Chapter 143

: Childish Gods

Attie was sick, plain and obvious.
She started feeling under the weather since the day before, but she attributed it to being new to Arfin and therefore the Southern Lands after years of growing up in the Steppe. She had chosen to endure it, thinking it would pass. And so she rose early in the morning, wearing a skimpy outfit while she trimmed the lawn and did other household chores relentlessly.
Then she was suddenly blasted by Mias Ice-based magic. Heat from her own body mixed with the cold from Mias magic had escalated the fever. She was only able to maintain her facade of being healthy until after she prepared lunch for them before she finally collapsed on the dining table.
Ever since she lost the protection from the War Gods Sword, her endurance was not dissimilar to any other girl her age. In fact, it might have been a little worse due to her comfortable years living as the King. She could not bear the fever anymore.
Yet, she was still stubbornly struggling to pick up the plates she had accidentally smashed.
Baiyi was, of course, faster than a sickly and feverish servant. He quickly picked her up before she could finish her action. He turned to the other two girls and said simply,
Im taking her to the church.


Th-theres No need for that, M-m-master Its my first day of work, I cant be
Attie protested weakly.
He ignored her bravado and took her to the streets, heading quickly to the church in Arfin.
It was true that Baiyi himself had previously learnt a few healing spells from the Clerics and such in the Void, but those spells required divine providence and the borrowing of Holy Power, and Baiyi was no member of the clergy nor the church.
In other words, only those faithful to the One True God could invoke Holy powers and perform theurgy. Non-believers, however, who dared invoke His power would face His damnation
Baiyi admitted that he was very much averse to the connotation of a divine damnation, thus his avoidance of performing any theurgical spells on his own.
Bringing Attie to the church would be safer, he had reasoned. With his speed, he arrived at the destination in no time at all.
It was a large white complex, solemn and quiet. Perhaps as a symbol of Gods indiscriminating grace, the complex was not guarded by fence, but a garden with lush flowerbeds. By the entrance of the white cathedral there wa an emblem with a palm facing downwards, spreading light and gospel to mankind.
Under the emblem, the official motto of the church was thus inscribed: Where Light Illuminates, Where God Graces. 
It was also the first verse of their scripture. Most people referred to them simply as the Church or The Church of Grace.
It was high noon, when the day was at its hottest. Yet, a long queue could be seen outside the cathedral, formed by the common people, all waiting to have their ailments treated. All they had to give as payment was a simple toss of two coins into the donation box.
The payment had been fixed that way since the founding of the Church. It was also a good way to convert someone into their fellowship as well.
Everyone who was waiting in line had a somber expression. Despite the prickly heat, there were no complaints nor any signs of impatience. Perhaps being on holy ground had compelled men to be on their best behavior.
Baiyi was, of course, disinterested in being on his
best behavior
. With the weakening Attie in his embrace, his meant to dash right into the cathedral.
His feet made its way to the marble stones stairs leading into the building. The footsteps slowed before it slowly stopped.
He was hesitating.
Ever since he was summoned, he had never once entered any ground claimed by this god.
The unfamiliarity posed a possible threat. He could feel an odd vibration in the air even from outside, it seemed that it originated from deep within the complex. If he was not mistaken, it was what the Cleric and other learned Voidwalkers had once mentioned the Holy Ground. The sensation was light and fine, like a benevolent barrier of some kind, yet Baiyis doubt could not be assuaged.
Every church within the realms had a barrier like that.Although it offered no actual boost in defense nor could it protect the faithful if the church was attacked, it always, miraculously, attracted the paladins and the crusaders to it, just like moths to flames. Maybe that was the real purpose of a Holy Ground.
Baiyi glanced at Attie. Her face was flushed and she was seemed unconscious. She could only curl up in his embrace like a newborn fawn as her hand rested limply on his chest plate.
Now is not the time to waver. 
He retracted every sense of his presence, so he could pass himslef off as just another common person, then he started to the door of the cathedral.
Once he stepped on the Holy Ground, he quickly performed a check-up on himself using his Psychic Energy. Nothing seemed to be wrong and he was unaffected. In fact, upon closer inspection, he found out that the Holy Ground barrier was more like a veil draped on the exterior of the church, once inside, the barrier ceased to be.
After ascertaining that there was nothing wrong, he heaved a sigh of relief. Well. Even the One True God cant possibly take care of every corner of the mortal realm, right? 
Baiyi assured himself.
He was just about to resume dashing pass the gate when he was stopped by two guardsmen wearing a crusaders uniform.

