'As expected, he is amazing.'
Lien, who had buried his sword, was inwardly impressed as she touched the dug-up ground around her with her hands.
She was thinking of Deon when he was infiltrating the Salvation Church.
He even used his body to infiltrate!
He fell and rolled on the floor until he reached the woman.
Anyone could see that he looked like a poor person who had starved for several days and whose legs were weak.
She didn't see him go inside, but he must have gone in.
Because there was no reason to doubt it.
The problem was when the robe was lifted inside...
'The Count will take care of that.'
He's actually a Count. He was probably prepared for that.
Lien, who had overlooked an important issue due to her extreme faith in Deon, picked up a small rock nearby and placed it on top of where the sword was buried.
With this, she wouldn't have to worry about losing her sword.
Now, all she had to do was go inside the Salvation Church and meet the Count...
"Oh, I'm sorry. It's difficult to receive any more new believers today..."
"...Yes?"
"I guess you want bread and water, right? I'll give it to you here, so can you come back later? I'm really sorry."
"..."
It was intentional. It's clear they didn't let her in on purpose.
Lien suddenly took the bread and water and looked blankly at the woman in front of him.
The woman with an apologetic expression was clearly the woman who was standing in front of the Count when he fell.
But why was the treatment between her and the Count different? Did she notice something? Or was it discrimination?
Well, the Count was handsome... but he wore a robe?
Although she didn't understand, Lien had no choice but to walk away because if she just stood here, she might arouse suspicion.
'I'll have to wait nearby.'
When the Count came out, she would apologize for her incompetence in infiltrating properly.
***
'Did you think I'd let you in?'
Come and visit once in a lifetime. See if I let you in.
Saerin, the face of the Salvation Church and the actual director, looked at Lien's back as she trudged away with a bright smile on her face.
There was a reason why she let the man from before come in and sent the woman back.
'Because that woman learned the sword.'
The gait was that of someone who had learned the sword. A disciplined, powerful and overly regular gait.
Even if she assumed that she was a knight who fell into poverty and became a poor person, this would not make sense.
There was no way that a desperately poor person who had starved for days on end could walk with such strength.
'On the other hand, the man I sent in a little while ago had a normal gait that is commonly seen.'
He even lost strength in my legs and fell.
When he got up, the movement of one arm was unnatural.
There was probably something wrong with his arm.
'Plus, the blood.'
It was the kind of thing that couldn't come out through acting.
It was inappropriate to use such a person as a spy. In order to steal important information, you need to be skilled enough to steal ledgers. Was it possible for a person who has a chronic illness that causes him to vomit blood, can't use one arm properly, and has no leg strength due to starvation for a long time to go into the center and steal ledgers?
So the probability that the man was a spy was close to zero.
'At this point, we need to add one more believer.'
Saerin, who had no way of knowing that the man she had sent in, Deon Hardt, had no formal swordsmanship since he had learned the sword on his own while rolling on the battlefield, went inside the building to see him again without any doubt.
***
"Here, have some tea."
"Oh, thank you."
I reached out my hand and took the tea cup held out. Of course, I didn't drink it without any doubt. I knew what might be inside this.
As I quietly and naturally smelled it, the woman smiled brightly, wondering how I had noticed it.
"It's just a common, cheap tea. It doesn't contain anything, so don't worry and drink it."
"...Yes."
It definitely didn't smell like any medicine… but I don't know. From that woman's point of view, she would have nothing to gain by killing me, who was just a poor person.
I carefully put the tea in my mouth and swallowed it. Warm liquid entered and spread throughout the body, relieving tension.
If it were winter now, it would have been twice as effective, so it was a bit disappointing. Tea was best drunk in winter.
"But aren't you uncomfortable?"
"...Ah."
I reflexively adjusted the hood of my robe. I almost fell backwards, but I managed to stop it.
Was it because of my mood? At first glance, the woman's eyes seemed to sparkle.
No, now is not the time to worry about that.
'What should I answer?'
If I took off my robe, there was a risk of my identity being discovered. Fortunately, my face was not yet widely known due to my infrequent presence in social circles, but my red eyes were also my symbol...
What should I say?
"...It's okay. It's ugly..."
"Huh? If that's the reason, you can feel free to take it off. No one here will make a fuss about your appearance."
"Ah...!"
It was only for a moment that the strong hood that covered my face was removed.
I hastily fixed my gaze downward. I wanted to cover my face with my hands or lower my head, but objectively speaking, that was too much of an excessive reaction, so this was the best I could do.
...Damn it.
Even though I could clearly see the woman's hand reaching out in this direction, I couldn't resist it.
If I refused, she would definitely be suspicious.
The robe came off, revealing a dull-colored head that had been painted with dirt just in case.
A woman's soft voice fell overhead.
"It's okay, raise your head."
"..."
After hesitating for a moment, a beautiful hand reached out without delay. Both cheeks were gently cupped and the head was raised.
My red eyes met the woman's eyes that were disguised with kindness.
And at the same time, the suspicion in the woman's eyes was clearly reflected on her retina.
"Your eyes... are red?"
