The Secret Code of Monsters.

Chapter 104: Sacraments
Roland is going to a secret meeting with Cinder.

Even though Shandel is a first-ring ritualist, she has never been allowed to come into contact with these new things - if she hadn't been assigned to the Inquisition and Fernandez's team, she probably wouldn't have had this opportunity in the short term.

The people from the Inspectorate wouldn't let her participate.

They can't afford any danger if it happens.

But Fernandez was allowed.

Although he didn't know why the Bishop who stayed in Whitehall all day was determined to arrange his granddaughter to join the team of the Inquisition, or perhaps it was Lady Enid who chose a partner for Roland - why come to the Inquisition?
Why come to this most disrespected yet extremely dangerous place?

Fernandez had no idea what Archbishop Kratov was thinking.

In short, until he received other orders, he would treat Roland and Shandel as official executives.

Get as much practice as possible and interact with as many different kinds of people as possible.

Of course, before this, Fernandez had also analyzed the members of the secret meeting, and there were almost no ones who could pose a threat to Roland and Shandel - if they were careful enough...

Almost nothing.

"Come see me in the evening," he said.

"I have to run some errands. I'll meet you in the courtroom after eight."

Fernandez asked Cinderella to take care of Roland and got out of the car early.

Only Cinder and Roland were left in the carriage.

It's still early.

Shandel discussed with Roland: "Collins, what are your plans? I am going to perform the sacrament today. You can go with me or go home and rest first."

Sacrament?

Roland had heard a lot about this, including giving porridge and money to the suffering people, etc.

"I'll go with you, okay?"

"Of course." Shandel showed a pious look: "Through the sacraments, the mission entrusted to the apostles by the Benefactor can be manifested on earth until the end of the age..."

Roland noticed something different from usual.

Today, Shandel's boots are not as spotless as before, and they even shine in the sun.

Her little boots were covered in dust and mud today.

Dirty boots.

This is so rare.

"What's the matter, Collins?"

"No, nothing." Roland shook his head slightly.

He listened to Shandel giving directions to the driver. After the car turned around at the next intersection, it drove straight to a shameful place in the East District.

"Do you go there every day?"

Shandel smiled: "I can understand your doubts, Collins. You have just joined the Inquisition and have spent all your time finding the way and carrying out missions. But I want to say, and I hope, that you can pay more attention to the doctrines: As ritualists in the realm of mercy, what we practice is what all living beings bathed in the glory of the Benefactor should practice..."

She raised her head slightly, with an indelible look of holiness and piety on her face.

"You may be with me in every sacrament if you wish."

Roland asked, "How do you help them?"

Shandel said: "Bring the drowning to the shore, and relieve the suffering. Guide their souls, heal their bodies..."

Roland asked again: "What is the difference between ritualists and ordinary monks?"

"The ritualists have a greater purpose," said Shandel.

The more he asked, the more the topic went beyond Roland's knowledge.

To be honest, he only memorized the most basic and important doctrines, and as for understanding them in depth...

He never had it.

He could not understand Shandel Kratov.

In the Inquisition, what he could see was the hatred that Fernandez and his other brothers and sisters had for the cultists - but he did not see, nor did he think, how devout they were to the Father of All.

Simultaneously.

In the case of Chandel Kratov, in the Church, the exact opposite happened.

As for the Parliament of Truth.

Maybe both, or maybe...

"Be careful, Collins."

Shandel touched his chest and smiled: "A heart that is kind, a heart that is compassionate, sympathetic, and hopes that others can be saved. I can see the kindness in your heart, Collins. You just need to patiently nurture the kindness in your soul, and one day you will be able to feel the same mission as me..." "Why can't I see any kindness in the heart of this golden-eyed cat man? All he has on his mind now is killing, killing, killing."
-
Please respect me a little.

"I just don't... Roland, there's something wrong with her."
-
Who?
"The masked lady next to you."
-
Kratov? She's normal?
-
Oh, I see.
-
Miss Nina shouldn't have these memories, right? -
This is what devout believers are like.
-
Don't make a fuss.

"Idiot, of course it's in Su Yue's memory! I said something is wrong, it's not this."
-
what is that?
"I guess you'll find out soon enough."

The words are hesitant.

"Roland, do you still remember..."

"The Judgment Criteria... I mean, what the ritualists of the Holy Flame Path need to pay, do you remember?"
-
It's mercy.

"That's right."

"You have experienced firsthand the cost of 'fantasy'. It takes away your reality."

"So, have you ever thought about..."

"What is the price of 'mercy'?"

The path of "sainthood" that Shandel Kratov embarked on, the so-called scar of mortal nature, the nail that pierced into the soul and made it fall to powder...

cost…

The wheels stopped.

Shandel found a stall, bought some bread and two small bags of sausages, and then led Roland to the poorest part of the East End - old Collins and the shoemaker rarely dared to come here.

This is where the real 'poverty' lies.

Compared to this area, my uncle and Mr. Cordoni can be called "rich men".

'Don't go that way.'

"There is nothing there except wild dogs and even more filthy and violent ones." He warned Roland: "Especially at night, don't go there."

Even the carriages would choose to take a detour.

This area seems to have been forgotten by the city.

However, Shandel didn't seem to care about the eyes around her staring at her: hungry, numb, malicious and...

Bestial, naked plunder.

The girls hid in the townhouses or wooden tents, or in their mothers' arms, with half of their faces exposed, staring greedily at the two people who had strayed into the place.

There were more direct ones, wrapped in cloth bags or ill-fitting clothes, barefoot, following up and looking at Shandel and Roland as if they were prey.

If it were in the dark, it would be green eyes.

Roland touched his waist slightly, exposing half of the gun handle.

He is familiar with this kind of life and knows how to deal with these people.

Now, he is not afraid anymore.

However, guns could only temporarily delay the increasingly dangerous situation - as they went deeper and deeper, people were catching up with them from all sides.

They were not too far away, and some of them were young. Roland could see the eagerness to try on their faces.

"Kratov."

Roland called out softly, "I don't recommend going any deeper."

He had heard Yam talk about similar group madness, especially when people were hungry to a certain extent. If you were really identified as "food" by the beast, your fate would be extremely miserable.

The wind blew the torn canvas and hit the broken wooden pole, making a rustling sound.

The surrounding area gradually became dilapidated.

Roland even saw short arms in a steaming pot.

——'Even heaven has shadows.'

The same words expressed different meanings when spoken by different people.

Gentlemen usually say it in a regretful tone - when the topic comes to 'We are so rich, but there are still poor people in this city';

And the 'gentlemen' in the workhouse puffed out their chests - when someone asked 'how did you get to this point'.

"Kratov."

Roland had no choice but to pull out his gun.

"We can't go any deeper."

Shandel said softly, "There's no need to look inward anymore."

She stopped, looked around, and shook her tied pockets.

(End of this chapter)