7 Chapter 7:- Sun Goddess's Church
"It's time for us to head to the church," William declared, his voice filled with determination. He turned his gaze towards Isabella, expecting her compliance. She nodded her head in acknowledgment, but a faint frown played upon her lips, betraying her reluctance towards the impending visit to the holy sanctuary. Unbeknownst to William, her aversion towards churches stemmed from her demon nature, which clashed with the sacredness of such places.
As William focused his attention on Isabella's response, he failed to notice the subtle change occurring before his eyes. Aimee, his beloved daughter, who had always clung to him like a cherished treasure, approached Isabella with uncharacteristic eagerness. Ignoring her father's outstretched arms, she embraced Isabella tightly, her small voice resonating with joy. "Mom...!!!!"
The scene struck William like a lightning bolt, piercing through his heart with a mix of shock and disbelief. He stood frozen, his arms still extended, while Aimee remained ensconced in Isabella's embrace. A surge of conflicting emotions coursed through him, shattering his sense of security and leaving him vulnerable.
'My daughter has forgotten me.'
Isabella, her eyes fixed on William, observed the cracks forming in his once unshakable facade. Although a part of her relished in his suffering, a dark satisfaction fueled by her hatred for him, another part felt a strange sense of pride and happiness. She couldn't deny the surge of joy that welled within her as Aimee, the innocent child caught in the middle, had chosen to remain by her side.
Behind her composed exterior, Isabella hid her tumultuous emotions, suppressing any outward display of triumph. A slight smile graced her lips, a blend of satisfaction and motherly affection shining in her eyes as she embraced Aimee, reciprocating the affection her daughter had shown her.
Once again, William, Aimee, and Isabella settled themselves inside Joseph's carriage, their destination set for the church. As they boarded the carriage, William couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and trepidation for the impending visit. He urged them all to hold on tight as Joseph, the skilled coachman, expertly maneuvered the carriage through the bustling streets.
The carriage surged forward, propelling them swiftly across the city. The journey, which would have taken hours to traverse on foot, was reduced to a mere 21 minutes of rapid progress. The wind whipped through their hair, blending with the murmurs of the city, as they made their way from one end to the other, their destination looming closer with each passing moment.
Within the confines of the carriage, a profound silence settled upon them. Normally, William would have made every effort to engage Aimee in conversation, coaxing her words to flow freely. But with Aimee nestled in Isabella's lap, their connection seemed altered, and he remained restrained, his gaze occasionally drifting towards his daughter. Aimee's eyes, once dull and devoid of emotion, now shimmered with a newfound brightness, radiating happiness. The sight warmed William's heart, filling him with immense gratitude towards Isabella.
Meanwhile, Isabella's thoughts dwelled on an entirely different plane. This was her inaugural experience of exploring a human city, and what she witnessed only served to stoke her anger. Observing humans and other races living their lives with ease and comfort, she couldn't help but seethe with fury. Her teeth clenched tightly as a deep-rooted resentment bubbled within her.
"Why are humans and other races permitted to revel in happiness, while the Demon race is treated as loathsome monsters?" Isabella mused, her anger surging through her veins. The hypocrisy of it all gnawed at her, fueling her determination to seek retribution. In her mind, humans regarded the Demon race as a plague, an affliction to be eradicated swiftly.
A vow crystallized within Isabella's heart, invisible to those around her. "Just you wait," she whispered internally, her voice resonating with dark resolve. "Once I regain my powers, I shall unleash hell upon humanity. They will pay for the atrocities they have committed." Concealing her rising fury, Isabella fought to maintain a composed façade in front of William, masking her true identity as a Demon.
Unaware of the tempest brewing within Isabella, William sat beside her, blissfully ignorant of her internal turmoil. The dynamic between them remained a delicate balance of gratitude and trust, his gratitude for Isabella's influence on Aimee overshadowing any suspicions that might have arisen.
As the carriage gradually came to a halt, the grand facade of the Church of the Sun Goddess loomed before them. It stood as a testament to the diverse religious tapestry woven throughout the world of Twin Moon. In this realm, myriad beliefs coexisted, each with its own devoted followers. However, among the plethora of faiths, none commanded as fervent a following as the religion of the Sun Goddess.
Renowned for its prominence and influence, the religion of the Sun Goddess held a special place within the Flaming Dominion Empire, the very embodiment of its official faith. While the Empire upheld a policy of tolerance towards alternative gods and goddesses, it was undeniable that the worship of the Sun Goddess reigned supreme. Its temples dotted the empire's landscape, resplendent and bustling with the pious.
William and Aimee stepped out of the carriage, their eyes widening in wonder as they took in the sight before them. Never before had they witnessed such a magnificent architectural marvel. The church loomed high, its towering spires seemingly reaching for the heavens themselves. Its intricate facade boasted intricate carvings, depicting scenes from ancient scriptures, and its walls were adorned with vibrant stained glass windows that shimmered in the sunlight, casting kaleidoscopic hues onto the surrounding grounds.
The sheer size of the church left both William and Aimee momentarily speechless. Its grandeur stretched far and wide, its presence dwarfing all nearby structures. The ornate details, meticulously crafted, spoke of the dedication and skill of countless artisans who had poured their hearts into its construction. It was a testament to the devotion and reverence the followers of the Sun Goddess held in their hearts.
Within the church walls, a tranquil ambiance prevailed, accompanied by the soft chants of devotees immersed in prayer. The fragrance of incense wafted through the air, mingling with the sound of whispered reverence. It was a sanctuary where believers sought solace, guidance, and the affirmation of their faith.
