Chapter 206
Chapter 206
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 206
Chapter Title: For Elise
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As soon as I started talking about smashing the heretics' heads, the excitement began to rise endlessly. This shout would surely reach the gods we believed in as well.
Elise looked delighted, and so was I.
"Elise. In my opinion, if someone's fallen into the path of evil, we should strike them all down without mercy—children and elders alike—and deliver judgment. Their age shouldn't serve as an excuse. Sin must be equal before all. If we forgive some and punish others, it's no longer true judgment. It's just discrimination based on personal taste."
Even as we headed toward the slums, our debate on divinity and evil continued.
"Well said. I agree, but in the case of children, they lack experience and knowledge to deal with evil properly, so I believe we should show some leniency."
When I tossed out a topic, Elise responded with a serious demeanor, weaving in religious doctrine and her personal thoughts.
"According to the Radiant Cross Society's orthodox view, humans are born as blank slates and become either villains or saints based on the influences around them as they live. Adults who've fallen into evil are beyond salvation, but children should be given at least one chance."
"Oh, I see. Born as blank slates... That does seem plausible."
The idea that humans are born as blank slates is somewhat akin to tabula rasa philosophy. Or perhaps closer to Locke's empiricism.
But I believe humans are born with inherent malice and hatred. Even if born into love, what emerges is a monster craving human blood.
That's because this world is finite.
In our finite existence, where we must compete for scraps, humans inevitably turn cruel.
Thus, humans must walk the path of non-being to become Buddha—infinity—through ascetic practice. Otherwise, on the day of final annihilation, we'll all just wake up and die.
Better not say that out loud, or Elise might suddenly snap and smash my head.
"If the Saint were to convert to our Radiant Cross Society, you could receive deeper education."
"Sadly, I can't abandon my ancestral gods."
"Hee hee, just kidding. You're so devout."
Chatting away as we walked, noon arrived before we knew it.
"Honestly, I don't care much about religion. In the end, it's people living on this land. As long as everyone acts on what they believe is right, they won't stray into evil."
"But villains usually think they're in the right."
"That's the problem."
We finally reached the alleyway entrance to the slums. With steps like imperialists exploiting a colony, we plunged into that gloomy space without hesitation.
"...Talking with you, Saint, makes me feel like I can walk a better path. It helped. Shall we start the investigation now?"
I wandered the slums with Elise. Of course, not the areas we'd scouted the past few days, but a slightly different section. Couldn't go where my face was known.
These types have sharper eyes for outsiders than you'd think.
Even in disguise, plenty would recognize me, and rumors of suspicion would spread. That'd hinder finding info on the Path to Eternal Life.
"Elise. How should we gather information?"
"Hmm... Tricky... They won't just answer willingly..."
"Well, let's think while we do it."
Investigator Kim Katt deploys.
With Elise in tow, I started approaching people randomly. A cute girl alongside a barbaric warrior might lower their guards a bit.
"Do you know the Way?"
"Hm?"
I picked the easiest-looking shabby young man. Scrawny muscles, total vagrant vibe. I plastered on a big smile, acting like a good guy.
"The Way of this world has fallen to the earth. Thus, humanity's destined future is ruin. But right now, if you step onto the Path to Eternal Life, you too can ascend to infinity."
I babbled nonsense while gripping his shoulder hard.
>—Flinch.
Elise whipped around, eyes wide in shock. Panicking, I flashed a wink.
She seemed to get it and turned back to the man.
Her eyes were trembling.
...What?
Did I almost die just now?
"Th-the Path to Eternal Life..."
"Oh? You know of us?"
"Yeah, I know. But I'm not interested. Get lost."
I exchanged glances with Elise.
She sensed something off too.
"Not interested?"
Time to push hard.
"...Huh?"
"Not interested?"
"W-wait."
"Not interested?"
"Wh-why are you..."
"Not interested?"
"..."
>—Dash!
A little intimidation, and he bolted.
That's the vibe.
Scratching my head, I told Elise,
"See? They're all like that. They know what the Path to Eternal Life is, but they're scared. Too much so... Doesn't feel good."
"Indeed. B-but what was that just now?"
"Asking if he knew the Way?"
"Yes. I was honestly startled."
"To approach heretics, this is the only way. How was it? Felt something?"
"I doubted my own ears from the shock."
Elise pressed her hand to her chest, inhaling deeply.
No way it was that shocking.
"Heh heh, my acting's improved."
Blame the flood of cults back in Korea for honing these skills. This is nothing. Anyway, Elise seemed to catch on. This time, she took the lead, with me assisting.
She wasn't very smooth.
Felt like I did most of the work.
Like that, time passed until hunger hit around mealtime. We ducked into a deserted alley, leaning against the wall to discuss how long to keep investigating.
