Chapter 430: Jane
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 430: Jane
'How long has it been?'
In the lightless cell, Jane muttered to herself. It had been some time since she’d been brought here. A glance to her side revealed others in the same predicament, groaning in pain.
She considered summoning her holy power, but she instinctively shook her head. Their bodies were already fine. Aside from the special potion they’d been forced to drink to suppress their mana, there was nothing physically wrong with them.
They had been healed so perfectly it was as if nothing had ever happened. Even she couldn't have treated wounds so flawlessly. The holy power these people possessed was that formidable. And it wasn't just the small woman. Among those who came in, a few of them undoubtedly wielded powerful holy energy.
'Inquisitors.'
"Ah... ugh... ughhh..."
As her thoughts raced, she heard someone muttering, but Jane simply shook her head. Hearing that sound, she could already picture what was about to unfold.
'There's no hope.'
There was no hope. There was no news of the rescue team she had so firmly believed would come. For the first few days, she had held on desperately, thinking that maybe, just maybe, a rescue team would arrive, but now she had abandoned such hopes. They most likely thought she and the others were already dead. Even if a rescue team were dispatched now, they couldn't recklessly enter this mine, and if they did, they would surely be slaughtered for nothing.
The people outside undoubtedly knew that.
"Fucking... hell. We've been abandoned. We've been abandoned..."
"Those sons of bitches who ran away... If I ever get out of here, I'll kill them all. I'll get out... and kill every last one of them..."
"Mom..."
She never thought she would be able to sympathize with their sobs. At first, she had tried to comfort them, telling them they could endure it, that they could get through it together. But at some point, Jane had stopped speaking.
She couldn't bring herself to open her mouth.
"Must be nice for you, you fucking bitch."
Today was the same as always. A voice flowed out of the darkness. Jane covered her ears, but the voice continued to seep through.
"The whore who sleeps with the monster."
"That's... not..."
"Cut the bullshit excuses, you bitch. Trying to make things easy for yourself... Fuck... Fuck..."
"It must be great. Our golden whore. I should have been born a little prettier. Things might have been easier then. Huh?"
It was impossible to speak in an atmosphere like this. The others' gazes were already filled with clear hostility. They wouldn't listen to a word she said. And maybe... maybe what they were saying was true. Because whether by her own will or not, she too was waiting for that time to come.
"............"
"That poor bastard Mark, following a thing like that around. Fucking pathetic."
She could endure anything else, but not that. Just as Jane unconsciously opened her mouth to retort... perfect timing. A small sliver of light leaked through the crack in the door. At the same time, most of the prisoners' muttering began to fade. Perhaps they were worried about displeasing whoever was entering, but their voices became incredibly quiet.
"Ah... Aaaaaaaah..."
"Aaaaaaaah... P-please spare me. P-please, save me. Please..."
"Stop... no more..."
The day had begun again.
She didn't know what day it was or what time it was. The only thing she knew for certain was that after a grueling day ended, after about thirty minutes in the dark cell, a new day would begin. Before, they didn't even have that brief respite.
"Ah... ugh..."
It was only natural that a sound full of despair escaped her lips. Today was about to begin. Another day in hell.
Two or three cultists were assigned to each prisoner. There was no time to eat or relieve oneself. They seemed to have no interest in anything other than carrying out their duties. She had heard their purpose was "purification," but she couldn't for the life of her see how this was a ritual of purification. As she glanced around with anxious eyes, the small woman who had entered first slowly opened her mouth.
"A new day has begun. Let us all offer a prayer."
"..........."
A heavy silence fell after the woman's voice. It was the ritual of prayer before the ritual of purification began. The sight of them holding bizarre instruments in the silent, dark cell as they prayed was enough to send shivers down her spine.
"Ah... ugh..."
The man who had let out an involuntary groan quickly clamped a hand over his mouth. The woman did not like any other noise during this time.
"Drag him out."
"Ah... Aaaaaaaah! It-it was a mistake! Forgive me! For... forgive me!"
"You need not worry so. For your sins can be forgiven through today's ritual."
"Ah..."
There was nothing she could do. Jane slowly turned her head, and after a blink, she saw the face she always saw.
"It seems I'll be in charge of you again today."
"Ah..."
"You're rotten."
"What...?"
"You. As a person."
The moment she saw the woman slowly place a hand on her shoulder, her whole body began to tremble. It was a reaction like one of Pavlov's dogs. She thought she finally understood what it meant for one's knees to buckle in fear.
