Chapter 110 - Heresy, Heresy Everywhere (2/2)

”People are giving them their stuff.”

”Donations are required upon joining. Material wealth is a sin, so we ask they repent by giving up their possessions for a better purpose.”

”And what do you use all their stuff for?”

”We sell them and increase our profits. For the betterment of the church, of course.”

”...Ah. Okay. Let's see the inside, I guess.”

I was already feeling unhappy. This was not my church. This was not the church I envisioned.

We were led forward and walked past two great dark wood doors that opened to a spacious hall. Rows upon rows of black pews with silver inlay greeted us. More statues of me lined the walls atop marble pillars, looking down on the people below as they sat with heads bowed in prayer.

I noticed a robed individual walking up to a pretty nun and slipping something into her hand. She then took his arm with a smile and led him through a door to the side.

We arrived with a group of nuns ourselves, including Sister Agnes who I was told had a ”special” position so we attracted attention easily.

There were several stories to the cathedral and above us were almost a dozen or so women on either side were flipping through thick tomes when we first entered. However they were now also looking down at us just like the statues. Or rather than us, they were looking at me in particular.

I saw white usernames among them.

I could feel their collective gazes like soft kisses against the skin. A quiet murmuring began to sweep through the room.

From all around us the women moved in. They gathered in a thick crowd and Agnes had to order her subordinates to make a tight circle.

”Something is strange with these women.” Becks put a hand to her waist. ”Their eyes. Something about them seems...familiar.”

Mary nodded. ”It's the same way men look at Muriel when she uses her power over them.”

And she said that I received a notification.

[Multiple individuals have been charmed]

”I'm not doing anything.” I said defensively.

”You don't have to. It's just your nature.” Vera replied.

I rubbed my chin. ”You know, if I didn't have you and Mary I'd totally take advantage of this.”

”Yes, I do know.”

”But I won't.”

”Because they aren't cat-girl goths.”

”Exactly, because--oi.”

”Let's move on.” The girl motioned for Agnes to continue leading the way. ”I'd heard a few rumours as we walked here. There should be something interesting at the back of this place, no?”

Agnes vigilantly watched the whispering crowd. ”Yes. It was something Lord Cassius one mentioned about His Radiance's plans. When we learned of it we immediately set to work on fulfilling them in His place.”

I didn't dare hope. ”Wait...don't tell me…”

***

”Soft 17 for Lisa. And Byran is sitting on a nice 20. What's Lisa going to do? She's thinking, she's thinking. Come on, Lisa, what're you going to do against the dealer's face card? Alright, we have a 14 for the dealer...15 for the dealer...17...and it's...21! 21 for the dealer, 21. Oh-ho-ho, bad luck for Lisa and Byran. A ten Fuks loss.”

”This is the gambling room.” Agnes swept her hand across the large area that'd opened in front of them. Being led down numerous hallways, two flights of stairs, and hidden behind an inconspicuous wall...we found ourselves staring into an enormous open space full of people. There were tables everywhere. An almost sickly-sweet scent hung in the air as all around us women in tight-fitting fishnet stocking and corsets flitted about here and there carrying trays of food or wine.

It was a boisterous place. Loud, rowdy, and dripping with the sin of greed as gold coins danced under the light of red lanterns.

”Blackjack and hookers…” I almost wept. A tear slid down my cheek. ”It's here. It's really happening.”

”Well, they aren't p.r.o.s.t.i.t.u.t.es. They are Sisters, though only initiates as of now” Agnes corrected. ”Although if someone does catch their eye there is no rule against them having fun. Provided they drain them of all their money first, of course.”

”Same thing.” I waved her off. ”Wait…” I squinted. ”What's going on over there? The women…” They were all starting to move towards the back of the room where a sizeable platform was erected. That area was a little darker than the rest of the place and on the platform was a thick pole that looked like it belonged in a--

”You have strippers here, too?” I gaped. I was about to go order a drink and sit down when a man walked on stage. His face was full of tears as he started writhing around the pole like a snake and shaking his ass for a masked audience.

Several numbers were called out immediately. ”Wait. What the f.u.c.k is this then?”

”He is being auctioned. Whoever bids highest will earn him for the night. Since he is an Arrived we don't ask what the customer does with him. Even if he dies he'll be back anyway.” Agnes' eyes said she was apathetic to the severity of the situation her words implied.

On stage the man was moving shakily. I watched intently, wondering why he was even doing something like that when he obviously hated it. Then the frustration in his gaze hit me.

”Just what the hell…?” I frowned. At my side Mary whispered into my ear.

”It's a contract. They've magically bound him somehow.”

Agnes nodded upong hearing her. ”We offered them employment. Of course they do as we say.”

”You're forcing the men into something like this? Why?”

”Your Radiance kids. Is it not obviously in worship of you? These men come to us in l.u.s.t. We Sisters, who have devoted ourselves to you in both body and soul, were not meant for their hands. Yet they wish to ignore this and partake of our flesh, to take what is dedicated solely to you, our Lord. it's only right that as initiates they repent for this sin by selling their own bodies.” The woman's eyes radiated a soft light as the fanaticism bled into her voice.

”Bitch, you literally said not five minutes ago that all these bunny-girl Sisters can go have s.e.x with whoever they want. Now when it comes to your excuse for whoring these guys, its something about them eyeing people dedicated to me? When you literally honey trapped them to begin with? F.u.c.k off with that nonsense.”

”M-My Lord?” Agnes backed up a step as I approached her.

But I didn't stop, not until she hit the wall behind her. I grabbed her by the jaw and roared into her face. ”When the f.u.c.k did I ever tell you guys to pull these kind of stunts, huh? You bunch of f.u.c.k.i.n.g fanatics. Not even worshipping the right people! Where are my furries, huh? I haven't seen even one since arriving! What the f.u.c.k did you do with them?”

”T-Those blasphemous curs! Their damnable followers! They were expunged from the order long since! Your Radiance, what's got you so angry? Please tell me so that I may soothe--”

”Expunged? EXPUNGED?!” I raged. ”The hell do you mean, 'expunged'? You threw them out? Killed them?”

”Kill? My Lord, wait, please calm down, we only--”

”I don't care!” I squeezed. The woman was trembling as everyone around us went into a panic. ”PAGAN! All of you are pagans! Worshipping a false God, corrupting my teachings...who?! Who was it that led astray my flock?!” I momentarily forgot that Minerva and Evie had been the ones to start this whole business of idolizing me and going door-to-door to convert new followers.

At this moment I was far too lost in my wrath.

”This place of heresy...I'll make sure it doesn't see another sunrise!”