The Sleeping Devil Vol. 2 - Chapter 8 - Sin and Punishment

(Priest's POV)

"I don't have a na."

"Shortly before I was born, my father committed a cri and was imprisoned, while my mother died after giving birth to ."

"And because I had the protection of life, it seems I was taken in by the temple."

"When I was young, I didn't question anything. The other two people I lived with didn't have parents either, and I didn't even know the words "father" or "mother."

"I only knew that this is where it started, and that I had always been here."

"But the other two had nas. That was the only thing that seed a little strange."

During the baptism ceremony, one of the caretakers gave a na on the spot, saying that the ceremony couldn't be perford without a na.

"...When I learned that it had a grotesque and hideous aning, it was after already completing the baptism and starting to live with other worshippers."

"I knew nothing. I didn't know why I was being beaten, why I couldn't receive als, why I was being cut, scorched, scolded, kicked, or subrged in water, or why I was given such a na."

"When I found out that the reason was because of my father, I also learned the reason why I was here."

"I had a reason to receive punishnt. I inherited the sins of parents I didn't even know, whose faces I didn't know."

"Maybe not knowing until then was also a sin."

"Since then, every day, I have prayed earnestly to God. Please forgive . Please forgive the sins of my parents and ."

"No matter how much my body hurt, I thought it was only natural to receive punishnt. I would continue to receive punishnt until my sins were forgiven. Even thinking about when I would be forgiven beca a sin, I thought."

"There is a suitable task for you, so fulfill your duties properly."

On the day my first duty was assigned, I felt anxious for the first ti. What if I accumulate more sins?

I hadn't beco a priest yet, so if I were to fail in an important ritual for others, how could I atone for my sins?

The thought of piling up sins that belonged to no one but myself filled with uneasiness.

The noble daughter with a na was incredibly beautiful. Even though she was still young, the sa age as when I received that na, she treated kindly and with proper etiquette.

Her hair, sparkling in the sunlight, was beautiful and smooth like silk, while her blue eyes seed to represent a pure and innocent heart. She was a pure and beautiful existence, the complete opposite of . When I saw her, I beca even more aware of my own impurity.

Yet, I committed another sin. Perhaps it was because my incantation beca too quiet to be heard, or maybe my magic power was insufficient. No, it was impossible for a sinner like to perform a ritual in the first place.

As an unforgiven person, how could I offer prayers to the gods...

When I realized it, I found myself lying on a luxurious bed, and I grew weary of how much I could accumulate sins. It wasn't a problem that could be solved by apologizing, yet foolishly, I begged for forgiveness. But the noble daughter had said to , "It's not your fault," in her small, young voice.

The al that was served afterwards consisted of lavish and delicious food that I had never seen or tasted before. It included honey, which the priest secretly licked at midnight... It was generously mixed into warm milk for .

It was the first ti I had such a warm al.

When I was recomnded to take a bath, I thought to myself, "So the ti for punishnt has co." The large tub, emitting steam, seed to be filled with boiling water instead of regular water.

I strangely understood that even in the case of higher-ranking nobles, effort was put into their punishnt. If I were boiled in here, would it be a small atonent for my sins?

"How is the temperature of the water, Your Excellency?"

I realized that my body wasn't stiff with pain, and I hurriedly looked over myself. There were no blisters or burns; instead, I was enveloped in a pleasant warmth. Even though I tried to think about what the punishnt was, at that mont, I couldn't comprehend it.

My head was washed with fragrant soap, and I was given a drink that perated my body. Where exactly is the punishnt...

The luxurious guest room made feel uncomfortable, but I hardly rember what happened after I got into the soft bed. I slept so deeply that I didn't even notice dinner ti.

When I woke up to people's voices, I thought, "Oh no, if I overslept or sothing, I will be punished again..." When I raised my head upon hearing an unfamiliar voice, I saw Lord Hers. I realized that this was a guest room in the Beriard family's mansion, and I rembered this morning's sin.

How much longer will I continue to commit sins? Failing the ritual, indulging in desires during als, and dozing off in the dayti.

However, Lord Hers didn't punish . Instead, he talked to for a little while and prepared dinner.

Even dining alone, it was another luxurious and warm al.

There are even people taking care of . I also felt afraid of what would co next.

Foolishly, I fell asleep again, and when I woke up next, I was confused.

The pure noble daughter, Lady Sheriel, was right in front of .

And when I realized that it wasn't the temple, I understood the punishnt that was bestowed upon .

I see, understanding this warmth, that is the punishnt. I'm already terrified of returning to that dark, mundane everyday life where nothing is clear.

Lady Sheriel succeeded in the ritual, and she kindly assured that I was not the cause of the failure.

