In the outer city of the Holy Capital, District Nine.
This is the largest district in the Holy Capital and the primary area where the impoverished reside.
In the southern part of the district, in front of a three-story building with a gray roof, a group of ragged children eagerly waited at the charity stall in front of the building for the young female cleric to distribute today’s black bread.
The female cleric looked about eighteen or nineteen years old, with a delicate and youthful face that bore a maturity and steadiness beyond her years.
She was busy organizing several teenage boys and girls to maintain order while distributing the black bread in sequence to the children waiting to receive it.
“Don’t push, don’t fight, there’s enough bread for everyone. Each person will get two pieces, and rember to eat them here before going ho.”
She said.
The malnourished children surrounded the young cleric. They took the black bread, gobbled it down, and chattered non-stop.
“Thank you, Sister Susan!”
“It’s my turn! It’s my turn!”
“Wow! Today’s bread has raisins! It’s so delicious!”
“Sister Susan, two pieces of bread aren’t enough for . Can I get two more?”
“ too, too, I want to take two more black bread ho!”
While organizing the distribution of bread with the help of the teenage volunteers, Cleric Susan patiently answered the children’s questions.
“You’re welco, eat slowly, don’t choke. Jason has water over there if you’re thirsty.”
“Don’t rush, don’t rush, everyone will get their share.”
“More bread? Peter, you want to take so for the sick Rachel, right? Don’t worry, I’ll arrange sothing for Rachel later. Just eat your bread here.”
“I’m sorry, Oliver, but the Gray Swan’s bread is only for the children in this neighborhood. Rules can’t be broken. I heard your mother got injured at work recently. I’ll visit your ho after we’re done here to check on her.”
“Everyone must finish eating here before leaving! If you don’t want your black bread to be snatched away, follow this rule!”
Susan’s tone was serious as she handed out the bread and reminded the children.
In the distance, so pale-faced holess people were also eyeing the charity stall eagerly.
However, they didn’t approach, patiently waiting their turn.
Even those who couldn’t resist the urge to step forward held back when their eyes fell on the delicate young cleric.
The holess of District Nine knew that the rules of the Gray Swan Orphanage’s charity couldn’t be broken. Only children could receive the black bread, and they had to eat it on-site before leaving.
These rules were set by the Russo siblings, both clerics of the church, and quite famous in this neighborhood.
Susan Russo was a First Order Cleric, and her brother Daniel Russo was a Second Order Judgnt Knight.
Since taking over the Gray Swan Orphanage, the siblings had turned it into the primary charity point for children in District Nine. Thanks to their church affiliations, no local thugs dared to cause trouble for the orphanage.
Distributing the bread took about an hour. When the last child had received their bread, Susan finally turned her attention to the waiting holess people in the distance.
She glanced at the remaining quarter of the black bread, sighed, and said,
“You… co over too. Sa rules as always, the elderly, won, and the sick go first.”
The holess people’s eyes lit up.
They quickly crowded forward, praising the young cleric and the Holy Court while eagerly lining up to receive the leftover bread.
Another round of busy activity ensued.
When all the bread had been distributed, Cleric Susan and the orphanage teens were exhausted.
Despite the local ruffians’ reluctance to cause trouble due to the cleric siblings’ backgrounds, maintaining order still required a great deal of energy.
However, the teens were quite excited, finding joy in helping others in District Nine, thanks to their church education.
Only Susan seed worried, her face carrying a hint of sorrow.
After the charity distribution, she led the teens back to the yard. Once the orphans were settled, she returned to her room to review the accounts.
“You seem troubled, sister. Did sothing go wrong with today’s charity?”
A steady voice asked.
A red-robed Judgnt Knight had quietly entered the room.
“Brother!”
Susan’s face lit up with joy.
But soon, worry returned to her face. She sighed,
“There is so trouble. It seems there are more holess people in the district than usual lately. Even with our combined temple stipends, the orphanage is struggling to make ends et.”
“I’ve told you before, you don’t have to take care of everyone. We only need to look after the children. We don’t have the energy for anything more.”
