The Freed Slaves Are Obsessed

Today was the day to determine whether Elise was suitable to serve as Cardinal Marcenus’s aide.

At dawn, Elise finished her morning prayers and made her way to the Congregation of Doctrine and Faith, her steps drawing envious stares from other nuns.

“I am Elise, and as of today, I will serve as the Cardinal’s temporary aide. Though I am inexperienced, I will do my utmost to fulfill my duties.”

Elise greeted him with perfect courtesy.

Marcenus slowly scrutinized her.

“At first glance, she’s no different from any ordinary nun.”

There was no trace of sinister energy. The pure aura emanating from her was indistinguishable from the holy power possessed by devout saints.

He began to suspect that the abbess had made some sort of mistake, for she seemed like an entirely unremarkable nun.

Still, it was too soon to make any conclusions.

“Well met. The abbess couldn’t praise you enough, claiming there was no one more capable. I have high expectations.”

“I will ensure I do not disappoint you.”

“You understand the duties of the Congregation of Doctrine and Faith, do you not?”

“Yes, I do.”

The Congregation’s responsibilities could be divided into two main categories:

One was the oversight of doctrine and theology.

The other was the investigation and trial of heretics.

It was, depending on interpretation, the most crucial institution for keeping the Church on the righteous path.

“And yet someone like this holds the title of Cardinal?”

As the saying goes, one can see into the depths of water but not the depths of a person’s heart. Marcenus’s eyes couldn’t fool Elise.

His gaze might carry authority, but beneath his mask, she saw not a righteous clergyman upholding justice but a politician hungry for power.

“No wonder he kidnaps innocent children for experiments.”

Someone like him, who should be leading the charge against heresy, was a Cardinal of the Congregation. This Church was doomed.

“Do you have something to say? Your gaze could bore a hole in me.”

“No, nothing at all.”

“Hmm.”

An awkward silence fell.

Marcenus rose from his seat.

“The atmosphere is rather stiff. Let’s talk while we walk.”

*****

Elise and Marcenus strolled through the corridor.

Marcenus led from the front, Elise following two steps behind.

The rhythm of their steps, the sound of their heels echoing in the hall, was as precise and regulated as a well-rehearsed drill.

“I take great pride in the work I do,” Marcenus began. “Restoring order where there’s chaos, setting people on the right path when they stray—there’s a deep sense of fulfillment in it.”

And so, Marcenus’s monologue continued without pause throughout their walk.

It was the kind of pompous speech relatives often gave during holiday gatherings—seemingly full of wisdom but, upon closer inspection, little more than self-aggrandizing drivel.

To a devout clergyman, every word of the Cardinal might have seemed profound. To Elise, it was merely a nuisance.

She thought to herself that if this man had planned to kill her with stress, she’d have to applaud his genius.

“Thank goodness I’m immune.”

After all, no one could rival Karami’s biting wit.

“What do you think about balance and order?” Marcenus suddenly asked.

Elise sighed internally.

It was the kind of thing young people hated most: when someone monologuing decided to start asking questions.

Listening with one ear and letting it out the other wouldn’t cut it anymore. Being asked a question meant he’d probably ask more.

In short, she’d need to pay attention.

Though she’d already let 90% of the conversation evaporate, fortunately, this seemed to be an unrelated standalone question.

For once, the gods seemed to favor her.

“I think balance is like a tightrope, and order is the person walking on it.”

“And why is that?”

“The forces on either side constantly pull the rope. The person walking must maintain their center. But if they lean even slightly to one side, the rope will snap, and they’ll fall.”

“Then what should one do?”

“Sometimes the rope needs to be loose, sometimes taut. To maintain order, one must achieve balance according to the circumstances. Life isn’t much different.”

“Hmm.”

Elise paused briefly to gauge Marcenus’s reaction before continuing.

“I believe balance is the state created when opposing forces confront one another—good and evil, light and darkness, sacrifice and desire, coexisting. Order is the guide that manages these forces, but the problem is...”

“The problem is?”

“Who decides what order should be.”

Marcenus nodded with a satisfied expression.

“Indeed, you’re as capable as the abbess claimed.”

“Thank you.”

By now, the two had stepped outside, walking through a city divided starkly into black and white.

“People need a new order. And for that, we must achieve flawless balance.”

It might have seemed harmonious on the surface, but Elise knew that even a small crack could shatter such an order.

Just like the precarious tightrope she had described earlier.

Marcenus turned his gaze toward the town square.

In its center stood a statue.

One hand held scales, symbolizing balance. The other gripped a lily-shaped sword, embodying justice to uphold order.

The god of order, Ordo—the deity worshipped by the Congregation of Balance and Harmony.

“Elves have the World Tree, beastfolk have the Fox God, and dwarves have the Heart of Magmar. But who do we have?”

“Well, isn’t Ordo our guiding deity?”

“That’s a disappointing answer.”

Elise tilted her head in confusion.

Marcenus pointed at the statue.

“Does that chunk of stone look like a god to you?”

“What?”

"Do you think that chunk of stone will move if a young devotee dies bleeding out in front of it? If you truly believe it will, you’re a madman."

