Chapter One Hundred Sixty-Three: The Bell Tower
My hand was shaking uncontrollably.
Honestly, I had no clue what was going on with me. My mind felt like a chaotic mess.
These unfamiliar terms like “bones of the dead” and “tears of the goddess” rattled around in my head. Then there were those notes mentioning Woodward Forest, the entrance to the Land of Dragons… I had to tell Rect about this immediately. I needed to get out of here fast… I knew I had to.
I just felt a bit weak and didn’t want to stand up.
Only one thing occupied my mind.
Sister Teresa…
Why are you one of the Gate of Truth? What are you trying to do?
What’s your game… I told you about the Dragon’s actions… So, did I just accidentally help you with something?
And those self-destructive guys, they were your people, right?
After all, you were the only one who knew that Abe gave me something… What did you do to him…?
And why do you want to k*ll me?
Is it because you see me as a threat? Or do you just want to stay hidden because you haven’t finished some “mission”?
I bet you think it’s a shame I’m still alive—those guys were too weak to get rid of me.
You know Ailna… that woman Valar was worried about before he kicked the bucket. You two must be pretty close since you’re both from the Gate of Truth.
Honestly, I should’ve realized it a long time ago… when you didn’t hesitate to k*ll that strong man. Or maybe… even earlier.
If I’m remembering correctly… whether in the academy or out here, when we talked about the Gate of Truth, you… never referred to them as “heretics.”
Not once.
…I should’ve understood.
Her gentle and virtuous face flashed in my mind.
You are from the Gate of Truth.
You’re the one who wants to k*ll me.
But still, Sister Teresa… I just can’t seem to dislike you.
I just want to figure out why. And what exactly do you want?
…You’re not really a bad person, are you?
The Gate of Truth… the crazy folks in the eyes of the world… how could someone like you be part of it?
It doesn’t make sense.
Don’t you have a vision of your own? Why…
I can’t wrap my head around it.
The Holy Church calls the Gate of Truth heretics, saying they worship demons. But Sister Teresa… aren’t you a believer in the deities? Are you the kind of person who would easily abandon their faith?
It can’t be.
You were supposed to be chosen as the Saint, you’re such a dazzling person… why did it have to be you?
Those bloodthirsty madmen… that’s the Church’s impression of heretics…
The Church…
Thinking about it, are heretics truly as “unforgivable” as the Church says?
I’ve never really thought deeply about this.
Because the Gate of Truth I’ve seen, they “self-immolate,” deal in Lotus Seed Grass, assist Edward in killing my brother, and want to k*ll me… so naturally, I’d think along with everyone else that you’re just a bunch of unreasonable lunatics.
But now… to be honest, I’m a bit shaken.
Sister Teresa, you’ve turned my perception of heretics upside down. You’ve made me think maybe all of this is just an illusion.
Upon reflection, that so-called “self-immolation” might just be the “side effect” of that powerful force—the Sin Fire… maybe that’s it.
Just like my Chaotic Power. That terrifying force that devours any life is seen as pure annihilation in the eyes of the world, more fearsome than Sin Fire. Am I “unforgivable” too?
It can’t be like that.
And the Lotus Seed Grass… it seems you’re indeed linked to this stuff. But… did you really use it to harm anyone?
At least I haven’t witnessed it. Or rather, I haven’t confirmed it.
Whether it was during my time in the Valen Empire or now in the Order Royal City, I’ve never heard anyone say you sold this stuff to commoners, to the innocent and kind-hearted. You’re not the kind of “drug dealers” I imagined, those who’d hurt others recklessly just to make a profit.
Father said you brought the Lotus Seed Grass here not for the purpose of earning coins.
You must have orchestrated the situation in the alley, right? Those two kids… now that I think about it, they might just be the orphans here.
Oh, right, the kids. Their strange behavior… is still just a guess. And the Lotus Seed Grass… the Birdbeak Doctor said this can also be used to heal people; it can serve as anesthetics, it’s just banned by the Church… I’m not mistaken, am I?
You’re probably just using it yourselves… to achieve some objective.
But this objective, nobody besides you knows.
If nobody knows, I can’t hastily judge right or wrong.
As for the Gate of Truth helping Edward… now that I think about it, that was just a consequence of differing political stances. Maybe due to some coincidence, the Golden Mask happened to reach an agreement with Edward, and that’s why they became enemies of Shanter Castle. But what if… I mean, what if.
What if it wasn’t Edward who reached an agreement with the Golden Mask, but Lafael instead?
Things would change drastically.
Unfortunately, there are no “what ifs” in this world, so I think of the Gate of Truth as the sinister culprits. But even if we take a step back, even if the Golden Mask really isn’t a good person… his thoughts alone can’t represent the entire organization, right?
Who dares to say that every single person in the Holy Church is absolutely “good”?
No one can guarantee that.
And in the eyes of the world, the unforgivable Gate of Truth has people like you.
Refusing to be chosen as the Saint…
Rumored to be rejected by the deity, or maybe rejecting the deity… having abandoned the power of faith…
Suddenly, I felt a chill run down my spine.
A terrifying thought quietly started to ferment in my mind. In a moment, like an unstoppable flood, it broke free and surged into my consciousness.
I widened my eyes, goosebumps prickling all over. A few seconds later, in the dark room, I shook my head and laughed.
No way… I’m just overthinking… it doesn’t make sense.
But I have to see Sister Teresa immediately.
Alone, I can’t delay for even a moment.
But where are you?
You wrote in the notes that you wished… Did that mean you believed you couldn’t escape from Order Royal City, or were you planning to d*e to fulfill your “mission”?
What does “destroy the bell tower” mean? Why do you want to destroy the bell tower…
Or is there something in a certain bell tower in the royal city that you must destroy?
Could you be in one of those bell towers?
I’ll go find you.
With that thought, I tucked the notebook into my inner pocket, swiftly climbed out the window, my feet on the stone edge as I glanced up, estimating the distance to the rooftop… No problem, a jump and I’m there easily.
Taking a deep breath, I suddenly pushed off with my toes, unleashing my Moon Step.
Whoosh—
The wind whirled past my ears again.
As I cleared the rooftop in one leap, I opened my right hand, raised it to the sky, and let out a chilly mist, using the thrust to slow my ascent and alter my jump trajectory, “thud,” I landed firmly on the rooftop.
“Chirp chirp—”
Meanwhile, from the direction of the nearby warehouse, came a fourth insect’s cry—Rect’s side was already done.
Only I remained.
The late night was cool, and the wind gently brushed against my face. I narrowed my dark eyes and gazed into the distance.
Within a few kilometers of Cataloma, hardly any lights illuminated the area. The towering, dilapidated small buildings stood like grim sentinels, all dirty and disheveled, exuding the vibe of the common folk. Beyond that were several grand and solemn churches—the district of the royal city, though I hadn’t set foot there since arriving.
Further out, in the wealthiest area of the royal city, countless lights shone through the dark veil of night, sketching an illusory picture of prosperity.
But it was too dark; I couldn’t tell which was the bell tower and which was just another tall building.
…I guess I’ll gather with Rect first and ask.
I reattached Captain Gray behind me, took the wooden whistle hanging around my neck and popped it in my mouth, blowing softly.
“Chirp chirp—”
Task accomplished.
At least I made a discovery here; next, I’ll head to the alley…
Just as I turned to leave, I suddenly froze.
In my line of sight, under the murky night, not far from the main building against the old wall, stood the dilapidated bell tower, quietly looming.
