Volume 9, Chapter 57 – The Condition of Salvation

Nearly fifteen minutes passed after the warmth of reunion before Lin and the others returned to their senses. Although the three didn’t say anything particularly special, Yisi could feel from the atmosphere between them that Lin, Red, and Purple had become true friends. The subtle hierarchical relationship that previously existed between them, while not completely gone, was only lingering because time was too short, and Red and Purple hadn’t yet adapted. Yisi believed that soon, the subordinate relationship would vanish entirely, as if it had never existed.

This is a good thing, both for them and for me.

A faint smile appeared on Yisi’s face as she stood by the door.

“Lin, you should go rest. You should be able to sleep soundly now, right?”

“Uh,” Yisi’s words made Lin’s back stiffen. Only now did she remember Yisi was still in the room. Her friends’ escape from death had made her forget what she was supposed to do. Awkwardly and shyly turning around, “S-Sorry, I forgot about proper matters.”

“It’s not to the point of needing an apology. The one who really deserves an apology from you is your own body.”

“Ahaha…” Looking even more embarrassed, Lin clasped her hands behind her back, her gaze wandering over the floor. Then, as if remembering something, her purplish-blue pupils instantly widened. “Ah, speaking of which, on the way here, Yisi said Red and Purple were brought back by you. Is that true? Even riding good horses day and night, it takes at least a week to travel from the Duchy of Chloe to the Imperial capital. But only a day has passed.”

“That’s why I said I’m just that much stronger than the Demon Lord. Doesn’t this just prove I wasn’t lying? I just didn’t expect your first words wouldn’t be about me violating the Gospel, but about the travel time. I was originally prepared for you to scold me.”

Of course, this was just Yisi teasing. Even if Lin truly felt Yisi had violated the Gospel, she would at most get angry, not actually scold her.

For an instant, Lin wore the expression of a child caught red-handed by an adult. Her embarrassed face flushed, unable to find words to retort. Yisi couldn’t help but smile and wave her hand.

“Alright, alright, I was just joking. I’m not a member of the Divine Religion, so bringing Red and Purple back when I had the ability didn’t violate the Gospel’s guidance, right? The reason you didn’t want me to go before was because you were worried I’d get hurt during the assassination, but you underestimated my strength, didn’t you?”

Seeing Lin open her mouth, looking like she wanted to say something, Yisi quickly held up her palm towards Lin with a mock disgusted look.

“Don’t say things like you don’t know how to thank me, okay? I’m tired of hearing it. These are trivial matters I can accomplish easily; no need for you to be deeply grateful. Just knowing you have the sentiment is enough. But if you absolutely insist on thanking me, let me think… Right, just make me breakfast yourself. Remember to use less salt. I’m not like you, able to eat dishes made entirely of salt.”

“Just one meal is also…”

It’s too simple. She wouldn’t feel like she had truly repaid Yisi’s favor. But besides this, she couldn’t think of any other way to repay her. Lin could only nod in agreement. At this point, no matter what Yisi said, she could only comply.

If only there was a way to make Yisi happy, Lin couldn’t help but think. That would somewhat alleviate my guilt, or rather, not make me seem so useless. This feeling of Yisi constantly giving while she couldn’t reciprocate filled her with an unease that Yisi might leave at any moment. Even though she knew Yisi’s departure was inevitable—this tiny speck of land, the Duchy of Chloe, couldn’t possibly contain such an existence.

A sense of powerlessness washed over her again. Lin couldn’t help but sigh. Besides the breakfast Yisi mentioned, she should still ask Yisi’s companions if there was anything Yisi liked. As long as it was something she could do, she would do it.

Zz—

Without warning, the trigger-activated magic items Purple had bought from Yisi at a low price flashed through Lin’s mind. What method had Purple used back then to make Yisi agree to override her ‘friend’ and sell the items cheaply?

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The scene from that time appeared before her eyes. Lin subconsciously looked down at her collar. Although her black gauze dress was somewhat damaged from branches during the overnight journey, making her look quite disheveled, it hadn’t affected her chest development. Admittedly, compared to Purple, she certainly seemed lacking, but that was because Purple was slightly older. In fact, her own potential was no less than Purple’s, the type with a promising future.