Elise froze for a moment. The Cardinal of the Congregation of Doctrine and Faith had just made a statement that was borderline heretical.

She couldn’t read any ulterior motives from his expression or his tone.

“Don’t misunderstand me,” Marcenus said. “I’m not doubting the existence of God. Quite the opposite. I simply wondered if we’ve been misunderstanding His will all along.”

“A... misunderstanding?”

Marcenus fell silent, and Elise waited. Finally, he spoke again.

“Ah, I shouldn’t have said that. Forget it. It’s nothing.”

“No, wait—”

“Don’t dwell on what I said. It was just idle chatter.”

Elise, who had barely been paying attention earlier, suddenly found herself captivated.

Now that the conversation had gotten interesting, Marcenus decided to cut it short at the perfect moment.

As if...

“Hmm, judging by your expression, you’re curious about the rest of the story. If you want, I could share more of my thoughts. After all, it’s the role of a saint to guide lost sheep.”

It felt like he was waiting for Elise to come to him on her own.

“But I don’t associate with wolves in sheep’s clothing,” he added.

“......”

Elise pressed her lips together and said nothing.

She fixed Marcenus with a wary glare, but he didn’t react. Instead, he locked eyes with her, as if peering into her very soul.

“I’m not forcing you. The choice is yours. I simply trust that someone as wise as you will find the right path.”

That ended their conversation.

Marcenus turned his head.

“There’s some commotion in the square,” he remarked.

He approached a nearby guard.

“What’s going on?”

“Ah, Your Eminence. Someone has been preaching for the past few days.”

“In the middle of the Holy Kingdom?”

The guard hesitated, clearly uncomfortable.

“Yes, we’ve warned them, but today they brought an elderly man who claims to be one of our high clergy, making things even more disruptive.”

“Impersonating a high clergyman? Bold.”

“No, Your Eminence. He definitely bore the Rosaria of the Church. He’s one of ours.”

“Ha.”

Marcenus let out an exasperated sigh.

The balance was clearly more precarious than ever. Now even high-ranking clergy were aligning themselves with heretics.

Let’s see who this bold individual is.

With that thought, Marcenus cast his gaze toward the crowd.

A man with black hair.

An elderly man with a hunched back.

“Hmm?”

Something about their silhouettes felt familiar.

Just as he tried to get a better look, the old man turned his head toward him and then abruptly looked away, startled.

“Hey, old man! Where are you going?”

“I don’t know, you little brat!”

Despite his frail appearance, the elderly man waddled away with surprising speed, while the young man followed after him.

Elise shut her eyes tightly.

“Ah...”

“Why? Do you know them?” Marcenus asked.

“No, I don’t. Absolutely not.”

Marcenus couldn’t understand her reaction. But...

That old man looked a lot like him...

He hadn’t gotten a good look before they disappeared, but the elderly figure resembled none other than the former Pope, Antonious.

Must be my imagination. Why would that irresponsible man return to the Holy Kingdom after abandoning it? I must’ve been mistaken.

After all, no matter how far Antonious might have fallen, he wouldn’t side with heretics.

“If they show up again and repeat this nonsense, apprehend them,” Marcenus ordered.

“Yes, Your Eminence.”

*****

“Oh, my back! I’m dying!”

“See? That’s what happens when you suddenly decide to run.”

Antonious lay groaning on the bed while Karami firmly massaged his back.

Herbs, smeared over his lower back, served as a makeshift salve, akin to a medicinal patch.

“Why did you run so suddenly?” Karami asked.

“Because if Marcenus had spotted me, he would’ve found out I was here! Do you have any idea how much trouble that would’ve caused?”

“Hmm, was it really that big of a deal?”

“It was a huge deal, so stop talking nonsense and massage properly. A bit higher—yes, right there. Ah, that’s the spot.”

Elise sighed in disbelief as she watched the two of them.

This is like some ridiculous comedy skit.

She had thought they might get along, but they exceeded her expectations.

They were a match made in heaven.

“Master, I don’t care what you do, just make sure I don’t have to see it.”

“Why? I want to see you, Elise.”

“Well, I don’t want to see you~”

Her face was still burning from the embarrassment earlier in front of Marcenus. She had barely been able to look up.

“Pfft.”

Karami made an exaggerated whining noise and gave # Nоvеlight # Elise a wide-eyed look, but Elise responded with an emotionless smile.

“Bah! Like I’d want to see the likes of you—augh! My back! You’re going to break it!”

“Say hello to your late wife for me. You’ll be seeing her soon.”

“You little brat!”

Karami pressed down on Antonious’s back, silencing him with sheer force.

“So, did anything happen with the Cardinal?”

“......”

“I bought a new leash recently. Don’t you think it would suit Elise perfectly?”

“Nothing happened, I swear. I was just assigned my tasks. I think he realizes the risk of being too obvious.”

“Good. That’s a relief.”

Elise let out a small sigh.

“I’m heading back now.”

“Leaving early today?”

“I don’t feel like drinking tonight. Rest well, Master.”

“You too, Elise.”

Karami flashed a grin as Elise glanced at him before stepping out of the inn.

The convent lay ahead, but Elise turned her steps elsewhere. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

She needed to hear the rest of the story she’d missed.