The Judgnt Knight said.
“But since we’ve seen them, we should help a little if we can. The Lord teaches us to be compassionate, selfless, and generous. If we can help them
a bit more, more people can survive in this world.”
Susan replied.
The Judgnt Knight was silent for a mont. Then he said,
“Next month, my church stipend will be a bit higher, which should ease the orphanage’s financial pressure.”
Susan hesitated.
After a mont’s pause, she looked seriously at her brother.
“Brother, tell the truth. Have you taken on so ‘private work’ from the Inquisition?”
“The orphanage’s financial pressure is indeed great, but if you’re taking on those ‘private jobs,’ I’ll be very upset. I know you don’t have much faith in the Holy Court, but so things we simply can’t do. The Lord teaches us to be upright and honest. We…”
“Susan, I know your faith is sincere, but you haven’t seen the dark side of the Holy Court. There are things… you wouldn’t understand.”
The Judgnt Knight interrupted.
“I haven’t done what you’re worried about, you can rest assured. In a sense, I’m also doing this for the children’s future.”
“The Holy Court is rotten to the core. Otherwise, the number of holess in the Holy Capital wouldn’t keep increasing. But it won’t be long. Soon, everything will get better.”
With that, he donned his black cloak and turned to leave.
“Brother!”
Susan stepped forward, blocking his way with a serious expression.
“Tell honestly, are you involved with so unsavory organization? I’ve already heard that the offerings you bring back every month are double those of other knights of the sa rank.”
The Judgnt Knight remained silent.
He gently touched Susan’s hair, his voice softening.
“Don’t worry. I’m just assigned to guard the Inquisition dungeon. You know, the stipends there are higher.”
“But I’m really worried, brother. Ever since you were promoted to a Second Order Judgnt Knight, you’ve changed. You’ve beco silent, withdrawn, and even your aura has turned cold and unfamiliar.”
Susan said.
She stared into his eyes.
“Brother, I haven’t seen you use holy power in a long ti. Tell the truth. Have you abandoned your faith in the Holy Court? Can you no longer use holy power?”
The Judgnt Knight sighed.
“Does it matter?”
“Of course it matters! You’re a Judgnt Knight! A cleric of the church! You haven’t truly started believing in so heresy, have you?”
Susan said worriedly.
“I’ve been having nightmares every night. I dream of a sea of blood, of you covered in blood, sinking into it, devoured by horrific monsters.”
“I dream of District Nine engulfed in flas, the streets filled with countless monsters, slaughtering residents.”
“I dream that… everyone is dead.”
“I’m really worried, brother. I hope you’re not hiding anything from . What exactly are you doing, and what is the Inquisition up to?”
The Judgnt Knight’s expression softened.
“Susan…”
“Don’t be afraid. I won’t be hard. I haven’t turned to heresy. I’ve just found the right path, the true faith…”
“No! Every heretic says that. You have turned to heresy! You’ve abandoned your faith! You can’t do this! You’ll be judged for heresy! You’ll be burned at the stake!”
Susan said anxiously.
“Don’t worry, sister. I won’t be judged. I’m on the right path. Even the Chief Judge acknowledges this true faith.”
The Judgnt Knight said.
His expression gradually beca solemn, his eyes filled with determination and fanaticism.
“I haven’t abandoned justice and goodness. On the contrary, I want to change and save the church from its current decline.”
“I’ve found the true light, the true sun, the true holiness.”
“I know you don’t understand now, but please don’t panic. The change is coming soon. When it arrives, the divine will descend, and everything will get better. You will understand everything then…”
“I have to go. The so-called ‘Saintess’ of the Starfall Kingdom is coming to the Theocracy. I’ve received a secret mission from the Inquisition, so I’ll be very busy in the coming days and might not be able to return to the orphanage for a long ti.”
“Of course, I’ll send the monthly offerings on ti. If you encounter any difficulties, go to the Inquisition in District Nine. Even if I’m not there, everything will be arranged. My Judgnt Knight Squad will take care of everything for you.”
With that, the Judgnt Knight turned and left the orphanage.
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