Chapter 13 : Chapter 13
Chapter 13. So Many Twists
“Lamb Losrian, Laila Bliss.”
Reading the two names on the letter softly and clearly, Priest Marshall first confirmed them, then looked at the five children before him, whose expressions varied, and said with a smile, “These two children have stood out in this selection.”
A brief silence.
None of the five children spoke.
Leticia didn’t know how to describe her feelings right then. She hadn’t been chosen, which was what she had hoped for, and she let out a breath of relief. But to say there wasn’t even the tiniest sense of loss would have been a lie.
Why?!
She had answered so well—why hadn’t she been chosen?
From Priest Marshall’s expression at the time, he had clearly been very pleased with her answer!
Could it be that there was some hidden reason behind this that couldn’t be spoken of?
Even more unsettled than Leticia was the boy named Diego. If Leticia’s heart at that moment was like a lake stirred with ripples, then Diego’s heart was without a doubt like a sea whipped up with crashing waves.
As for why, that can be left aside for now.
“Normally, after reading the names, the remaining children would be free to go.”
Putting the letter away, Priest Marshall looked kindly at the five children. “However, I have just thought of something and decided to do it.”
“Children, you are all excellent, every single one of you.”
Priest Marshall smiled. “So, besides the two who will enter the ‘Path of Sanctification,’ I will also select two more children to remain at this church as reserve members, serving as apprentices.”
Light should not be buried.
Though the places for the “Path of Sanctification” were limited, Priest Marshall could still, by his position and authority, allow more devout believers to come closer to the Lord’s radiance.
This, too, was an extension of his devotion.
As for the roles of those extra two children, that was where his personal intent lay.
Hearing of this new chance, the three who hadn’t been selected showed changes in expression.
Diego and another child had hope rekindled in their eyes, while Leticia had no spark of hope—only a little surprise and a silent “What the hell” running through her mind.
Lack of words was no problem; one “What the hell” could cover everything. Leticia’s mood at that moment could be summed up with exactly that.
Twists and turns, one after another! Why did this old man always have so many complications?!
Why not just read the names, send everyone home, and be done with it?
But of course, Leticia would never say such things aloud.
Priest Marshall said, “Modi, Diego, would you be willing to serve the Lord here in this church, to listen to His teachings, to take one step closer to Him?”
“......”
The two children fell silent—not from hesitation, but from ecstasy.
Never had they imagined they would encounter such a turn of fortune!
Nice!
In fact, Leticia was happier than they were. She almost blurted out something in English, so glad was she. Though she had her doubts about Priest Marshall’s choices, to be kept away from that dragon’s lair was absolutely the best result!
Seeing Leticia still quiet, Priest Marshall perhaps thought he should not neglect her. So he said:
“Leticia, you are excellent too. But unfortunately, the number of places is limited, so I can only give you some material rewards. I hope you will not lose the pure faith in your heart.”
After thinking for a moment, Priest Marshall addressed them again. “Laila, Lamb, in about a week, staff from the Church will arrive. At that time, you need only follow their orders. As for Modi and Diego, come here tomorrow morning.”
“Children, you may go. Leticia, stay.”
Ah, more?!
Leticia’s eyes flickered. She bowed her head and said, “Yes, Priest.”
“Leticia......”
As the four other children passed her, Laila looked at her with worry, reaching out to take her hand. “It’s all right.”
“I’m fine.”
Smiling to reassure her, Leticia whispered, “Congratulations, Laila, for entering the ‘Path of Sanctity.’ From now on, you must work hard.”
She didn’t know what exactly that “Path of Sanctity” was, where the chosen children would go, what church, what status, or what kind of life awaited them.
But for this gentle girl, Leticia truly felt joy, and gave her most sincere blessing.
“Mm, I will!”
Laila smiled. The little girl’s mind brimmed with bright hopes for the future.
And today, she felt those dreams had drawn a little nearer.
The other children also said goodbye to Leticia. Diego even came up silently to pat her shoulder, as though comforting her.
Competition—especially such innocent competition among children—when the winners were few, the losers would envy, begrudge, perhaps bear resentment, or perhaps offer blessings. But when the winners were the majority, they would usually feel sympathy for the lone loser, unless there was some irreconcilable hatred.
So Leticia, receiving this childish comfort, could only smile.
Once the other children had gone, Leticia noticed the old woman who had spoken to her before quietly closing the side door.
The church grew quiet again. Light and shadow intermingled, candle flames flickered, as though the gaze of some great being once again enveloped the place.
Feeling her heart calm against her will, Leticia looked at the kindly-faced Priest Marshall, waiting for his words.
“Child, do not be nervous.”
Smiling slightly, Priest Marshall reached out and guided Leticia to sit on the pew. Looking at the altar used for preaching and the cross behind it, the priest said, “The reason I asked you to stay—one, to let you choose what things you need for your life; two, simply to talk with you.”
“Talk?”
Leticia blinked. “Priest, what do you wish to talk about?”
“Nothing much, just a casual chat.”
Priest Marshall laughed. “Child, I said don’t be nervous. Do you think a priest eats people?”
“Of course not...... Only, since priests are such holy figures, I feel a little restrained......”
“Hahaha, child, there’s no need to be tense because of that.”
Priest Marshall stroked Leticia’s head with his rough hand. “Though we are priests, we are still human. Such emotions are unnecessary.”
“Mm, I understand, Priest.”
Looking at him, Leticia smiled back. “Thank you for your guidance.”
“Child, your eyes are very beautiful.”
Looking into her eyes, Priest Marshall said softly, “They make me feel as if I am being watched by the Lord Himself.”
Hearing this, Leticia instantly felt a jolt of fear. No way—could this old man actually be a copper?
It reminded her of a short story she had once read: a priest, troubled in his faith, secretly peeped daily at a “sexy lady” (so-called, though he only saw her neck and arms—she was clothed normally, and was someone he knew). He felt excited by it. Later, the priest, wracked by guilt, and as the woman confessed her hardships, smashed the glass he peeped through with his fist, declaring that his Lord had manifested!
Surely this old man wasn’t also blocked in his faith, hoping to see the Lord manifest through her?
That would be terrifying......
Her heart roiled with stormy waves, but outwardly Leticia kept her expression pure. “Priest?”
“Ah, forgive me......”
Realizing his lapse, Priest Marshall coughed awkwardly. “Leticia, what do you usually do?”
His behavior grew ever more suspicious. Was he really probing into her life? Could it be that he actually harbored some thoughts about her???
“Usually?”
Leticia thought carefully. “Normally, I help Uncle John with chores, sometimes I take a walk. I don’t really do anything else.”
She spoke cautiously. Most of it was true, and she wasn’t afraid of him checking.
Of course, if he really did check, that would mean danger was very close indeed.
“Oh....... Leticia, let me ask you,”
Priest Marshall suddenly said, “Would you like to learn to read and write?”