Chapter 16: Bread and Circuses
The day Ireyne was recruited into the fold was quite the busy day for Prylla. Not only had she fully expected Ireyne to be beheaded she had no idea that the Archbishop would so readily accept her. In fact, the Archbishop even allowing Prylla to speak her mind was a cause for great admiration. Over the past four years that Prylla has known the Archbishop she never would have expected her to turn out so merciful. That, however, was the entire reason for her existence.
Prylla had taken Ireyne to the side room where the beds were and allowed her to choose whichever she wanted. Ireyne naturally just filled the slot next to the one Prylla chose. This wasn't a problem per se, but Prylla would have preferred her to choose the opposite side. She likes that sort of orderly setup. Prylla took Ireyne on a short tour of the church which had a simple setup contrasting its extravagance. The long rectangular main room; lined with the relics of the past. The dome ceiling loomed overhead as she took in the intricate sight. The grand throne that sat atop the altar as if suggesting the one that sat atop it was something to worship.
The red carpet that stretched from the entrance to the altar then split up the steps before rejoining and presenting the throne was truly a place that befitted the bearer of Pride. Prylla began Ireyne's tour with the kitchen which was setup like any kitchen one could imagine. It wasn't anything particularly special. There was plenty of space to move around in and a large pantry obviously built to manage the food of eleven people.
"Wow, this place is amazing..." Ireyne looked around the kitchen awestruck.
"Have you never seen a kitchen like this before?" Prylla's face had an inquisitive expression.
"No, the kitchen where I worked was quite cramped and we had to cook food using a pot over a flame."
"I understand why you wanted to leave."
Prylla nodded to herself before ushering Ireyne off to the next room. The dining hall was adjacent to the kitchen and sported a single long table with a purple cloth running down the center. The room itself shared a similar feel to the main hall or what Prylla had unanimously decided to call the throne room.
"So, this is where we will eat our meals. You aren't allowed to eat before the Lady Archbishop. You will aid me starting tomorrow in preparing them as well."
"That's fair enough."
After inspecting the dining room they went to the bath. It was large and rectangular in shape with a few steps that took you down into it. It was similarly set up to a public bath house like one would find in Kararagi. The room had a high ceiling in contrast to the previous two rooms. This one also sported a much cosier atmosphere in comparison to the dining room which gave off a domineering vibe.
"I've heard of bathhouses like this exist in Kararagi, but to actually see one in person is something else."
"The Lady does seem to enjoy it quite a bit. She would say it felt like home to her."
"Where is the Lady from anyway?"
"As far as I know, Flanders. At least that's what she says. I don't want to doubt her, however, I get the impression she doesn't actually know."
"Huh? How can someone not know where they're from?"
"Well, the Lady was found wandering in a forest very far from her home. As you're aware she was separated from her brother and joined the cult in order to find him. I met her shortly after she was named the Sin Archbishop of Pride. She was only six years old at the time. If she wasn't discovered that day she'd most certainly have perished in that forest."
The two exchanged a glance before the comfortable mood in the room vanished, being replaced by one of uneasiness. Prylla shook her head before walking out of the room with Ireyne following closely behind. Their next stop was the training hall located underneath the church. Ireyne continued to look around in wonder at the building as she moved from the bath to one of the staircases that were on either side of the altar leading downwards. Following Prylla they entered the first door on the left of the long hallway. The training room was exactly what she expected it to be. A training room. There were a few dummies situated throughout the room and a stack of hay in the corner. The magical lamps illuminated the room just like any other.
"So, am I going to be trained for fighting?"
"Hm, if the Lady wishes it, yes. If not, no."
"Well I have to say I'm not the best with magic. I'm pretty confident in my knife skills though!" Ireyne made a few funny stances as she imitated an imaginary knife and jabbed it forward a few times.
"Hah-" Prylla let out a sigh and secretly prayed that the Archbishop wouldn't set her expectations too high.
Finally they entered the last room that was part of the tour. The second most important room. The most important being the Sin Archbishop's personal quarters of course. The second Prylla opened the door to the room and revealed the interior Ireynes mouth dropped straight to the ground.
"Hu… Ah… Hah!?"
Completely awestruck by the vast array of artifacts situated on shelves and the mound of golden coins sitting in the corner, Ireyne entered in complete shock. The most notable of the various artifacts stored in the room being one of the Ten Swords of Power the Life sword Zeam. Prylla gave her the same explanation she gave to Deneb about the sword, but added in a warning to not even think about touching it. Ireyne walked around the shelves inspecting everything she could see. Picking up a small box she opened it to reveal a small ring with a red gem embedded into it.
"That's the Scarlet Little Finger. It was the item the Lady recovered on her first trip."
"Wow, it's beautiful."
