Ch. 5-Exorcists, Routine, Priest

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Nathanael would have been able to finish the Bible for the 79th time had it not been for the abrupt entry of three exorcists. As a bishop he needed to greet these "esteemed" guests and slyly find their objective for coming here—lest they came to pray (of which Nathanael could guarantee was not their motive).

"Good evening, bishop," an exorcist brought on the prelude of a lengthy conversation, and Nathanael was stipulated to extend the useless prattle. "And what has brought you three to this humble cathedral?"

Currently they were situated in a tea room that had an peculiar aroma of putrid; Nathanael didn't dare move to another place nevertheless—he simply held his breath until an orphan delivering herbal tea arrived, which instantaneously brought a rich fragrance of peppermint.

Recently, he seemed to be surrounded by peppermint more frequently. Having those thoughts, almost congenitally, his mind swayed to his little apprentice knight. Additionally, Nathanael also thought of him more frequently.

Another exorcist perks with a dainty voice belonging to a maiden, "We've come here to exorcise a powerful vengeful spirit." Her appearance was anything but special; a baby face that made her seem more honest. Perhaps, that is why she explained.

The bishop was aware that others had different views of the titles of mythical beasts. In this case, a "vengeful spirit" would be what the monastery considered a demon, which had made Nathanael incessantly question the stability and inclusiveness of their continent. How haven't a war of discrimination and colonization arrived? Their world seemed to be clogged of differential cultures like one made from playdoh that had been smacked together in hopes of merging the two.

As a matter of fact, when Nathanael newly came to this cathedral, he was surprised to see the regular visitation of monks—there was one monk in every ten priests. The world really works in strange ways seemed the most fitting phrase—and it was clear to see Nathanael hadn't grown out of this complication considering he was still bothered by it.

A little irritated because of the incongruity, the bishop pretence a cold remark, "Do you doubt the security provided by the supreme being?" He was still a half-hearted devotee.

"Of course not!" The exorcist which had stayed silent till now, cried out. Moreover, the dainty baby face exorcist assured, "We are only here to undergo a mild survey not under the suspicion of the supreme being."

With that, Nathanael's fleeting curiosity of which matter is used to prevent altercations is unruled. None dared to cause a quarrel as if some unspoken rule.

Like the difference between night and day, Nathanael smiles and because of its pulchritude he is easily accepted as the model of perfection. His previous manner was entirely forgotten; the dainty maiden blushed.

"I understand," the charming sage eyes he had received from his father, turned crescent; the bishop had been told many times he looked more like his father when he smiled, but he obtained his mother's beautiful features.

This pacified the exorcists to a great deal, and the dainty woman revealed, almost shamelessly,"We'll need a room to stay in now that we have your acceptance."

"We currently only have two free rooms that aren't in top form; what say you?" Nathanael had lied. He was proficient in lying; there was not an expression of guilt in his tone.

"It works." The countenance of the two male exorcists weren't hidden properly; their features pinched awfully. On the other hand, the dainty girl had a stilled smile. Two vastly different things came to mind; either this woman had been completely fooled, or she was in control of her facial muscles (Nathanael hated the idea of both; he was never a satisfied man).

After personally escorting them to the two rooms, which were a mile apart due to Nathanael's terrible sadistic nature, the bishop was keen to abandon them and report to the his superiors. Then, he was nearly free.

——-

"So that is the case with the exorcists...Thank you, bishop Nathanael." Graham, a well informed priest, had given his junior a pat on the shoulder with a particularly dignified smile, yet to Nathanael it looked revolving. The place where Graham's hand touched itched apprehensively. Nathanael knew once he had the opportunity to leave, he would immediately scale off his skin with cloth.

Presently, in front of Graham, the bishop could not keep on a his trademark smile despite the higher status in title. However, that could be regarded as polite on Nathanael's part considering he hadn't gagged.

In fact, Graham was a very handsome man that if Abelard had the pleasure of meeting, he would recite curses at the author like spitting out graces.

Nathanael hadn't a valid reason to hate the priest personally, but it didn't exclude Graham's unorthodox orientations that wasn't limited to simply liking men. He happened to have rumours of masochistic behaviour when accounting his form of self-gratification.

With that disrespectful thought in mind, the bishop punctually added, "I'll leave—now that I have the leeway to do so."

"Naturally, you have such freedom. Regardless, it is a bit regretful to see you leave so early. Fancy a cup of tea?"

They both stood at the entrance of Graham's room because Nathanael refused to enter, so the conversation was awkwardly ringed up between the doorframe.

"No, thank you."

"There is no need to be formal."

A few pupils roamed the hallway, greasily trying to listen in. If Abelard was here he, too, couldn't be able to hold back his curiosity.

After a few moments of silence, Graham surrendered; he typically was the one to, and—according to rumours—even in bed,"..okay, I'll see you around then."

Nathanael had promptly shut the door for him, politely.

——-

It was bit awkward for Nathanael to have free time, and if he did it was usually spent reading biblical scrolls. However, for unelaborated reasons, Nathanael found himself trailing the halls Abelard would frequently appear. Without much evaluation, the bishop keenly realized a strong difference in the little apprentice. There was such a contrast between the two, Nathanael had wondered if the demon even tried to hide. Maybe, instead of a lacking strength from being on holy grounds, the demon was lacking in intelligence.

Nathanael was completely certain Abelard was not truly the previous one from two weeks back. So if not a demon; what? Even after this discovery, the bishop did nothing. In fact, after the apprentice handed in that dismissal letter that fateful night and Nathanael noticed the difference, he did not feel too much loss. The original Abelard had merely been a toy. It was the type of loss one felt after spilling milk. At that, one would say, "What a shame..." before pouring another glass.

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Once again, no grammar check

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⏰ Last updated: Jun 27, 2023 ⏰

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