Chapter 100: 04. A heretic’s confession - 【 Vol. 3 】

“It’s hopeless. He can’t be saved.”

After examining Zion, who had spewed black blood, the doctor shook his head with an awkward expression. ‘I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do.’ Zion had been poisoned. It was not an accident or a coincidence—that poisoned meal was made to kill someone. If it hadn’t been for the small fluke that was brought upon by the circumstances at the time, Raymond would be the one on his deathbed right now. That meal was well-intended to kill someone.

Raymond asked the doctor again.

“Is there really no other way?”

“I apologize, but his lungs are growing stiff. There’s nothing that can be done.”

Raymond glanced back at Zion’s face, which was turning black. Life could be seen slowly seeping out of him.

Raymond had seen that kind of face numerous times. The face of a corpse. However, it was a color that no one should get used to. The only thing keeping Raymond together was his own experience. He cannot cry here. He thought of the things he could do—anything that he had control over.

“Before passing away, please allow him to confess.”

This was the best act of compassion that he could offer. This was what the doctor advised Raymond to do.

* * *

A perpetual prayer could be heard inside the cathedral. As he walked along the corridor, men and women’s prayers rang through. People constantly craved to receive from God. Bestow upon me fortune, bestow upon me love, bestow upon me eternal life, please.

Prayers in search of salvation continued without end. God, may you bless us. Their prayers ascend towards the high ceiling. However, the ceiling of the cathedral was much too high. Their prayers just go up, and up, and up. Endlessly. Until, somehow, those voices reach God. But would those prayers even reach Him? Raymond looked up at the ceiling. It was too far away.

“……”

Rather than to pray, what he needed more than ever was to wait. He tried to pray, but was not given any blessings in turn. He was afraid that if he couldn’t get the answer he wanted, then he would be put to the test.

Raymond always felt like he was being tested. For others, was life also this difficult, always? However, Raymond couldn’t get rid of the doubts that his troubles seemed to be more difficult than that of others. Pain caused him pain, and pain caused him to fail that test. He touched his forehead with one finger. He loathed this kind of empty time. It made him think.

“Sir Raymond Saytes.”

Fortunately, the wait was soon over.

One person walked closer to Raymond. It was a young apprentice.

“Reverend Dullan has arrived.”

The apprentice quietly informed Raymond, who then turned his head. Steps resounded throughout the cathedral, and the owner of those steps was the man Raymond had been waiting to see. Dullan Roid. Raymond rose from his seat. He came here to meet Dullan. So he could see the priest’s pale face.

“You’re here.”

Raymond tried to say that he was happy to see the man, but he didn’t know if it was something appropriate to say as a greeting. So, he instead held out one hand as a more casual greeting.

“Hello, Reverend Dullan. It’s been a while.”

“……”

However, Dullan just looked down at Raymond’s hand and eventually turned away. It was rude and disrespectful. On the other hand, the apprentice next to him bowed to Raymond, flustered.

“A-Apologies. The Reverend is a little… Please understand, Sir Knight. He’s just…”

The apprentice bowed down in an effort to restrain Raymond. Still, it’s not something he had to apologize for. And most of all, Raymond wasn’t all that upset about this. Compared to this, there was something bigger that Dullan could give him.

“It’s alright.”

It wasn’t as if exchanging pleasantries was important. It was an insignificant thing. Raymond did not usually dwell on something like this.

Instead, Raymond asked the apprentice a much more important question. It was better to get to the point first.

“Is Sir Zion alright?”

What mattered to the young knight was whether his subordinate was still alive.

“Yes, sir.”

And the apprentice gave him the answer he wanted. After worrying about his subordinate thus far, Raymond now looked relieved. After seeing that wide smile on his face, Dullan started walking away, but Raymond hurried behind him.

“Reverend.”

“……”

“Reverend Dullan.”

Dullan paused and glanced at Raymond. Then, he started walking again. However, he didn’t stop Raymond from following him or anything. It was difficult for him to open his mouth to say no. So, Raymond followed Dullan and continued speaking.

“Thank you for saving Sir Zion.”

