NOVEL NEXT Chapter 95: The Clergy Siblings
Holy Capital's outer city, Ninth District.
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 is clustered in front of a charity booth, eagerly waiting for the young female priest to distribute today's black bread.
The female priest appears to be about eighteen or nineteen years old, her delicate and youthful face exuding a maturity and steadiness beyond her years.
She called out to several preteen boys and girls, organizing the scene, while distributing the black bread to the children coming to receive it in order:
"Don't fight, don't snatch, there's enough bread today, everyone gets some, line up to receive it, two pieces each, and remember to eat them all here before going back."
The malnourished children gathered around the young priest.
They took the black bread whilst voraciously devouring it, chatting endlessly:
"Thank you, Sister Susan!"
"It's my turn! It's my turn!"
"Wow! There's raisins in today's bread! So tasty!"
"Sister Susan, two pieces of bread aren't enough for me, can I have two more?"
"Me too, me too, I'd like to take two more black breads home!"
"..."
Priest Susan, while coordinating the teenagers in distributing the bread, patiently answered the children's questions:
"You're welcome, eat slowly, don't choke, there's water with Jason if you're thirsty, go have some."
"No rush, everyone will get some."
"Two more pieces? Peter, you want to take some for the sick Rachel, right? Don't worry, I will arrange for Rachel later, just finish your bread here."
"I'm sorry, Oliver, Grey Swan's bread is only for the children of this district; the rule can't be broken. You want to take it for your mom, right? I heard your mom got injured working recently; I'll come by your home after the charity ends to check on things."
"Everyone must eat here before leaving! If you don't want your black bread to get snatched away!"
As Susan distributed the bread to the children, she seriously advised them.
In the distance, some haggard-faced tramps also watched the black bread charity booth eagerly.
Of course, they didn't approach but waited patiently, though a few could hardly resist coming forward to ask for bread; yet when their gaze fell upon the delicate young priest, they refrained obediently.
All the tramps in the Ninth District knew that the charity rules of the Grey Swan Orphanage couldn't be broken.
Only children could receive the black bread distributed there, and they must finish it before leaving.
This rule was established by the Russo siblings of the orphanage.
The Russo siblings were both clergy in the Church and were quite famous in this district.
The sister, Susan Russo, was a First Tier priest of the Church, and the brother, Daniel Russo, was a Second Tier Judgement Knight.
Since the two, both orphans themselves, took over the Grey Swan Orphanage, it became the main charity point for children in the Ninth District, and due to the siblings' associations with the Church, no rash bullies or rogues dared to bother the orphanage usually.
The bread distribution took about an hour.
Finally, when the last child had received their bread, Susan's eyes turned to the eager tramps in the distance.
She glanced at the remaining quarter of black bread, sighed, and said:
"You... can come over, as usual, the elderly, women, and the sick and disabled have priority."
The eyes of the tramps lit up.
They quickly swarmed in, praising the young girl and the Holy Royal Court, as they excitedly queued up to receive the remaining black bread.
Another round of busy distribution followed.
After all the bread was distributed, Priest Susan and the orphanage's teenagers were already exhausted.
Though the prestigious backgrounds of the clergy siblings meant no one around dared to cause trouble, maintaining order required significant energy.
However, the teenagers were quite delighted, as helping others in the Ninth District was a very joyful act for those raised in Church education.
Only Susan looked worried, with traces of sadness in her brows and eyes.
After finishing the charity work, Susan led the teenagers back to the yard.
Once the orphans were settled in, she returned to her room to look through the accounts.
"You seem troubled, sister. Did you encounter any issues at today's charity?"
A steady voice sounded, and a Judgement Knight garbed in a red divine robe had entered the room without notice.
"Brother!"
Susan was filled with joy.
But shortly after, worry appeared on her face, and she sighed:
"There's indeed a bit of trouble; recent times have seen more homeless in the district than before. Even with our divine hall offerings combined, the orphanage is struggling with shortages."
"I've told you before, you don't have to take care of everyone; we only need to ensure the children are looked after. As for the others, we don't have the extra energy."
The Judgement Knight said.