Coupled with Yisi’s strange comment earlier about liking scales, and her accepting demeanor… maybe…

Thinking this, Lin looked at Yisi. That doll-like exquisite face, yet possessing the softer emotions of a human… just looking at it held a charm that made it impossible to look away. The sunlight reflecting off her silver hair shone like an angel’s blessing. Lin’s gaze uncontrollably slid from Yisi’s eyes to her smooth nose, then downwards, finally stopping on her slightly parted cherry lips. The moist, delicate color made Lin stare blankly.

“Lin?”

Noticing Lin’s strangeness, Yisi tilted her head and took a step forward. But this sudden closing of distance made Lin’s heart tremble violently for an instant as she looked into Yisi’s eyes.

“Ah, wh-what?”

Snapping back to reality, Lin lowered her head, averting her gaze from Yisi. But the thoughts that had just flashed through her mind lingered like ghosts. The shameless notion made Lin wish she could find a crack in the ground to hide in.

“Nothing, just seeing you spacing out, thought maybe you didn’t rest well.”

“Hee~ hee~ hee~, our princess’s heart is in turmoil.”

Purple, sitting on the bed and observing Lin’s expression all along, covered her mouth and giggled, her gaze lingering meaningfully between Lin and Yisi. This made Lin’s already red face turn even redder. Lin could even feel sweat frantically breaking out on her back and the pulsing of blood vessels in her face. She couldn’t help but shout loudly at Purple.

“Purple! What are you talking about!”

“The louder you shout, the more it proves I’m right,” Purple’s gaze shifted past Yisi, stopping on Camilla. “Unfortunately, there’s still a long way to go.”

“What? What what? Purple, Lin, did you whisper secrets when I didn’t know? This atmosphere where only I don’t know what’s going on is too weird!”

Craning her neck, Red, sitting on the other bed, leaned towards Purple and Lin with a bewildered expression. But this was the natural reaction. In fact, besides Lin herself, no one else understood Purple’s words.

As if that chapter had closed and it was time for a new topic, the pale-faced Purple smiled and waved her hand dismissively.

“If we continue talking, our princess will get angry. Cardinal Yisi, regardless, Red and I must thank you for this matter. Although I don’t know exactly what happened then, if you hadn’t saved us, Red and I would be corpses now. Please forgive my inability to rise and express my gratitude properly at this moment. In the future, wherever Red and I can be of use, please command us freely, Cardinal Yisi.”

Her gaze filled with sincerity, Purple lowered her head earnestly. Seeing Purple’s gratitude, Red quickly followed suit.

Beside them, Lin frowned.

“Purple, you’re being too formal. The ones who need to express thanks include me, not just you and Red.”

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“Wait, Purple! You haven’t asked what exactly happened back then! That Carl is someone beyond the hero’s domain! Cardinal Yisi not only defeated Carl but also brought us out within a day! Just how much strength does it take to achieve that!”

Red looked at Yisi with an exaggerated expression, her gaze filled only with awe. Her mouth hung open in a dazed look, reminding Yisi of the commoners in the Ymir Church seeing Evelyn for the first time—everyone would marvel at how young and beautiful the Pope was.

Yisi spread her hands with a wry smile.

“As for strength, probably to the extent that even if Red and Purple attacked together, you couldn’t beat me.”

“Eh, isn’t that the same as saying nothing? Cardinal Yisi is too cunning. Ah, what about the Emperor? Did he die?”

“The Gospel’s guidance was for Red and Purple to assassinate the Emperor, it didn’t require success, right? So I didn’t do anything extra. After confirming your assassination failed, I brought you back. Besides, I think after this war ends, the Empire probably won’t make any major moves again.”

After some time, Red and Purple will surely find out that a mysterious person named Viel destroyed the Imperial palace and unleashed world-ending magic above the capital as a warning to the Empire. Then they’ll quickly connect Viel with Yisi Enya. But that wouldn’t matter much. According to her plan, after this siege battle ended, they should be calling her ‘Your Holiness the Pope.’ As a superior, she didn’t need to hide too much from close subordinates. The only thing that made Yisi smile wryly was wondering what kind of look Red and Purple would give her then. Yisi just hoped it wouldn’t be too extreme.

After some pleasantries, Yisi cleared her throat.

Now it was time to get to the main topic.

