章 8: A Demon and the Church
As they made their way towards the church, Desmond observed that the path they walked on was meticulously maintained, consisting of pristine white stones that seemed to lead straight to heaven. The road exhibited no signs of imperfections such as rogue stones, cracks, or moss stains, giving it a clean and well-cared-for appearance.
The sides of the road were adorned with alluring shops, each offering unique attractions. Desmond's attention was captured by a shop that showcased miniature human toys that moved on their own, designed primarily for children. He also noticed flower shops where the flowers seemed to dance and sway as if influenced by magic.
However, despite the enticing surroundings, Desmond couldn't help but feel that the road was unnaturally "clean." There were no beggars or soldiers patrolling the area, creating an eerie sense of abandonment. It appeared more like a picturesque facade than a bustling street.
The group then arrived at a particular shop where Alice eagerly disembarked from her father's back to select her desired toy. Bastian's crew encircled the shop, obstructing Desmond's view of the surrounding shops and their conditions. His mother, displaying a hint of unease, kept a watchful eye on their surroundings.
Desmond found it difficult to comprehend why his father was indulging his sister's desires in what could potentially be enemy territory. In his understanding, it seemed logical to swiftly conduct their business and minimize exposure to potential threats. However, he reminded himself that Alice was just a child, naturally getting excited about new places and experiences.
...
After a few minutes of waiting for Alice to choose her favorite toy, the group resumed their journey towards the church. As they walked, Desmond finally noticed some signs of beggars along the way. On the other side of the road, he caught glimpses of a dark alley filled with ragged clothes and swarming flies. Despite his father's crew attempting to block his view, Desmond couldn't help but witness the dire conditions of the beggars throughout their entire walk.
Desmond's eyes were drawn to a particular beggar who stood out from the others. Intrigued, he commanded the system to scan the beggar, noting his unique appearance with a horn on his head and a shadow attached to his posterior.
The system quickly provided the scanned information:
[Name: ???
Gender: ???
Age: ???
Race: Demon
Class: ???
Occupation: ???
Demon Energy: 3.65
Strength: 5.00
Agility: 2.00
Stamina: 0.50]
Confirming that the beggar was indeed a demon, Desmond was taken aback. He couldn't help but wonder why demons were allowed to live in this city. In his previous world's novels, demons and humans were depicted as constant adversaries. However, in this world, it seemed that humans coexisted with some demons, even if they were reduced to beggars.
With no immediate response from the system, Desmond realized he would have to seek information independently to understand this peculiar situation. Shifting his attention away from the demon, he finally caught sight of the church ahead.
...
The church stood tall, basking in the sunlight, its brilliance accentuated by the white-paved roads. Neither too large nor too small, it boasted a small courtyard where a blonde-haired sister was seen diligently sweeping with a broom.
As Desmond and his group arrived at the church, the sister's attention was immediately drawn to them. When she turned around, the sight of her beauty left Bastian's crew momentarily speechless. The sister possessed sleek blonde hair that shimmered in the sunlight, delicate pink lips that appeared alluring, and a perfectly proportioned figure that accentuated her curves.
If not for her hands tightly gripping the broom, and the elegant sweep of her long robe, they might have mistaken her for a celestial goddess. The sight of her commanded attention, causing the onlookers to involuntarily cast their gaze between her and her sister, almost comparing the two.
The lady, cloaked in a veil, exuded an air of regality that made her beauty appear even more resplendent than her sister's. It was undeniable that both women possessed stunning features, but their temperaments diverged, each with its unique allure.
Even Bastian, who prided himself on his resistance to beauty's allure, found himself momentarily entranced, his senses momentarily dulled by their ethereal presence.
"Oh my, what do we have here?" The sister's words danced upon her lips, accompanied by a smile as radiant as the midday sun. However, the sight brought a crease to Leona's brow.
Stepping forward, Desmond cradled in her arms, Leona addressed her sister. "Good morning, sister. I seek to discern the traits my son possesses. Can you assist me with that now?" As she spoke, her eyes surreptitiously darted towards the closed doors of the church, aware of the hymns flowing from within. They had arrived too early, and disturbing the sacred morning peace felt impolite.
"Wahh, what a handsome baby. May I have the honor of touching him?" Instead of directly addressing Leona's inquiry, the sister's gaze fixated upon Desmond, her eyes twinkling with adoration.
No, please don't lay your hands upon me, Desmond's thoughts echoed fiercely within. A foreboding sensation washed over him, as if some untoward event would unfold if she were to make contact with his fragile form.
"My apologies, but we find ourselves pressed for time. If the church remains closed, we shall take our leave," Leona responded, her voice laced with a tinge of annoyance, her focus momentarily drawn to the sister's swaying bosom.
Was she so audacious as to ignore her question and now seek to caress her baby?
"Oh! I'm sorry, indeed. Please, follow me now," the sister quickly realized her misstep, the hostility in Leona's gaze piercing her conscience.
Turning her gaze towards the church's entrance, she spotted several men, standing resolute in a protective formation, encircling the holy grounds from all directions.
"But for now, only you and your family may enter. We have limited space to accommodate the rest," the sister's smile remained unwavering as her gaze shifted towards Desmond's father's crew.
Was it just his imagination, or did a wave of negativity wash over him? There was an unsettling sensation that those affiliated with the church might harbor ill intentions towards them.
Desmond couldn't shake off the feeling, drawing upon his knowledge from the novels he had read. Churches often concealed hidden motives, secrets lurking beneath their pious façade.
Bastian and Leona exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them. In this brief interaction, they reached a consensus, and Bastian swiftly conveyed his instructions to his crew.
The crew members nodded in acknowledgement, swiftly dispersing around the perimeter of the church. What was initially intended as a protective formation now transformed into a comprehensive safeguarding of the entire ecclesiastical structure, leaving no direction vulnerable.
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