The knight expressed his gratitude towards the priest. However, Dullan just looked at Raymond and uttered a short reply.

“…It is only my duty.”

“It is also my duty to thank you.”

Raymond tried to clasp the other man’s hand, but Dullan drew back.

“Then please… go now. I-I’ve received your gratitude.”

Dullan looked visibly uncomfortable around Raymond. Well truthfully, it wasn’t all that strange for him to be. There was one such woman by the name of Carynne who acted like a tether between these two men. If it hadn’t been for Carynne, they wouldn’t be as acquainted as they were with each other.

This time, however, the connection they had changed. And Raymond decided to try holding onto that tether tighter.

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“May I ask you more about Sir Zion's condition?”

“H-He’s not in any more danger.”

When their eyes met, Dullan asked something else.

“I b-believe you already sent someone else. Why did you c-come all the way here?”

It was an inquiry as to why Raymond was here. At this, Raymond looked back at Dullan and responded.

“I wanted to convey my gratitude.”

“…And I’ve already accepted it, so you may r-return.”

“Reverend.”

“D-Do you have any o…other business with me?”

The first reason he was here was Zion. However, that wasn’t all, and Dullan knew this. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Raymond lowered his gaze. He came here for a different reason. And it was a reason that might even take more precedence.

Raymond knew what Dullan was insinuating, even if he did not point it out. However, Raymond’s embarrassment should not matter here. He needed to talk to Dullan. Even if it was something that he wanted to avoid.

“I wish to make a confession.”

“…I-I am quite busy right now.”

Dullan was very obviously trying to avoid Raymond, however Raymond had no intention of letting him slip past. This couldn’t be put off any longer.

Raymond couldn’t gauge how much time he had left in his leisure. Crown Prince Gueuze had already started to move. So, Raymond had to talk to Dullan. He needed to confirm it.

“When will you have time?”

“I-I don’t know.”

“I won’t return until you have time.”

Dullan’s face was then painted with displeasure, however, Raymond held out both his hands. He would not back down.

“I wish to make a confession.”

“……”

“Right now.”

Eventually, Raymond managed to persuade the ever-so-timid Dullan to go to a confessional booth.

Taaak.

The air was damp and cool.

The dark confessional booth was made of aged oakwood, thick and heavy, which might bring tranquility to people’s hearts. Raymond sat down and closed his eyes. Through the screen, he waited for Dullan to come in at the other side.

The confessional booths were located at the back, in a quiet place that was separate from the main hall, where most people were. It was a place that not many frequented, and so the confessor and the priest, who would listen, did not usually hide their identities. Still, that’s also why a more diverse set of people tended to come here.

“…I have come here to make a confession to you.”

As Dullan—who was wearing a purple stole—sat across from Raymond at the other side, he opened his lips to speak. It seemed like Dullan didn’t usually hear confessions. Everything about his movements looked awkward.

Even so, when Dullan sat down and faced Raymond, this made Raymond feel a bit peculiar.

What kind of relationship did he and this man have? Back then when they met at the Hare residence, Raymond thought that the man before him was a slightly less sociable man. Then, after that. And, after that as well. As Dullan became entangled with Carynne, Raymond found it difficult to figure out what to think of him. However, there’s something that he needed Dullan to confirm.

“I have sinned.”

“What… What sin have you committed?”

“…I killed someone.”

Raymond told him a sin out of formality. He wasn’t here for this. Both Raymond and Dullan knew. Murder was the greatest sin of man, but not when it was his job. He had committed a greater sin. Raymond thought it was far more serious compared to taking another man’s life.

“I am doubtful of someone.”

“…Who are you d-doubting?”

Raymond looked at Dullan.

“Reverend Dullan. It is you who I am doubting.”

Dullan did not say anything in return.

“I am doubtful of you. I suspect that you are an accomplice to Carynne Hare. That you helped her kill and hide the bodies, that you set fire to the mansion and made Isella Evans become that way.”

Raymond continued, staring through the screen and into Dullan’s dark eyes.

“May I be forgiven for my sins?”

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