived at the shaft located beneath the residential area. There were many such shafts under the Ducal Capital of Chloe. When the soldiers on duty saw Lin take off her mask, they all stood up straight, like soldiers awaiting inspection.

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A maid shrouded in a black robe approached Lin.

“Lady Hero, do you need a change of clothes? You’re soaked.”

“It’s fine. I’m going back to my room.”

The maid then shifted her gaze to Yisi, who was behind Lin.

“This is…”

It must have been too short a time for Atwood’s message to have spread throughout the entire underground. Yisi took out the silver crest Atwood had given her from her pocket. It was engraved with a pattern in the shape of the Gospel.

Retracting her doubt, the maid bowed to Yisi.

“So you are our guest. Will you be returning with Lady Hero?”

“I don’t know her. Don’t group me with her.”

The maid showed a troubled expression but still nodded to Lin and retreated to the wall where she had been standing.

“I understand.”

That dismissive way of speaking is just too hurtful.

Yisi smiled wryly in her heart. Anyone else would have gotten angry by now, or just ignored Lin forever. But she knew the reason Lin was doing this. Atwood had explained a little about Lin’s situation. If Lin were to act intimately towards her, that would be a true attempt to harm her. The current distancing was just a form of protection.

But she wasn’t the type to be afraid of that level of trouble.

Yisi quickly caught up with Lin, who had already started to walk away.

“That boy from before…”

“Tsk,” Lin clicked her tongue and continued walking on her own. “Didn’t I tell you not to walk with me?”

“Was it because you saw a shadow of yourself in that boy that you resorted to violence without a word? There were better ways to handle it.”

The moment her words fell, Lin stopped abruptly, so much so that Yisi almost bumped into her.

Her fine eyebrows knitted together, and her bewitching face showed anger.

“…Did Atwood tell you even that?”

“No, he only told me a few snippets. He said if I wanted to know, I should find out for myself.”

“What on earth is that guy up to?”

“Am I not allowed to know?”

“It doesn’t matter if you know. The problem is he didn’t tell me in advance. It’s infuriating.”

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“Calling His Holiness the Pope by his name… I was wondering who it was. So it’s our monster Hero.”

Just as the two were walking towards the shaft staircase, a man’s voice suddenly sounded beside them.

Yisi instinctively turned her head.

Unlike most members of the Divine Religion who covered their faces with hoods, this tall, thin man, though also wearing a black robe, did not have his hood on. Like a corpse that had just crawled out of a grave, the man’s eye sockets were sunken, his gaze was gloomy, and his skin had a bloodless, withered look. Coupled with his prominent cheekbones and hooked nose, if his walking posture were a little stiffer, Yisi would have believed he was a zombie.

This was a follower of the Divine Religion from the Norta Empire.

He looks like a harsh person. Until he introduces himself, I’ll just call him ‘Zombie.’

Making this judgment in her mind, Yisi waited silently for Lin to respond, but Lin just remained silent.

Zombie began to size up Yisi.

“You… you’re not from the church, are you? Why are you here? Were you dragged here by force by this monster?”

“No, I was invited by Pope Atwood. This is my proof of identity.”

“Hiss… So you are a guest invited by His Holiness the Pope. My apologies.” Sucking in a breath for show, Zombie placed his right hand on his chest and bowed respectfully to Yisi. “I am Gran, one of the Bishops of the Divine Religion. Are you in some kind of trouble? As a guest invited by the Gospel, please do not associate with this monster. If you have any problems, I will do my best to resolve your doubts.”

“…Isn’t Lin your Hero? Why do you keep calling her a monster?”

A fleeting look of disgust crossed the face of the self-proclaimed Gran, but it was quickly replaced by a smile that looked like he was about to cry.

“A monster is a monster. There’s no reason.”

“But she’s the Hero designated by the Gospel, right? Don’t all the people of the Divine Religion believe in the Gospel?”

“No. The Gospel did not designate a person named Lin to be the Hero. The reason this monster can stand in the position of Hero is due to His Holiness the Pope’s misjudgment. It is most regrettable. I am still trying to persuade His Holiness to this day, but to little avail. If you have the chance, honored guest, please pass on a message to His Holiness for me. I, Gran, will not recognize such a monster as the Hero. She does not have the capacity to be a savior.”

Skillfully ending the topic, Zombie turned his gaze back to Lin, his eyes filled with unconcealed disgust.

“Isn’t it time to stop playing the hero game? What kind of conditions will it take for you to be willing to leave the Divine Religion? You are not the Hero the Gospel spoke of. Stop being a clown of your own accord. If you continue, you will only bring ruin to us all!”