Could this adorable angel-like person actually be a devil?

This punishnt is more terrifying than any I have experienced before. I felt like I was going mad.

I have to return imdiately.

However, this charming devil-like girl has already contacted the temple and instructed to stay for a few more days. If I didn't understand this punishnt, would I have stayed as instructed?

If I return now, maybe everything will still be okay. It was the first ti I rejected a punishnt. It was that frightening.

If I had the chance to experience this warmth for just one or two more days, what would beco of when I returned to the temple?

Ah, it's frightening. What is Lady Sheriel thinking?

Due to the overwhelming fear, I spoke about the feelings in my heart.

Please, sohow, forgive . Please, have rcy.

Lady Sheriel spoke a devilish sentence to .

"Do you want to go back?"

I don't want to go back. When I understood that those were my own words, I realized it once again.

I truly don't want to go back. Even if thinking that I don't want to go back is a punishnt in itself, I still can't help it. I don't want to return to that dark, cold temple.

How cruel can they be? Even though I have nowhere else to go besides the temple.

What a frightening devil she is. I heard from the caretaker earlier that the Beriard family is called the devil's household. I see, that's why I'm here.

"Then, shall we think of a way for you not to go back?"

What is going on? I, with my limited understanding, cannot comprehend. What kind of punishnt is this? But it's not the twisted smile of the worshippers or the priests who tornt in the temple. It's a gentle, reassuring smile that soone weak-hearted like would imdiately cling to.

To say that I don't have to go back there, such sweet words... to have such expectations...

Ah, I don't understand anymore. Lady Sheriel, are you an angel or a devil?

I am a sinner. If possible, I want to receive punishnt from this pure devil-like Lady.

I am foolish enough to cling to the fleeting hope of not having to go back.

I can't even imagine the hell that awaits if it doesn't co true.

After that, I confessed my sins. And I humbly begged for forgiveness.

"Lady Sheriel, yesterday I said that I didn't have a na. But, in truth, I have a na that is too hideous to speak out loud. I kept silent because I didn't want you to hear it. I apologize."

"I see. If you don't want to reveal it, it's okay."

Lady Sheriel often reassures , saying "It's okay." I feel relieved by those words.

She accepts my feeble confession as if it were nothing.

Talking about my father, my mother, and my experiences in the temple to this young girl feels burdenso. It feels like I'm tarnishing her pure existence, like I'm doing sothing terrible.

However, Lady Sheriel accepts everything without changing her expression.

Perhaps she truly is an angel, not a devil.

Throughout the days of my continuous prayers to the gods, there was a part of that resented them. That may be why my sins were not forgiven.

But now, I think that the person I should pray to is the girl in front of .

"Lady Sheriel, how should I atone for my sins?"

"Sins? The priest has no sins, right? A parent is a parent, and a child is a child. If one were burdened with their parent's sins, the Beriard lineage wouldn't have lasted for three generations, don't you think?"

I thought Lady Sheriel's ability to say such things so easily might be a sign of my own insanity or lack of respect.

Then, why have I been like this all this ti...

"Sheriel, let handle that story," said Lord Hers.

"Oh, yes. That's true. But, Priest, please refrain from punishing yourself."

I don't understand anymore. I've lost sight of who I used to be. But it feels like Lady Sheriel knows more about than I do, and I feel like entrusting everything to her.

"Are you feeling tired? Have a al and rest again."

"Yes... Thank you, Lady Sheriel."

I can have another al. Is it really okay for to still be here?

"Sheriel, go back first. I'll do so research before joining you."

"Yes, Grandpa. Then, please excuse . Priest, take your ti to rest, and if you get bored, let's go for a walk."

"Yes..."

A walk...? What does it an to get bored?

After Lady Sheriel leaves the room, Hers asks two or three more questions.

"Do you cry and get confused like this normally?"

"N-No. I'm very sorry. This is not sothing that happens normally..."

"It's okay. Crying is not a bad thing."

After a brief conversation, Hers places his hand on my abdon.

"Hmm, that's strange."

What... Is he going to cut open my stomach and examine its contents?

As I think about such things, Hers raises an eyebrow and smiles a little.

"Don't worry, I won't do anything painful. It might hurt your heart, but if you can endure it, you will be freed from your sins."

Hers comforts as if he can see through my thoughts.

Freed from my sins...? Could there be such a thing...

"Stay by Sheriel's side."

By Sherryell's side? Is he referring to the walk earlier? Am I allowed to accompany her, soone as clueless as I am?

Leaving , a foolish and incomprehensible person, Hers departs.

What will beco of ?

However, in exchange for the pain in my chest, I felt a slight sense of relief in my mind.