“Speaking of which, I have something to explain. Saving Red and Purple wasn’t without cost.”

“No matter what conditions Cardinal Yisi proposes, we will do our best to fulfill them. But before that, please give us some time.” After her voice fell, Purple looked concernedly at Lin. “Lin, during the time we were gone, what did the Gospel say?”

“Indeed. Although I didn’t go out, I can feel the air in the capital is different from before. Did the Gospel issue some instructions?”

Understanding Yisi’s intention, Camilla, who had been standing silently behind Yisi, frowned, her tone filled with impatience.

“You two, still focusing on the Gospel at a time like this? Don’t you understand your lives no longer belong to yourselves?”

“Not belonging… to ourselves…? What does Miss Camilla mean?”

Her voice rising slightly, Purple tilted her head.

Camilla said sternly, “You should have been dead. It was Onee-sama who expended effort to pull you back from hell. Yet you think a mere ‘thank you’ fulfills your obligation as rescued individuals? Isn’t that too arrogant? Your lives now belong to Onee-sama. Your address should also change from ‘Cardinal Yisi’ to ‘Master’.”

“We’ve never heard of such a thing!”

Compared to Red’s shout, Purple, after hesitating for a moment, gradually calmed down.

“No, Red. Miss Camilla is right. If it weren’t for Cardinal Yisi—now should be called Master—if Master hadn’t appeared, you, pierced by the stone spear, would be dead now. To recover from such injuries in just one day… I can’t imagine what price must have been paid. The fact that we can sit here talking now is entirely due to Master’s grace of rebirth. Master gave us a second life.”

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“But asking us to call her Master is also… No, although Lady Yisi certainly has the qualifications, hearing it come from this woman’s mouth, don’t you feel angry, Purple!? We can absolutely repay Lady Yisi in other ways! We still have the Gospel’s mission!”

“That’s exactly what I wanted to say.” As if feeling embarrassed, Purple raised her head with a complex expression. “Master, we still have the Gospel’s mission. I know neither Red nor I have the right to refuse, whether it’s calling you Master or becoming your slaves. But as followers of the Divine Religion, we have a mission to save the future. I implore Master… implore Master to allow us to continue following the Gospel’s guidance.”

So it came to this?

Maintaining an expressionless face, Yisi sighed inwardly. She had guessed when saving them that they would continue acting for the Gospel after waking up. If she hadn’t heard Atwood’s explanation about the Gospel, didn’t know the fact that it toyed with these people’s fates, didn’t know they would become emotionless monsters under its guidance, she would certainly let them continue. But now, she couldn’t give them that chance, even if it made her seem cold and ruthless.

Just as she thought before, Red and Purple had already died once for the Gospel. They had fulfilled the vow they once made to it. Now, they should live for themselves.

Looking at the expectant gazes of Purple, Lin, and Red, Yisi remained silent for a moment, then shook her head.

“I said earlier, saving Red and Purple was not without cost. Although Camilla’s words were somewhat excessive, they accurately conveyed my meaning. I don’t need Red and Purple to go as far as signing a slave contract, nor do I need them to call me Master. However, for at least one year, Red and Purple must act according to my requirements. As a vampire, I need a stable source of blood. After one year passes, whatever Red and Purple want to do is none of my concern.”

“Whew! What’s the big deal? Just providing blood? Even providing it forever is fine! We can follow the Gospel’s guidance while providing blood for Cardinal Yisi.”

Red waved her hand with feigned ease.

“Onee-sama will be leaving the Duchy of Chloe soon. You must follow us.”

“But what about the Gospel’s guidance? Cardinal Yisi, we are both your slaves and followers of the Divine Religion.”

Unaccustomed to the address ‘Master,’ in her anxiety, Purple reverted to her original way of addressing her.

Her beautiful face filled with displeasure, Camilla said coldly, “Do you think you still have a choice? If Onee-sama hadn’t saved you, you wouldn’t even be able to see the shadow of the Gospel now, let alone follow its guidance. Onee-sama limiting it to one year is already an immense tolerance.” At this point, Camilla paused. “Since you like following the Gospel’s commands so much, then go ask the Gospel. See if it will refuse you following Onee-sama.”

This was, of course, nonsense.

