Before I could answer Rushian stands up and speaks. "Father Patrick. This is Altaris. He is new, he doesn't know things here."
The father's eyes become even more hungry. "A new kid, huh? Hehe. Come, I show you how to take a vow. Do this and I will give sweets to everyone."
All the other kids become energized at the mention of sweets. I tightly grip my hands. 'How? This isn't the holy church that I knew. This has to be fraud. Yes. It has to be… And I am going to stop it.' I stand up, mana raging in every part of my body. 'I don't care if I pass out again, such demonic practice has to be stopped.'
Just as I raise my hand to conjuncture a spell, Rushian holds my hand. Annoyed, I shrug his hand off. But only to my surprise he held it again.
With a complicated expression, Rushian shook his head.
"Why are you doing thi-"
A loud knock echoes in the church walls. Father Patrick clicks his tongue as he gets up. "Which bastard has decided to show up now?"
After the father is gone, everyone continues their dinner with lots of chattering. I grab Rushian's neck and pulls it aggressively. "Why did you stop me?"
"Y-You can't hurt Father Patrick."
I lose my cool and strengthen my grip. "What do you mean by that? Are you working for the church too?"
Tears began forming in the poor boy's eyes due to extreme pain. "N-No… B-But i-if you hurt F-Father Patrick, he won't f-feed us dinner anymore. Please."
"What?" I turn my head around and see kids playing, joking while eating good food. They all seem genuinely happy to trade their blood for one time's food. I release Rushian and grab my head in confusion. 'What is even happening? Kids are offering their blood for apostles on their own accord. Is this even considered a crime?'
I take a glance at Rushian. The boy is coughing loudly as he tries to breathe. 'He, the victim himself stepped up to defend the Father.' I put my utensils down and turn around to leave.
Rushian, once again reaches out to stop me. "Please don't tell this to anyone. Not Alexia or brother Melsier."
I nod at Rushian before walking away. Infront of the main door, I see Melsier and Alexia having a conversation with Father Patrick. "Altaris? Why are you here?" Melsier notices me and asks.
"It's nothing. I just lost my appetite from traveling."
"Really? Your face looks pale?" Alexia walks up to me, she reaches out to touch my face. "Do you feel sick? Father Patrick can use holy magic-"
I quickly step away. "Yes! I am fine. I be fine. Just need some fresh air."
I do not wait for anymore questions and step outside the church.
"Hehe. Kids these days. They can be so unpredictable." Father Patrick remarks.
Just outside the house, I sit on the fence, glazing at the stars above. Thinking about my actions. 'Justice used to be so easy. Everything was black and white. I had the power to deliver rightful justice. People used to praise me for my actions. But now… I just got criticized for those same actions.'
My thought process got interrupted as I sensed a disturbance in mana flow of my surroundings. I noticed who it is but decided not to react. Rushian silently came and sat beside me. We sat in silence for couple seconds before the boy spoke. "Are you hungry?"
"No…. How is your neck?" I ask.
Rushian smiles at me. "It's nothing! I am a big boy now. I don't get hurt easily."
I glance at him and chuckle. "Are you a big boy?"
Rushian proudly taps his own chest. "Yes! I am the oldest boy after brother Melsier!"
"But Alexia is older than you."
"She is not a boy."
"True…. Hey. I am sorry that I hurt you. I shouldn't have reacted like that." Rushian shakes his head.
"Umm. Hmm. I know you were protecting us. Father Patrick is doing something wrong. I know it."
I gently pat Rushian's head. "And how do you know it?"
"Father Patrick is hurting us. A real father of church would never hurt children. Big sister Helen told me."
"That's right. But why are you protecting him?"
"Because… Because." The little one's voice slowly died out, barely audible. "That's the only way!"
"What do you mean?" I ask in a calm voice.
"E-Everyone complained everyday that food was not enough. I know brother Melsier and big sister Helen are working hard. Alexia told me. B-But they still couldn't bring enough food for everyone. The nuns in the orphanage once told me that kids should never sleep hungry or they stop growing. I-I want to grow tall! Taller than brother Melsier. Taller anyone."
My eyes dimmed as I guessed the conclusion.
"I-I started asking for food in the village… but it still wasn't enough. One day I reached out to Father Patrick, he promised to give me food every two days if I vow to the church and make sacrifices."
"Then what happened?"
Rushian covered his face and started crying as he talked. "I-I got the food. It was tasty. T-Tastier than ever. So I wanted to share this with everyone. But the father refused. L-Left with no choice, I made everyone vow. T-To eat delicious food…. Please. Don't tell this to brother Melsier. I-I don't want to starve anymore."
Rushian held my shirt and I pulled him closer into a hug. We sat there for quite a long time.
Later, Melsier and Alexia along with others came. Everyone had their bellies filled which helped them get a good night's sleep. Early in the morning, I woke up to the sounds of everyone crying. "UWAA!" "Why are you going brother Melsier?" "Please don't go!"
Melsier was saying goodbye to everyone. Alexia stood at the door firmly, not a tear on her face.
'Such an actor.' I smirk as I knew Alexia was having a tough time not to cry.
Melsier looked at me. "I leave them to you."
I nod.
"I left my sword for you. Use it well."
Kela reaches out to Melsier as he hops on horseback. "I talked with Father Patrick, he agreed to feed you all everyday for a month."
Alexia notices my grim face.
"Then take care everyone." The kids waves at Melsier's figure as it disappears in the distance.
"Now everyone. Come inside." Alexia leads the children into the house. "Hey, Altaris. Come inside, the weather is not looking good."
"Go on. I have some work. Rushian fetch Melsier sword."
"What work? Come inside now or I will complain to brother Melsier."
Rushian clumsily drags the heavy sword outside. I pick it up and turn to Alexia. "I will be late for lunch."
"Noo! Come back! Altaris!!!" I run on the mud path, lighting flashes in the distance. I enhance my muscle mass using mana to increase my overall speed. 'The only way, huh?'
Tarma was reading a book on his bed, when a loud thunderbolt strikes in a distance. "Looks like the weather is bad again." He stands up and closes the window. But sees another figure sitting on his bed now which makes him smile.
"Took you long enough, Altaris."