"I'm a bit busy today, so let's start a little earlier than usual. Unlike the others, you have less time for purification. Correct?"
"Yes..."
"Several times a day. For an hour, two hours. If you're lucky, all day long. You get to be with the Savior, don't you? Correct?"
"I... I... Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!"
Jane screamed without thinking. It was because she had caught sight of the bizarre instruments being thrust into her stomach. It felt like her belly was on fire. No, it was far worse than that. The pain was so intense her mind went white. Screams began to erupt from all around her.
"Aaaaaaaargh!!"
"Help me... hel..."
"Kill... me..."
Time continued to pass. With her body bound, Jane instinctively began to search for the clock mounted on one side. With her battered body, she stole a glance at the time.
'How much... how much time is left?'
"You seem to be looking forward to it."
"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!"
It was hard to even comprehend what was happening to her body. Someone had once said you could get used to pain, but she never did. Every day was different, and as time went on, it only became more agonizing. Watching her own stomach being cut open was certainly not a pleasant experience. Nor was having her own insides rummaged through. As the torture intensified, Jane's body trembled more and more, and she found herself just waiting for time to pass.
'Just a little longer...'
'Just a little longer, and I can be at ease.'
'Just a little more... just a little more, and I can be at ease.'
She could have a warm meal and regain a semblance of her normal life. If she could just wait a little longer and meet him, she could be freed from this pain for a long while. If she just held on a little longer, she could have a normal conversation. If she just held on a little longer, she could smile. If just a little more time passed, she could find rest.
It felt like something in her head had broken, but Jane didn't stop the thoughts. There wasn't much time left. This was the only part of her agonizing routine that she looked forward to. Of course, she hadn't thought this way from the beginning.
There was definitely a time when she had thought, 'Just a little longer, and the rescue team will save me. They'll get us out of this hellhole.' But after a few days, she realized that thought was completely useless. Her mind turned from distant hopes to the sweet relief that was close at hand, and she began to crave the reality before her eyes over the one that could never be. She had realized that was a happier thought, one that could give her more comfort.
There was still a little time left. Just as Jane bit her lip hard, the voice came again.
"Regrettably, this will be all for today. It is because the Savior wishes to see you for much longer."
"Ah..."
A small smile crept onto Jane's lips. She could be free. Free from this time. She could feel the gazes of the others on her, but she felt no guilt. The memory of their verbal abuse was still fresh in her mind.
Regardless of her own will, she followed the small woman into a small space off to the side. A place to wash and a space with clothes to wear came into view.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!"
"Aaaaaaaargh!!!"
"Help me! Please, help me!"
Voices continued to cry out from the next room. It was a stark contrast to her current situation. They were separated by only a single wall. They were suffering, undergoing the so-called ritual of purification, but...
'It's warm.'
...but what she felt was the warm water washing over her body. Her body was still trembling, but it felt as if all her suffering was being rewarded.
"Slowly... wash every nook and cranny, without missing a spot. It is time to... to see the Savior."
"Yes..."
'Time to see the Savior.'
Ironically, this was the only time she was ever saved. Only during this time each day was she liberated from the thoughts that plagued her mind and the pain in her body. She didn't have to worry about the glares of those screaming over there, and there was no physical torment. She didn't have to hold onto the hope that someone would rescue her, or the hope that she might one day return home. Only during that time, only then, was she free.
It was absurd... but for a fleeting moment, Jane thought she was being purified. She thought she was shedding her filthy flesh and being born again.
"............"
Against her will, she was slowly dressed. Makeup was applied to her face, and she was put in a luxurious dress she would never normally wear. Urged on by the small woman, she quickly headed outside, and the space she had just been in came into view.
"Ah... ugh... ah..."
"Hooo... haah..."
"Guuuuhhh....."
"Ughhh..."
The screaming had stopped. The people torturing her fellow raid members had all paused their work, waiting for her to pass. It was out of concern that blood might spatter on her. As she walked slowly and carefully, holding the hem of her dress, she saw the gazes of her comrades.
'Bitch who deserves to die.'
'Fucking traitor.'
Their eyes, filled with all sorts of thoughts, bore into her. She had suffered the same things they had. In fact, because she had less time for "purification," the intensity had been even greater for her. And yet, they still sent looks of resentment her way.
They probably didn't know that she was the reason they had this brief moment of rest.
"Let's walk quickly now."
"Yes..."
They need to be purified. Jane lowered her head, muttered to herself, and slowly began to walk.