Chapter 17 (1/2)
“I’m just an ordinary mercenary. I was offered this position because I have a good sense of direction and able to handle monsters. If you are still curious, you need to ask the archbishop why he chose me.”
“Ah…. Grandpa Arte? That overprotective person hired a man to protect his granddaughter? Death must be knocking on his door then.”
“Are you really a saint?”
Lu did not bat an eyelid hearing the rude question, she just stared at Carr while twirling the glass of red wine lazily.
“Then what is the purpose of your trip? What did you hear from the old man?”
She asked not averting her gaze from Carr.
“I signed a contract to escort the saint to the temple. I have heard about the Holy Lady.”
“He told the information to an outsider who had nothing to do with the church?”
Lu asked suspiciously before she mumbled quietly to herself after mulling over her question.
“No, she’ll let you know. She is that kind of person.”
“Yes, she is indeed like that.”
It was true that if it’s Arte’s decision, that man would not have told Carr about the journey, but he was only a messenger and Senia wanted him to know about the resurrection of the Holy Lady.
Lu looked at Carr, smiling slightly at his words that agreed so easily about her comments of Senia.
“Isn’t that what a saint supposed to be like?”
Carr frowned at the question, not sure what it was supposed to mean but then he remembered the mocking words and tone directed at Senia on the day they first met. That question seemed to have the same meaning and Carr held back his tongue, waiting for her to continue with the questioning.
“You know,” Lu, who rested her chin on the table while playing with her hair, let out a sigh seeing his rigid answers, “you’re a boring guy. Then what do you want? Money? Goods? Blessings?”
“Why do you ask that?”
“I’ll offer twice the amount of money. If it’s an object, I’ll offer the whole church of the moon. If it’s a miracle that you need, I can make it happen. So, just stay away from her.”
The unexpected answer was like a sheer bolt out of the blue.
“Pardon?”
Lu’s eyes dimmed, almost like the moon that was covered by clouds. Carr wasn’t sure whether if she was being sincere or jokingly. However, as she continued to talk her voice seemed to be clearer than before.
“You know if a saint has their power fully restored means it doesn’t need an escort? If the problem is because of her unstable divinity, then a priest or paladins would be selected to help. It’s much better than having a stranger with an unclear background.”
Carr knew well that it would be hard to convince Lu but at the same time, he couldn’t tell her that he was chosen because he was the only person that could recover Senia’s power through his demon seeds. That would disclose the fact that he was a demon or about Senia’s curse.
“I’m sorry, but that’s too much. I know I have no credibility because of my background, but I have my responsibility.”
Carr finally said after struggling to find the right answer.
“Hmm? Is it because you are the only person that is suitable for the job?”
“Perhaps.”
“Lies,” Lu sneered.
“Can you confirm that there is no substitute for your position? You are not qualified for that position, there are many substitutes to replace you. I don’t know how long it’s been since you two have travelled, but don’t think that you are someone special because of her kindness.”
Each word was said in a soft voice, but they were like knives stabbing right on his being. A chill ran along his spine as the tension between them thickened.
What hostility is it that Lu had against Senia? Carr started to doubt his first assessment of the saint that sat in front of him.
“Senia must remain a saint until the day she dies as the six of us can’t follow her footsteps. She has to remain as a saint, not a human being or else she would go mad.”
“…What do you mean?”
Lu poured more wine into her now empty glass before gulping them down in one drink.
“Do you know the origin of a saint?” She asked.
Carr shook his head gently, he never really thought about it as it wasn’t relevant to his survival but now, he couldn’t help but be curious as it was something to do with Senia. This is where the condition of their deal being fulfilled.
“As a woman who is blessed by God themselves, a saint is always forced to sacrifice herself to pray to God, listening to revelations every day and giving infinite kindness and devotion. That’s the only start. All they had to do was follow God’s words, so they accepted the sacrifice without any doubt or anxiety. Saints are those that will give money when asked for money, perform miracles when asked for it, even if the people asked for blood…. they will give blood.”
“What do you mean by blood?”
“When God wanted a sacrifice, the first thing that will be offered is a saint.”
Carr’s face hardened at the explanation. It was a cruel story to reap someone’s life no matter what the excuse. As a demon, he was struggling to stay alive and yet he had to accept the fact that the life of a saint can be easily taken away in that manner. Carr was not happy about the fact; he didn’t care that the death of a saint would bring happiness to the people.
“Sometimes it’s better to die,” Lu murmured, her purple eyes dropped.
“That doesn’t make sense.”
“Unfortunately, it’s true. It is possible because I could hear the voice of God. I don’t have to be suspicious about the order and I don’t have to doubt my faith. Is there stronger brainwashing than that in the world?”
“You…. haven’t you been saying that since earlier?”
Carr asked dumbfoundedly as he looked at Lu who shrugged her shoulder.
“You don’t have to worry. My faith is love, but God won’t let me go. Well… I’m the most extreme out of the six of us, but the other saints feel the same way.”
“Where’s the voice of God then?”
Lu looked at Carr, nodded toward the bar instead of answering the question. Carr, who understood what she wanted sighing as he retrieved more bottles of wine.
“There’s none,”