"You there."
A hollow-eyed old man approached and called out to me.
Shabby clothes.
His figure in the alley's shadows looked ominous. I stopped Elise from reaching into her sleeve and stepped in front.
"What is it, elder?"
"You. Been proselytizing for the Path to Eternal Life these past few days."
"..."
My heart raced.
What?
What's his goal?
Did they spot me?
Did the Path to Eternal Life crew notice me?
I didn't know the old man's identity, but I calmed my pounding heart and feigned nonchalance. Whatever it was, this was an opportunity. They'd come to me—couldn't let it slip.
"You know me?"
"...What are you? Reckless proselytizing is forbidden, isn't it?"
Reckless proselytizing forbidden?
That confirmed it.
This guy's the real deal.
"Forbidden... Yeah, I've heard that."
"Heard? Then what the hell are you doing?"
"Can't stop proselytizing just because it's forbidden. Honestly, doesn't make sense. If we gain more followers, we'll surely... Well, we're guilty, so punishment's fine."
Drawing on experience, I bluffed shamelessly. Proselytizing ban... No idea what it meant, but piecing clues to bare teeth was easy.
The old man looked suspicious as he listened.
Quickly added,
"So, know where the gathering spot is? Gotta go talk in person. I'm against the ban. All for the Path to Eternal Life. I'm practicing its teachings."
"Hmm... That's your view... Then I'll tell you the gathering spot..."
Please, please bite.
Tell me the gathering spot...!
"Wait."
The old man rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then eyed me sharply. Piercing gaze. I suppressed murderous urge.
"You don't know the gathering spot?"
Nothing comes easy.
What heretics need is iron fist.
"You, one of our Path to Eternal Life faithful..."
"Elise."
>—Whoosh.
I called her name lowly; she kicked off the ground. Before the old man could react, her small fist slammed into his gut with ferocious power.
"—Gahk!"
Small fist, girl's fist.
But the force was transcendent, meant to annihilate evil. The old man doubled over, eyes rolling back as he collapsed.
"Interrogating him should yield useful info."
"As expected of Elise!"
No mercy, quick judgment!
Elise hoisted the unconscious old man.
"But we can't interrogate here."
"Wait there. Gotta check for witnesses."
I slipped out, scanned surroundings.
Pedestrians, but no witnesses.
No suspicious stares... None on second look.
We're good.
"No witnesses. Find somewhere quieter? But moving him draws eyes... Any good spots nearby?"
"I'll look now."
I snatched the old man from Elise.
She insisted on carrying, but I took him anyway. Like spies, we moved stealthily through alleys.
Seen by a few, but all world-weary homeless—ignored.
"Saint. How about there?"
"What? A warehouse?"
Deeper in, we found a half-ruined warehouse-like building. Elise pointed, checked inside, returned.
"Stuff discarded, but empty. Let's go in."
"Yeah."
Inside, laid the old man on the floor.
"Not too dark."
Light leaked through broken ceiling and windows—not dim. Typical delinquent hangout for smoking.
"Saint. Shall we start the interrogation?"
"Wait. Shouldn't we tie him or something?"
"He won't escape."
"Right."
I propped up a nearby wooden plank to block the door. First interrogation—heart pounding. Elise too.
"Wake him first."
>—Slap!
Smacked the old man's rolled-back cheek.
"Ugh!"
Soft, gripping sensation.
Cheek slap echoed; he convulsed, body rising.
"Whoa, up in one shot?"
"Wh-what are you! What the hell!"
"Shut it, you heretic scum!"
>—Slap!
"Gaaah!!!"
Interrogation's key: seize initiative, crush resistance. Heretic's a heretic—even elder. Violence for justice. World-devouring villains!
"You can't be... not Path to Eternal Life faithful!"
"Right, heretic! Spill everything you know about the Path!"
"N-no way...!"
He raised hands, screaming.
"Saint. Not like that. Let me; you watch for trouble. Witnesses would complicate things."
"Yeah, you're the expert. I trust you."
Elise impassively appraised him, drew iron mace from sleeve. "H-heek!" Knowing its meaning, he trembled.
"Evil one, I have no mercy."
>—Boom!
She swung warning shot, pulverizing old chair.
"Tell everything about the Path to Eternal Life. Cooperate, and mercy; silence means serving heresy—no forgiveness."
"N-no! I know nothing!"
Denying when busted? Interrogator won't buy it. For your pathetic life, just confess.
"Daring to lie?!"
I gazed outside. Sunlight poured in, warm. Powerless street. Gloomy alley devoid of life's will. Realm of hungry ghosts, rife with depravity and evil.
What was happening there?
Elise's furious shouts and the old man's screams intertwined.