"But since we've seen them, let's help a bit if we can. The Divine Lord teaches us to be compassionate, selfless, and giving. If we can help them more, more people will be able to survive in this world."
Susan said.
The Judgement Knight was silent for a moment, then said:
"Next month, my offerings to the Divine Hall will be a bit more. It should ease the orphanage's financial pressure somewhat."
Susan looked hesitant.
After hesitating for a moment, she looked earnestly at her brother:
"Brother, tell me the truth. Did you take on some 'private work' from the Judgement Court?"
"The financial pressure on the orphanage is indeed great, but if you took on those 'private tasks,' I'll be angry."
"I know you don't have much faith in the Royal Court, but there are some things we cannot do. The Divine Lord teaches us to be upright and righteous, we..."
"Susan, I know your faith is devout, but you haven't seen the dark side of the Royal Court. Some things... you won't understand."
The Judgement Knight interrupted the young priestess, saying:
"I haven't done those things you worry about, rest assured. In a way, it's also for the children's future."
"The Holy Royal Court has rotted to its core. Otherwise, the number of wanderers in the Holy Capital wouldn't be increasing year after year. But soon, it won't be long; everything will get better eventually."
With that, he donned a black cloak and turned to leave.
Susan's expression slightly changed:
"Brother!"
She stepped forward, blocking the Knight's path, and said with a serious expression:
"Tell me honestly, are you involved in some bad organization? I've already inquired that the offerings you bring back each month are now twice that of other Judgement Knights of the same rank."
The Judgement Knight was somewhat silent.
He reached out, gently stroked the girl's hair, and his voice softened:
"Don't worry, I've merely been chosen to guard the judgement dungeon. As you know, the offerings there are higher than outside."
"But I'm really worried, brother. Ever since you were promoted to Second Tier Judgement Knight, it seems like you've changed. You've become silent, reserved, and even your aura has become cold and unfamiliar."
Susan said.
After she finished, she locked eyes with the Knight, staring intently into his eyes:
"Brother, I haven't seen you use Holy Power in a long time. I hope you tell me the truth, have you... abandoned the faith of the Holy Royal Court? Are you unable to wield the Holy Power anymore?"
The Judgement Knight sighed:
"Does that... really matter?"
"Of course it matters! You're a Judgement Knight! A clergy of the Church! You haven't really started believing in some heresy, have you?!"
Susan said worriedly:
"Lately, I keep having nightmares every night. I dream of a sea of blood, of you covered in blood, sinking, being devoured by horrible monsters..."
"I dream of District Nine engulfed in flames, of endless monsters filling the streets, of them slaughtering residents..."
"I dream that... everyone is dead."
"I'm very worried, I'm really worried, brother. I hope you're not hiding anything from me. What exactly are you doing, what on earth is the Judgement Court doing?"
The Judgement Knight softened:
"Susan..."
"Don't be afraid. Nothing will happen to me. I haven't turned to heresy. I've just found the right path, the true faith..."
"No! All heretic believers say that! You really believe in heresy now! You've truly abandoned the faith! You can't do this! You'll be judged as a heretic! You'll be executed on the Fire Execution Platform!"
Susan said anxiously.
"Rest assured, sister, I won't be judged. I'm on the right path, one that even the Great Judge acknowledges as True Believers."
The Judgement Knight said.
Saying this, his expression gradually turned solemn, and his eyes grew firm and fervent:
"I haven't abandoned justice and goodness. On the contrary, I just want change, to save the now gradually fallen Church."
"I've found the true light, the true sun, the true sacredness."
"I know you don't understand me now, but please do not panic. Change is coming soon. When that time comes, the divine will descend, and everything will be good, and you'll understand everything..."
"I have to go. That so-called 'Saintess' from the Falling Star Kingdom is coming to the Church Authority Country. I've received a secret mission from the Judgement Court. I'll be busy for a while and might not be able to return to the orphanage for a long time."
"Of course, I'll send the monthly offerings on time."
"If you encounter difficulties, go to the Judgement Court in District Nine for me. Even if I'm not there, everything will be arranged. My team of Judgement Knights will settle everything for you."
The Judgement Knight said.
After saying that, he turned and left the orphanage.