Cannot Escape the Devil - Chapter 6. Uninvited guests

Apart from having a bad relationship with the church, it was impossible to be separated with it completely.  The church was a politically neutral organization, even if it was an area with bad political relations, it was impossible to criticize or put pressure on the authority of the church. It was the same with the emperor and other lords and great nobles of the territory. The provision of cooperation in need of each other is a part of the law, and even if there was an internal disagreement, external cooperation must be maintained.

“The tour group will arrive soon,” Marshall told Edwin.

After a while, the tour group dispatched from the church finally arrived. The tour of the territory, where the church regularly sent priests to, was a part of cooperation in all domains. Although it may not be pleasing for members of the church to go around the territory, it cannot be prevented and should not be prevented. In any case, many patients in the territory needed the care of the priests. In particular, since August was an outskirt facing the wall, it had to be managed more carefully. If an infected person by demons happened inside the wall and a plague spread, it could spread into a catastrophe.

“The tour group is expected to stay for about a week. The total number of plague patients who need medical treatment is thirty, and twenty-two out of thirty are knights who have gone on the expedition. All of them have been quarantined at the treatment isolation centre. I will join the quarantine right away to help with treatment.” Marshall said.

“Where will they be staying ?” Edwin asked.

“The men will stay in a monastery and women in a convent. Each monastery and convent seems to be ready to welcome the guests.”

Edwin, who was looking at the guest’s list, frowned at a name.

“Why did the bishop come in person?”

It was common for monks and saints led by priests to go around the territory but rarely have bishop-level figures.

“This is Reibene Schrandel, the son of Archbishop Tasion, my Lord,” Marshall explained.

“Tasion? Those who were in Adonis Monastery and then moved to the high priesthood of Ebensio.”

“Yes, as Bishop Tasion became Archbishop, it was naturally assumed that his son Reibene Schrandel took over the bishop position.

“He is quite young.”

“He is younger than you, my Lord. It said he was the youngest Bishop there was.”

Archbishop Tasion. He was one of the people who had been expanding their power with a terrifying momentum within the denomination these days. Originated from Adonis Monastery on the outskirts, he was rejected even within the same denomination. But at some points, he entered the centre of the church and moved up to the high priesthood of Ebensio, showing a terrifying growth. The pope was a very trusted figure, and the public had speculated that he might even pass the position of cardinal to Archbishop Tasion in the future. Recently, the emperor had ordered him to be watched closely.

“And the young Bishop is coming to visit the territory himself? He is very diligent.” Edwin said with wonder.

The young man must have been carried away by the youthful spirit. A newbie who just got into the Bishop’s office visited August himself, where he knew the Lord of August had terrible terms with the church? It was obvious he was coming with some intentions.

But it was ridiculous rather than clever. Even though their age range was similar, Edwin could see through the young guest’s heart. It was evident that the young Bishop was foolish from showing his inner self and making moves that others could predict.

“I will not be just him alone, but it’s a group led by the young Bishop himself. I think we should do a simple greeting, my Lord.”

“Where are they now?”

“It is said that after going from house to house, they will visit the West District Healing Quarantine in the afternoon.”

“It’s about noon.”

“Oh, and the place you gave to the Lubedoa family. It’s close to the quarantine centre, My Lord.”

“Did  Asaya already go out?

“Yes, she went to visit her family there. The report of the immigration as a lady of August was over. However, the public sentiment within the province is not good, perhaps because of Lady Asaya from outside the wall. So I purposely provided a site in a remote place away from the main district. But I am still concerned, My Lord.”

“Be sure to protect her. Did you put a guard next to Asaya?”

“Of course, I ordered a guard to follow quietly without the lady knowing.”

It was unknown if this was one of Royal’s innate talents, but Edwin suddenly had an ominous feeling. Perhaps it was just about resentment, but he couldn’t let it go and that annoyed him to no end. After a while, he stood up and ordered Marshall.

“Cancel my lunch appointment. I’m going to the treatment quarantine centre right away.”

Asaya didn’t have anything to pack, so the migration ended quickly. She literally just had to move her body. The house Edwin provided was a two-story house in a remote location away from the main mansion. It was not very big or tiny. However, it was a pretty house with a garden that was enough for Mother, her younger brother Asaran, and Leah to live in.

Asaya’s mother, whose mind was gradually falling declining, lay down on a soft bed and rolled back and forth, acting like a child.  When Asaya saw her mother crying, her heart broke.

“Asaran, do you like this house?”

Asaran, who was unable to speak, nodded shyly. Then he ran to his mother’s side, jumped around the bed and laughed happily. Seeing the two happy, Asaya tried to calm down her tears of joy. Now they don’t have to worry about hunger, or thieves or evil attacks anymore. They don’t have to go around the night and stand guard by the wall in the freezing cold.

Now they can live an ordinary life. How long did Asaya long for the mediocre life that was a luxury in this land? Tears streamed down from the fact that she and her family could now live like human beings. Leah approached Asaya, who was trying to hold back the tears.

“What happened to you?”

“It’s like what you see. Grand Duke saved us.”

“Are you really marrying Grand Duke Kabelheider?”

“I’m still engaged. “

“What does he really want for marrying you?”

Asaya didn’t want to let anyone know about the real part of her engagement. That included her family and Leah. So Asaya roughly looked around and said.

“Because he loves me.”