Please get in line, sir.
One of them pointed at the long line behind him.

Her condition is too critical for that,
Baiyi replied in a low voice, eyeing Attie again. Her body was shaking as her face contorted into an anguished grimace. She looked so pitiful
A man that was standing in line, closest to the gate, looked at Atties condition and said,
He can take my place, sir. That girl is in pain. Im sure God would not want to see her suffer like this.

The guards nodded, and let Baiyi pass.
The Soul Armature hurried over to the infirmary. Yet, the door was shut as the chaplain in-charge was in the middle of a healing session.
Treating an ailment was more complicated than treating an external injury. It took a lot of time, and at that moment there was no telling how long it would take.
Baiyi shook his head. Time was a luxury he did not have, so he changed direction and sprinted through the northern part of the complex until he found himself in the southern part, where tourists and worshippers freely gathered.
Not caring about all the curious stares, Baiyi stopped one of the ministry apprentice in his duty,
I would like to see a chaplain named Weslie.

Father Weslie was the same Master Level chaplain who had been in the Undine Rescue Party. He had a pointed mouth and Baiyi thought it was very similar to a Siberian weasel 1 
but his faith was as strong as his true power. Not to mention he was considered an acquaintance of Baiyis.
Acquaintance or not, Baiyi had never wanted to ask for help from any clergyman, or involve the church in any of his bussiness. He only asked for help from Father Weasel because of Attie.
The apprentice was stunned for a second before scratching his head in confusion.
We dont have a chaplain named Weslie, sir. Did you remember your friend wrongly?

He glanced at Attie, and was again briefly stunned by her beauty.
If If its about an ailment, you can go to the infirmary,
he added, more earnestly.

No, no. I know theres a pastor called Weslie here. He should have just returned here the day before yesterday.


Just returned? You dont mean the Vicar General himself?

Whatever it is, its that guy who looks like a weasel.
 Well, didnt expect that guy to actually have a position of some kind! Even though its just the Vicar General.


Oh! Um Its him, alright. But If its him, he doesnt usually see anyone,
The young apprentice said apologetically.
Baiyi fixed him with a steely look while he said commandingly,
Tell him, its Hope looking for him. He will see me.

The young man was either compelled by that sudden imposing bearing Baiyi had exuded, or he just couldnt bear seeing the beautiful maiden in Baiyis arms suffering anymore so he turned and hurried away.
Even then, it still took a long time. Baiyi impatiently sat down on a bench, laying Attie on his lap.
He peered at the beautiful murals and stained-glass windows adorning the cathedral. The pictures were all artistic renditions of virtuous heroes and some of them were even familiar to him. For example, there was one that depicted a silhouette of a man who walked alone in the dark, accompanied only by a few souls.
That was the Cleric. The painting was accurate, Baiyi supposed, with a catch… that man of light had fallen to the dark side.
The third time Baiyi wiped away beads of sweat from Atties forehead, Father Weasel finally arrived. He panted as he said,
S-sorry… Huh Master Hope I had some Huh, huh Errands

What, preparing food for your upcoming hibernation? 
Baiyi thought sarcastically. Outwardly, he only looked at Attie.

Not here. T-too many people here, cant perform theurgy here. Lets go there,
the Vicar General said as he wiped sweat off his face and led Baiyi to an empty confession room.
Yet, even after his first invocation, Attie did not look any better. Father Weasel furrowed his eyebrows in bemusement as he repeated it few more times. White light shone on Attie multiple times, but the girl still remained unconscious.

Fetch me some holy water, the one that we used for ourselves,
He turned to the young apprentice standing by his side.
He then turned to Baiyi with an apologetic expression.
Master Hope, this King seemed to present a very odd case. My theurgy seemed to have no effect on her. It is almost as if her body is resisting my help

Baiyi understood what was happening before Father Weasel even finished his sentence.
Its that Mark! 
Either that Mark was keeping the body from receiving any help given by other kind of higher power or the One True God refused to heal a non-believer.
Either way, both the War God and the One True God were pretty childish.