“…”

Seeing that Lin did not answer, Zombie became even more aggressive, opening his hands as if giving a sermon, his voice growing louder and louder.

“In the end, you’re just a buffoon. And you actually want to become the person of destiny guided by the Gospel? It’s bad enough you have the filthy blood of a monster in your veins, but you can’t even fulfill the Gospel’s guidance. The Gospel, which has never been wrong for two hundred years, has had its plans disrupted in your hands. And you still have the nerve to stand here as if nothing happened. How thick-skinned must you be to do that? If it were me, I would have long since committed suicide to atone for my sins.

Because of your failure, not only did your companions Red and Purple fail to break through the barrier of the quasi-heroic domain, but they almost lost their lives in the weak Hels Kingdom. According to the Gospel’s guidance, only the Hero can obtain the Angel and the Dryad’s Nectar. In my opinion, the one who obtained the Angel and the Nectar one step ahead of you is the true Hero. The Gospel’s guidance was not wrong; it was we who believed in the wrong person. You should get out of the Divine Religion as soon as possible and give up your position to the real Hero!”

“Have you said enough?”

“Said enough? Hmph, far from it. This is just the beginning. Don’t think I won’t speak up just because you have a guest invited by the Gospel by your side. In the end, you just want to pull the guest to your side to become your supporter. What a despicable tactic.”

“No, I was not invited by the Gospel, but by His Holiness the Pope.”

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The moment Yisi’s words fell, Zombie, realizing the difference between the two, his attitude toward her changed abruptly. His harsh eyebrows shot up, and his voice was so loud that it echoed throughout the entire shaft.

“Another arbitrary decision by His Holiness the Pope?! I could turn a blind eye once or twice, but this time, I must have His Holiness give me an explanation! How can he arbitrarily invite a commoner of unknown origin without the Gospel’s invitation? It’s simply absurd! You, get out now! If the plan goes wrong because of your appearance, no one can bear that responsibility!”

“Can you shut up now?”

Lin’s voice began to turn cold, but her words only infuriated Zombie further.

“Shut up? You dare tell me to shut up? Hehehe, a failure who can’t even fulfill the Gospel’s guidance tells me to shut up. What a joke. If you really want me to shut up, then please have the real Hero come. I will not obey the ridiculous orders of an imposter. You two failures who shouldn’t exist here had better disappear soon, otherwise—”

“Otherwise?”

Yisi took a step forward and took over the conversation. She had never been kind to people who pushed their luck, and besides, even for the sake of Lin taking her to shelter from the rain at the first sign of it, she felt she should give this guy a good beating—he was just asking for it.

Zombie’s eyes widened as if they were about to pop out of their deep-set sockets.

“Otherwise, don’t blame me for being impolite and throwing you both out!”

She snorted.

“Hehe, is that so? Interesting. It seems you don’t know that I am the one you speak of, the one who snatched the Angel and the Dryad’s Nectar from Lin. By the way, your plan in the Hels Kingdom—”

“Yisi.”

Lin tried to stop her, but Yisi just pushed her aside as she tried to stand in front of her. She tilted her chin up slightly and sneered in Edith’s usual arrogant tone.

“—your plan in the Hels Kingdom also miscarried because of me. The reason Pope Atwood invited me was because he knew I was the one who ruined your plans. If that alone makes one a Hero, then shouldn’t you respectfully address me as Lady Hero?”

Like a rooster whose neck was being squeezed in the middle of a crow, Zombie’s throat bobbed continuously, his face flushed, unable to utter a single word for a long time.

“You… you think I would believe such a lie?”

“Believe it or not. Yes… let me see. You can go ask Pope Atwood, and also the Red and Purple you mentioned, the ones ‘dragged down’ by Lin. Also, if you want to see the Angel, I can bring her here at any time. Of course, whether Lady Angel is willing to meet an existence like you, who is no different from the undead, is another matter entirely. Ah, my apologies, I forgot the warning. Even if Lady Angel is willing to see you out of compassion, you had better prepare an escape route. After all, my Lady Angel has always loathed things like the undead. If she mistakes you for a zombie and cuts you down with a single sword stroke, I think even I, as a Hero with healing magic, would have a hard time fully restoring you. Oh, and if I accidentally sew that mouth of yours shut, I think that would be bad for both of us, wouldn’t it?”

“Pfft.”

Lin, beside Yisi, couldn’t help but let out a tiny snort of laughter, which only further aggravated Zombie Gran, whose face turned from red to purple, then from purple to green.

His shoulders trembled with anger, and he pointed impolitely at Yisi’s nose.

“You… you’ll regret this!”

“I look forward to that day.”

“Damn you!”

Throwing down an incoherent grunt, the zombie, panting heavily from anger, strode away from the two of them.