“Do you want me to believe that?”

“If it’s hard to believe, then you don’t have to believe it.”

“Is it difficult to tell me the truth? “

At Leah’s question, Asaya didn’t really know how to answer but to keep quiet. Then Leah spoke.

“Okay, fine. I’ll pretend I don’t know. Whatever I say, you won’t tell the truth anyway. So tell me this instead. Do you live well there?”

“Yes, I bathe in clean water every day and eat plenty of food three meals a day. I have a room full of lavender and a fluffy bed to sleep.”

“Is there anyone who bothers you? “

“Of course not. All the people in the mansion are very nice.”

Leah noticed that all of this was too good to be true. It was a perfectly normal reaction. In fact, Asaya herself could not believe the situation either. Sometimes she wondered if all this was a dream. Leah looked at Asaya with suspicious eyes and soon sighed and hugged her.

“If you’re okay, then that’s all that matters. You don’t know how much your mother and Asaran cried after you left. I, too. I thought you were going to die. Now I’m so glad you’re alive like this. I even tried to sneak inside the wall to save you.”

“Why did you do such dangerous and reckless things?” Asaya scolded Leah.

“I should say the same to you”.

“I am sorry.” Asaya apologized.

“Okay, now, no need to apologize because, in the end, It worked as you wish.”

Leah squeezed Asaya’s hands as if saying everything turned out okay. Asaya struggled to hold back the tears. On such a happy day, she wanted to laugh rather than cry.

“I don’t know how long this life will last. Still, for the time being, we will be able to live without worrying.”

“Are you staying at the Kabelheider mansion?”

“Yes, but I will come here often. It might come every day.”

Asaya wiped away her tears, then laughed happily.

“For the time being, don’t worry and live happily. It’s a new day.”

“Okay.” Leah happily agreed.

There were full of incomprehensible things, but it was no use trying to understand. It wouldn’t change anything. So Asaya decided to put down the complicated mind for a while. Then they both smiled broadly.

“Asaran needs his medicine soon. I will go and get some water.”

Asaya told Leah.

After Asaya left the house, she saw some people were gathering over the fence.  The roaring voice was full of hostility rather than a favour. As if watching an animal trapped in a cage, they looked at Asaya with serious expressions from afar. Immediately, Asaya turned to the well, leaving behind the gaze of those strangers. However, they didn’t leave her alone.

“Aren’t these people who were brought from outside the wall by Grand Duke Kabelheiber?”

“Why did the Duke do that? Was it because of pity? No matter how, they are still filthy.”

“How do we know if they haven’t brought the plague to the inside wall already? “

“Is it true that the Duke was cursed by the devil and went mad?”

“What nonsense! It’s all thanks to whom our estates are enriched! Being disrespectful to the Duke is no different than being disrespectful to Serafina!”

“You must have a compassionate heart for poor souls .”

“Oh my.”

The unfriendly attitude of the people of the territory was expected. It was natural for them to be wary of outsiders. It was even more repulsive from outside the wall. Who would be happy to accept those who are at risk of plague within the territory? Asaya ignored and collected the water. Their gossips were gentle compared to those blood baths outside the wall. It was fortunate that they didn’t react violently.

“I am relieved to have Leah, but  just in case I shouldn’t let my guard down.” Asaya reminded herself.

Asaya thought that if she came inside the wall, she could live without any worries, but she was overwhelmed with new worries. She wondered if the people would sneak in and harm her family, or set a fire at night.  Sometimes people think and act differently. She was anxious that she did not know when they might change suddenly.

‘It is the same outside the wall or in here that I have to live in anxiety.’ Asaya said with disappointment.

She realized that even if the living environment changes, the label of being a vulgar commoner from outside the wall does not disappear. No matter how expensive the clothes and how fancy the house was, she was still a low-class citizen from outside the wall.

Asaya knew that even if she got engaged to Edwin and married later, it would be impossible to get the label off. At this point, his choice didn’t make any sense to her. She wondered if he was too reckless to have a low-class woman who can never be recognized as the hostess of the Kabelheider family.

In addition, Edwin must have many suitable substitutes for him to marry, but why did he bother with a woman like her. Thoughts continued running through Asaya’s mind. She tried to shake it off because it was all painful thoughts.

Meanwhile, the people close by had more things to say.

“I heard that there was a tour group dispatched from the church that will stay around here. And the Bishop leads the group himself.”

“It’s about time for them to arrive…”

It was when Asaya lifted a bucket full of water.

“Oh my gosh! The Bishop and Priests are here!”

With one man’s cry, the assembled crowds backed away.

After hearing the word Bishop, Asaya slowly turned her head. At that moment, she saw a beautiful man coming her way.  As the man-made eye contact, Asaya dropped the water bucket she was holding onto the floor. Her fingers trembled. A chill swept over her body as his curious face stared straight at her.

“…Asaya Lubedoa ?”

Asaya felt the blood flowing backwards. Her whole body trembled, and the heat rose quickly. She didn’t know if it was anger or sadness. But what was clear was that it was an unpleasant encounter. This was the same for the other person. Reibene was outright unpleasant and grabbed Asaya’s hand.

“Why is there a lowly sinner who has committed a sin and was cast out?”

Why was Asaya so unlucky today? Why must she have to face the person she wanted to cut out of her memory?

Reibene Schrandel, a sick bastard.