The Gospel couldn’t observe Yisi at all. Any question related to Yisi would only result in a blank response. Camilla was deliberately making things difficult for Red and Purple.

Just as Camilla imagined, Red and Purple hesitated, looked at each other for a while, then could only turn their gazes towards Lin. Although Camilla’s wording was exceptionally harsh, they knew she spoke the truth. If Yisi hadn’t saved them, they wouldn’t have the right to hear the Gospel’s guidance again. For the two of them now, the Gospel’s guidance was important, but Master Yisi’s command was also important.

Unlike Lin, they didn’t bear the lives of the dead on their shoulders. What supported them were their ideals and the education they received since childhood. If it were Lin, she would now have to choose the Gospel to fulfill the wishes of the deceased predecessors. But they didn’t have this burden. Therefore, even though they leaned towards choosing their faith at this moment, they couldn’t help but hesitate. If they refused Yisi, who saved their lives, they wouldn’t be able to hold their heads high as people anymore. With the two options contradicting each other, and the Gospel unable to provide a conclusion, they could only place their hopes on Lin, who was biting her lip, equally caught in a dilemma.

“Lin…”

Her companions’ plea made the silent Lin steel her heart. Her gaze towards Yisi held both determination and guilt. Mixed together, it became hesitation and uncertainty.

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“Yisi, you know what doing this will bring, right? Not following the Gospel’s guidance will lead to countless deaths.”

“Then what if the Gospel could observe me, commanded me to do something, and I refused no matter what? What would you do then, Lin? The Gospel’s guidance is for me to act, so even if you killed me, it wouldn’t solve any problem. For this year, Red and Purple are not followers of the Divine Religion, but my subordinates. The Gospel has no authority to command them. This has nothing to do with what might be lost.”

Uncharacteristically, Lin didn’t argue with Yisi as before, just pressed her lips together tightly, her voice much lower.

“Atwood won’t agree.”

“Then let’s wait until Atwood disagrees. The Gospel sent Red and Purple to assassinate the Emperor just to send them to their deaths. The Gospel cannot observe me, so it naturally couldn’t know I would go save them. Their fate was decided by the Gospel from the start: death. Since they were people sentenced to death by the Gospel, following me poses no problem.”

“But—”

“Cardinal Yisi, please let us stay with the Divine Religion! I can compensate you for the blood you need with other, no, more high-quality blood slaves! Following the Gospel’s guidance is the meaning of my existence! Please forgive me for refusing your proposal… I’m sorry.”

Purple’s head bowed almost to the bed. Yisi even felt that if Purple weren’t immobilized, she would already be kneeling on the floor, begging for forgiveness.

So it’s really not that simple to abandon faith?

Although she felt from the start this plan wouldn’t be 100% successful, when it actually ended, a sense of frustration was unavoidable. Yisi let out a long breath.

“Lin, you should go rest. If you really don’t want to rest, you can first see what the Gospel’s next move is.”

Only by knowing the Gospel’s next move could she formulate a further plan. She had to make Red and Purple waver in their belief, start to distrust the Gospel, or become able to live even after leaving it, to truly break free from its curse.

Following Yisi’s suggestion, Lin, looking guilty, took out the Gospel from her storage item. As usual, she offered prayers, then requested the next command. Accompanied by a blue glow, text appeared on the Gospel. However, this time, the text became even blurrier. Even when Lin didn’t focus her gaze directly on it, only reading from the corner of her eye, she found it difficult to make out the inscription.

It took a full hour before Lin finally managed to decipher the content with difficulty. However, when she transferred the interpreted text onto another piece of paper and re-analyzed it carefully, her complexion worsened drastically. Her tightly clenched hand even unconsciously crushed the pen into pieces.

“Lin, what does it say?”

Taking deep breaths continuously, Lin’s expression shifted dramatically. When everyone couldn’t wait any longer and was about to ask again, Lin gradually calmed down, smiled, and waved dismissively at the concerned Yisi, Red, and Purple.

“No, it’s nothing. Yisi, your decision was correct. Take Red and Purple away from the capital. The farther, the better. Hmm… they no longer belong to the Divine Religion… have no obligation… I’m a little tired. I’ll go back first.”

Her words trailed off midway as if talking to herself. Lin said no more, or rather, as if afraid to converse with the three, she quickly left the mansion without looking back.