"I wouldn't mess with it. It's a metia that inlays a curse that rots the target's limbs."
"Eeek! You should've said that sooner!" Ireyne yelped as she fumbled the box back onto the shelf.
"Hahaha! It won't activate that easily, relax." Prylla laughed at Ireyne's display and offered a small comfort.
"Does she ever use it?"
"No. She doesn't see a need for it. It's more of a keepsake to her."
Prylla's words rang true. Not once had Deneb ever even considered using the ring on a person. Even when facing the formidable Demon Clan the thought had never appeared to cross her mind. Prylla was thankful for it as she never wanted to witness that ring's power let alone have it turned on herself.
"If she doesn't want to use it, do you think she'd let me have it?"
"Planning on killing someone? I'll have you know we are moderates and don't condone mindless killing." Prylla huffed.
It was somewhat true that they were certainly far less radical than the rest of the Witch Cult. Prylla had convinced Deneb to not join in the slaughter of the Demon Clan, settling on only fighting the village elder as he was the one obstacle between her and her Gospel's command. She framed it as a personal desire at the time, but that wasn't the whole truth of the matter. She needed to ensure that the child escaped the village for what reason exactly she'd most likely never find out. She utilized Deneb's trust in her to push her future forward. She felt guilty not relaying the whole truth to her, but it was in the past and unlike the future that was set in stone.
"I'm not that barbaric! I just think it looks pretty!"
"Well then all I can say is go ask her yourself."
Prylla and Ireyne continued to chat with one another about various topics and Prylla had her begin helping with some of her tasks. The first one was sweeping away the dirt around the church. This while on the surface seemed like a simple task was actually incredibly difficult to do alone. Prylla had managed this by herself for the past month while tirelessly searching for a new recruit. Prylla was quite the diligent follower. They began with what Ireyne now called the servant quarters. The pair each took one side of the room and worked their way to the other which halved the time it would take for Prylla to do it by herself.
They continued like this until it was time for dinner which Ireyne helped Prylla prepare. Ireyne set up the dining table while Prylla went to fetch Deneb. Once the young Archbishop arrived Ireyne couldn't help but tremble a little. The girl was terrifying to be near. The calm air suddenly became suffocating as if everything inside her was being simultaneously ripped out and crushed. The Archbishops brown hair fluttered past her shoulders, her fine purple nightgown giving her an elegant appearance. Her mere presence wasn't what disturbed Ireyne the most.
It was her eyes.
Those blue orbs that drooped with angled eyebrows seemingly looking somewhere far far away. No matter how many times she caught her gaze she couldn't help but look away briskly. The eye's of someone who wasn't looking at you, but through you, far far past you, into a distant future.
"Something wrong?" The Archbishop turned her gaze to Ireyne once again, but instead of idly breaking away once Ireyne did and returning to her meal she decided to speak.
"N- Nothing! It's just… ummm..." Ireyne stuttered.
"I won't bite~. Just say whatever's on your mind."
"During the tour… um..."
"See something you like~ in the treasury?" She had an innocent gaze as she tilted her head. Her voice was oddly childish, contrasting her imposing presence when Ireyne initially saw her.
"That metia, the Scarlet Little Finger… I was… um… Prylla said to ask first… so… um…"
"Hm? You don't have to be so nervous~. If you want something all you have to do is ask. What's the worst that can happen anyway? I say no and we move on, that's all~." Answering her own question she rested her head on her hand as she waited for Ireyne's response patiently. Ireyne remained silent as the words continued to catch in her throat.
"If you keep refusing to speak, that'll make me upset. And that's a serious sin making someone upset." The pressure in the room increased drastically as she finished speaking.
"I'd like to have it..." Ireyne finally spoke.
"Have what?" The childish tone was replaced by something else entirely.
"That metia, the Scarlet Little Finger. I thought it was cute, so I wanted to ask if I could have it since Prylla said you weren't using it."
"That's all~? I'll let you borrow it, but if I ever need it you have to give it back, okay?" Her childish tone returned as the pressure in the room relaxed.
"Thank you, Lady Archbishop."
Ireyne let out the breath she was holding in and used her napkin to wipe the sweat that was beading on her forehead. How Prylla hadn't been beheaded by now was something Ireyne would probably never come to understand. One thing she did know was that the Archbishop was a terrifying creature who defied reason. Even if she was quite reasonable to speak with as long as you didn't step on her bad side.
The next morning the Archbishop announced they were going to be heading to the City in the Clouds, Mezoreia. To search for an orphan with a divine protection of some sort. Ireyne helped Prylla pack their things before heading to the treasury to grab the metia she'd been allowed to borrow. Stuffing it in a pocket she returned to the carriage and set off with the Archbishop on her first journey.