As the trio stepped forward, the ornate doors creaked open, revealing the resplendent interior of the church. Stained glass windows bathed the space in a kaleidoscope of colors, depicting legendary tales and the benevolent countenance of the Sun Goddess herself. The pews, polished to a rich luster, awaited the faithful, their sturdy frames inviting contemplation and reflection.
It was within this sacred realm, among the faithful congregation, that William, Aimee, and Isabella would soon find themselves. Each with their own thoughts and emotions, they approached the threshold of the Sun Goddess's domain.
As they crossed the threshold into the hallowed interior of the church, a nun adorned in a resplendent, golden modest dress approached them, her countenance initially radiant with a warm smile. However, her expression swiftly transformed into one of disdain as her gaze fell upon Isabella and Aimee. The serene aura surrounding the nun seemed to shift, revealing a hidden contempt and arrogance. It was as if she regarded them as insignificant ants, unworthy of her attention.
William, attuned to the sudden change in atmosphere, felt a surge of displeasure coursing through him. In that moment, a part of him wished to turn on his heels and depart from this place, unwilling to subject Isabella and Aimee to such unwarranted disdain.
Suppressing her inner turmoil, the nun turned her attention to William, her voice dripping with condescension as she inquired, "Welcome. How may I be of assistance?" Her mockery and contempt were palpable, evident in her disdainful glances directed towards Aimee and Isabella.
It became apparent to William that this church was not merely a sanctuary of prayer and meditation but also a hub of commercial activity. The establishment peddled holy artifacts, weapons, and armor, believed to possess formidable strength against demons and practitioners of dark magic.
William had ventured to the church for two distinct reasons. First and foremost, he sought to finalize a soul contract with Isabella. This contract would serve as a mutual assurance, preventing Isabella from betraying him or causing harm to Aimee, while also guaranteeing Isabella that he would not treat her as a mere slave, despite their current master-slave relationship.
"I want to sign a Soul Contract with her," William stated, his voice devoid of any religious fervor. As someone who seldom attended church back on Earth, he approached this task with a practical mindset.
The nun nodded briefly, acknowledging his request before responding, "That will cost you 100 Gold coins." William, well-versed in business dealings, instantly recognized the exorbitant amount being demanded. In this world, where the value of currency differed significantly from his previous reality, 100 Gold coins held substantial worth. It could sustain a middle-class family of four comfortably in the capital for six months.
A subtle yet telling smirk played upon the lips of another observing nun in the distance, amplifying William's suspicion that the church held some form of prejudice against them. Their behavior, combined with the disdainful gazes directed at his daughter, left a bitter taste in his mouth.
At that moment, a resolve solidified within William's heart. Unless absolutely necessary, he vowed to avoid any further involvement with the church and its representatives. Their disdainful treatment of his daughter, as if she were an abhorrent creature, only served to reinforce his decision.
Suppressing his displeasure, William chose not to argue over the exorbitant fee. "Alright." Engaging in a futile debate would only worsen their already strained relationship with the church. While 100 Gold coins seemed exorbitant to him, he recognized that it was a negligible amount in the grand scheme of things. As a seasoned businessman, he remained confident in his ability to amass significant wealth in the future.
The nun, momentarily taken aback by William's acquiescence, concealed her surprise behind a composed facade. Without uttering a word, she turned on her heels, gesturing for William to wait where he stood.
As they waited, William's gaze shifted towards his daughter, who appeared completely unfazed by their surroundings. Aimee, for reasons unknown, held an aversion towards the church, experiencing a deep-seated fear and insecurity. Isabella, keenly perceptive, observed Aimee's discomfort and swiftly responded. Cradling Aimee in her arms, she provided a safe haven for the young girl, allowing her to hide her face in the comforting embrace of Isabella's bosom. Aimee found solace in the warmth and security offered by her nanny, finding respite from her unease.
From this vantage point, Isabella carefully observed the actions of the nuns. As a demon, she held a deep-rooted animosity towards the church, harboring a desire to avoid its premises entirely. However, her true identity as a demon remained concealed from William, necessitating her compliance with their current circumstances. Initially, Isabella had anticipated that the nuns would expose her demonic nature to William, alongside Aimee. She had mentally prepared herself for such an eventuality. Yet, to her surprise, the nuns seemed to assume that William was already aware of both Aimee and Isabella's true nature, refraining from any explicit revelation.
Fortunately, the church was relatively quiet at this time, with only a handful of people present. The majority of the nuns were occupied with their respective tasks and obligations, leaving few individuals in the vicinity. However, in stark contrast to the disdainful gazes of the nuns, the other churchgoers appeared preoccupied with their own prayers and activities, paying no mind to William, Aimee, and Isabella. Immersed in their personal worship, they remained oblivious to the subtle tension that hung in the air.
The nun returned with a pair of exquisite golden pens, presenting them to William with a slight air of impatience. Observing William's perplexed expression, she realized the need to provide further clarification, albeit begrudgingly. Her primary objective was to expedite their departure from the church, ensuring they would not set foot inside again. Reluctantly, she proceeded to explain, her words rapid and curt.
"The Soul-Binding Contract is deemed valid only when inscribed with these golden pens," the nun began, her tone laced with annoyance. "Both parties involved in the agreement must utilize the golden pens to affix their signatures at the conclusion of the contract. It is crucial that each participant channels their Mana through the pen during the signing process. Once the contract is completed, it shall be acknowledged by the system. Any violation of the contract will be met with severe consequences enforced by the system, resulting in the offending party's demise. Their souls shall be forcibly torn asunder by the unforgiving power of the system."
The nun's explanation, albeit terse, conveyed the gravity of the contract's binding nature. It left no room for ambiguity or evasion, emphasizing the dire repercussions for those who dared to breach its terms.
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