"...Um..."
Even though I was prepared, I was speechless because I could clearly see the suspicion.
My mind felt completely blank and no thoughts come to mind.
If things continued like this, I would meet the worst possible ending.
'Think.'
I shouldn't lose my mind here. I quickly rolled my eyes.
As if it was true that the number has increased a lot recently, I could see the back of the sentry guarding the entrance.
Inside, several men carrying weapons were standing guard.
'...I should have just waited for Lord Lien.'
If I had her at a time like this, I would have felt reassured.
I couldn't even dream of escaping, and the only thing I could freely tease in this situation was my mouth. So I have to say it.
What should I say to erase the doubts that have already begun to arise?
'Think!'
When that woman urged me to take off my hood, what did I say and refuse?
The natural amount of time to give a natural answer was approaching. If the silence lasted longer than this, she will probably get suspicious. Time went by. The moment the doubt in the woman's eyes gradually turned into confidence, I opened my mouth.
I bowed my head slowly, without any sign of urgency, but rather with a hint of hesitation, as if hiding my eyes.
"...As expected..."
"..."
"It's ugly, isn't it...?"
"..."
There was a short silence.
Did it work? I can't tell because I can't see her facial expressions because I have my head down.
Just waiting like this might seem like a good result, but looking at the situation, I think it would be better to add a few more words.
Silence was evidence that her confidence was wavering.
It would be much better to tip the scales clearly rather than vaguely.
"I thought you would hate it. As expected..."
I opened my mouth with misery, sadness, resignation, and resentment.
Acting wasn't difficult. Although it was only half-hearted, it clearly contained sincerity.
"Who would like these eyes that even family couldn't look at?"
"Oh, no! It's not ugly at all!"
It worked!
An urgent yet kind voice continued.
"You know Deon Hardt? Deon Hardt, the hero of the Empire! He also has red eyes. Just like you."
"Deon Hardt... He does?"
"Yes! Of course, there are many infamous people like vampires and murderers...!"
"..."
She shouldn't have said that. I felt a little hurt.
Well, I'm glad that her suspicions seem to have been put aside.
The woman also closed her mouth for a moment, perhaps thinking that her last words were a mistake, and then quickly changed her stance.
"Do you know what this place does?"
I knew vaguely, but I didn't know the details. That's why I came here.
Putting aside the fact that it wasn't entirely my will, I shook my head.
"No. I just heard that if you come here, they will give you something to eat..."
"Aha, many people come here thinking that. That is the norm, so don't pay too much attention."
A woman with a benevolent smile gently opened her mouth to explain. I also pretended not to know and listened closely to focus on what she was going to say.
'Yes, this is how they would attract people and turn them into believers. How well would you have been able to speak so well that you would have increased your income like that?'
So, try persuading me at least once.
"This is the Salvation Church."
"Salvation Church...?"
"It is a religious organization created to save those suffering under the reign of the tyrant Eduardo."
Oh my god.
Respected Emperor, I said nothing. I just listened. No, I didn't listen. Actually, I have trouble hearing.
So please spare me.
Is she crazy? Why did she not hesitate to make such dangerous remarks? What if someone heard it?
'Manage your facial expression, manage your facial expression!'
I gathered my collapsing expression.
Now I was a poor person who knows nothing. I was a poor person who was easily swayed by a few words. So how should I react?
"So, bread..."
"Yes, it is because of the Emperor that you all live so hard. If the Emperor had ruled properly, would you be living like this?"
"Ah."
Your Majesty, the Emperor whom I cannot help but revere and respect! I didn't say anything. It's just another me speaking arbitrarily. I don't know!
'...But if it were the Emperor, he might kill me, saying it's not right for me to flaunt it with the same mouth and body...'
But there's nothing I could do about it. I couldn't even shout here to stop insulting His Majesty.
And why did this woman keep throwing bombs? Was life a waste?
Or maybe she had discovered my identity? So, let's die together...?
It was scarier because it doesn't make sense. But looking at the woman's expression, I don't think that was the case and it seemed like the goal was really to incite...
I sighed.
'The argument is flimsy. It's so clumsy that it's almost ridiculous...'
The reason the poor exist is because the Emperor can't rule.
Relieving the poor was something that no ruler throughout history had been able to accomplish.
"The reason you fell and got hurt was because the Emperor didn't properly pave the road..."
I buried my face in my hands to hide my expression. A faint sigh flowed out.
This was an absolutely absurd claim. But it would be different for the poor.
What they needed was not something like whether it is true or not, but a place to vent their resentment and anger about the disadvantages they have suffered because they are poor.
To put it simply, the woman in front of me threw a desirable target in front of those who needed something to complain about and as bait and dragged them in.
To a group called the 'Salvation Church'.
Meanwhile, the woman's explanation did not stop.
"You may think it is a pseudo-religion, but the Salvation Church is different from general pseudo-religions. We don't want money, and we just believe in 'salvation' and nothing else."
"...If I believe, will I really be saved?"
"Yes, of course."
"By who?"
In the end, all questions revolved around one thing.
'Who?'
Who offered salvation?