The failure of the war brought huge losses to Schicksal. To compensate for the organization's losses, Schicksal issued "Indulgences," further intensifying the extortion in the name of faith. The conflict between the people and Schicksal grew increasingly fierce.
Because of the war, Otto's talents were discovered by Schicksal, and he became an important figure in the organization.
As for Kallen... because of the war's failure, all the blame was placed on her. Kallen became a sinner in Schicksal's eyes and was despised by the management. They did not hide their malice towards Kallen at all, even daring to taunt her in the streets.
Every time Kallen went out, Otto would find various reasons to accompany her, doing his best to shield her from this malice.
One day, as Kallen and Otto were walking down the street, Kallen, who was looking around, accidentally bumped into a boy carrying apples.
The boy fell, and the apples scattered all over the ground. Kallen quickly apologized to the boy, helped him pick up the apples, and then asked with a smile if he was hurt.
But when the boy saw the Schicksal emblem on Kallen's clothes, he was so frightened that he ran away without even taking the apples.
"Did you see how panicked that child was?" "To think she would go after such a small child for just a few apples..."
People gathered around, pointing fingers at Kallen and whispering among themselves. Perhaps some had seen the truth, but after recognizing Kallen as a member of Schicksal, they too joined in the verbal attacks.
Kallen couldn't understand why these people, who had treated her with such courtesy just a short while ago, were now relentlessly condemning her.
"It's probably because Schicksal has been forcing people to buy 'Indulgences' recently.
Schicksal claims that everyone is born with sin and will continue to make new mistakes throughout their lives. These sins will accompany them for their entire lives, and Schicksal has the responsibility to purify their souls.
So those who did not participate in the war must offer wealth of equal value to complete their redemption," Otto explained, seeing the confusion in Kallen's heart.
Otto looked at the Schicksal emblem on Kallen's chest. It was once her pride, but now it had become the source of her guilt.
Otto had understood long ago, during the war, that humanity has only ever had one enemy: humanity itself.
"User of the Key, think carefully, what is it that you truly wish to protect." The words that the Azure Empyrea had said to her surfaced in Kallen's mind.
"Otto... do you think... this is right?"
Otto couldn't answer Kallen's question. The truth was merciless and cruel, and for Kallen, it would be enough to destroy her faith.
But fortunately, Otto knew Kallen well enough to know what to do in such situations.
"Kallen, why don't we go get something to eat first? It's not good to think on an empty stomach," Otto said, trying to distract Kallen.
As soon as Kallen heard the word "eat," her previously sorrowful face immediately lit up. She raised her hands in joy.
"Okay!!"
Otto took Kallen to a shop called "Greebuckscoffee." The two of them ordered many desserts, but almost all of them were placed in front of Kallen, while Otto only had a small cake and a cup of coffee.
Kallen ate with great joy. In the time it took Otto to take a few sips of his coffee, Kallen had already swept clean the entire table of desserts in front of her.
Otto put down his coffee and found Kallen staring eagerly at... the small cake in front of him.
This made both of them sweat a little awkwardly. Otto helplessly passed the small cake to Kallen. Kallen accepted it without a hint of embarrassment and swallowed it in one bite.
"Ah~ I'm so full, so full," Kallen said, patting her little belly with satisfaction.
At times like this, Otto would just silently watch Kallen from the side. No words, but with the utmost gentleness.
Just then, Kallen and Otto were drawn by the sound of crying.
"Please, just a few more days," a woman pleaded, holding her child, to a sleazy-looking priest.
"Why haven't you bought an Indulgence yet? Your husband's sins must be paid for by someone," the priest, Victor, said, ignoring the woman's desperate pleas and insisting she buy an Indulgence immediately.
"How about... we let Sasha work at the church for a while! That way, your husband's sins can be redeemed as well," Victor said with a lewd smile, reaching out for the little girl in the woman's arms.
But the woman bit Victor's hand hard. The exasperated Victor raised his hand to slap her.
"What are you doing!!"
With a loud smack, Kallen slapped Victor's hand away and then said coldly, "You, a priest of Schicksal, dare to assault an innocent woman and child in public! What do you think you're doing!"
Victor recognized the girl questioning him. He sneered at her, "Oh? Lost a battle outside, but you're quite imposing towards your own people, aren't you, my lady Knight~
What we're doing now is just cleaning up the mess you all left behind!"
"What did you say?!" Kallen was shocked and confused.
She wanted to question Victor further about what was going on, but Otto pulled her arm.
Otto glared at Victor, who was immediately too scared to move. He finally muttered a threat and left quickly.
After Victor left, Kallen immediately went to help the frightened mother and daughter up from the ground. But the woman just looked at Kallen with a blank, dim expression and said, "I'm sorry, we're closed."
Then she took Sasha back into the shop, locked the door, and ignored Kallen.
"How can something so absurd happen? Innocent people being burdened with sins..."
Kallen was a bit lost, but then she gritted her teeth in anger, her fists clenched. "And those who truly deserve to be punished are not being held accountable at all..."
*Pat—*
Otto patted Kallen and held her face with both hands, making her look at him. "I know what you're thinking, Kallen. But such a naive idea as an eye for an eye won't change anything."
"Come with me, I have something to show you."
Taking Kallen's hand, Otto led her away.
With his arm around Kallen, they stood in the crowd of the square, watching a masked person performing on stage.
It was Shakespeare, who had recently risen to fame.
"A person can look like an angel on the outside.
But they might be hiding themselves deep within their heart."
......
"They move like vipers, they feast like starving rats.
For their own benefit, they indulge without restraint, extort with insatiable greed, and disregard the lives of others!"
Shakespeare drew the sword from his waist and pointed its tip at Kallen, who was in the audience wearing a Schicksal Valkyrie uniform.
"Let me—the sword-wielding arbiter of justice—cut the throat of your theocracy!!"
Kallen was shaken by Shakespeare's speech. She felt as if something inside her was about to awaken.
But at that moment, the crowd became agitated.
"Seize her! She's the one who's been slandering Schicksal everywhere!"
A group of priests rushed out from the crowd and pinned Shakespeare to the ground.
Shakespeare's mask had been knocked off as she was pinned down, but she still shouted defiantly, "The people will not be deceived by you like this anymore!!"
Seeing Shakespeare about to be arrested, Kallen was frantic. She wanted to save Shakespeare.
Just then, she saw Shakespeare's fallen mask.