The Freed Slaves Are Obsessed

In the bustling central square of the city, a large poster had been affixed to the bulletin board, drawing a crowd of curious onlookers.

"The investigation concludes that Hobbs was a vampire hiding within the Holy Kingdom."

"Oh my, Mr. Hobbs, I would never have pegged him for such."

"What do you mean, no? I knew there was something off about him."

"Exactly. I always said there was something eerie about his face."

Whenever there's a scandal, those who claim 'I knew it' to face readers emerge as if they had been eagerly awaiting someone's downfall.

The vampire incident shook the citizens of Kassilon deeply.

Not an outsider, but the head of a household who had formed a family among them, the event had sown seeds of distrust among neighbors. Now, anyone could be a vampire.

Thus, safety precautions were ramped up across the kingdom, including at the convent.

"Limit your outings and always travel in pairs if you must go out. Please be especially careful," the Mother Superior instructed the nuns gathered around her.

While the appearance of a vampire in the heart of the Holy Kingdom was shocking, it was ironically fortunate that it happened here, in a nation filled with clergy—the natural enemies of demons.

If a demon army were to invade now, they were prepared to respond.

"And next, Sister Elise?"

"Yes, Mother Superior."

"Starting tomorrow, you will be tasked with listening to the concerns of our people and helping to restore order."

"Understood."

Elise was assigned a new role.

*****

That night, Elise visited the inn where Karami stayed. Though he had told her she could come whenever she {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} wanted, she indeed visited him every day.

"Do you miss me that much?"

Karami teased her as if it was a daily assignment.

"I'm just suffocated by the nuns. And this is the only place I can eat gourmet food."

"But you are a nun, aren't you? Do you despise your own kind?"

"I'm half-vampire. I don't have a taste for befriending those who could kill me."

"So you prefer vampires, then?"

"Not that either."

A sharp, no-nonsense reply.

Elise's ambiguous identity welcomed nowhere, she felt like an isolated outcast.

"Then make friends."

"Friends?"

"Create someone who is half clergy, half vampire like yourself. Wouldn’t that give you a sense of kinship?"

Elise's expression darkened at the suggestion.

Her gaze lowered, growing heavy.

She stared intensely at Karami with her narrow, red eyes.

"Why do you look at me so menacingly?"

"It’s nothing. And I have no intention of making friends. I don’t need them."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

Elise sipped her wine, and Karami followed suit.

"Considering all that's happened with the vampire incident. That was your doing, wasn't it?"

"Right. How about that? The look on the man's face when he realized that his friends and family doubted him, and not even the gods were listening—wasn't it hilarious?"

"Isn't that kind of like making friends?"

Elise quickly objected.

"It’s different. Didn't you read in books? Vampires like beautiful things. They only bite the necks of beautiful women."

"And?"

"So, it means I’m beautiful because I became a vampire. That’s why I don’t make friends with ugly people."

"Without me, you’d never make a single friend."

"What?"

Elise blinked, looking at Karami as if he'd spouted nonsense.

Karami chose to drop the conversation after her selective hearing only picked up what she wanted.

Regardless, Elise continued cheerfully with her point.

"It’s really funny. A vampire hiding among us? Of course. They prioritized maintaining order over revealing the truth of an innocent man."

Elise revealed a triumphant smile as she savored her victory like a toast with her wine.

"I’m glad you’re in a good mood..."

"Why that look? If the Holy Kingdom trembles, your... the master’s sect could gain power."

Karami made a bitterly wry face.

"That may be true, but remember, he was a family man. It's unfortunate for his family left behind."

"Ha. I didn’t know a slave trader, especially the Slave of the Death God, could be so tender-hearted. Both you and I are despised by the world. I’d advise you to drop the act of being a good person."

"I am a kind slave trader, though."

Calling himself kind was a joke Elise found neither funny nor accurate, and she ignored it.

"Right. Also, I have one more thing to tell you."

Karami had instructed her to report everything that happened at the convent.

