930: Chapter 47: We et Again, Sister 930: Chapter 47: We et Again, Sister In fact, the area where the ascetics congregated was not the picture of dilapidation so might imagine.
The architectural style of that region was no different from other areas within the Holy Sanctuary, and it was just as clean and tidy.
Everything was swept spotlessly.
If it weren’t for Lina’s guidance, it would have been difficult to discern the special function of this area.
“When I left, there should have been around sixty ascetics in the church, and in these two years a few more might have joined, but the total number wouldn’t exceed seventy,” Lina explained to Pannis, pointing to the nearly deserted area.
“At this ti of day, most of them should be working in the fields outside the city that are dedicated to the use of the Ascetic Order.
As you know, they must grow all their own food, so they use a few small plots of land owned by the church outside the city.
With Lady Denia’s blessing, their fields yield a good harvest every year, enough for all the ascetics to feed themselves.
If there is any surplus after setting aside their own rations, that extra food is considered a gift from Lady Denia and is distributed among so of the followers who need it to share.
However, in reality, most followers generally won’t fight over this food.
Once distributed, it’s mostly taken as a goddess’ gift, with each believer getting very little.”
“It sounds very nice that the followers live in harmony and humble generosity,” Pannis said, looking at the strange smile on Lina’s face.
“Why are you making that face?
Is there sothing I don’t know?”
“Well, it just sounds harmonious and friendly,” Lina said with a shrug and a sense of resignation.
“Many people don’t want to fight over it, simply because they only make the roughest black bread with those grains.
You know, the kind that can be used as a weapon in winter.
Even the poor generally don’t eat it.
Only those who are living in the direst circumstances would eat that food, and there are no such families near Neville City.
Even if there are poor people, their basic needs are still guaranteed, so naturally, no one fights over it.”
“Well, it seems that sotis having too much food can be a problem too,” Pannis said, not in the least exaggerating.
Thanks to the Deity’s protection, the crop yields on the Yarran Continent were high, and even in years of poor climate, the output was sufficient for all races on the continent to consu.
It could certainly be described as very plentiful.
Nevertheless, people still died from hunger each year in areas with harsh natural or living environnts.
For this reason, the Ascetic Order had established this rule.
Shrugging, Pannis said, “So since the ascetics are all out working in the fields, why are we still coming here?”
“It’s only most of them, not like there’s no one here,” Lina rolled her eyes and said with a pout.
“The ascetics’ daily work is divided into two parts.
Most go to work in the fields, while so of the weaker won and elderly stay within the Holy Sanctuary, sewing and washing clothes, and taking care of the plants decorating the sanctuary.”
“Hmm, so your sister Betty is one of the weaker won then?” Pannis asked tentatively.
“However, from the strength and vigor you show when you hit , you seem to be anything but frail.”
With a whoosh, Pannis dodged Lina’s kick that ca unexpectedly, exclaiming with a cold sweat on his face, “Hey hey, I was just telling the truth, and now you’re kicking.
Hey, okay okay, I admit I was wrong.
If you kick again, I’ll scream for help.”
“Hmph, although I’m very aware of your purpose for stirring up trouble,” Lina said with a cold laugh.
“Still, your words make want to kick you, so there’s nothing to do about it.
You’ll just have to take one for the team.”
“I don’t want such a sacrifice,” Pannis firmly distanced himself from Lina.
“You asked to follow, not just so that I had a target to hit when needed.
I regret it.
I’m going back.”
“Hmph, regret is already too late,” Lina’s deliberately stern face couldn’t hold back a laugh, which she let out with a snort.
Shaking her head, she said, “You, always trying to do the right thing in such a roundabout way, I can’t stand it.
Indeed, none of us sisters are weak, but she is here today, did you forget what I said?
We are connected by blood; I can sense it.
She hasn’t gone anywhere today; she is waiting for to arrive.”
Feeling Lina had completely relaxed, Pannis stopped ssing around and, pushing Lina’s back, he said, “Then let’s not make her wait too long.
Do we need to send soone to announce our arrival, or should we ask where your sister is?”
“No need, there is no such custom of announcing here.
If needed, we can just go in directly,” Lina shook her head.
“Co with ; I know where my sister is.
There’s no need to ask anyone else.”
Entering the living area of the ascetics, although the architectural style was exactly the sa as the outside, subtle differences could be discerned.
In this area, the houses, both externally and internally, lacked any form of decoration.
Aside from the essentials required for daily living, there were no superfluous furnishings.
The occupants seed to live rely for the sake of surviving, with no hint of pleasure derived from life’s enjoynts.
Though Pannis was widely experienced in many respects and had a deep understanding of various major religious institutions, he didn’t agree with the concept of asceticism and thus hadn’t had much contact with ascetics.
This was his first ti entering the inner workings of the Ascetic Order, his first ti witnessing the ascetics’ most austere lifestyle.
He had to admit, after observing the surroundings, his disapproval of the ascetic lifestyle deepened.
He didn’t believe that faith in a Deity required soone to go to such lengths.
Of course, he wouldn’t express these thoughts.
Everyone had their own way of worshipping their Deity.
As long as it didn’t trouble others, no one had the right to judge.
Therefore, Pannis simply closed his mouth, following behind Lina and silently observing the person erging from a building.
The person approaching them was a woman, her head completely shaven, not a single hair in sight, dressed in a grey coarse hemp robe patched in seven or eight places.
She was barefoot, her brown skin evident on her uncovered feet.
Yes, brown skin—the woman’s face, hands, and feet had been weathered by years of sun exposure, turning the once fair skin to brown.
Only parts that had been consistently covered by clothes retained the original color.
The barefooted woman walked out of the building with deliberate, steady steps towards them.
Seeing the person before her, Lina slowly closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and after a long silence, whispered, “We et again, sister.” (To be continued.
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