--AN) 14+ advanced chapters on https://www.patreon.com/invayne --
"Oh? Is there a problem with the race that the goddess herself gave me?" Shizuku tilted her head and asked. Her voice was slightly cold. "Goddess Yunni told me there is no difference between the races. Only those who see fault with a race will see a difference. So, Miss Priestess, tell me… What is wrong with being a Fallen? What is wrong with being a vampire?"
Shizuku's red eyes began to glow as she flicked one of her fangs with her tongue. She grinned mischievously as she looked at the old hag. "You see where we come from, race is nothing. It is not the deciding factor in what a person can do. In this world, from what I am told, you have many races, some of which you call the Fallen. Just because you deem them evil, they suddenly become evil? But do they all not get classes and gifts and believe in Goddess Yunni? Priestess, please tell me what is so much different from a fallen and the other races? You eat. You shit. You have sex. Give birth. You go about your daily tasks. Is it because a vampire drinks blood? Or because an undead should not be alive? Is it their fault for being born the way they are?"
Shizuku stood up and stepped forward, causing the old hag to take a step back. "I will not try to get involved in your political matters or anything that deals with your stupid hero summoning. Since you deem me as someone who should not be around, then why not do me a favor? Give me gold and a letter of introduction so I can live out my days in this world that you summoned me here to without getting involved. I do not need much, just enough to know I can survive until I get used to this world. I think this is a fair assumption, right? I mean, who would want a 'FALLEN' amongst their ranks?"
"This….. " The old hag, Helen, looked at Shizuku with a complicated expression. She had to admit what Shizuku said did make sense. They were all creations of their goddess, whether she liked it or not. The holy kingdom also has this in its doctrine, but it is completely ignored. "Fine, we will give you what you need to live off of and a letter of recommendation. I am sorry, but because of your race now, we can not allow you to fight amongst our ranks, as you have said. But you are also right. We summoned you, and our goddess gave you a fallen race for one reason or another. Since this is the case, my Holy Kingdom of Vandale will not turn its back on you."
"Then I will be waiting for money and the letter then." Shizuku nodded as she looked around at her classmates. She felt bad for just up and leaving, but for now, it would be safer for them to be here protected by these churchy people as long as they do not dare to pull any random shit. She was only one person. There was no way she could help everyone. But maybe one day she could come back and help. When that day would come, she did not know, but she would try to grow stronger since she was now armed with the information to do so.
"You do not need to wait. It would be best if you left immediately." Helen did not want Shizuku to cause a riot amongst the heroes. With a wave of her hand, she had someone quickly go do what was asked. Another two priestesses walked over and motioned for Shizuku to follow them.
"It's kind of funny how quickly you can kick a person out when they no longer fit your ideals. This is how kingdoms fall, you know." With a mocking smile, Shizuku's now hair swayed gently as she followed the two priestesses. Helen looked at Shizuku's mocking grin and clenched her fists. The words said just now were words that would normally get a person killed, but because Shizuku was a summoned hero, she could not touch her, at least not within the holy sanctuary. Once she leaves the city, that is a different story.
Shizuku took one last glance at Miyumi and hoped she would be okay. She had to find a chance to try to get her out of this place if she could. Luckily, Goddess Yunni was willing to grant her selfish requests. It might not be much, but she hoped it would keep Miyumi alive.
"Your gold and letter of introduction will be here soon. Please wait here." One of the priestesses announced as Shizuku was basically pushed into a waiting room. The door was quickly closed and locked before Shizuku could even say a word.
"Tch… A bunch of bitches." Shizuku walked over to the cough in the center of the room and sat down. There was a display of pastries on the table, which she did not dare to eat. She could not trust people who did not like her kind. "It would have been nice if they at least told me how to check my stats. They are basically kicking me out without much information, but then again, I can probably ask someone. Well, at least the couch is comfortable."
Shizuku leaned back and closed her eyes. An hour or so later, her now slightly pointed ears twitched when she heard footsteps walking her way. The door to the room she was in was unlocked, and a priest with a tray walked in with someone else she knew very well.
"Miyumi?" Shizuku tilted her head in surprise. She did not think that they would let anyone come and see her.
"Shizuku! What happened!? You…. No, never mind that; I heard you were being kicked out! Like, what the hell is going on!?" Miyumi looked like a mess, which made Shizuku frown.
Shizuku walked over and hugged Miyumi, and gently whispered in her ear. "I will be back. Until then, wait for me. Do not trust these people, but do as they say for now since it will keep you safe. I will try to figure something out."
"But…." Miyumi bit her lip. How can she let go of the girl she has been secretly in love with for so many years? But she still couldn't bring herself to say anything.
"Miyumi… Trust me. And if anything bad happens, do this….." After whispering one last thing into Miyumi's ear, she turned and took the brown sack that was tied with a simple thread and the letter before giving the priest an order, "Have someone lead me out."
The priest glared at her but still nodded his head. "A guard will see you out of the cathedral."
Shizuku laughed as she patted the priest's cheek and said: "You should smile more. Maybe you could get a wife."
As Shizuku walked away, she could hear the priest curse under his breath. "Dirty Fallen dares to act all high and mighty! Just you wait!"
Shizuku chuckled before tossing the bag of coins up and down ever so slightly in the palm of her hand. "Kind of heavy. I guess they did not shortchange me, at least."