"I’ve been assigned to the ministry of penance starting tomorrow."

"Oh..."

"Just don’t come."

"Ha, of course. I know how to separate personal matters from business."

Sure you do.

*****

In the dimly lit confessional of the cathedral, Elise sat behind the small partition, listening to the heavy breaths from the other side.

"I stole bread from the market. I was hungry, and the sight of my starving children haunted me... I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't stop myself."

The man's voice trembled across the divide as he struggled to steady his breath.

"I ignored the calls to stop and shoved away those who tried to hold me back. Now, the face of the bakery owner haunts me. I can imagine how angry he must have been... I can't sleep because of the guilt."

The man clenched his eyes shut, his clasped hands shaking.

"God has heard your confession. As a father, you made a desperate choice to feed your hungry children."

"But...!"

"Poverty is not a sin, but theft is a clear harm to others."

Elise sharply cut off the man's hopeful anticipation.

The man hesitated before asking tentatively.

"Can I be absolved of this sin?"

"Your conscience has recognized the wrong, and God is aware of its weight. What matters now is your future actions. You must not remain a man who steals."

"That's..."

"Apologize to the owner, and try to repay what was taken. Only by striving to correct your mistakes can you cleanse your soul."

From beyond the partition, the man began to sob. Elise sighed softly.

"Thank you, Sister. I will repay the debt to free myself and my family from this sin."

The man thanked her and left.

Elise slumped in her chair, feeling drained.

'This is so tiresome...'

She scoffed at the irony of her role—acting as God's intermediary to absolve sins when she lacked any real faith herself.

Does this really purify souls? Hopefully, it doesn't just taint them further.

Tap, tap.

The door to the confessional opened again, and the sound of light footsteps approached.

Another sinner had arrived.

Elise took a sip of milk and cleared her throat.

"Come. Confess the sins that have marred your soul."

"My problem is that I'm too kind."

Elise clenched her eyes shut.

A familiar flippant voice. Nonsensical banter.

It was him. Despite being told not to come, he had shown up.

"Sister. Did you just sigh? May I know your name and order? A nun sighing during confession..."

"Of course not. Did you say being too kind is a sin? How can kindness be a sin?"

"Perhaps the Order of Balance and Harmony should consider balancing good and evil? But I am only capable of good, which seems to skew the balance. Isn't that against doctrine?"

...Really?

His argument sounded plausible for a moment.

But Elise quickly caught herself.

"Balancing good and evil doesn't mean an individual must act equally in both. The divine will is for the world to maintain balance, and each person's role is to fulfill their duty within that balance."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Since evil already exists in the world, your acts of goodness are precious and necessary to maintain this balance. Do not doubt your actions; continue as you are."

From beyond the partition, an exclamation of realization was heard.

"Then I shall continue to live kindly."

This insane man. Would he please leave?

"I'm glad to have helped resolve your dilemma. Could you please make way for the next parishioner?"

"I actually have another concern."

The corners of Elise's mouth twitched, her expression indiscernible as a smile or irritation.

"And what might that be?"

"A friend of mine is on a misguided path. Should I maintain loyalty and keep his secrets, or should I expose the truth?"

This was a more reasonable query than expected.

Normally, delving into someone's personal details unshared is taboo.

Yet, Elise was quick-witted. He had specifically chosen confession for a reason.

"Can you tell me more about the situation? It might help me advise you better."

"Will you keep what I say confidential?"

"Everything said in this confessional remains between us, you, and God. It will not leave this space. I swear by the Order of Ordo."

Finally, the man spoke.

"My friend is preparing a project. It seems he needs young nuns for an experiment. He's asked for my help, but as you know, I'm a good person."

Elise paused, then slowly spoke.

"What is your friend's name?"

"Roman. A theologian."

Roman.

Elise mulled over the name.

"I hope my friend Roman walks the right path."

"Yes. Let us pray together that balance is restored and the proper order is maintained."

It seems she had more to do now.